A relatively new state wildlife area located in central Washington just north of Grand Coulee Dam. Offers quality shrub-steppe terrain with lakes, creeks and vistas. Camping available at Black Lake and along the Columbia River.

Start at the at Milepost 31 information center to view Pioneer Square history/geology and tunnel exhibits, and then take a roughly one-hour walking tour of the Seattle waterfront tunnel project. Closed-toe shoes are a must for this tour.

A long, Class 2-3 scramble of the highest mountain in the Chiwaukum Mountain range with 17 miles and 5,280 feet of elevation gain. A hiking or backpacking trip up Whitepine Creek, Wildhorse Creek, to Lake Grace, or further into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness are good options too.

Explore beautiful jagged and "craggy" peaks in the Paysayten Wilderness. You'll travel a moderate 12 miles and gain 5,800 feet of elevation scrambling Big Craggy and West Craggy peaks.

One of the earliest established Pacific Northwest classics, Big Creek is a deep, beautiful, highly aquatic intermediate canyon. It's rated v3a3III at moderate-low water levels, and v3a4III in early to mid-season.

This campground is at the entrance to the Big Creek Loop trail; stewardship activities take place solely in the campground.

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.

An easy to moderate snowshoe trip off the Mountain Loop Highway, with only about 200 feet of elevation gain.

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

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.

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.

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.

Named after Jim Whittaker, this peak is tucked away in the Chiwaukum mountains near Lake Augusta.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.