After our trek to Heather-Maple Pass Loop, which involved over an hour by car, we weren’t too eager to repeat that car ride again the next day. While there were 3 other hikes near Heather-Maple Pass I wanted to do, there were a dozen options a bit closer to Concrete.
Hikes
Larch Madness at Heather-Maple Pass
After being on my wish list for years, I finally got to do Heather-Maple Pass Loop. This hike checked all of my boxes, and despite its exploding popularity, it’s a top-three favorite hike for sure.
Channel Islands National Park: Pelican Bay on Santa Cruz Island
Sometimes, fate gives you a little push. A family vacation in Southern California, just 10 minutes from a boat that will take me to one of the least-visited National Parks in the country? Sold!
Ira Spring: Mason Lake
To myself and many other like-minded people, beer and hiking go together like peanut butter and chocolate. There’s something to me abut misty alpine lakes and tall mountain peaks that make me crave hops. Beers at the Bottom have been writing about hikes and the brews that come afterwards since 2013–and now literally wrote the […]
Lake Malachite
Backpacking on a weekend–can it still be done? With the ever-exploding popularity of hiking and backpacking, finding a weekend no-permit-required hike-in campsite without driving six hours seemed improbable.
Annette Lake
It’s been a summer where I feel like I’ve done nothing and yet I’ve been too busy to hike or camp at all! Luckily, I was finally able to hit the mountains to see the stunning Annette Lake.
Lord Hill Park
What is the difference between a walk and a hike? Its something I’ve been pondering as of late. To me, a walk you have just a water bottle and trainers, while a hike involves a pack and hiking boots or shoes. But what about paved ‘urban hiking’? That I only bring water on. Or if […]
Dog Mountain
Timing is everything. While this gem along the Columbia River Gorge offers stunning views in any season, for a few weeks in spring these views are gilded with millions of wildflowers in bloom. I timed it perfectly!
Thunder Knob
Long time, no post! I’ve been a little busy with a birthday trip and illnesses so hiking has fallen a bit by the wayside. I had a few people tell me in person they missed reading though, so last weekend with gorgeous weather I decided it was time for some new content and to spend […]
Skookum Flats
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.