- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Washington State in late June
Posted on 3/26/21 at 9:20 am
Posted on 3/26/21 at 9:20 am
Greetings Travelers...
My wife and I are planning a hiking trip in Washington state in late June/early July. We went a few years ago on a trip up the northern west coast (started in Portland and spent a few nights in a few towns along the coast, ending in Seattle), so we knocked out a few things like Mt. Rainier, Cannon Beach, Multnomah Falls, and the city of Seattle itself. My plan so far is pretty rough, but I'm thinking of splitting time between northern part of the state (Northern Cascades) and the NW corner (Olympic NP).
Are there any recommendations on towns to stay in? Originally I wanted to just stay in Seattle as a central hub, but it's about 2 hours from each of those locations, and we don't want to spend 4 hours a day driving. Is there anything you would suggest besides 3 nights in each location? Our goal would be mostly day hikes, but we'll probably want to do some kayaking, ferry trips, or something at some point...pretty open to trying most things. Thanks.
My wife and I are planning a hiking trip in Washington state in late June/early July. We went a few years ago on a trip up the northern west coast (started in Portland and spent a few nights in a few towns along the coast, ending in Seattle), so we knocked out a few things like Mt. Rainier, Cannon Beach, Multnomah Falls, and the city of Seattle itself. My plan so far is pretty rough, but I'm thinking of splitting time between northern part of the state (Northern Cascades) and the NW corner (Olympic NP).
Are there any recommendations on towns to stay in? Originally I wanted to just stay in Seattle as a central hub, but it's about 2 hours from each of those locations, and we don't want to spend 4 hours a day driving. Is there anything you would suggest besides 3 nights in each location? Our goal would be mostly day hikes, but we'll probably want to do some kayaking, ferry trips, or something at some point...pretty open to trying most things. Thanks.
8
Posted on 3/26/21 at 9:53 am to yessir
Stay near Quilcene or Sequim during your ONP trip. Plenty of options.
Look at Ashford if you want to be near Paradise in Rainier area and Carbonado if you want to see the Sunrise area. These area are bare and not many places so book early on. We usually tent camp at private campgrounds near Mt. Rainier.
The ONP and Mt. Rainier area aren't close to each other so no place is really in between.
Bonney lake area would be good for Rainier area and maybe Quinault for the ONP areas. Depending on what you want to see really.
Hope this helps.
Look at Ashford if you want to be near Paradise in Rainier area and Carbonado if you want to see the Sunrise area. These area are bare and not many places so book early on. We usually tent camp at private campgrounds near Mt. Rainier.
The ONP and Mt. Rainier area aren't close to each other so no place is really in between.
Bonney lake area would be good for Rainier area and maybe Quinault for the ONP areas. Depending on what you want to see really.
Hope this helps.
Posted on 3/26/21 at 4:40 pm to yessir
Port Townsend, Port Angeles, or Sequim would be good bases for Olympic NP excursions. I have stayed in the first two locations for Olympic NP trips.
I have not stayed in Winthrop for visits to the North Cascades NP. But it is a cool little town and has hotels. I would check that out.
Bellingham is another option if you want to see Mt. Baker and Mt. Shuksan.
I have not stayed in Winthrop for visits to the North Cascades NP. But it is a cool little town and has hotels. I would check that out.
Bellingham is another option if you want to see Mt. Baker and Mt. Shuksan.
Posted on 3/26/21 at 6:00 pm to yessir
I’d look at Burlington, Anacortes, Mt. Vernon for your North Cascades home base, then head down Whidbey Island and take the ferry to Port Townsend. Port Angeles, Sequim, Port Townsend are good spots for NE Olympic Peninsula. Port Angeles is the best central spot but Port Townsend and Sequim are nicer.
Things to do in the North Cascades area are La Conner (small waterfront town popular with tourists), Chuckanut Drive (views, oysters, and great hikes) to Bellingham, Washington Park and the drive to the top of Mt. Erie in Anacortes, North Cascades Highway (to Washington Pass at a minimum, Winthrop for the full experience), Mountain Loop Hwy, Mt. Baker Hwy (Mt. Shuksan views), and Deception Pass (which is on the way to the Port Townsend ferry). If you have the time visit the San Juan Islands.
For things to visit in the northern Olympics are Port Townsend, Hurricane Ridge area, and Lake Crescent area. If you want to visit the rainforest and coastal areas of the park you will want to stay in Kalaloch or Forks.
Things to do in the North Cascades area are La Conner (small waterfront town popular with tourists), Chuckanut Drive (views, oysters, and great hikes) to Bellingham, Washington Park and the drive to the top of Mt. Erie in Anacortes, North Cascades Highway (to Washington Pass at a minimum, Winthrop for the full experience), Mountain Loop Hwy, Mt. Baker Hwy (Mt. Shuksan views), and Deception Pass (which is on the way to the Port Townsend ferry). If you have the time visit the San Juan Islands.
For things to visit in the northern Olympics are Port Townsend, Hurricane Ridge area, and Lake Crescent area. If you want to visit the rainforest and coastal areas of the park you will want to stay in Kalaloch or Forks.
Posted on 3/26/21 at 8:19 pm to yessir
Going to Olympic in July and splitting time between Forks and Port Angeles.
Posted on 3/27/21 at 12:26 am to yessir
I did this trip last summer when I got cabin fever from all the Covid hysteria. Did Seattle, Mt. Ranier, North Cascades and the Bellingham area. I didn't do Olympic NP so can't give any recommendations. For the northern portion I stayed in Burlington and Bellingham and both were fine, Bellingham being the nicer of the two. But I wasn't looking for anything other than a quick meal, hot shower and comfortable mattress after a full day of hiking.
Anyway, for day hiking, I can recommend: Cascade Pass trail (you can go all the way up to Sahale glacier if you want but it gets steep and adds lots of elevation, or you can just stop when you reach the pass), (2) Maple Pass Loop and (3) the Artist Point area of Mt. Baker (plenty of easy trails there). There are also plenty of nice areas to stop along Hwy 20, if you aren't in the mood for a strenuous hike. Definitely try to go to the Diablo Lake overlook. Further west on the coast, check out Anacortes and Deception Pass. You can do a boat tour if you want a relax day.
Here are some photos from the hikes to inspire you to lace up the boots:
Anyway, for day hiking, I can recommend: Cascade Pass trail (you can go all the way up to Sahale glacier if you want but it gets steep and adds lots of elevation, or you can just stop when you reach the pass), (2) Maple Pass Loop and (3) the Artist Point area of Mt. Baker (plenty of easy trails there). There are also plenty of nice areas to stop along Hwy 20, if you aren't in the mood for a strenuous hike. Definitely try to go to the Diablo Lake overlook. Further west on the coast, check out Anacortes and Deception Pass. You can do a boat tour if you want a relax day.
Here are some photos from the hikes to inspire you to lace up the boots:
Posted on 3/27/21 at 9:28 am to yessir
if you are going to ONP, check out the Kalaloch lodge. It's right on the pacific ocean. ONP is one of the most impressive and underrated parks IMO.
The cascades are gorgeous. I'm not sure how it'll be with Covid, but Leavenworth was a fun town with the German theme. Touristy, but fun.
The cascades are gorgeous. I'm not sure how it'll be with Covid, but Leavenworth was a fun town with the German theme. Touristy, but fun.
Posted on 3/28/21 at 8:08 pm to AUFANATL
Those photos are stunning. You should post a separate review thread so that it can be added to the stickied thread (unless you already have and I just missed it when I went looking).
Thanks everyone for the recommendations.
Thanks everyone for the recommendations.
Posted on 3/29/21 at 10:23 am to yessir
Got some bad news for you. If you are planning any hiking over say 4,000 feet (most good ones in the north cascades) they will still be under snow. You will have to look at more lowland hikes. Some of the ones mentioned in this thread like Cascade Pass will be guaranteed to be under snow. Every hike in those pictures will be under snow. The high elevation hikes typically melt out in late July.
I can respond in a bit with some recommendations.
I can respond in a bit with some recommendations.
This post was edited on 3/29/21 at 10:25 am
Posted on 3/29/21 at 11:03 am to TDawg1313
Appreciate that. Sucks a little, but I'm sure there's still plenty to see and do. Last time we went was in August, so we didn't give any thought to that much snow still being on the ground.
Posted on 3/29/21 at 11:54 am to yessir
Snoop Dawg's recommendations were great. Nothing there that will be snowed over.
Looking through my hiking logs over the past few years, here are some options of good hikes along with the probability that they will be hikeable...
Chain Lakes (Mt Baker) - 10%
Colchuck Lake (Leavenworth - Hwy 2 east side) - 90%
Franklin Falls (Snoqualmie) - 100%
Heather Lake (Mtn Loop Hwy) - 100%
Lake 22 (Mtn Loop Hwy) - 100%
Lake Serene (Hwy 2 west side) - 90%
Mt Pilchuck (Mtn Loop Hwy) - 75%
Naches Loop (Rainier) - 50%
Oyster Dome (Bellingham) - 100%
Ozette Triangle (Olympic Coast) - 100%
Park Butte (North Cascades) - 10%
Sauk Mountain (North Cascades) - 75%
Trappers Peak (North Cascades) - 25%
There's so many choices, so I can be more specific once you pick out an area you want to focus on. You could spend months here doing a different hike every day and not touch 5% of the trail options.
Anything less than 100% you'll have to check the trip reports to see what it's like. AllTrails and WTA.org will be the best sites for that. You can go back in history on those sites too for certain hikes and see the dates of when people said that the snow has melted.
I would highly recommend Artist Point if the road is open. You'll have to monitor that as well. There will still be too much snow up there to do much hiking, but if the road is open, you can drive see Picture Lake (last picture posted by AU) and you can see a few of those other sites, but you'll have to walk around in the snow to do it. It's possible it could be 70+ degrees and sunny. There very likely won't be hiking available, but you can walk around a bit and enjoy the views.
Mt Rainier area - Most areas still likely snowed over
Snoqualmie area - Hikes that don't climb a lot have a good shot at being available. High elevation ones will likely be snowed over
Mtn Loop Hwy - Most of these hikes should be available
Hwy 2 - Close to Mtn Loop Hwy. Same notes as Snoqualmie
Mt Baker area - Mostly snowed over. Decent chance of being able to drive to Artist Point and walk around, depending on if the road is open.
North Cascades - A few of the hikes should be available, but the high elevation ones like Cascade Pass, Heather Maple Pass Loop, Hidden Lake, etc will be snowed over.
Leavenworth - Should be able to do Colchuck which is a great hike, then grab dinner in Leavenworth
Olympics - Coast and lowlands will be 100% open. Higher elevation hikes will be hit or miss. I would think Hurricane Ridge area will be open.
The hiking crowds have gotten really bad Fri-Sun. Go during the week if you can, or go really early on the weekends.
Looking through my hiking logs over the past few years, here are some options of good hikes along with the probability that they will be hikeable...
Chain Lakes (Mt Baker) - 10%
Colchuck Lake (Leavenworth - Hwy 2 east side) - 90%
Franklin Falls (Snoqualmie) - 100%
Heather Lake (Mtn Loop Hwy) - 100%
Lake 22 (Mtn Loop Hwy) - 100%
Lake Serene (Hwy 2 west side) - 90%
Mt Pilchuck (Mtn Loop Hwy) - 75%
Naches Loop (Rainier) - 50%
Oyster Dome (Bellingham) - 100%
Ozette Triangle (Olympic Coast) - 100%
Park Butte (North Cascades) - 10%
Sauk Mountain (North Cascades) - 75%
Trappers Peak (North Cascades) - 25%
There's so many choices, so I can be more specific once you pick out an area you want to focus on. You could spend months here doing a different hike every day and not touch 5% of the trail options.
Anything less than 100% you'll have to check the trip reports to see what it's like. AllTrails and WTA.org will be the best sites for that. You can go back in history on those sites too for certain hikes and see the dates of when people said that the snow has melted.
I would highly recommend Artist Point if the road is open. You'll have to monitor that as well. There will still be too much snow up there to do much hiking, but if the road is open, you can drive see Picture Lake (last picture posted by AU) and you can see a few of those other sites, but you'll have to walk around in the snow to do it. It's possible it could be 70+ degrees and sunny. There very likely won't be hiking available, but you can walk around a bit and enjoy the views.
Mt Rainier area - Most areas still likely snowed over
Snoqualmie area - Hikes that don't climb a lot have a good shot at being available. High elevation ones will likely be snowed over
Mtn Loop Hwy - Most of these hikes should be available
Hwy 2 - Close to Mtn Loop Hwy. Same notes as Snoqualmie
Mt Baker area - Mostly snowed over. Decent chance of being able to drive to Artist Point and walk around, depending on if the road is open.
North Cascades - A few of the hikes should be available, but the high elevation ones like Cascade Pass, Heather Maple Pass Loop, Hidden Lake, etc will be snowed over.
Leavenworth - Should be able to do Colchuck which is a great hike, then grab dinner in Leavenworth
Olympics - Coast and lowlands will be 100% open. Higher elevation hikes will be hit or miss. I would think Hurricane Ridge area will be open.
The hiking crowds have gotten really bad Fri-Sun. Go during the week if you can, or go really early on the weekends.
This post was edited on 3/29/21 at 12:00 pm
Posted on 3/29/21 at 11:59 am to TDawg1313
Thank you. We reviewed a little on Alltrails the other day and narrowed down our two areas to Mt. Baker and Olympic (might have to update that if everything around Mt. Baker could have snow). Got some research to do with everyone's recommendations.
Posted on 3/29/21 at 12:05 pm to yessir
quote:
Thank you. We reviewed a little on Alltrails the other day and narrowed down our two areas to Mt. Baker and Olympic (might have to update that if everything around Mt. Baker could have snow). Got some research to do with everyone's recommendations.
Sounds good. I grew up in the Mt Baker area and worked for Olympic NP for a summer, so I can help with recommendations on those two areas for sure.
Shoot me an email to my throwaway email tdawg1388@gmail.com and I can connect with you. I have some itineraries I've put together for friends in the past I can share for those areas.
Posted on 4/4/21 at 10:00 pm to TDawg1313
the roads to some of these hikes like mountain loop highway and areas in Mt Baker are neglected and filled with pot holes that can be tough if you’re driving car, also a lot of car burglaries happen at the trailheads (i know especially bad at pilchuk, lake 22, heather lake area) so be mindful of what you leave behind
just about all the hikes tdawg mentioned will be packed during the summer, some very popular on that list
there’s no shortage of hikes here and the weather in june is amazing provided there aren’t trees on fire, soak it up
forgot to mention about different types of passes that are required for many of these hikes, state has an insane amount...Washington trails association website (better than alltrails imo) has that info laid out
just about all the hikes tdawg mentioned will be packed during the summer, some very popular on that list
there’s no shortage of hikes here and the weather in june is amazing provided there aren’t trees on fire, soak it up
forgot to mention about different types of passes that are required for many of these hikes, state has an insane amount...Washington trails association website (better than alltrails imo) has that info laid out
This post was edited on 4/5/21 at 6:35 pm
Posted on 4/5/21 at 11:10 am to tiggah1981
quote:
Port Townsend, Port Angeles, or Sequim would be good bases for Olympic NP excursions.
After Seattle/Rainier we moved on to a hotel in Port Angeles. Great starting point for Olympic NP, as others have stated. Also the best place to ferry over to Victoria, Canada--shortest ferry ride compared to those doing it from Seattle. Great place to spend a day. Hopefully these ferries will be reopened by June.
In ONP, take the Hurricane Ridge Road to the visitors center, grab a bite and take in the view, then go to the 8 mile, unpaved road to Obstruction Point. Called the scariest drive in Washington. My wife was freaking out.
Hurricane Ridge to Obstruction Point.
This post was edited on 4/5/21 at 11:17 am
Posted on 4/5/21 at 1:23 pm to TDawg1313
quote:
Oyster Dome (Bellingham) - 100%
Did Oyster Dome in December, most of it was through the trees, but the view at the top made it all worth it
Annnd at the top:
Posted on 4/5/21 at 2:07 pm to yessir
When do they start mandating passports to enter Portland? A friend of mine told me Seattle is requiring it now.
Eta- I have my can of nose glue
Eta- I have my can of nose glue
This post was edited on 4/5/21 at 2:10 pm
Posted on 4/5/21 at 7:03 pm to Reservoir dawg
We took a trip to Washington state July of last summer. We went to mount rainier natl Park for a day just to scratch it from the list and "see" it. Spent 3 days exploring olympic national park , 2 days on orcas island, and then another 2 at north cascades natl Park. Such a fun trip. Olympic was my favorite. There We checked out hurricane ridge, rialto Beach, and the hoh rainforest. Such a unique and diverse national park. North cascades was incredible as well and I strongly suggest taking a drive over to Diablo lake.
Page 1 of 1
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News