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…
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,…
Washington’s Kettle Crest: Edds Mountain, July 2016
A steep climb leads to far reaching views and solitude atop the Kettle Crest Distance: 7.3 miles round-trip Type: out and back Difficulty: moderate with 1,968′ elevation gain Best season: June – October It wasn’t shaping up to be a…
SE Washington’s Palouse River Trail, May 2016
Short and easy springtime hike along the Palouse River Distance: 5.5 miles Type: out and back Difficulty: easy Best season: spring (accessible most of the year) but beware of ticks The Palouse River Trail on the outskirts of Colfax, Washington is…
SE Washington’s Sheep Gulch (Fordyce Trail), May 2016
Surprisingly lush canyon with towering ponderosa pines in the Blue Mountains of SE Washington Distance: 8.0 miles round trip (we hiked 11.3 miles round trip in our search for the Cabin Gulch Trail) Type: out and back or loop option…
Mt. Rainier Part 1: Grove of the Patriarchs & Silver Falls, July 2014
“Of all the fire mountains which like beacons, once blazed along the Pacific Coast, Mount Rainier is the noblest.” ~ John Muir Mick and Jason are old salty Navy buddies dating back 25 years. A couple years ago, they…