Follow the top of a massive basalt cliff to exploding wildflowers and fantastic views of Mt. Hood and the Columbia River Gorge Distance: variable depending on the route you take (plan on at least 6 miles, we hiked 9) Type:…
Washington’s Columbia River Gorge: The Labyrinth, April 2018
Expansive area with a multitude of hiking opportunities on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge Distance: 6.3 miles roundtrip Type: loop with several different options available Difficulty: moderate with approximately 1,100′ elevation gain Best season: accessible most of…
SE Washington’s Blue Mountains: Misery Backpack, June 2017
Nice early season backpack with great wildflower and wildlife viewing opportunities Distance: 13.5 miles round trip Type: out and back (extended routes and loop options available) Difficulty: moderate with about 2,400′ elevation gain Best season: June We first hiked from the…
Central Washington’s Northrup Canyon, May 2017
Surprisingly lush canyon hike to a lake and historic homestead near Grand Coulee Dam Distance: 8.5 miles round trip (shorter options available) Type: Y shaped out and back Difficulty: moderate with ~1,000′ elevation gain Best season: spring and fall A…
Eastern Washington’s Twin Lakes, May 2017
Superb scabland hike with two lakes, many ponds, a lovely creek, and historical ranch Distance: 9.5 mile loop (we logged 10.8 miles after some extra exploring) Type: loop Difficulty: moderate due to distance and a couple short and easy climbs…
Washington’s Sun Lakes – Dry Falls State Park: Umatilla Rock to Dry Falls Lake Loop Hike, March 2017
Hike to towering basalt cliffs, several lakes, and the site of a former waterfall that was four times the size of Niagra Falls. Distance: 3.0 miles round trip Type: loop Difficulty: easy Best season: spring Located in the heart of…
Central Washington’s Frenchman Coulee, March 2017
Beautiful seasonal waterfall near the mighty Columbia River in Central Washington Distance: 4.0 miles round trip Type: out and back Difficulty: easy Best season: spring The first day of spring typically falls on our anniversary. At about a week out,…
Late Winter Flooding: Eastern Washington’s Towell Falls, March 2017
Great early season hike to a pretty little waterfall Distance: 6 miles round trip Difficulty: easy (mostly flat with good tread) Type: out and back Best Season: winter, spring, and fall (hot and snaky in the summer, watch for ticks…
Eastern Washington’s James T. Slavin Conservation Area, May 2017
Lovely wetland hike with solitude yet just minutes away from the Spokane metropolis Distance: 6.0 miles (shorter options available) Type: out and back Difficulty: easy trail with good tread Best season: May for the wildflowers. Accessible most of the year…
Eastern Washington’s Liberty Creek Loop, April 2016
Lovely forest hike that visits two waterfalls in the greater Spokane metropolis Distance: 7.5-8.5 miles round depending on where you park Type: lollipop Difficulty: moderate with 1,350′ elevation gain Best season: spring to fall (I recommend May when the wildflowers…