Haunted Hikes For Halloween

I love Halloween!! I love ghost stories!! I love fall hiking!! So, of course, I LOVE haunted Halloween hikes! Washington is full of railroad, logging, and mining history which lends itself to stories of disasters, old relics, and ghost towns. Check out some local spooky hikes for Halloween this year and let me know which …

Northern State Recreation Area

Well it is the season for the weather to turn stormy, wet, and gloomy here in the lowlands and snow will be returning to the mountains. Add to that the approach of Halloween and it is the perfect time to visit the Northern State Recreation Area (NSRA). The NRSA is a Skagit County park that …

The Ten Essentials With Kiddos

You've probably heard a lot about the need to carry the "ten essentials," hopefully you are already carrying them with you. They are vital year round and with the arrival of unpredictable weather in the high country, now is a good time to do a supply check. Do you have all ten covered? Anything need …

West Fork Foss River – Trout Lake

With the sudden arrival of fall, and even snow at the passes, time is running out to get in those higher mountain hikes. West Fork Foss Lakes trail to Trout Lake is a fairly easy excursion into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, much prettier than expected, and has ample space for one last easy overnight with the …

Hovander Homestead and Tennant Lake

Featuring farm animals, farm equipment, multiple gardens, superhero scarecrows, a playground, two towers - one with views of Mt Baker, an interpretive center, a wetland boardwalk, a lake, a slough, a river, and a shaded trail, these parks have just about everything you could ask for. The catch? It’s a long drive from the Seattle …

Fall Is Here! Rain Gear For The Kiddos

Fall has arrived in the Pacific Northwest. I know, I know, some of you are sad summer is already over and don't want to imagine the long gray wet winter ahead of us. Personally, I LOVE fall! Its the best season! Hiking in cooler weather, the color it adds to the forest, and oh the …

Westport Dune Trail

The fires burning across the Pacific Northwest are devastating and tragic. Our favorite camping area and so many beautiful wild places are burning right now and smoke is filling the air for many miles, making hiking difficult to impossible. Our friends and neighbors at home have been posting pictures of cars covered in ash. We …

The Best Boots Ever

I'd like to take a break from talking hikes for just a moment to tell you all about my new hiking boots. (I did not receive any compensation, discount, free stuff, etc.. I just found boots I freaking love and want to share! Honestly!) For the last 10ish years I have been hiking in a …

Sauk Mountain Sans Kiddos

Sometimes you just have to leave the kiddos at home and go on an adults (in this case moms) only hike. Sauk Mountain is a great hike for that get away. Steep and exposed, it provides a challenge that would be unwise for small children. At only 4.2 miles roundtrip it is short enough to …

Wellington Ghost Town

Cool off in a tunnel and take a short walk back in time along the original Great Northern Railway, passing through a ghost town that was the site of America's deadliest avalanche more than 100 years ago.   The Basics: Follow route 2 to Stevens Pass. Turn on to the unmarked road on the north side …