Merry Christmas! If you were a client in 2016, chances are you have landed on this page because you have received your Christmas letter w/ a trail pass inside! As PNW residents, we’re so privileged to live in an area where we can choose to summit snow-topped mountains, trek through a moss-covered rainforest, or watch waves crash against our coastline. Our team wants to encourage you this 2017 year to head outside and marvel at the Northwest together – it’s as simple as getting in the car, and picking a direction!
Post pictures using the hashtag #LRadventures on Instagram and Facebook so we can follow along your journeys of exploration.
And as promised, below are our own explorations w/ our personal tips & tricks. Take a look…
Lake 22
Mason Lake
Chloe: Head out to the Snoqualmie Region to tackle the Ira Spring Trail! We went to Mason Lake and camped next to the lake, in June, so unfortunately we were trapped inside our tent upon reaching the lake due to the massive amounts of bugs…. Pro Tip: If you plan on sleeping at Mason Lake in the summer, don’t! Continue on another 1/2 mile to a more secluded body of water and less bugs (score!). My recommendation is to camp here if you’re doing an overnighter, and then refuel for the morning so you have enough energy to continue up to Mount Defiance which offers amazing views of Mason Lake and Bandera Mountain.
Merrit Lake
Mount Ellinor
Chloe: By far my most favorite hike!! We departed Lynnwood at midnight to make the roughly 2.5 hour drive out to the Olympic Peninsula for our sunrise hike up Mt. Ellinor. Being the only ones at the trailhead we hung out in the bed of the truck and stared at the stars before we strapped on our headlamps, and started from the upper trailhead (3.2 miles roundtrip). Be prepared for a serious leg workout as you tackle the 2,444′ elevation gain in just 1.6 miles! It’ll get your blood pumping, but bring gloves/hats/jackets for when you reach the top because it stays pretty cold up there for majority of the year. Watch out for mountain goats, and remember to respect the fact that you are in their territory – do not feed or attempt to touch! Just enjoy the beauty of nature and life around you at 5,944′ above sea level.
Neah Bay
Palouse Falls
Chloe: If you’re headed through Eastern Washington take a slight detour off of Highway 2 to check out Palouse Falls, deemed the official waterfall of Washington State! If you can, time your visit to the falls with the sunset for an unbeatable scene of nature. Pro tip: camp at the state park viewing point! There’s hardly anyone there on a weekday! When you wake up in the morning you can follow the trail down to the top of the falls, but please exercise extreme caution on this trailhead as it is an advanced level of difficulty. NO SANDALS OR FLIP-FLOPS – you will fall and hurt yourself.
Tuck & Robins Lakes
Chloe: Our very first overnighter with all the wrong gear! Probably one of the hardest hikes I’ve ever done but it was SO cool. Tuck Lake is the one you reach first and if you’re legs are strong enough to carry you to Robin Lakes you will not be disappointed. Unfortunately, we didn’t make it, but we could see people scrambling the last mile up super steep grade to the Alpine lakes above. Another day, we’ll be back to tackle that last mile with the right gear, but at 16 miles round trip it’s definitely a 2-3 day adventure.
Big Four Ice Caves
Leslie: This is always everyone’s favorite hike. 45 minute walk, easy, and the kiddo’s love it.
Heather Lake
Lyndsay: The hike we do most often! It’s close by & the mountains surrounding the lakes are absolutely breathtaking. We have never done it in the snow but have heard the hike is gorgeous in the snow as well. We always take our dog with us and as long as he’s on leash he does great.
Diablo Lake
Lyndsay: One of my favorites. It’s heavily shaded so not great views but the lakes are crystal clear & amazing. It’s an easy hike w/ kids and very little elevation change. A great mix of wooded & clean trails, plus a destination of the lake.
Goat Lake
Lyndsay: Iron Goat Trail is super fun for the kids. There’s a lot to see, including walking along old train tracks and through old train tunnels. You can either walk in and out or do the full loop which we have done with Miles from about age 6 on. During the summer there are a bunch of pretty flowers to pick along the way.
Lord Hills
Lyndsay: Excellent park for hiking, mountain biking, running and exploring with the kids. We have been on many adventures here and there is still a ton to see. The kids LOVE these trails and so do the dogs. Great views and a favorite of ours throughout all of the seasons.
