Gray Wolf River Spring Hike Washington

In early Spring, we're looking for low elevation hikes that are free of snow. 

This hike in the Olympic National Forest has enough ups and downs to make it interesting.

About 8.5 miles round trip and a total elevation gain of 800 ft.

The trail starts out in the open with views of Maynard Mountain.

 After about 1.5 miles the trail descends to the river.

 Along the river there are several hills to ascend and descend.

We were to early in the year to see wildflowers, but there are always interesting trees & lots of moss.

 We encountered a little snow and some rough bridge crossings.

At 4.2 miles out the trail comes to abrupt end, as the high bridge crossing washed out  in the early 1990s. We enjoyed our day out in the sun.

Mount Walker Winter Hike Washington

In the summer, you can drive up to the top of Mount Walker (2800 ft)

 for fabulous views on clear days.

The foot trail is open year around. A 2 mile up hill hike with 2000 ft elevation gain.

View of Mt Walker from Hwy 101 south of Quilcene in the Olympic National Forest

 The trail climbs through cedar and hemlock forest.

 The trail takes you to the North Summit. We had some peek a boo views across Puget Sound.

 A half mile trail takes you to the South viewpoint. 

We could see across Hood Canal to the Kitsap Penninsula through the clouds.

 Since the road was closed to cars, we decided to take the longer and gentler slope road down hill.

This made our trip a 6 mile hike. Nice day out on this wintery day.

Snowshoe Kendall Peak Lakes Washington

This hike is on the East side of Snoqualmie Pass right off of I-90.

Start at Gold Creek and turn up an old forest road, the snow was well packed, so we didn't wear our snowshoes until the snow softened up a couple of miles further along the trail.

 We choose to go up some of the steeper short cuts away from the road.

 A great place to catch my breath and get a glimpse of Mt Rainier to the South.

 We weren't ready to stop at the first lake, so we kept hiking.

 Ate lunch at the second Kendall lake, enjoyed the rest and the sun.

 Hiked over the ridge line to the east for fabulous views.

 Overlook of Keechelus Lake

 Found more short cuts on the way down. Love the deep soft snow going downhill.

Snowshoe at Jungle Creek Washinton

Another snowshoe trip away from avalanche chutes. 8 mile round trip with about 1000 ft elev gain

Jungle Creek is in the Teanaway River Valley north of Cle Ellum

The trail begins on a forest road, the first 1/3 of a mile is shared with snowmobilers, 

then the trail splits off for non motorized activities only.

 We were the first snowshoers to go on this trail since the last heavy snowfall.

Made for heavy going in the deep wet snow, but the weather was great.

 Trail is in the woods, so we only had peak a boo views.

 Where we stopped for lunch and turned around for the day.

 The view was a little better on the way down.