Hi! Welcome to my Washington Hiking Page!
...I'm still working on this but it's coming soon! So, Stay Tuned!
First off, Washington State is beautiful!
There are many, many hikes i still haven't done, but i'd thought i'd share some photos + a little info about different hikes I have done... Kind of a starting point guide for those of you who might want to check out some beautiful hiking in Washington and/or to find hikes you haven't done yet perhaps?
How to use this site?  For most of the hikes I have included pictures so you can see what might be of interest to you. If you scroll over the photo, a thumbnail should pop up telling you what hike you are looking at. Then below i've listed each hike with a brief description. Please note the "brief" part. I've just listed a few notes or tips that I remember...So, always do more research! Some hikes may be easy and can be done almost year round where as some are difficult and have a very short season... And things can change over time, such as road and trail conditions. I always recommend researching more about the hikes on your own and reading trip reports for conditions. WTA is amazing! All Trails is great too....as well as many other hiking websites. Do your research, pack for and know your conditions, and use GPS! Please be Safe!
I have listed hikes by region/area (north to south....sort of) and then have also listed hikes somewhat in my favorites order? But everyone has different opinions in what they like so keep that in mind. The 5*'s are my overall favorite hikes if I had to choose. 4*'s are really amazing and totally worth doing in my opinion... Beautiful!  Some 4*'s are almost 5*'s (or maybe they will be in your opinion?)... and some closer to 3*'s. 3*'s to me were nice hikes but maybe something i wouldn't go too far out of my way to tackle? 
Have fun and enjoy the amazing beauty out there!
.... And feel free to connect with any questions

MT BAKER
SKYLINE DIVIDE // 
PTARMIGAN RIDGE // 
TABLE MT // 
CHAIN LAKES LOOP  //
CHURCH MT //
YELLOW ASTER BUTTE //
PICTURE LAKE // 
NORTH CASCADES
HIDDEN LAKE//  5*
CASCADE PASS / SAHALE ARM // 5*
HEATHER-MAPLE PASS LOOP // 4* 
SAUK MT. // 4*
BLUE LAKE // 4*
​
LAKE DIABLO //
WASHINGTON PASS // 
MT LOOP HWY
TWIN LAKES // 5*
GOTHIC BASIN //  5*
VESPER PEAK // 4*
MT. DICKERMAN // 4*
MT. PUGH // 4*
MT. FORGOTTEN / PERRY CREEK // 4*
MT. PILCHUCK // 4*
LAKE 22 // 4*
​HEATHER LAKE //  4*
​OLD ROBE CANYON // 4*
​




HWY 2 / LEAVENSWORTH
THE ENCHANTMENTS  (+ LITTLE ANNAPURNA) // 5*
MT MCCAUSLAND // 4*
LAKE SERENE / BRIDAL VEIL FALLS // 4*
INDEX TOWN WALL// 4*
WALLACE FALLS // 4*
HEYBROOK LOOKOUT // 3*
BARCLAY LAKE // 3*
WELLINGTON GHOST TOWN // 3*

​ 
HWY 90
RAMPART LAKES + ALTA MT + LAKE LILA //  5* BACKDOOR OR RACHEL LAKE TRAIL OPTIONS. Mileage includes Rampart Lakes, Lake Lila, and Alta Mt. You can shorten it but not going to all 3. All 3 are amazing though and definitely worth seeing if you have the time + energy. Alta Mt is the hardest/elevation gain. The other lakes are much easier to get to. If you take the Rachel Lake route, go past Rachel Lake! Rachel lake by itself I would give3*, the others  4-5*each. Such an amazing hike! Especially if you can make it there in fall when the colors turn- wow!  The hike is great both via Rachel Lake or Backdoor! I think I preferd the backdoor route a little more as you get to see Lake Lillian and some nice Rainier views, Its slightly shorter the backdoor way but be aware it is extremely steep which made it a more difficult hike overall. Also, the road to get there is a single land dirt road with potholes. Recommend high clearance car and hope that no one comes the opposite direction as there are some but not a lot of turn-outs to pass. I was glad I wasn't driving! However if you do the Rachel Lake instead, I believe you can get there with any type of car (always check road conditions as things can change).  
SNOW LAKE / GEM LAKE / WRIGHT MT. // 4*
NAVAHO PEAK // 4*
MAILBOX PEAK // 4*
GRANITE MT. // 4*
MT TENERIFFE  (UNMARKED TRAIL) / TENNERIFFE FALLS // 4*
KENDALL KATWALK // 4*
BANDERA MT. // MASON LAKE // 4*
MT. DEFIANCE / MASON LAKE // 4*
RATTLESNAKE LEDGE// 4*
MT. SI/ 4*
MELAKWA LAKE / PASS / SNOWSHOE FALLS / FRANKLIN FALLS // 4*
GOLDMYER HOTSPRINGS// 4*
GOLD CREEK POND // 4*
SNOQUALMIE FALLS // 4*
POO POO POINT // 4*
MIRROR + COTTONWOOD LAKES // 3*
GARFEILD LEDGES // 3*
TWIN FALLS // 3*
MT. WASHINGTON // 3*
OLALLIE + TALAPUS LAKE // 3*
COUGAR MT. TRAILS // 3*
 





MT RAINIER
SKYLINE LOOP TRAIL (PARADISE) // 5* 5.5 MI Gain: 1700Ft. Starts at Paradise. If you've never been to Rainier, Highly recommend this hike as a starting point. Can add on or take off distance to this hike making it great for beginner and advanced hikers. Paradise is Paradise! 

Note: Not up for the full hike? You can also do short hikes from the Paradise area. Skyline trail to Myrtle Falls is only 1 mile RT with only 100 ft. gain. Also note, while Paradise is amazing and I highly recommend, you wont be hiking alone as it is probably the most touristy area of Mt. Rainier.....but did I mention how beautiful it is? Must see!

MILDRED POINT + COMET FALLS // 5* 7 MI Gain: 3135Ft. HARD-ISH This hike is not super long, but uphill the whole way! Super steep near the end, but totally worth it if you can hang. If not, Comet Falls is 3.8 miles RT and 1250 elevation gain. Has a little of everything- Amazing falls, meadows (nice with fall colors), views, and really cool viewpoint of the glacier.

Note: Comet Falls, in my opinion is still a 4* hike, but if you can push on I highly recommend you do.

​BURROUGHS MT TO BURROUGHS 3 (SUNRISE) // 5* ?MI Gain: variable? I rate this hike 5*  if you do this hike as a loop, all the way to Burroughs 3 and  going  up Mt Fremont as well. Its probably about 18. miles?...and definitely steep, especially going from Burroughs 2 to Burroughs 3. Just going to Burroughs 3 is still a high 4* hike and you can make a loop with other trails in the sunrise area. Just going to Burroughs 2 is still really cool and I would give it a lower 4*. Definitely go past Burroughs 1! Check out a sunrise trail map for loop possibilities. 

Note: Loops can be done either direction, I've done it both ways and they seemed just as interesting both ways. However, if you go clockwise to Burroughs you get views in your direction of Emmons Glacier and White river on the way.

MT. FREMONT (SUNRISE) // 4* 5.6 MI Gain: 1200 Ft. Nice views. Can combine the hike with others in the area if you want to extend.

Note: Look for goats below, sometimes they are there. 

TOLMIE PEAK // 4* 7.5 MI Gain: 1100Ft. Great hike! High on the 4* for sure! Moderate-Not too long or steep, but long and steep enough. Awesome views!

Note: Once you get to the lookout tower, there is a small trail that leads along the ridge for different views.

SNOW + BENCH LAKES // 4* 2.5 MI Gain: 610Ft. Relatively easy hike. Bench lake can have a nice reflection of Rainier. It was muddy to get to the lake and you had to find your way though an overgrown trail, but definitely worth checking out! Snow lake I found less interesting, however maybe during the summer it might be a nice place for a swim? Did the trail in early fall.

​Note: Someone told me Snow Lake was super cool looking when they came late June/early July. They said it was covered with ice but you could see bright blue water moving underneath. Also, you can go past Snow Lake to a pond, but I didn't find it too exciting. However, the pond is a short distance away if you want to check it out.

NACHES PEAK LOOP // 4* 3.2 MI Gain: 600 Ft.. Nice views of Rainier and nice that it's a loop. Also, not too difficult.

MT ST. HELENS
HARRY'S RIDGE  // 4* 8.2 MI Gain: 970Ft. Starts at the Johnson Ridge Observatory. Can combine with other hikes. Really impressive views of the volcano and Spirit Lake. 

Note: Not too much gain, but it's a very exposed hike so be prepared. Lots of wildflowers when hiked late June/Early July.

MONITOR RIDGE (MT. ST. HELENS SUMMIT) // 4* 10 MI Gain: 4500. HARD Might have been a 5*, but the day I went was so foggy there that we didn't get any views. Still was fun and terrain really cool.

Note: Need a permit to hike most of the year. To obtain one, you have to enter a lottery (or find someone who's selling theirs?)

APE CAVES // 4* 2.8 MI Gain: 350 Ft. EASY-ISH  Super fun and different. One cave is super easy, great for kids, The other is a little trickier as there is more climbing over rocks and such, but really cool.

Note: Headlamp or flashlight needed. Recommend headlamp.
OLYMPIC PENINSULA
The Olympics are a huge and diverse area ranging from beaches to Mountain Peaks, to rainforest....and everything in between. There is something for everyone here. Because it's such a diverse area, I have listed hikes more by area than by rating. Enjoy!
HIGH RIDGE TRAIL (HURRICANE RIDGE) // 5* ?MI Gain: Variable. Hurricane ridge is really cool- whatever trail you take...or no trail. definitely worth the stop

 MT. TOWNSEND + SILVER LAKE (HOOD CANAL) // 5* 14 MI Gain: 3200 Ft. HARD-ISH Some nice view over the hood canal going up and amazing views at the top! Worth the effort! You can extend the hike to Silver Lake, which is a nice side trip 2.5 miles away.

Note: If you make it to Silver Lake and want to explore more, there is a small trail to the left that goes up to a ridge with some more views. If you backpack, Silver Lake can be a nice spot to set up camp.

MARMOT PASS (HOOD CANAL) // 4* 11.5 MI Gain: 3489 Ft. Nice views!

LAKE OF THE ANGELS  (HOOD CANAL)// 4* 7 MI Gain: 3400Ft. Steep hike. The very top of the hike was snow covered and we never got to the lake, so I am guessing its a 4*, although i'd give it a 3* if you never get to see the lake. Looked really nice in pictures though? Fun steep trail with some rope sections to help you climb.

HALL OF MOSSES TRAIL (HOH RAINFOREST) // 4* .8 MI Gain: 100Ft. EASY Good trail for the whole family. Enjoyed the trail more on a foggy day than a sunny one, but that is easy to come by in the Olympic

​Note: Elk were chasing people when I was there, so make sure to give them their space if you see one.

MARYMERE FALLS (NEAR LAKE CRESCENT) // 4* 1.8MI Gain: 500  Nice falls and nice short-sh hike relatively easy.

​STAIRCASE RAPIDS (STAIRCASE) // 4* 4 MI Gain: 150 Ft. Enchanting forest and river. Super easy trail good for the whole family. Enjoyed it more than I thought I would.

DUCKABUSH RIVER (DUCKABUSH) // 4* 10.6 MI Gain: 2300 Ft. Would probably give it a low-ish 4. Nice, but not many views. One decent view and I thought the river by the camp was a really pretty color.

MURHUT FALLS (DUCKABUSH) // 4* 1.6 MI Gain: 250Ft. Honestly I cant remember them that well. Hahaha, but i think i remember them as nice

RIALTO BEACH (HOLE IN THE WALL (COAST)// 4* 4MI   Beautiful beach as all the beaches in the area.  

Note: Catch a sunset at this beach or any of the others in the area! Beautiful!

SHI SHI BEACH/ POINT OF THE ARCHES (COAST) // 4* 8 MI Gain: 200Ft. Really beautiful, serene beach with cool rock formations. Definitely worth visiting!


CENTRAL/EASTERN WASHINGTON
There are some really cool places in Central / Eastern Washington! I especially find it a great place to visit in spring, when the mountains and trails in the West are still too snow covered and the rain storms feel like they will never end, but you are itching to get out for a hike. 

Central / Eastern Washington is anything East of the cascades, which is a huge area! So again, I will order things more by area than by rating. Hope you get to check out some of these if you never have! Cheers!
WHITE BLUFFS- NORTH // HANFORD REACH (TRI-CITIES) // 5* MI Gain: 500FT I had a lot of fun exploring these dunes with my dog. It was so windy I thought my dog might blow away if I let go of the leash. Really amazing and unique place!Highly recommend!
Note: If you want to check out a viewpoint close by you can drive up SADDLE MT. not too far away.

SUN LAKE DRY FALLS STATE PARK (GRAND COULEE)//  ?MI Gain: ? It's kind of like the Grand Canyon of Washington? Really amazing! There are lots of trails in the canyon, but even just going to the visitor center observation point is amazing. The trail I took in the canyon would be a 3-4*. The observation point view is 5*. Don't miss!
STEAMBOAT ROCK (GRAND COULEE) // 4-5* 6 MI Gain: 650 Ft. Once you climb up you get really impressive views- different in each direction. You can kind of loop around Steamboat Rock if I remember correctly. Loved this hike! 
Note: GRAND COULEE DAM is not too far away. Thought it was interesting to check out, including the museum. 
LENORE LAKE CAVES (GRAND COULEE) // 3* 1.5MI Gain: 200Ft. EASY-ISH. Caves were ok, but I remember thinking I would think the hike were fun as kid.

ANCIENT LAKES ( POTHOLE) // 4* ? MI Gain: ? Ft. Really cool with lots of different trail options to explore. 
Note: The beginning of the trail may not be very exciting, but stay with it- it gets interesting!
FRENCHMAN COULEE  (POTHOLES)// 4*  Such a cool place! You will probably see lots of climbers and it's even cooler to watch them! There is an actual Frenchman Coulee hike (if you search, it comes up on WTA), and Ive done that hike and its decent (3*), but I think its much more interesting to go where the climbers are and you can walk to the top of some of the coulees. There are little trails up there where you can explore and even watch climbers from the top sometimes. 
Note: A great place to stop by after top by  before or after a concert at the Gorge Amphitheatre!
GORGE AMPHITHEATRE RIVER TRAIL (POTHOLES)// 4*  6?MI Gain: 1000? Ft. Great hike while you are attending a festival at the aphitheatre! I think its about 6mi from the far camping area? Beware that its exposed and gets a little steep and rocky going down to river (might want covered shoes?). However, brings you to some wading spots on the river where you can cool off. 
Note: The hike passes through Cave B. Inn Resort and winery. The winery makes a great stopping point on the way back (or in) from the hike. There is also a restaurant and bar in the resort for another stop option. 
GINKO PETRIFIED FOREST  (POTHOLES) //  ?MI . EASY. I thought the small walk around the visitor center was the most interesting. Really cool petroglyphs. 4*  There is a 3mi loop if you want to explore more or are interested in the history and seeing petrified Ginko. I thought the trail was ok 3* 

PALOUSE FALLS  (PALOUSE) // 4* 1 MI Gain: 803Ft. EASY-  Don't miss . Not much of a hike (short), but the falls are amazing!

BOWL AND PITCHER (RIVERSIDE STATE PARK - SPOKANE) // 3* 2.1MI Gain: 166Ft. EASY LOOP. Nice place to go for a walk while in Spokane. 
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OTHER

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