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.
2018 Holiday Gift Guide
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! No, I don’t mean winter arriving on the trails (okay, maybe a little bit), but time for Christmas and other holidays. I love Christmas–the eggnog, the decorations, and finding the perfect gift for everyone on my list. Here are my recommendations* for the outdoorsy people on your […]
Urban Hiking: Kubota Garden
Call it an urban hike, call it a walk in the park–either way, there’s tons of options available for you year-round in Seattle to see some nature and get some exercise. With winter coming, it’s great to have trails available if you lack the equipment or driving skills to hit the powder-covered trails up higher.
Bainbridge Brewing
If you’re headed back to Seatte after hiking in the Olympic Peninsula, like we were, you have tons of apres-hike beer options. With choosing the Bainbridge ferry back home, we knew there were tons of good options between the Lower Grey Wolf River and the ferry terminal.
Lower Gray Wolf River
Sometimes, a hike is more about the activity than the destination. Some hikes offer thrilling views at the end, others offer views along the way and just…come to a stop. It sounds anti-climactic, but can still offer some great time in nature.
Sauk Mountain
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.
Birdsview Brewing
After an enthralling hike at Heather-Maple Loop Pass, we decided to wet our whistles at a brewery that is an institution for Highway 20 hikers–Birdsview Brewing.
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!
Are You Down?
If you camp or backpack, chances are you’ll need a sleeping bag. If you start camping and backpacking more often, upgrading your sleeping bag can go a long ways for helping you hit the trail refreshed. But how does one pick a sleeping bag?