Moon 75 Great Hikes Seattle

How to Use This Book

ABOUT THE MAPS

This book is divided into chapters based on regions that are within close reach of the city; an overview map of these regions precedes the table of contents. Each chapter begins with a region map that shows the locations and numbers of the trails listed in that chapter.

Each trail profile is also accompanied by a detailed trail map that shows the hike route.

Map Symbols

ABOUT THE TRAIL PROFILES

Each profile includes a narrative description of the trail’s setting and terrain. This description also typically includes mile-by-mile hiking directions, as well as information about the trail’s highlights and unique attributes.

The mileage and elevation for each hike was measured with a Garmin GPSMAP 64st. The elevation gain for each hike is cumulative; all the bumps and hills that you’ll ascend throughout the hike are counted in the overall elevation gain.

In addition to the featured trail, each listing includes options on how to shorten or lengthen the hike, where to hike nearby, or how to extend the hike into a day trip or get away for the weekend.

Detailed driving directions are provided from the city center or from the intersection of major highways to the trailhead. Two GPS coordinates are included for each trailhead: The first can be entered online, while the second can be entered into your GPS. When public transportation is available, instructions are noted after the directions.

ABOUT THE ICONS

The icons in this book are designed to provide at-a-glance information on special features for each trail.

ABOUT THE DIFFICULTY RATING

Each profile includes a difficulty rating. Definitions for ratings follow. Remember that the difficulty level for any trail can change due to weather or trail conditions, so always phone ahead to check the current state of any trail.

Easy: Easy hikes are 5 miles or less and with an elevation gain of 500 feet. They are generally suitable for beginner hikers, those recovering from an injury, and families with young children.

Easy/Moderate: Easy/Moderate hikes are 2–8 miles long and with an elevation gain of up to 1,200 feet. They are generally suitable for reasonably fit hikers and families with active children age 6 or older.

Moderate: Moderate hikes are 3–9 miles long and with an elevation gain of up to 2,500 feet. They are suitable for fit hikers.

Moderate/Strenuous: Moderate/Strenuous hikes are 3–11 miles long and with an elevation gain of up to 3,500 feet. They are suitable for fit and experienced hikers seeking a workout.

Strenuous: Strenuous hikes are 6–12 miles long with an elevation gain of up to 5,300 feet. They are suitable for very fit, advanced hikers.

INTRODUCTION

Author’s Note

Best Hikes

BEST BEACH HIKES

BEST FOR BERRY PICKING

BEST DAY TRIPS

BEST EASY HIKES

BEST HISTORICAL HIKES

BEST KID-FRIENDLY HIKES

BEST HIKES TO LAKES

BEST FOR MOUNTAIN VIEWS

BEST HIKES OFF THE BEATEN PATH

BEST STRENUOUS HIKES

BEST FOR WATERFALLS

BEST FOR WILDFLOWERS

Hiking Tips

THE 10 ESSENTIALS

ON THE TRAIL

HEALTH AND SAFETY

WILDERNESS ETIQUETTE

PASSES, PERMITS, AND FEES

Author’s Note

The best-kept secret about living in the Seattle area is its natural surroundings. Cocooned among the Pacific Ocean, Puget Sound, the Olympics, and the Cascades, Seattle’s dynamic topography ranges from beaches and river valleys to rainforests and snowcapped mountains. This is a playground for hikers of all shapes and sizes: kids, naturalists, fitness fanatics, weekend warriors, and everyday people looking to experience the natural wonders of Washington state. Easy trails to surging waterfalls and spooky ghost towns, moderate hikes to undulating waves of wildflowers and mountain-rimmed alpine lakes, and hard-core climbs to spired peaks with 360-degree views barely scratch the surface of hiking options.

Few cities can boast a hiking community as experienced, engaged, and interwoven as Seattle can. A wide range of hiking groups, friendly outdoor organizations, conservation societies, and passionate, experienced locals enhance our community by sharing their knowledge of the local landscape. Seattle residents gain further inspiration from a vibrant community of outdoor writers, filmmakers, photographers, and bloggers. Sometimes it’s so much information that it’s hard to know where to start. That’s where this book comes in.

At your fingertips is a library of classic hikes and hidden gems for a range of abilities, including those traveling with a wheelchair, families with children, and experienced hiking enthusiasts. Organized by geographic area, these hikes help pinpoint where to go and highlight trail features such as wildflowers, waterfalls, or berry picking. Included within are notable hikes nearby and options to turn your hike into a day trip or a weekend getaway. Everything you need to know about your next hike has been thoroughly researched, taking the guesswork out of your planning so that you can relax and enjoy your time on the trail.

After logging hundreds of miles throughout the state, hiking has become more than just a walk in the woods for me. It is a quiet space to gather my thoughts, an outlet for the frustrations of everyday life, and a shared sense of wonder with friends. Sometimes a valuable experience—where we learn about ourselves, grow our self-confidence, and feel personal fulfillment—can happen right in our own backyard. Your adventure is waiting for you. Go out and get it.

—Melissa Ozbek

Best Hikes

Can’t decide where to hike this weekend? Try these unique hikes, grouped into some of my favorite categories.

Best Beach Hikes

Rosario Head to Lighthouse Point, Deception Pass State Park, Puget Sound, tap here

West Beach to Goose Rock, Deception Pass State Park, Puget Sound, tap here

Joseph Whidbey State Park, Whidbey Island, Puget Sound, tap here

Ebey’s Landing, Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve, Puget Sound, tap here

Dungeness Spit, Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge, Olympic Peninsula, tap here

Best for Berry Picking

Granite Mountain, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, I-90, tap here

Lake Dorothy, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Highway 2, tap here

Johnson Ridge-Scorpion Mountain, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Highway 2, tap here

Cutthroat Lakes, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Mountain Loop Highway, tap here

Mount Dickerman, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Mountain Loop Highway, tap here

Best Day Trips

Oyster Dome via Samish Overlook, day trip to Bow-Edison, Puget Sound, tap here

Padilla Bay Shore Trail, day trip to La Conner, Puget Sound, tap here

Ebey’s Landing, day trip to Coupeville, Puget Sound, tap here

South Whidbey State Park, day trip to Greenbank Farm, Puget Sound, tap here

Norse Peak, day trip to Crystal Mountain Resort, Mount Rainier, tap here

Best Easy Hikes

Cama Beach State Park, Camano Island, Puget Sound, tap here

Wildside-Red Town Loop, Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, Puget Sound, tap here

Gold Creek Pond, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, I-90, tap here

Big Four Ice Caves, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Mountain Loop Highway, tap here

Staircase Rapids Loop, Olympic National Park, Olympic Peninsula, tap here

Best Historical Hikes

Ebey’s Landing, Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve, Puget Sound, tap here

Discovery Park Loop, Discovery Park, Puget Sound, tap here

Anti-Aircraft Peak, Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, Puget Sound, tap here

Wellington Ghost Town-Windy Point, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Highway 2, tap here

Lime Kiln Trail, Robe Canyon Historic Park, Mountain Loop Highway, tap here

Best Kid-Friendly Hikes

Padilla Bay Shore Trail, Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Puget Sound, tap here

Foster and Marsh Islands, Washington Park Arboretum, Puget Sound, tap here

Nisqually Estuary Boardwalk Trail, Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, Puget Sound, tap here

Denny Creek Trail to Melakwa Lake, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, I-90, tap here

Franklin Falls, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, I-90, tap here

Best Hikes to Lakes

Ira Spring Trail–Mason Lake, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, I-90, tap here

Snow Lake, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, I-90, tap here

Lake Serene, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Highway 2, tap here

Lake Valhalla, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Highway 2, tap here

Lake Twentytwo, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Mountain Loop Highway, tap here

Best for Mountain Views

Heybrook Lookout, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Highway 2, tap here

Mount Dickerman, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Mountain Loop Highway, tap here

Tolmie Peak Lookout, Mount Rainier National Park, Mount Rainier, tap here

Second Burroughs, Mount Rainier National Park, Mount Rainier, tap here

Dege Peak, Mount Rainier National Park, Mount Rainier, tap here

Best Hikes Off the Beaten Path

Teneriffe Falls, hike to Mount Teneriffe, I-90, tap here

Rachel Lake, hike to Alta Mountain, I-90, tap here

Lake Valhalla, hike to Mount McCausland, Highway 2, tap here

Upper Big Quilcene-Marmot Pass, hike to Buckhorn Mountain, Olympic Peninsula, tap here

Second Burroughs, hike to Third Burroughs, Mount Rainier, tap here

Best Strenuous Hikes

Mailbox Peak, Middle Fork Snoqualmie Natural Resources Conservation Area, I-90, tap here

Bandera Mountain, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, I-90, tap here

Blanca Lake, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Highway 2, tap here

Gothic Basin, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Mountain Loop Highway, tap here

Mount Pugh via Stujack Pass, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Mountain Loop Highway, tap here

Best for Waterfalls

Twin Falls, Olallie State Park, I-90, tap here

Franklin Falls, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, I-90, tap here

Woody Trail to Wallace Falls, Wallace Falls State Park, Highway 2, tap here

Lake Serene, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Highway 2, tap here

Boulder River, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Mountain Loop Highway, tap here

Best for Wildflowers

Mount Townsend, Olympic National Forest, Olympic Peninsula, tap here

Upper Big Quilcene-Marmot Pass, Olympic National Forest, Olympic Peninsula, tap here

Spray Park, Mount Rainier National Park, Mount Rainier, tap here

Grand Park via Lake Eleanor, Mount Rainier National Park, Mount Rainier, tap here

Tipsoo Lake-Naches Peak Loop, Mount Rainier National Park, Mount Rainier, tap here

Hiking Tips

THE 10 ESSENTIALS

The 10 Essentials are a set of systems designed by The Mountaineers (www.mountaineers.org) to help hikers respond safely to an emergency and to prepare for spending the night outdoors.

1. Nutrition: Bring enough food for a day plus extra in case of an emergency.

2. Hydration: Carry an ample supply of water (at least one gallon per person per day) and a water treatment system.

3. First Aid: Keep a first-aid kit sealed in a waterproof plastic bag.

4. Emergency Shelter: Carry a reflective emergency blanket, bivy sack, or waterproof tarp.

5. Insulation: Pack extra clothing layers for varying weather conditions.

6. Illumination: Have a headlamp or flashlight and bring extra batteries.

7. Fire: Keep waterproof matches and a fire starter handy.

8. Sun Protection: Wear a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

9. Navigation: Bring a topographic map and compass.

10. Repair Kit and Tools: A multipurpose tool, knife, scissors, and duct tape can come in handy on the trail.

Beyond the 10 Essentials

PERSONAL LOCATOR BEACONS AND SATELLITE MESSENGERS

Personal locator beacons (PLBs) and satellite messengers are electronic devices for communicating with others (friends, family, emergency services) when no cell reception is available, enabling you to signal for help in the event of an emergency. Devices differ in many ways, from the satellite networks they use to text messaging features to varying subscription options.

PLBs and satellite messengers are supported by different satellite networks (nonprofit COSPAS/SARSAT for PLBs, for-profit Iridium or Globalstar for satellite messengers) that vary in coverage. Some devices have two-way text messaging, while others have one-way text messaging or no text messaging options.

PLBs do not require an annual subscription, while satellite messengers have a variety of subscription options. Before you invest in a device, evaluate their functions, satellite networks, and total costs carefully, focusing on what features are most important to you. Check out Outdoor Gear Lab (www.outdoorgearlab.com) for a helpful side-by-side comparison of PLBs and satellite messengers.

EXERCISE GOOD JUDGMENT

Use good judgment on the trail to make smart, informed decisions that will keep you and your fellow hikers safe. Turn around early in poor weather conditions, and stop to use a map and compass if a route feels “off” or you’re unsure which junction to take. Think ahead and be prepared to pivot in adverse conditions.

WHISTLE

A whistle can be useful to communicate with others about your location—whether it’s your hiking group or a search and rescue team. Its loud, high-pitched sound carries farther than a shout. Many backpacks even come with a small, built-in whistle on the chest strap buckle.

INSECT REPELLENT

While long pants and sleeves are the best deterrent to warding off pesky bugs, insect repellent for your skin, clothing, and gear can give you an extra boost of protection. Products containing DEET or Picaridin are considered the most effective; however, they vary in texture, odor, protection time, which insects they repel, and the harshness of ingredients. Check product guidelines and labels carefully.

Purchase clothing made with insect-repellent fabric, such as Insect Shield, or use a repellent specifically designed for clothing and gear such as Permethrin (follow instructions on the product’s label). Stash a bug net in your backpack to wear over your hat when you come across swarms.

TREKKING POLES

Trekking poles are not just handy for swatting at thick branches and pesky spider webs, but they also help propel you forward, provide balance and traction in snow or during stream crossings, and offer relief to knees and the lower body by redistributing pack load. These convenient tools allow you to poke a puddle, mud, or loose rock to see what’s what. When selecting trekking poles, check for comfort, collapsibility, durability, and ease of adjustment (lever-locking poles are generally easier to adjust than twist-lock). Most hikers appreciate a comfortable grip, being able to strap poles easily to their pack, and changing the length of the poles to suit the terrain. A sturdy pair of trekking poles will last several seasons.

ELECTRONICS

With better camera technology and the proliferation of outdoor apps and tools, it’s hard to turn your back on the usefulness of bringing your phone on a hike. Take thoughtful steps to keep your device protected. Your phone is fragile—susceptible to failing in a variety of scenarios, from extreme temperatures to loss of battery life. Lengthen battery life by putting your phone in airplane mode, dimming the screen, and closing nonessential apps. Keep your device warm in cold weather by stowing it in an inside pocket close to your body. Use a protective case and pack a portable phone charger (with any necessary connector cables) in case you run out of juice.

ON THE TRAIL

Wildlife

Observing wildlife can be a thrilling experience—there’s nothing quite like seeing a nanny goat feed alongside the trail with her kid or a bear shoot across a meadow. However, wildlife are as advertised: wild. While many hikers have positive experiences observing wildlife, animals can act unpredictably. A little knowledge about what to do when encountering black bears, cougars, and mountain goats can prevent a negative experience, protect you in the event of an unlikely attack, and keep wildlife safe from negative human impacts.

BEARS

According to the Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW, www.wdfw.wa.gov), Washington State has a healthy black bear population of roughly 25,000-30,000 bears. While a very small number of grizzly bears can be found in North Cascades National Park, you’re more likely to encounter a black bear than a grizzly bear when hiking in Washington.

Despite the name, black bears come in a range of colors—from cinnamon brown to dusty black. These omnivores feast on plants, nuts, and berries as well as rodents and fish. They are great swimmers and tree climbers, often taking a dip in a lake to cool off or sending their cubs up a tree if danger is present. Black bears are also creatures of opportunity, and items such as trash, bird feeders, and smells from campgrounds can be a powerful motivator to approach humans for the chance at food—especially if they’ve lost their fear of humans. The WDFW estimates that 95 percent of the calls they receive about conflicts with black bears are due to human behavior, such as not storing food properly at a campsite or not taking steps to prevent animal access to trash.

No one wants to imagine being attacked by a bear. Fortunately, attacks are unlikely and black bears prefer to avoid you. To avoid a bear encounter: make your presence known while you’re on the trail, maintain a safe distance from any bears or cubs, and keep children and pets close. When camping in bear country, pitch your tent at least 100 yards away from any cooking and food storage site. Clear tents of any items with an aroma, including food, garbage, toothpaste, and hygiene products; deposit these items in a bear-resistant container or hang them in a bear-resistant sack at least 12 feet off the ground and 4 feet from the tree trunk.