Gorgeous Washington State Hikes for Every Season

Guest post by Katie Egresi, the Seattle-based author behind The Egresis, a Pacific Northwest adventure blog.

I may be biased, but I think Washington is a pretty incredible place for hiking and exploring year-round. From lush forests, to coastal beaches, jagged mountain peaks, rushing rivers, and waterfalls -- you really can’t go wrong. With some research and planning, you can match your hike to the weather conditions to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable experience. To get you started, I’m sharing some of my favorite hikes to enjoy in Washington during every season. 

SPRING

Western Washington is notoriously known for its long, rainy winters . . . but that just makes spring that much sweeter! You should know, though, that snow hangs around at higher elevations in the mountains well into July. This makes spring the perfect time to explore hikes at lower elevations.

Baker Lake - 8 miles roundtrip / 500’ elevation gain

A gentle trail through the woods along the east bank of Baker Lake. The forest is lush and green, and you’ll enjoy crossing a suspension bridge over the rushing Baker River. Walk down to the water’s edge and enjoy stunning views of Mount Baker, including a crystal clear reflection if you’re lucky!

Hole-in-the-Wall - 4 miles roundtrip / no elevation gain

Coastal hike along Rialto Beach with sea stacks, tidepools, and incredible sunsets. We wrote up an entire post on this hike, including other recommendations to extend your trip. Read it here.

Sage Hills - 5.5 miles roundtrip / 650’ elevation gain

Do this hike in early May for the most incredible display of Balsamroot wildflowers. It is quite popular this time of year and has limited parking, so we recommend visiting at sunrise or sunset (don’t forget your headlamp!). Read more here about this hike and other awesome things to do in the Wenatchee area.

Deception Pass State Park - Lighthouse Point via Bowman Bay/Rosario Head - 2.4 miles roundtrip / 321’ gain

Cross the impressive Deception Pass Bridge and take in the sight of vibrant blue water looking out over Lottie Bay to your left (south) and expansive views to the right (north) looking across Bowman Bay. As Washington’s most-visited state park, there’s a ton to explore here including 38 miles of hiking trails, 1.2 miles of ADA hiking trails, 3 miles of bike trails, and 6 miles of horse trails.

Ancient Lakes - 4.6 miles roundtrip / 288’ elevation gain (with option to go much further if desired)

Located in central Washington, east of the Cascades, you’ll feel like you’re in a totally different world here! A dry, typically sunny and warm environment makes for a great early-season escape from Seattle. Just be sure to pack your sunscreen and keep an eye out for snakes, which are more common east of the Cascade Mountains. 

Looking for even more inspiration? Check out our post on 12 Spring Hikes in Western and Central Washington, and 10 Early-Season Backpacking Trips (Including Beginner Options). 

SUMMER

While summer always feels way too short here in Washington, it is absolute perfection. You just can’t beat the long, sunny, rain-free days spent enjoying endless mountain views and alpine lakes in shades of blue you won’t even believe are real. It was so hard narrowing down this list . . . in summer the options are truly endless! 

Summit Lake - 6.1 miles roundtrip / 1,300’ elevation gain

A deep blue alpine lake paired with in-your-face views of the always-impressive Mount Rainier. 

Emmons Moraine - 3 miles roundtrip / 900’ elevation gain

This hike provides a whole ‘lotta bang for your buck! With pretty minimal effort, you can enjoy impressive views of the Emmons Glacier on Mount Rainier, and a stunning turquoise lake that catches the glacier’s runoff. 

Skyline Divide - 9 miles roundtrip / 2,500’ elevation gain

Enjoy expansive mountain views in every direction, including Mount Baker and Shuksan. We did a backpacking trip here in mid-August and saw the most incredible wildflowers and sunset. 

Gothic Basin - 9.2 miles roundtrip / 2,840’ elevation gain

This hike is deceptively hard, but worth the effort for magical views that make you feel like you’re in a fairytale valley and a beautiful lake as your final destination. 

Colchuck Lake - 8 miles roundtrip / 2,280’ elevation gain

A quintessential Washington hike to a beautiful turquoise lake that is part of the famous Enchantments. This one is extremely popular -- so it’s best to start your hike as early as you can possibly manage, and/or on a weekday. 

FALL

Washington is probably not the first state that comes to mind when thinking of gorgeous fall color, but I promise you won’t be disappointed! Ever hear of a larch? They’re essentially golden coniferous trees that can be viewed in the fall, and people go crazy for them here!

Heather - Maple Pass Loop - 7.2 miles roundtrip / 2,000’ elevation gain

Located in North Cascades National Park, this hike will have you constantly saying WOW. You’ll find incredible fall color here, including those famous larches I mentioned. But this is another very well-known and busy option, so plan accordingly! 

Skyline Trail Loop - 5.5 miles roundtrip / 1,450’ elevation gain

The views here start before you even leave the parking lot in the gorgeous Paradise area of Mount Rainier National Park. Here you can see a gorgeous waterfall, meadows bursting with rich fall colors, and eventually views of four massive volcanoes on a clear day: Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams, and even Mount Hood.

Blue Lake - 4.4 miles roundtrip / 1,050’ elevation gain

Another larch-filled favorite in North Cascades National Park that’s short and sweet and ends at a lake. We took Jessica and Andrew on this one when they came to visit last fall, and they loved it (even in the rain/snow!). 

Minotaur Lake - 3.5 miles roundtrip / 1,905’ elevation gain

This one is also short, but it’s a doozy! You’ll embark on a steep climb, but it doesn’t last long and the views are worth it! Enjoy a walk along the bank of Minotaur Lake and then climb a little higher to take in the views down over Theseus Lake and Labyrinth Mountain. 

Snow and Gem Lakes - 10 miles roundtrip / 1,800’ elevation gain

Enjoy two sparkling alpine lakes on this trail and plenty of fall color along the trail to reach them. Note that this trail has major avalanche risk so avoid this one if any substantial snow has fallen. 

WINTER

And last but not least: winter. I’m personally not a big fan of snow, so I love that we can drive to it in the mountains, but rarely have to deal with it at lower elevations. Before doing any snowy hikes in the mountains, it is very important that you do your research to make sure you’re not venturing into high avalanche risk areas, or that you are prepared with the proper gear and knowledge to navigate the risk if you do. Microspikes, hiking poles, and snowshoes are also quite helpful to have for snowy hikes. Want to play it safe? I’m including three snow-free hikes as well! 

Franklin Falls Snowshoe - 2 miles roundtrip / 400’ elevation gain (distance longer in winter due to roads that are undriveable) 

Hike through a winter wonderland to a beautiful waterfall. Time it right, and you’ll find the falls frozen over (fully or partially) into an impressive formation of icicles. 

Artist Point Snowshoe - 4 miles roundtrip / 1,000’ elevation gain

Artist Point holds the world record for the greatest amount of snowfall in a season (95 feet) -- so naturally it makes a great snowshoeing destination! You’ll find yourself surrounded by snowy mountains, including Mount Baker and Mount Shuksan. Note that this can be an avalanche prone area, so you’ll want to check the forecast with NWAC (Northwest Avalanche Center) and only visit when the risk is low. 

Hall of Mosses - .8 miles roundtrip / 100’ elevation gain

When you want to avoid the snow and put avalanche risk out of mind, why not head to the rainforest? Pack your raincoat and enjoy lush, dripping moss unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. This is a nice, short trail, or you can check out the Hoh River Trail if you’d like something longer. 

Twin Falls - 2.6 miles roundtrip / 500’ elevation gain

Located just a short distance from Seattle and virtually always snow-free, Twin Falls is a safe bet that’s sure to please! You’ll enjoy a lush, green forest in the winter, river views, and gushing waterfalls. 

Ebey’s Landing - 5.6 miles roundtrip / 260’ elevation gain

This trail on Whidbey Island is great year-round and takes you up on a bluff overlooking Puget Sound, including views of Mount Rainier on a clear day. Complete the loop by walking along the beach. If you opt to visit in the summer, you can enjoy lots of wildflowers here too. 

Traveling with Teens: How We Enjoyed Europe with Three Teenagers

For the next post in our Traveling with Kids series, we are switching gears from babies to teenagers, both complex for their own reasons. Today’s post comes from Janine Robinson who, with her partner, took her 17-year-old son and his 13-year-old twin sisters to Europe in March of 2019. She is a brave woman and lived to tell us the tale.

Why Take Teens to Europe

When many people think of family vacations they think about relaxing on a beach with their feet in the sand, kids building castles, and playing in the surf. This certainly sounds amazing right now as winter in Ohio is quickly approaching, and our family does enjoy the beach house vacation where I read trashy romance novels and completely zone out in the sun. But sometimes I want something a little different from my vacations.

Every few years we go big and take a trip that creates unique life-long memories. Our most recent trip to Europe was certainly one of those adventures, one that had people asking me over and over: Why on earth would you take three teenagers to Europe?

The answer is simple: My husband and I believe our lives have been enriched by travel so why would we not believe the same for our children? Any travel, domestic or abroad, is a great opportunity to hone personality traits we hope will help our kids thrive as healthy adults that contribute to their communities: traits like curiosity, flexibility and compassion.

I think now is the perfect time to expose them to new things and uncomfortable situations, while my husband and I can help guide them when they get off track (even if they protest). Got on the wrong train? Laugh about it, get off at the next stop and get on another. Can’t read the menu? Look for clues in the words, Google ones you can’t figure out, and always try to read it aloud to your server, rather than just pointing. Can’t speak the language fluently? Try anyway. Locals will appreciate the attempt. Found yourself lost? Use your basic directional knowledge. Your hotel was north of the big church and you can see the steeple peeking above the buildings so head that way.

Going through experiences like these instills a mindset that things don’t always go as planned, sometimes there are challenges and you have the tools, ingenuity, and tenacity to work through them.

Prepping for Missing School

We decided to go in March because we could tack our trip onto the back end of the week long spring break the kids already had. Even still we knew they would miss about a week and a half worth of assignments. While some parents wouldn’t dream of doing something like this, and frankly some of teachers did not approve either, we knew that we could take advantage of off-peak deals and that our teens' minds would be expanded in so many ways during the trip. Ways that just cannot happen in the classroom. We also are blessed with three excellent students, so we knew that they would each catch up on missed assignments quickly.

Planning Our Adventure

Another question I often get is: How did you plan that big of a trip yourself with no travel planner? When we started planning this trip six months out, we knew we wanted to include the kids. After many conversations around the family dinner table, we decided we would let each teen choose one city and plan that part of our trip themselves. Doing it this way took some of the heavy lifting off my husband and me, and it empowered our kids to take ownership of their vacation. They researched where to stay, things to do, places to eat. They not only had a voice in the planning, but they each served as the cruise director in their chosen cities, navigating time changes, train maps, restaurant reservations, and activity tickets. Of course there was some parental guidance, encouraging them to include the traditional tourist spots like museums and cathedrals, but also to look for off-the-beaten-path ideas and consider what the locals do in the area. Additionally, we love to leave time for unplanned discoveries, some of which end up being the most memorable.

It was like having three personal travel agents, and because each of the kids sees things through a unique lens, each city’s itinerary was distinctly different. Some attractions where more traditional like our Eiffel Tower visit and a canal tour. Others were completely random and stumbled upon such as Horta’s life-sized labyrinth in Barcelona and the Fairy Garden at Malahide Castle outside of Dublin.

By breaking up the vacation planning in this way we gave our kids a measure of responsibility and ownership of their own experience, along with the ability to have pride in sharing their choices with the rest of the family.

Taking Off

With bags packed and everything booked, we headed off on our biggest family vacation yet. We ended up visiting Spain, France, Germany, Netherlands and Ireland, and traveled by plane, train, car and boat.

We leveraged this hodge podge of transportation means to move locations every 2-3 days and also experienced a 20-degree temperature swing from our first stop in Barcelona to our last in Dublin. Because of the transient nature of our travels we had to be very thoughtful about our packing choices (layer, layer, layer) and of course leaving room in our luggage for all the mementos we picked up along the way.

During our more than two weeks abroad we stayed in both hotels and Airbnbs. The later accommodations were where we felt the most at home and we got the most genuine experiences as many of our Airbnb locations were nestled in quaint neighborhoods rather than busy tourist areas. The locations of the Airbnb flats also put us in the center of some of the most amazing, and often cheapest, restaurant selections with some of the friendliest staff who would talk to us, ask the kids about their experiences, and give us inside tips and recommendations for the next day. For these, and many other reasons, we hands down vote for renting from locals when you travel if at all possible.

Looking back, our trip could not have been more perfect. I say this with full memory of a dinner in Spain when we ordered 20 different tapas items but only had a mild clue what half of them were, the complaints from my 4'10" tall daughter about the too-fast walking pace of my 6' tall son, and the style-hindering frustrations of my other daughter regarding our rule that everyone only have one piece of luggage. Heaven forbid each person also be responsible for hauling their own bags. Nothing ever goes completely as planned but that is what makes it fun, that’s where you learn about other people and the world around you. It is in these moments that you can grow as an individual and make memories that last a lifetime.

Traveling with Tots: Tips for how to see the world when you’ve got a little one in tow

In our last Traveling with Tots post, we chatted with Megan Ford, mother of 15-month-old Kelsey. Today, we are sharing more tips from Megan on how she has managed so many trips with an infant, turned toddler.

Let’s talk packing. Are you typically an overpacker or underpacker for yourself?

Pre-baby, I would say I was a borderline underpacker and now I’m for sure an underpacker for myself but an overpacker for Kelsey.

When we fly, we usually check two bags. My partner and I share one and Kelsey gets one all to herself. I understand this isn’t for everyone but we usually just bring all the diapers we need which basically fills Kelsey’s bag. I know I can buy diapers at our destination, but we haven’t tried that yet. Secretly, I don’t mind taking a suitcase full of diapers on the way there because it leaves plenty of room for wine and bourbon on the way home.

Do you bring toys with you or find new things along the way?

We usually bring her favorite lovie and some books, but lately I’ve implemented the trick to bring a new toy (a tip from lots of travel blogs/posts!). For our recent Maine trip, I held back one of her birthday gifts and introduced it on the plane to Boston so we didn’t have to buy anything new.

What tricks do you have for helping her survive long car rides?

At a bare minimum, I rotate toys and books in her lap during the ride. Sometimes I’ll sit in the back seat with her and talk and sing, practice letters, numbers etc. This uninterrupted time with her can be so lovely.

We also try to travel during nap times or at night so she can sleep through some of it too. She doesn’t always sleep in her carseat which is a blessing and a curse. Sometimes we time it over a nap hour and she just doesn’t sleep so it makes for an interesting first few hours at our destination.

What about plane rides?

Most airlines have a policy where children under two years old fly free, and the strollers and car seats are gate checked at no extra charge but you have to ask at the gate. We also always ask if the flight is full and sometimes even though we don’t pay for her seat, we can score a whole row to ourselves so we can bring her car seat and be a little more comfortable.

What lodging is best with children?

We have stayed at Airbnbs, VRBOs and hotels so far. We usually prefer home rentals versus hotels, just because you get a little more space and can have adult time after the kiddos go to sleep. In a hotel, you really have to plan out where the child will sleep if you and your partner don’t plan to turn out the lights at 7:30 p.m. We’ve occasionally put her bed in a large closet or even the bathroom so we can watch TV, chat quietly and enjoy adult time (read wine time).

Speaking of beds, do you bring your own or borrow from your accommodations?

At first, I was all about bringing our own bed for Kels, and we did for the first year. We had a little travel bassinet and pack and play. When we went to Maine, we just borrowed and I wiped it down with disinfectant wipes and moved on with my life. It was so easy and I’ll definitely plan to borrow again. Most hotels offer them for free. Just ask!

She also naps really well and can sleep just about everywhere. We try to maintain her nap and bedtime routines though so she has some consistency even if it’s not location or bed style.

I’m nervous about time zone changes, but we’ll tackle that next.

What about snacks and food for Kelsey?

We make sure we pack easy snacks for Kelsey in her checked bag - this usually includes an oatmeal supply, her little bowl and spoon, some fruit/veggie pouches and a crunchy snack. This saves us trying to hunt down these items at a store we when arrive. Of course, we make sure the carry on bag has plenty of snacks for her as well.

Is your daughter an open-minded eater?

Thankfully she is so far. I attribute that to baby-led weaning. She has always just eaten what we eat. We do have to be mindful of what restaurants we choose, but not because of the cuisine. Often patrons at nicer restaurants don’t want to dine next to a child. We’ve had people move tables because she was loud. YIKES!

How do you keep her calm with all of the disruption?

Fresh air always helps when she is unhappy. Or just getting up and walking around. But when you can't get that (like on an airplane), you just do whatever you can - offer snacks, any distraction - and just pray it ends soon!

It seems that most parents are empathetic when you’re having a tough go with your child. What would you want non-parents to do, say or understand in that moment?

As a non-parent it was really hard for me to understand what that parent with a difficult child was facing. My advice would just be to sympathize as much as possible and if you feel the urge, offer to help. Whether it’s picking up a napkin or being patient while they try to quell the screaming, it will be appreciated. And don’t give mean looks; we’re all just doing our best and don’t want to have to miss out on the experiences just because our kid is going bonkers.

Traveling with Tots: Setting Travel Goals and Expectations When a Newborn Changes Your Life

I’ve travelled extensively, but I’ll be the first to admit when I have knowledge gaps. So we’re starting a series where we cover travel with children. Today, I want to share an interview with my friend Megan Ford who has a 15-month-old daughter. Megan and her husband have taken Kelsey on many trips throughout her first year, starting when she was eight weeks old. So I asked her for not only tips, but about the emotional side of things, what expectations did she have and how did those change throughout her first few vacations with her newborn.

Before we get started, I need to add that Megan is an incredibly organized millennial woman who has a clear set or priorities and hasn’t let being a mom take away from her interests in running, wine nights with friends and most importantly, travel.

What expectations did you have about travel with a child?

Honestly, I was a little discouraged seeing many of my coworkers and friends stop traveling after having children. Most people put a pause on that hobby until their children are grown, but we just couldn’t imagine waiting 20 years before visiting Mexico, Europe or the Caribbean again. Before getting pregnant we travelled everywhere, taking at least three or four major trips a year. We even gift travel instead of physical presents for birthdays and anniversaries.

I decided to do a little research and discovered The Bucket List Family and #TravelWithKids on Instagram. I have also been inspired by our friends Alex and Lori who have continued to travel with their little one and started when she was very young. Through all of this, I was motivated to give it a shot and armed myself with tips and confidence to get on the road again.

I booked flights to Florida before Kelsey was even born. People (okay, mainly family) thought we were crazy, but we couldn’t pass up such a great deal on Southwest. Thankfully, I delivered a healthy baby and we then focused on planning the rest of the trip, but it’s that important to my family. Once we had the first road trip (at eight weeks old) and flight (at eleven weeks old), we knew we could do this and adapt as she grew.

Do you consider Kelsey an easy traveller?

Absolutely! Reality has been so much better than I expected and we’ve adapted to our new routine pretty quickly. I believe starting her out young is what made her this way. Kelsey has already knocked off 11 states and will take her first international trip before her second birthday. She doesn’t mind her car seat for long drives and can easily entertain herself with books, stuffed animals and other toys.

When she was younger, she slept most of the time, allowing my partner and I to adjust to the stress of a new travel routine without having to also deal with a crying, running or screaming child. Navigating the airport with our carry-ons, stroller, car seat and a small human for the first time is stressful enough without that small human wiggling and yelling.

Now we’re able to roll with the punches, like when there isn’t a changing table at the restaurant or the flight is delayed after we’ve already boarded.

Do you prefer to travel with just your partner and daughter or with family and friends?

We love traveling as our little family so we have full control over what we do and how we spend our time, but we also love traveling with friends and family so we can sneak away and have a meal without her. She’s an easy traveller but you can never predict when a toddler will have a meltdown in a restaurant and it’s nice to be able to order and know you can enjoy the moment instead of worry if she’s disrupting the other patrons. Luckily our friends and family equally enjoy their dates with Kelsey.

Does having her impact where you visit, how you get there and what activities you do?

Yes and no. It does impact where we go because we want it to be fun for all of us. We love Colorado, but we’re not ready to take her on all-day hikes just yet.

We’ve taken her on tours, into breweries and wineries, and she does well. But at this age, we can’t do anything adventurous like snorkel, ride camels or zipline. We’re excited to watch her grow and try those activities with us for the first time. We always find entertaining things to do wherever we go -- it's just different than pre-baby vacations.

How has travel changed since you had Kelsey?

Well, it obviously impacts our evenings, making them shorter, but we get up earlier and get going so we’re really not enjoying and fewer hours exploring, just shifted earlier in the day. We certainly do more day drinking and try to bring a bottle or two of wine back to our place so we can enjoy it on the patio once she’s gone to bed.

Are you interested in traveling without her?

Honestly, this has crossed my mind, but when it came down to booking the trip, I just want her there with me. She's only little once. We want her to experience as many places as she can and create memories as a family. We want her to see other parts of the state, country and world to shape her perspective of life. As soon as she is old enough, we’d love to take her on a mission trip of some sort to help people less fortunate than us.

What trip are you looking forward to next?

We recently booked Kelsey’s first international trip to Cancun. We’re going with our friends Lori and Alex, who also have a young child so it should be quite the adventure.