With the right gear, determination, and knowledge, almost any hike can be done year-round. But snow can be dangerous and tough, so I like to always have some ideas for snow-free trails year-round.
WA hiking
May Valley – Bullitt Fireplace Loop

Another winter’s day, another trip out to the Issaquah Alps for some snow-free miles. But this one was at least interesting!
Margaret’s Way to Debbie’s View

The doldrums of winter in the PNW. It’s a well-known joke about those deceptively sunny-but-cold days in February/March being known as ‘faux spring,’ but the mountains can still be too snow-filled for hikes. Enter the Issaquah Alps!
Dirty Harry’s Balcony

On a soggy January day, I resolved to get out there, damn the weather! But there’s only so many places one can go in PNW winters.
Larch March to Goat Peak Lookout

Another fall, another trip to Winthrop for a breathtaking larch hike.
Chain Lakes Loop

August 2022 was the month of stunning, brand-new hikes for me–I went three for three!
Park Butte

My August of checking hikes off my wish list (and 100 Classic Hikes in Washington’s list!) continues!
Shi Shi Beach

Mama Boots had dreamed of hiking Shi Shi Beach for years–she called it a bucket list hike. We finally ventured out to see it for ourselves!
Lizard/Lily Lake

The mission: Find an easy backpacking trip that would be both close to home and not crowded. We managed to luck out with all three!
Pearrygin Lake Trail

As mentioned last week, I spent ten days in beautiful Winthrop, WA dogsitting for my in-laws. I decided to treat all three dogs to a stroll at Pearrygin Lake State Park. If you think a novice should be walking three dogs at once, don’t.