Take a walk back in time along the original Great Northern Railroad grade. Complete with flowers, bridges, waterfalls, tunnels, snowsheds, interpretive signs, and mysterious random artifacts, there is plenty to entertain kids and adults alike. Whether you are looking for an easy walk for all abilities or moderately challenging hike, the Iron Goat Trail delivers. … Continue reading Iron Goat Trail
Month: May 2017
Deception Falls National Recreation Area
Beautiful enough the be a destination on its own but short enough to be a quick add-on to other area hikes or a drive on the Cascade Mountain Loop. Most who stop here only take in the view of the falls, never realizing that the best part of Deception Falls NRA can be found on … Continue reading Deception Falls National Recreation Area
Heat Wave at Spada Lake
So you may or may not have noticed that I missed Monday's post. Allow me to tell you what happened with a cautionary tale of what not to do when a heat wave strikes. I went on two terrific hikes on Friday that I was eager to write up for this week but of course … Continue reading Heat Wave at Spada Lake
North Creek Trail – McCollum Pioneer Park
The hikes we had planned this week got cancelled due to a blizzard in the mountains. Yes, a blizzard in mid May. So I will share a couple of my favorite lowland, rainy day hikes instead. This is not a deep rainforest of old growth or a high country hike to a mountain lake but … Continue reading North Creek Trail – McCollum Pioneer Park
Forest Loop – McCollum Pioneer Park
The hikes we had planned this week got cancelled due to a blizzard in the mountains. Yes, a blizzard in mid May. So I will share my favorite lowland, rainy day hike instead. This is not a deep rainforest of old growth or a high country hike to a mountain lake but it is an … Continue reading Forest Loop – McCollum Pioneer Park
Thunder Creek – North Cascades NP
This Mother's Day I decided on a change of pace from the enchanted dripping-mossy rain forests, but the upper elevations were still snow bound, so I decided to try a gentle walk in North Cascades National Park. The Thunder Creek trail provides a lovely mountain forest with trilliums and fungus of a different color, orchids, and moss of a different … Continue reading Thunder Creek – North Cascades NP
Redmond Watershed Preserve
Full of big trees, moss, ferns, and everything you expect in the Cascade foothills, Redmond Watershed Preserve offers a surprisingly wild walk in a deep, shaded forest. Most surprising is that this beauty is just a couple miles from software central and mere steps from suburbia. The Basics: The preserve is located on the north … Continue reading Redmond Watershed Preserve
Larabee State Park – Fragrance Lake
The Fragrance Lake trail is one of many in a network of trails on Chuckanut Mountain and Larabee State Park. Somewhat steep, you get a good workout but will be too distracted by the beauty of the trail to really notice. If your child is up to the challenge of elevation gain, they can walk the … Continue reading Larabee State Park – Fragrance Lake
Iron Horse State Park, John Wayne Trail – Cedar Falls to Ragnar
The John Wayne trail is a 110+ mile long rail-to-trail conversion that begins at Cedar Falls, near Rattlesnake Lake, and gently climbs to Snoqualmie Pass before gently descending on the other side of the mountains, to the Columbia River and beyond. The westernmost 3.5 miles is a gentle stroll through beautiful forest with views of Mt … Continue reading Iron Horse State Park, John Wayne Trail – Cedar Falls to Ragnar
Boulder River Falls
Boulder River Falls is a fairly easy and short walk in the deep woods to a big, beautiful waterfall that cascades in frayed ribbons down a cliff face across the river gorge. This hike can be a great escape from the hot summer sun or the perfect early season, snow free, hike. To really see the … Continue reading Boulder River Falls
Toddler Trekking 