There’s a little gravel pull-off along the side of Highway 530 between Arlington and Darrington, Wa. You wouldn’t think from just driving by that there is plenty to explore here as well as richness in history of a town long forgotten. From the parking area you have the choice to let your eyes feast upriver…
Category: Hiking Adventures
Monte Cristo Townsite
From 1899 to 1907 Monte Cristo was a mining town. Harvesting mainly gold and Silver. Later on it became a resort town and now a well preserved ghost town. Something we don’t see enough of in the dampness of the great PNW. The hike out to the townsite is an adventure in its own. You…
Dry Falls
Dry Falls is located near Soap Lake in the Columbia Basin. These once massive waterfalls were created about a million years ago during the Pleistocene Epoch. This was a period of cooling and great ice sheets and glaciers were formed across the Eastern Washington. The ice grew to be over a mile thick. As the…
Hidden Lake Lookout
In the back country of Marblemount, Wa is a long, steep trail that leads you on an a painstaking adventure you will never forget. Like every hike there is a beginning a middle and an end, but this one has well defined chapters. The first leg of your journey gets you to work right away…
Lake Lenore Caves
The Lake Lenore Caves are located just outside of Soap Lake in Washington. These caves were formed around 12,000 years ago. They were created by the melting and freezing of water. These conditions gradually wore away the basalts that made up the canyon walls and left what can be seen to be shallow caves high…
Carkeek Park
Carkeek Park is located in Seattle. The Park has an award winning Environmental Learning Center that offers a variety of nature programs. You can find the learning center near the park entrance. You will also find a beautiful flower garden there. If you are a bird watcher check out this informational brochure before you visit….
Elliot Creek and Goat Lake
I had a day to myself and decided to go on a solo hike to one my favorite local hikes. The Elliot Creek & Goat Lake Trail is situated along the Mountain Loop Highway between Granite Falls and Darrington, Wa. It’s a long 10.4 miles roundtrip with a 1400 foot elevation gain. Not too far…
Painted Hills
One of the many jewels of Oregon, the Painted Hills is a masterpiece of nature. The colors that run through the rock formations often seem out of this world as you tour the park. The contrasting colors represent different periods of paleo environments. Yellows indicate cooler arid era, while reds indicate warmer, wet, sometimes swampy…
Crater Lake
When the mighty Mount Mazama blew some 7,700 years ago she forever changed the landscape and eco system of Eastern Oregon. This mountain loomed over 12,000 feet high and lost a mile off it height in the eruption. Ash clouds covered the sky and fell as far as Alberta, Canada. The eruption sent 12 cubic…
Whatcom Falls
Whatcom Falls in Bellingham is a gorgeous park! You will not be disappointed with a stop here. The park boasts many trails throughout, but also has trails that branch out to Bloedel Donavan Park, St. Clair Park, Railroad Trail, and Bayview Cemetery. The trail to the Falls is easy going. A beautiful stone bridge built…
Trail at Marblemount Boat Launch
If there’s something I’ve learned while collecting adventures in this modern world is that not all the beautiful places are listed on the internet. This trail I took today didn’t really seem to have a name, just a well defined trail into the great beyond. Some folks chase rainbows, but for me, I know that…
Sauk Springs & Skagit View Trails
This little trailhead to Sauk Springs and the Skagit View Trail just narrowly caught my eye today as I was headed West on Highway 20 toward Concrete, Wa. I made a quick u-turn and tucked my car to the side of the road next to the trail. Taking off on the first trail (Sauk Springs)…
Leavenworth City Park
After you’ve eaten all the Wiener schnitzel your heart desires, visited the boutiques, and the arts & crafts booths head towards the river where you will find a hidden gem. Leavenworth City Park has miles of well manicured trails for your enjoyment. This is an impressive park originally built in 1975 and improved upon over…
White Chuck Bench Trail
I showed up to the trailhead to the White Chuck Bench Trail outside of Darrington, Wa and found these signs. “Trail work ahead closed to public use” and “Workers riding motorcycles may be on trail.” Normally the thought of missing out on a trail would bum me out, but I am totally excited about this….
Iron Goat Trail
We decided to take a midweek adventure and hike the Iron Goat Trail near Stevens Pass, WA. There are two trailheads for this hike one at milepost 55 and near the summit off the Old Cascades Highway. It was midweek and the trailhead was empty except for two bears about a quarter mile from the…
Evan and Boardman Lake
I have done this hike so many times I could probably do it blindfolded. That being said, and due to its popularity, there is usually other hikers there. Today, however, these beauties were all mine. A very rare and special treat! Getting to this trailhead is a journey in itself. Once you leave the Mountain…
Peak-a-boo Lake Recon Mission
Earlier this year my cousin Tom and I attempted a Snowshoe Trip to Peak-a-boo Lake in Darrington, Wa. Unfortunately, the snow just got too deep and we had to turn back. Nothing bothers me more than a failed mission, so this last weekend I drug my husband and dog with me to finally finish what…
Discovery Park
There is so much to discover at Discovery Park located at 3801 Discovery Park Blvd, Seattle, WA. Take the 2.8 mile loop to check things out or zig zag yourself through the park on the nearly 12 miles of hiking trails. First thing to do is stop at the visitors center at the East parking…
Meadowdale Beach
This trailhead to the beach is located at Meadowdale Beach Park at 6026 156th St SW, Edmonds, WA 98026. To get to this beach is a trek. Follow the trail through shady Lund’s Gulch. The trail follows the creek down to the beach. Take care to bring bug spray. Shade and water breed mosquitoes and…
Silver Falls – Ten Waterfalls in 7.2 Miles
If you are a waterfall aficionado the Silver Falls Oregon State Park (near Salem) is a waterfall lovers paradise. It is often referred to as the “Crown Jewel” of Oregon and rightfully so. On the Ten Falls Trail in 7.2 miles you can expect to see 10 amazing waterfalls. When I set it to do…
Greider Lakes
I much prefer to write about an adventure freshly after it was had. Most of our adventures are, but in this case I am just anxious to tell you about this place. Facebook memories reminded me that this time last year was when my cousin Tom and I had set out on our great hunt…
Paradise Valley Conservation Trail
Paradise Valley Conservation Trail is located near Maltby, Wa. This park is 667 acres in size and has trails open to horses, mountain bicyclists, and hikers. We decided to make this an afternoon workday hike. As soon as we got off work we headed to the trail. We pulled in at about 4:45pm and saw…
Forgotten Creek Natural Area
Everett, Wa has become quite developed over the years and where there was once thriving forests and babbling brooks there now stands a sort of concrete jungle. However, if you look hard enough one can find little gems such as the Forgotten Creek Natural Area. A place that gives respite from the hustle and bustle…
Deception Falls
If you’re looking for the perfect rest stop on Steven’s Pass, look no further than Deception Falls. You will find rustic bathrooms and also a lovely covered picnic area that also has BBQs. This is a great place to stop, have a little picnic lunch, refresh, and explore Deception Falls. The trailhead to the falls…
Icicle Gorge
The rain drove us East this last Saturday to Icicle Gorge in Leavenworth. It’s amazing how easy it is to escape the rain this time of year by just crossing the Cascades. Although, I do not advise it on a Sunday, traffic is brutal that day. The Icicle Gorge trailhead is located 12.4 miles South…
Heybrook Fire Lookout
Have you ever dreamed about spending the night in fire lookout tower? You can rent the cabin at the top of the Heybrook Fire Lookout for Your legs will be jelly after this short one mile hike. Be prepared to make a steep elevation gain in a short distance to reach the Heybrook Lookout. The…
Franklin Falls
Franklin Falls is located about three miles from where you get off I-90 near the summit. The parking lot is fairly easy to find if you use Google maps or other navigational tools. Get there early this hike is very popular. We went up on an overcast weekday afternoon and found several cars in the…
Red Mountain Lookout
The hike to Red Mountain Lookout in the Glacier Peak Wilderness area of Washington is one that will bring you back in time. It’s one of the most remote areas of the state. The trail is swarmed with ancient old growth along with several culturally modified trees from early Native American inhabitants. Being there was…
Foothills Park
I enjoy collecting adventures the same way some collect Star Wars figurines or old coins. Currently, I am after every Marysville, Wa park I can find. Today, I bagged Foothills Park in South Marysville. Just as predicted, it was beautiful and so well cared for. There isn’t really a parking lot for this park, and…
Lime Kiln Trail
The Lime Kiln Trail in Granite Falls, Wa follows the old railroad grade that used to connect communities, industry, and commerce along the river. The railroad was built in 1892 and abandoned by 1934. It’s an almost 7 mile round trip hike. The trail is marked well and has gradual elevation gains and losses throughout….
Deadwater Slough
With a name like Deadwater Slough one must wonder if somewhere in history there lies a story. I did some research and encountered trouble finding its origins, but what did surface was an account of the Tragedy at Deadwater Slough. It was the winter of 1917 and temperatures were nearing freezing. Somewhere around 1:30 a.m….
Fort Ebey State Park
Fort Ebey State Park is an all day experience with 25 miles of walking and biking trails. Our first stop upon entering the park was the gun battery, a coastal defense fort built into a bluff overlooking Admiralty Point on Whidbey Island during World War II. It never saw any real action, but it certainly…
Lookout Tree Trail
I am inclined to tell you that this is an easy hike down to Lookout Tree, but it is a 200ft drop taking you through 1/4 mile of not very well trodden wilderness. So, yes it is short, but you will be feeling the calf burn on the way back up. The hike used to…
PNW Adventure Sisters 