The Student Newspaper of Highline College

Sunrise at Sunrise, Mountain Rainier National Park (recently closed)

Warm weather welcomes hikers to the Washington woods

Giang Pham Staff Reporter May 25, 2023

There are a variety of hikes to try out in the Pacific Northwest, even if you’re just a beginner.

This is the time when nature endures lots of changes. People transition from wearing jackets to short sleeves or go from staying inside to venturing outside. Spring and summer can also call for spending time outside with friends and family. 

“Spring is a great time to still get some backcountry skiing or snowshoeing in at the higher elevations, but I’m generally transitioning now to more hiking, mountain biking, and sea kayaking,“ said Highline faculty Chris Gan.

Hiking is excellent exercise for your whole body, especially for your musculoskeletal system and internal organs, such as your cardiovascular and respiratory system. 

“I think it’s really refreshing and a nice experience to go outdoors when you have a chance just to spend time in nature and take it all in,” said Highline student Andrew Hamilton. 

Rattlesnake Trail Ledge at the top

Rattlesnake Lake

For beginners, the Rattlesnake Lake Trail may be a good hike to start off with as many people have called it “easy”. The length of the trail is only 3/4 mile to Cedar River Watershed Education Center. This hike is known for its beautiful view of the lake and a perfect spot for picnicking. 

Sunset at Rattlesnake Lake

“I’ve been to Rattlesnake Lake Trail. It was a short hike, nice view. The lake was wonderful. I didn’t actually swim but the lake is clear, shallow and blue,” said Hamilton. 

However, if you’d like to try something more challenging, you can head nine more miles to Snoqualmie Point Park whereas the Rattlesnake Mountain Trail rises in elevation. On several maps, Rattlesnake Mountain is also referred to as Rattlesnake Ridge.

Sugarloaf hiking trail

Sugarloaf Mountain

The next location will be a bit more challenging, but if you enjoy bird singing, this place will be your sanctuary. 

On top of Sugarloaf mountain

Sugarloaf Mountain Trail is a 2.1-mile out-and-back trail near Anacortes, Washington. It’s a somewhat difficult path and also a popular spot for bird watching, hiking, and walking, so you’ll almost certainly run into other people while exploring. This route is best visited between April and September. 

The majority of the elevation rise occurs in the first quarter mile, so your heart will be racing by the time you reach a viewpoint across Burrows Bay and the San Juan Islands. Pass through the fence and trek for a few hundred feet down Trail 238 to an open point of view.There are enormous flat rocks and wonderful grassy spaces here, making it ideal for a stop and some snacks. Mount Erie is the tree-topped mountain in front of you with antennas, and views stretch to either side, giving you a wonderful perspective of Burrows Bay as well as Puget Sound. 

Snow Lake trail

Snow Lake

If you want to travel somewhere nearby with extraordinary views, Snow Lake won’t disappoint you. 

Snow Lake is a relatively short and uncomplicated hike, offers stunning alpine splendor – crystal blue lakes, towering peaks for little effort, and Washington’s busiest wilderness excursion. It is a 7.2 mile round-trip and a very popular area for backpacking, camping, and hiking. The best times to visit this trail are July through October. 

The track begins at the north end of the Alpental Ski Area’s main parking area. After a 200-foot climb over log stairs, the route reduces down for a leisurely rise into the forest. 

A mile in, a talus hill will provide an oasis in the trees and scenery of a ground that has suddenly grown considerably more difficult than the parking area you just left. The route winds its way 500 feet up to the wilderness boundary at a saddle above Snow Lake over the next two-thirds of a mile. Half a mile from the saddle, and a 400-foot height drop you’ll have to make up on the way back, the route reaches a lake inlet. 

A small side route goes down to the sea, past the remnants of an ancient cabin, a vestige of a period when this portion of the shore was private land, before wandering down to the lakeside to enjoy the former owner’s daily view.

Roosevelt Peak at Snow Lake

At the lake’s head, Roosevelt Peak stands out. Many of those who call it a day here are unaware of this: the ultimate beauty is being covered.

Return to the path, bridge the inlet, and continue another half mile to where the lake’s outflow flows into the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Valley.

The route descends to the shoreline shortly after passing the outlet, Chair Peak’s entire magnificence is coaxed from hiding from here. The far coastline is dominated by sheer cliffs wrapped by polished granite, waterfalls cascade down from the mountain’s peaks to quiet bays, typically striped with ribbons of snow that last into July. 

Parking pass/entry fee is required, you may click here for more information: Northwest Forest Pass

The Poo Poo Point trail sign

Poo Poo Point

Poo Poo Point is another hike located on West Tiger Mountain’s shoulder, and a tiny knoll there is topped by a mast with a windsock. This is a 6.6-mile out-and-back path near Issaquah, that is popular for hiking, has magnificent wildlife views, and allows pets. 

Because of the rough roads, this trek is rated as moderate to hard hike. The route is available all year and is great to explore at any time.

After approximately a hundred feet, come to an ancient roadbed and take a sharp right, climbing uphill. You will pass through an ancient metal gate that was closed for many years and had to be detoured around (It now appears to be open at all times).

As the route levels out, you’ll notice a rustic sign for the adventure route on the left. A little, peaceful creek runs beneath the route via a culvert a little farther down. It originates in the direction of Little Round Lake and appears to run all year, even during drought years.

Parachuting at the Poo Poo Point

You will be beneath a huge power line, with a signage only a few feet to your left. Take the Poo Poo Point Trail, pass a subterranean gas line, and then gradually ascend an old railroad grade through mixed deciduous and coniferous woodland. Look for trillium, bleeding heart, and yellow violets in early April and look for salmonberries or thimbleberries later in the summer. 

In addition, Gap Creek is an excellent area to take a break and see the stream and the numerous enormous mossy trees. Poo Poo Point is a nice place to sit and enjoy the view while snacking. Visitors can use two picnic tables and a CXT toilet. There is no reliable supply of water.

The Enchantments in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness

If you’re lucky, you could watch a few paragliders dive down the sheer northern face of this area.

“I often go hiking out the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie with my dogs when I want something close by. Of course, there are also the Taylor Mountain, Tiger Mountain and Squak Mountain areas as well,” said Gan.

“Later in the season there are a ton of great hikes up in the Sunrise area of Mt. Rainier National Park (though no dogs are allowed on those trails). One of my favorite hikes at Mt. Rainier NP is on the south side of the mountain, up to Camp Muir. I also love hiking in the Enchantments in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area though that requires a permit that is hard to get via a lottery system.”  

If you prefer somewhere more challenging with rocky obstacles and icy paths, as well as the pictures of the true nature of Washington, these next two locations should be on your list. 

Colchuck Lake

Colchuck Lake

Next up is Colchuck Lake, it’s one of the two entrances to the Enchantments, and the trailhead also leads to Stuart Lake, a less difficult but equally beautiful destination. This is an eight-mile round-trip hike with spectacular mountain views, a well-established campground, peak points, crystal-clear waterways, fall foliage, and no pets are permitted. The best time to visit this place is from May through October.

 In the summer, travelers not only fill just the trailhead parking lot, but also the road that leads to it. 

The first mile and a half is a slow ascent through woodland, first dense and gloomy, then thinner and brighter, all within hearing and occasionally sight of Mountaineer Creek.

A part of Colchuck Lake trail

Occasional openings in the foliage provide scenery of the valley’s sheer sides. The route crosses Mountaineer Creek on a solid wood bridge near the end of the first mile and a half.

On hot days, hikers can get some welcome relaxing feeling from the air blowing off the creek’s roaring rapids by standing near the bridge’s halfway. 

The trail to Stuart Lake continues straight ahead, while the Colchuck Lake Trail branches off to the left. Follow the route to the left until you reach another log bridge that carries you across a small, turbulent portion of Mountaineer Creek.

A little way later, you come back to the creek, but this time the streams appear perfectly smooth. The route starts off casually but as you get closer to the lake, it becomes steeper and rockier. The more you go, images reveal upwards along the route, first to the valley you’ve just climbed out of, then up to the toothy ridge of Dragontail Peak. 

Stream flowing at Lake Stuart trail

After a final steep section, the route jogs to the right, descends into a little swale, and you’re suddenly at one of the best lake viewpoints in the Cascades. This is a perfect spot for a picnic and spending time in the surroundings. The magnificent Dragontail Peak summit is visible across the lake. 

The route continues along the lakeshore for another two-thirds of a mile, occasionally uneven and difficult to follow. At a huge curve, one of the less obvious route junctions occurs — it’s a typical error to follow the well-trodden dirt to the right, but the path really goes across rocky slopes to the left. The route arrives at a rock field at the bottom of the Colchuck Glacier’s terminal moraine after a series of twists and ups and downs through the woodshed. To the left of Dragontail, is the extremely steep “shortcut” to the Enchantments. 

Parking Pass/Entry Fee is required, you may click here for more information: Northwest Forest Pass.

So if you decide to take a different turn to Lake Stuart and you may be a person who loves camping, this will be good news for you.

 The Core Zone of the Enchantments is one of Washington state’s most popular locations, but those who trek to Lake Stuart may just enjoy the extra-enchanting benefit of relative quiet in a busy region. This is a nine-mile round-trip hike with mountain views, old growth forest, lakes, and established campsites. The most enjoyable months to visit this path are from June through October. 

Dragontail Peak viewed from Lake Stuart trail

First, enter the Stuart Lake Trailhead then go 2.2 miles along Mountaineer Creek on a hilly path. Because the snow stays at this height for a long time, you’ll pass through marshy country studded with trillium far into summer. A wide, solid wood bridge crosses Mountaineer Creek one and a half miles in. After crossing the bridge, the route continues to rise more steeply, passing through woodland and massive glacial erratics, or rocks that are remaining evidence of an era when ice blanketed the area here. 

Enjoy the sound of Mountaineer Creek splintering through the terrain as you switch back through the forest, and see if you can spot Colchuck or Dragontail Peak through the trees. Lake Stuart is two miles and has some slight climb, but for the most part, it’s a reasonably level stroll back into the valley that includes Lake Stuart. A huge meadow approximately a half mile from Lake Stuart provides panoramic views of the valley near Mount Stuart’s foot. 

Continue on to Lake Stuart, which, when you arrive, may surprise you with this closeness to the route. There are several camping areas along the lakefront, however, you’re still in the Enchantments so overnight camping requires a permit between May 15 and October 31. When you’re planning to camp, keep an eye out for signs indicating Fragile Areas in need of repair as no camping is permitted here. If you’re only visiting for the day, there are various day use locations with beachfront property available for hot days. Not to mention, the lake’s cool waters will deliver refreshing comfort to relieve the scorching summertime heat.

If you are new to hiking or camping, here is a list of items that you might find helpful: navigations (such as maps, compass, GPS devices), headlamp with extra batteries, sun protection, first aid, knife, fire (such as matches, lighters), shelter, extra food, extra water, extra clothes. 

For more information, please visit: Ten Essentials from experts’ advice

Some people may not know what to bring on a hike and in return have to deal with the consequences that follow. 

As a part of the search and rescue community, the team often find people lacking of these items and simply did not prepare for their hike and it would be a map and/or an appropriate gear, Gan noted

Gan also added some other helpful tips if you’re just starting out, but when it comes to hiking, safety is always important. 

“Always be prepared. Do NOT go off trail unless you have the proper training including map skills and have your 10 essentials. Definitely let someone know your route and when you expect to be back. For training in how to go scrambling safely, consider taking a Hiking or Scrambling course through the Mountaineers. They have branches all over the Puget Sound region,” Gan added.

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