Austin Johnson

There is parking for about a mile along Alki Ave. SW, however it quickly fills up quickly so get there early. The beach is about a mile long and since there is little parking there is a good chance you will need to walk a fair distance.  There are many things to do at this beach. There are kayak, paddle-board, rollerblade, and bike rentals all along the beach. Six fire-pits are also sporadicall...

This hike gets crowded fairly quickly so get there early. The parking lot is very large so parking is not really a problem.  There are bathrooms at the very beginning of the trail so I highly suggest using them. However at the top there is also a designated restroom area. Starting at 2600 ft, this hike has a nice and steady incline the entire trip.  For this hike, you will end up starting in a...

You start out at an elevation of about 1200 feet and you gradually make your way up to the top at 4450 feet. You are hiking through forest land the whole time with peaks of a beautiful view to the north every so often. Along the way there are many rock walls which you can climb at, however on our trip we did not. There are a few fallen trees within the last mile but are easy to navigate around....

Since the parking lot is not plowed in the winter you have to park along the main road next to the drive way toward the hike. Once to the trial head it is smooth sailing the rest of the hike. When I went the snow was compacted so snowshoes were not necessary but they are very helpful. Once to the pond there is a trail which goes around the edge. I high suggest going around because this is a ver...

*Disclaimer this article is in regards to the newly built trail.* For the old trail, head to Hike Mailbox Peak.  Just off of exit 34, Mailbox Peak offers a birds-eye view of the surrounding area. This hike begins at a mere 800 ft. above sea level and by the time you are done you are nearly touching the 5000 ft elevation. The elevation gain starts in the parking lot and it only gets steeper the...

You start out at Stevens Pass just across the street from the lodge. The trailhead is slightly hidden but it is located to the left of the substation. Parking is plenty before ski-season.  Once you are all geared up, you wanna hit the trail running cause this is a long one to snowshoe. With shorter days comes shorter hikes. Being 11.6 miles, this hike will be just within reach of completion whi...

We arrived at the Sea to Sky Gondola in the early morning and rode up to the top in the gondola to where the trailhead was. Once at the top there was a gift shop and a suspension bridge with a wooden viewing platform. The trail goes to the left of the complex down an old logging road. It is well marked and easy to follow. Once on the trail it is fairly smooth sailing to the top. There are many ...

If you have a whole day, then this trip is for you. Being three hours from Seattle has its perks. You get the views without the crowds. This hike is perfect for snowshoeing while the road remains open. Once closed it becomes extremely hard to get to, so make sure you get there while you can. Being that it is a loop, there are two ways you can go about hiking this trail, clockwise, and counter c...

The Siletz Bay region of Lincoln City offers a wide variety of activities. With miles of public beach, there is a lot to see and explore.  Despite being the "quiet" part of town, getting here and finding parking will be your biggest issue this whole trip. Parking although free, is very limited, so you will more than likely need to find a side street if it is a busy day. Once out of your car, he...

Starting at the Snoqualmie Pass PCT trailhead, you start hiking through an old growth forest. This hike has a nice gradual incline with views starting near a talus field. Late June, early July wildflowers are growing like crazy along the trail. This field offers a up close view of Mt. Rainier along with several other mountains in the area. Kendall Katwalk is the highest point along this point a...