I can’t say I travel to get to the dirt roads. But when that’s all that is between me and a lovely I hike I want to take, let’s just say I’m very willing to tackle the road. Some are…
Lovely Mt. Rainier Views from Spray Park
Often, the reason the lesser-known parts of national parks are lesser-known is because they aren’t worth seeing. Or at least, they’re not as nice as the better-known parts. But that simply isn’t true of the northwest section of Mt. Rainier…
Canyon Ridge Trail – “Peak” into Canada
There are two really good things I can say about the Canyon Ridge Trail: 1) it wasn’t too terribly difficult, and 2) it gave a very different view than the other hikes around Mt. Baker (into the Canadian Cascades). Add…
Artist Ridge Trail – So Short, So Awesome Shuksan!
Artist Point, at the end of the Mount Baker Highway in northwestern Washington, is a very popular place (at least when it’s thawed out – which is about two to four months of the year). Cars drive in and out…
Heliotrope Divide and Coleman Glacier – Fantastic Views!
If you want a jaw-dropping view you don’t get most other places, try the Heliotrope Divide Trail on the side of Mount Baker in Washington. Seriously. The trail itself may not be that exciting (save for the four stream crossings),…
Ptarmigan Ridge – So Many Exclamation Points!
“Ptarmigan Ridge or bust.” That’s what he told me one beautiful morning a few days before we planned to leave on a trip. I stared at him in disbelief. Usually a quiet, easy-going guy (particularly when it comes to which…
Sea Stacks, Sea Arches, & Wilderness on Ruby Beach
Olympic National Park really is a study in contrasts: from snowcapped mountains to rain forests to ocean beaches. This makes it a really fun place to visit because there are so many varied activities in the park. My personal favorite…
Some of the Best Views in the Cascades from Sahale Arm
Surrounded by Cascade Peaks…overlooks of Middle Earth-like lakes…waterfalls…glaciers…views that take your breath away…yup, that’s Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm in North Cascades National Park. I don’t recall ever seeing a view like this, not because the views are so spectacular…
Beacon Rock: A Maze of Railings & Catwalks!
In the Columbia Gorge is an awesome monolith, considered by some to be the largest in the world next to Gibraltar. Actually, it’s the remains of an old volcanic plug. From most vantage points up and down the Gorge, the…
“Up in the Clouds” in Maple Pass
The Cascade Mountains have got to have some of the most beautiful scenery I’ve ever seen. The biggest problem is that you have to get out and hike a long way to really see and appreciate it. However, there is…