Near Mt. Rainier National Park is a hidden gem. A flat trail that leads to waterfalls, that can be snowy in winter but perfectly manageable for those without equipment. Better yet? This trail was empty–on a weekend! The secret is out–Skookum Flats is a trail you can’t miss.
Author: Gabby
Commonwealth Basin Snowshoe
I had the brilliant idea to do a romantic Valentine’s snowshoe instead of an expensive dinner with the boyfriendo. Romantic, it was not. Adventurous? Perhaps.
Ice Scrapers & Heated Seats –My Winter Hiking Gear
As I said before, looking at a list ‘essentials you should have every time’ and actually bringing those items is something not everyone does. But some equipment you really need when hiking, while some can just really improve your experience–like how you need an ice scraper in your car in the winter but are super grateful […]
Granite Creek
I’ve been in a bit of a funk lately. Not sure why, just have that ‘meh’ feeling about everything. I was hoping a Superbowl Sunday hike would clear my head and get me back to normal, but the best-laid plans of mice and hikers often go awry…
Snow Pack: Deuter Futura 30 SL
As mentioned previously, I was torn by two amazing deals on REI’s website. I couldn’t decide, so I bought both to test out. Having looked at the Gregory Maya first, I felt at times this pack was the polar opposite, in both good and bad ways. Pretty much every pro–and con–of one pack was mirrored […]
Cirque Training
Be bold, start cold. That was hammered into my mind my first time snowshoeing. You’re going to be moving so much that quickly, you’ll be warm enough to not need a billion thermal layers. However, if snow is falling or calf-deep, it’s still nice to have waterproof pants. But how do you strike a balance […]
Guided Snowshoe Expeditions at Snoqualmie Pass
Having mountain passes around us means in Seattle it’s easy to play in the snow when wanted. But if you’re a beginner or novice, there’s a lot of equipment involved you might not want to initially purchase. Enter the Forest Service’s Winter Snowshoe program!
Snow Pack: Gregory Maya 32
For winter hiking, you need to bring more layers (and more food!) compared to a summer hike. I’m an over-preparer and in addition to an extra jacket, I like to have an extra hat, gloves, and socks as well. There’s no way my 18L hydration daypack would hold all of that–it’s recommended to have a […]
Franklin Falls
I got a taste of snow hiking last winter and loved it. Snow hiking is like snowshoeing, only the trail is so packed down or light with snow that you can get away without snowshoes and use gear like microspikes for traction. Armed with a new pair of microspikes from Mama Boots, I set out […]
Onions (and Hikers) Have Layers
Year-round, it’s important to have layers in the Pacific Northwest for any outdoor activity, but none moreso than hiking. Weather can change drastically from morning to high noon to night, and being prepared for the elements is vital. But when do you need a midweight layer or a thermal layer? What is long underwear? And […]