Pacific Northwest — A Pacific Northwest Hiking Blog

DICK’S Sporting Goods Has You Covered For Fall and Winter

Fall is in full swing here in the Pacific Northwest. The leaves are falling, the temperature is dropping, and Halloween is near. It’s time to gear up for cooler, damper weather. We, like many of you, appreciate comfortable, technical apparel that is also stylish. Whether cozying up by a campfire or visiting your local pumpkin patch, now’s a great time to select some new items to see you through the season. We’ve teamed up with DICK’S Sporting Goods to show you this year’s new coats, footwear, and other fall/winter apparel to keep you bundled up and ready for anything.

Camping, Hiking, ReviewPacific North WanderersOctober 30, 2020Washington, Washington State Park, Pacific NorthwestComment

A Wild Drive & Walk Through Northwest Trek Wildlife Park

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park is a 725-acre park of wildlife and wilderness conservation. Opportunities to get outside and enjoy nature are made possible with a Wild Drive (in your vehicle) and a Wild Walk. These opportunities are by appointment, and timed tickets can conveniently be purchase online. One of the greatest parts of these little adventures is that they are family-friendly.

ExploringPacific North WanderersSeptember 13, 2020Washington, Attraction, Pacific Northwest Comment

Hiking Silver Star Mountain

The opportunity to enjoy wildflowers, views of 5 significant mountains, a natural rock arch, and two different trails drew us to this hike. Those are some of the things you’ll see while hiking Silver Star Mountain. This easy-moderate hike should be on everyone’s must-do list! The drive up may be challenging, but the hike itself is rewarding.

Hiking Baldy Mountain

With 360-degree views at the top and a good overlook around the midway point, the TP Jim Trail on Baldy Mountain can be a little challenging but well worth it. It's only 2-miles to the top, but the nearly 2,000' elevation gain slowed us down quite a bit. However, all that effort does come with rewards from this vantage point: the Yakima River and campground at the bottom, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams, and Mt. Hood visible in the distance, as well as the sparse, hilly eastern Washington landscape to be seen all around.

Biking The Apple Capital Recreational Loop Trail

The Apple Capital Recreational Loop Trail, also more commonly referred to as the “Loop Trail,” is a 10-mile paved trail running along both shores of the Columbia River in Wenatchee, WA. Popular with cyclists, joggers, dog-walkers, and more, this trail provides excellent views of the river, the city, and the nearby mountains. With a mostly level grade, it is easy enough for everyone to enjoy. Nearby numerous parks, local businesses, the market, and rest areas make this an enjoyable experience.

BikingPacific North WanderersJune 10, 2019Washington, Washington State Park, Pacific NorthwestComment

Hiking To Saddle Rock

After camping the previous night at Wenatchee Confluence State Park, we were well rested and ready to go. The day was forecasted to be clear, sunny, and warm—so we opted to get this hike done in the cool of the morning. As we drove to Saddle Rock trailhead, a short 15 minutes from the park, the sun was out, and we knew we’d have some great views from the top.

Biking In Dash Point State Park

Our goal was to camp somewhere close to home and to bring our bikes along to hit the trails. We love exploring all of the Pacific Northwest, but the majority of our journeys take us on very long drives which become a bit draining at times. So we opted for the nearby Dash Point State Park. We’ve visited in the past, but this would be our first time staying there and using the bike trails.

BikingPacific North WanderersApril 30, 2019Washington State Park, Washington, Beach, Pacific NorthwestComment

An Afternoon Hike In Bridle Trails State Park

Known as one of the top equestrian parks west of the Mississippi, Bridle Trails State Park offers 28-miles worth of trails for horseback riding, hiking, jogging, and the walking of leashed dogs. This 489-acre day-use park started out as 640-acres, which was reserved for the purpose of supporting public schools by the sale of parcels of land and logging under the 1853 Organic Act of Washington Territory. Around 1930, horseback riding residents successfully petitioned the Commissioner of Public Lands to use the land for a park, which then lead to the establishment of Bridle Trails State Park in 1932.

A Two Day Stay At Twin Harbors State Park

Quickly becoming a favorite part of the state to us, we took our third trip to the Westport, Washington area for two nights. Renting a cabin at Twin Harbors State Park as our temporary home base, we explored the town of Westport and two other nearby Washington State Parks over the weekend. Beaches to lighthouses to a colony of sea lions, we saw a lot!

Camping, Exploring, HikingPacific North WanderersMarch 15, 2019Washington State Park, Washington, Lighthouse, Beach, Pacific NorthwestComment

Visiting Elk And Bighorn Sheep Of Oak Creek Wildlife Area

There’s an absolute thrill that comes with viewing animals in nature. Childlike wonder and curiosity takes over whenever we are graced with the opportunity to see animals of the wild up close. Oak Creek Wildlife Area gives visitors the chance to appreciate elk and bighorn sheep safely, but at close range. There are areas along a fence for viewing as the animals mill around or rest on the ground. Feeding times, where hay bales are dropped throughout the field, gives visitors a chance to see interactions amongst the individuals of the herd while eating. Finally, you can pile in the back of a large raised truck that will drive you right into the midst of a few hundred animals to experience the sites, sounds and smells that are inherent to a herd of elk.

ExploringPacific North WanderersMarch 6, 2019Washington, Pacific NorthwestComment

A Night At Millard's Cabin In Packwood, Washington

A winter afternoon of snowshoeing, a night on the town with good food and drinks, and a cozy cabin to rest after the day's adventures. A perfect blending of rustic elements and modern amenities. This was our two-day getaway while visiting Millard's Cabin in Packwood, Washington.

Cabin Nights And A Hike On Kitsap Peninsula

Sometimes you just need a few days away from the pull of home and work. A chance to rest, relax and explore was what we wanted and what we found. On the Kitsap Peninsula you’ll find Belfair State Park, Scenic Beach State Park and Gold Creek Trail. We spent a coupe of nights in a cabin at Belfair State Park, hiked Gold Creek Trail and explored Scenic Beach State Park. Waterfront, forest, mountain views and starry nights were healing elixirs.

Hiking Umatilla Rock Trail

An early morning hike is never a bad idea. You get to watch the sunrise while enjoying the cooler part of a summer day. On a recent trip to eastern Washington, beating the heat was a must for us. We explored and hiked around, up and over Umatilla Rock and Dry Falls. This easy hike provides breathtaking views of what was once the world's largest waterfall.

The Mysterious Mima Mounds National Natural Landmark

There are 599 designated National Natural Landmarks (NNL) in the U.S. and its territories, which are administered by the National Park Service. Washington state is home to 18 of these wonders, and Mima Mounds NNL is one of them. The area provides short, level, unshaded hiking trails which run through this field of small, rounded hills, giving visitors a close-up look and opportunity to imagine how they were formed. Similar mima mounds can be found in other parts of the U.S.; however, they are all named after the Mima Prairie in Washington, which is located southeast of the Capital State Forest.

Beer Hiking Pacific Northwest

It’s no secret that the Pacific Northwest is home to exceptional hiking and excellent craft beers. The territory from Oregon, through Washington, and up into British Columbia, offers up great opportunities for trails and an after-hike visit to a local craft brewery. Beer Hiking Pacific Northwest has made enjoying this combination easy by pairing together 50 hikes and brew locations throughout the PNW.

Hiking, ReviewPacific North WanderersJune 8, 2018Pacific Northwest Comment

Hiking Icicle Ridge In Leavenworth, Washington

The popular Bavarian town of Leavenworth has a lot to do and see. From the many year-round festivals like Octoberfest and Maifest to the downtown area and its waterfront attractions, there’s always something to do here. During this visit, we opted for a hike on Icicle Ridge and a brew afterward at Icicle Brewing Company.

HikingPacific North WanderersJune 1, 2018Washington, National Forest, Pacific NorthwestComment

Visiting Fields Spring State Park

If you are looking for a getaway, may we suggest the southeast corner of Washington? Here you will find Fields Spring State Park, an 825-acre park located in Washington’s northern portion of the Blue Mountains. The park lies within forested land and atop a natural spring, from which its name derives. Features of this park include camping opportunities, hiking trails, and scenic views from Puffer Butte. We stayed two nights in Tamarack cabin and loved every moment.

Crown Jewel Wilderness: Creating North Cascades National Park

Here in Washington state, we are ever so privileged to have access to an abundance of wilderness and public lands. Much of the public areas we enjoy are encompassed under the umbrella of our three National Parks. Outdoors enthusiasts, of the Pacific Northwest, are familiar with Mount Rainier National Park, Olympic National Park, and North Cascades National Park. While we may be frequent visitors to some or all of these national parks, do you ever wonder how they came to be?

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