Months ago, I made plans with a friend for some spring backpacking. The timing couldn’t have been better for the conditions and for my sanity!
Hikes
Heybrook Ridge
When the going gets tough, the tough get going–to the woods, to the beaches, to the mountains. I needed to escape to nature last week but with a time crunch and dark clouds looming, picked something close and easy: Heybrook Ridge.
Lime Kiln Trail
Rainy days are frequent here, so its always good to have a good riverside or waterfall hike prepared for offering a bit of tree cover and protection from the elements. Located in Granite Falls is Lime Kiln trail, a relatively flat trail rich in history that is great year-round for hiking.
Urban Hiking: Seward Park
Last weekend was the gorgeous spring day that tricks you into believing summer is around the corner. I see many trails were abuzz with hikers. I decided to stick close to home and explore a beautiful lakeside park in Seattle–Seward Park.
Saint Edward State Park
If April showers bring May flowers, March sunshine brings slushy snow and iffy conditions in the mountains. Luckily, there remain tons of nearby parks that have trails year-round, including this beautiful state park northeast of Seattle.
Dockton Forest
Despite living in the greater Seattle area nearly my whole life, I have never been to Vashon Island. That changed this weekend when I hopped on the ferry from West Seattle to hit some snow-free trails!
Lake Keechelus Snowshoe
Chances are, if you’ve crossed from western Washington to Eastern Washington, you’ve driven past Lake Keechelus. I-90 is on the shores of Lake Keechelus, and in summer is a barren pond littered with tree stumps everywhere. But in winter?
REI Moonlight Snowshoe: Tronsen Meadow
After one successful REI guided snowshoe, I decided to book another*. This time, I wanted to go at night. Nighttime snowshoeing looks gorgeous, but I know myself well enough to know I’d be terrified of a wolf or cougar attack at all times. A large group of women led by professional guides sounded the safest […]
REI Guided Snowshoe Expedition to Lanham Lake
A little after 8AM on a sunny Saturday, we departed. A gang of strangers in a cozy van set off from the Alderwood Mall REI towards Stevens Pass, with a van full of gear and guides experienced at driving in the snow. It was the beginning of a great day!
Cherry Creek Falls
Black Friday is the holiday for hikers to #optoutside and hit the trails instead of the mall. I had a few low-elevation hikes bookmarked, but Cherry Creek Falls was calling my name in particular.