Leavenworth, Washington
This bavarian-style town east of Seattle is a fantastic basecamp for mountain adventures.
Top Spots in and near Leavenworth
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Ellensburg, Washington
Hike Manastash Ridge
4 mi / 1700 ft gainManastash Ridge is a popular hike in Ellensburg, Washington, attracting many locals and students of Central Washington University. While attending school, I climbed the Ridge a handful of times, always with struggle. After making my resolution of 40 hikes in 2015, I decided to tackle this hike fo...Read more -
North Bend, Washington
Talapus Lake Trail
3.43 mi / 781 ft gainThe trail up to Talapus Lake is well graded and relatively short, at only about 2.5 miles in length RT. The trail starts off on a wide old road cut and then veers off into the old growth woods in a slowly winding uphill tack. A few mellow switch backs deliver you to the top, where a short stretch...Read more -
North Bend, Washington
Talapus & Olallie Lakes
5.71 mi / 1266 ft gainWith a moderate grade on a wide trail, the hike to Talapus Lake is the perfect introduction to the outdoors for hikers and beginning backpackers. Upon arrival at Talapus, break out lunch or pitch camp. Either way, you can cool off in the large lake. If you feel like pressing on, Ollalie Lake is j...Read more -
North Bend, Washington
Hike Pratt Balcony
2.2 miThis one can be a bit tricky to find. The trailhead is unmarked and is a bit hidden around a curve of Middle Fork Road so it is easy to miss. At about 9.80 miles from the junction of 468th St. and Middle Fork Road, look for two signs on the right warning of upcoming gravel patches (probably will ...Read more -
Darrington, Washington
Backpack to Glacier Peak Meadows and White Chuck Glacier
34 mi / 9000 ft gainStarting at the North Fork Sauk Trailhead (NFD 49) off the Mountain Loop Highway, you will travel 5.3 miles and gain a leisurely 1,100 feet of elevation until you reach Mackinaw Shelter. This is where the real work begins. The trail gains a calf-burning 3,000 feet in the next 2.9 miles until you ...Read more -
Gold Bar, Washington
Heybrook Lookout
4.72.47 mi / 984 ft gainTo the trailhead, drive east on highway 2 from Everett. Just past milepost 37 you will see a gravel parking area on the left side of the highway. Wander through a mossy forest that reminds me of Olympic National Park and traverse up 1.3 miles of switch backs to ascend heybrook lookout! Dogs ar...Read more -
North Bend, Washington
Hike Little Saint Helens via Hansen Creek
7 mi / 1109 ft gainThe road to the hike is rough in some spots but overall any car can make it up. Quite a lot of campsites along the first mile if you choose to camp here. The trail is well maintained and easy to follow. You start out by cutting across the road and starting at the Hansen Creek trailhead. Follow t...Read more -
Gold Bar, Washington
Sunset Falls
1.0Note: Please be careful when exploring the falls. We recommend not walking on the surfaces directly next to the falls as the water is moving very quickly and can pick you up quickly. The falls are home to several very sad losses. Sunset Falls is the largest and the final of the three major wate...Read more -
Quincy, Washington
Ancient Lakes Trail
4.74.34 mi / 213 ft gainOn the hunt for a dry, scenic backpack during a weekend of dreary, wet, early September weather in the mountains, we decided to head toward the high desert outside of Quincy, WA. After a short hike in, we found a site seldom seen - waterfalls and lakes in the midst of the desert - an area known a...Read more -
Sultan, Washington
Heybrook Ridge
3.71 mi / 856 ft gainAlthough short, this new trail is a great warm-up to the many other trails this area has to offer. Starting immediately across the North Fork Skyhomish River at the new trailhead, you will make your way up this moderately steep hike to the Heybrook Ridge. once you reach the top of the trail, you ...Read more -
North Bend, Washington
Summit Mt. Defiance
5.011 mi / 3300 ft gainThis hike offers some of the best views one can see in the area. On a clear day, you'll get amazing views of Mt. Rainier. The best part is that as you start heading uphill in the first half mile, you'll get great views of McClellan Butte. Once you reach the summit of Defiance at 5584 feet, you'll...Read more -
North Bend, Washington
Bandera Mountain
4.47.8 mi / 3176 ft gainThis hike has unreal views of Mount Rainier. On a great clear spring day, the mountain is out. It's right in your face. It's incredible. If you tackle this hike in the spring the bear grass and wildflowers are alive and blooming towards the top and it makes for some fantastic picture-taking. Once...Read more -
North Bend, Washington
Mason Lake via Ira Spring
4.26.88 mi / 2316 ft gainIra Spring trail offers up great views prior to reaching the ridge that you go over to reach Mason Lake. The lake itself is an amazing sight—beautiful water with rocks and trees along the shores, making this 6.5-mile roundtrip hike well worth it. The trail to Mason Lake, the Ira Spring trail, pr...Read more -
North Bend, Washington
Camp and Trail Run from Rainbow Lake
I backpacked to and setup basecamp at Rainbow Lake and then I ran over to Island Lake. After enjoying the peace and quite I ran up to the top of Bandera Mountain and enjoyed the views. Then, I ran back to basecamp and spent the night. The following morning I ran up to the top of Mount Defiance a...Read more -
Gold Bar, Washington
Lake Serene and Bridal Veil Falls
4.87.74 mi / 2569 ft gainConsider this a must-do if you are in Seattle and feel like knocking out two amazing hikes AND getting to see a hidden lake all along US 2. The trail starts out on an old road with the typical amazing forest surrounding you. After roughly 2 miles the road will end and you can go right (signage i...Read more -
Snohomish County, Washington
Hike to Glacier Basin
13 mi / 2600 ft gainStart off by traveling down the Mountain Loop Highway, arriving at the Barlow Pass Trailhead. You will walk about 200ft to reach an old gated road. This road will lead you towards Monte Cristo. About 1.5 miles down the road, the road will start to turn into a trail that runs along the river. You ...Read more