Climbing, Day Hiking, Scrambling & Stewardship
An easy, 4.3 mile loop day hike with 850 ft in elevation gain just north of Lake Cushman. The trail goes clockwise through the forests surrounding Big Creek. Big Creek is also a good winter approach to scramble Mount Ellinor.
The lesser-known King County Park is the cousin to the adjoining Saint Edwards State Park in Kirkland. Its expansive 220 acres are worth exploring and getting to know for their miles of meandering trails fit for mountain biking and casual strolling. Chock-full of tall Douglas-firs, ferns and bright green mosses, it offers possibilities to spot eagles, deer and owls.
Snowshoeing
An easy to moderate snowshoe trip off the Mountain Loop Highway, with only about 200 feet of elevation gain.
Cross-country Skiing
The Big Four Coal Creek is an easy to moderate, 6 mile loop trip with 900 ft in elevation gain. The trail follows the Mountain Loop Highway for about a mile before climbing up the Coal Creek valley near Coal Creek campground
Day Hiking
An easy, 3 mile hike with 200 ft in elevation gain on a well maintained trail. The route crosses the South Fork Stillaquamish River in old growth forest with views of cascading waterfalls, mountains, and terminates at the base of a 4,000 ft sheer wall will massive avalanched snow deposits that forms caves by mid-summer.
Urban Walking
Approximately 4.6 miles long with a change in elevation of around 531 feet. A moderate walk with one steep section of stairs (descending on my route) that can be slick when wet. A nice little forested oasis in the middle of Mukilteo, but unfortunately there will be no view of the Sound as the trail ends at a service road away from the beach.
Backpacking & Day Hiking
Hike in Oregon's Steens Mountain Wilderness along Big Indian Creek into scenic Big Indian Gorge below Rooster Comb and the Steens Mountain summit. There are three round trip options that are 8-17 miles and 960-1,900 feet of elevation gain.
Scrambling
Named after Jim Whittaker, this peak is tucked away in the Chiwaukum mountains near Lake Augusta.
Climbing
A a Grade II, 5.5 intermediate-level rock climb to the high point of Kangaroo Ridge at 8,280 ft. Enjoy the spectacular scenery and views of the North Cascades. Times: 5-6 hrs from the cars.
Sea Kayaking
Epic Mendocino area kayaking destination going N or South out the Big River mouth. Or even go up/down the river itself! Sea arches, caves, rock-gardening options on the outside. Protected and exposed nooks to explore.
Backpacking & Day Hiking
Day hike or backpack on some of the less-visited trails and routes in the Wallowa Mountains’ Eagle Cap Wilderness. Enjoy outstanding summer wildflowers hiking to Bonny Lakes, Dollar Pass, Dollar Lake, Aneroid Lake, the scenic Tenderfoot Pass, and wildflower meadows along the Imnaha Divide. Out-and-back and loop trips up to 16 miles with up to 3,000 feet of elevation gain are possible. Optional side trips include Pete's Point, Polaris Pass, and Sentinel Peak.
Climbing
Big Snagtooth is the 95th highest point in Washingtonaccording to the Bulger List. It offers a moderately strenuous off-trail approach leading to a ridge, a nice Class 2 ridge run, followed by a short technical finish. The finish includes short Class 4/low 5th class pitch and a 5.7-5.8 bouldering step onto an unprotectable Class 4 friction slab topping out on the airy summit.
Scrambling
A long, challenging scramble to a remote peak in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness near Snoqualmie Pass. Climb the broad northeast ridge of Big Snow Mountain after hiking or biking the Old Middle Fork Road Trail and scrambling up to Hardscrabble Lakes. It's 16 miles round trip and 5,300 feet of elevation gain.
Bikepacking & Global Adventures
The Monumental Loop is a 250 miles route laid out as a figure 8 loop centered around the small city of Las Cruces, New Mexico. The route gives travelers a way to experience Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument by bike or foot.
Sea Kayaking
A challenging (SK VI) 12 nm open water paddle from Birch Bay State Park to Point Roberts. There are no stops on this paddle that follows the interface between Strait of Georgia and Birch, Semiahoo and Boundary Bays. Perhaps best done as an overnight trip, you can camp at the northernmost Cascadia Marine Trail Campsite in Lighthouse Marine Park.
Day Hiking, Photography & Naturalist
Bird, hike, and explore nature in the forests, fields and coffee plantations of Western Panama. Many long and short trails travel through this rugged country providing opportunities to find birds, monkeys, orchids, ferns, lichens, and many other wonders. The area abuts La Amistad International Park.
Scrambling
A strenuous trip to a fine viewpoint in the William O. Douglas Wilderness.
Backpacking & Day Hiking
A moderate, 7 mile loop hike with 1,250 ft in elevation gain. The trail goes through a canyon of black basalt slopes up to a view point and then loops around Umtanum Ridge and back down the canyon.
Day Hiking, Naturalist, Trail Running & Urban Walking
Covering 1,240 acres, this natural area offers 17 miles of multi-use trails, streams, wetlands, and peat bogs. It also hosts a protected migratory corridor, the Wildlife Habitat Network. Enjoy walking, bicycling, studying nature, or horseback riding.
La Croupe du Poney is a Grade III, 5.8 alpine rock route in a less-visited part of the Washington Pass area.