Hike of the Week
The Wonderland Trail is about 92 miles long with an accumulated elevation gain of 22,786 feet. Many hikers do a stretch at a time, and this hiker had unfinished business with Summerland.
Earlier this year, snow stopped me and I had to call it quits at Fryingpan Creek, a mile short of Summerland. We returned in August, determined to get to Summerland via the Wonderland Trail. The route is justifiably one of the most beautiful hikes in Mount Rainier National Park, and a sunny day in August guaranteed success.
By Karen Sykes | September 7, 2006
Hike of the Week
Now is a good time to visit popular hikes before they become crowded in summer, such as the Denny Creek Trail, a route that climbs into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and leads to Denny Creek Slippery Slabs.
In summer, hikers can continue to Melakwa Lake or beyond, but for now Denny Creek is a good turnaround point. Another popular trail nearby is the one to Franklin Falls, a busy place on a warm summer day.
By Karen Sykes | June 1, 2006
Any day when rain isn't pouring, all manner of human motion circles the last big remnant of deep and dark native forest that once covered the hills around Seattle. Joggers and walkers and wheel spinners huff, puff, pedal or push, feel the breeze blow in off Lake Washington, watch wigeons and mergansers dabble and dive, or even eagles wing and soar.
On a clear day, Mount Rainier visually leaps from the horizon in the southeast.
By Greg Johnston | November 24, 2005
Hike of the Week
You don't have to go far up Mount Rainier to break trail in fresh snow. A favorite snowshoe trip of mine is the Eagle Peak Trail, which begins at Longmire and winds through fine old-growth forest before climbing to a treasure chest of views.
You'll need to work to reach the saddle between Eagle and Chutla peaks, with views of Rainier and other mountains. But you'll probably have the trail to yourself. It's a mystery as to why this quiet route doesn't attract many hikers any time of the year.
By Karen Sykes | December 9, 2004
Hike of the Week
The Necklace Valley Trail near Skykomish is an ideal late-spring route for hikers of all persuasions. You can make this trail as easy or as challenging as you like. After five easy miles, it crosses the East Fork of the Foss River on a damaged but passable footbridge before climbing steeply to a string of pretty lakes -- hence the name, Necklace Valley.
Trail No. 1062 starts low and, after a five-mile warm-up, climbs steeply to the first, Jade Lake. Most of the trail is inside the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.
Hikers have a choice on this trail:
By Karen Sykes | May 20, 2004
Hike of the Week
When you are short on time and are desperate for a taste of wilderness, Schmitz Preserve Park may fulfill that need.
Doubtful? So was I. It was the last place I expected to find the deep peace of an old-growth forest. Having just moved to West Seattle and being fed up with mountains of boxes, I took time out to explore nearby Schmitz park.
By Karen Sykes | May 6, 2004
Hike of the Week
It will take several visits to sample Point Defiance Park in Tacoma, a savory spring destination for hikers with a generous chunk of old-growth forest and a sense of wilderness that defies logic. You might find yourself asking -- how could a park in the middle of a city feel so wild?
This is one of the largest city parks in the country at 696 acres, with seven miles of hiking and biking trails, a zoo and aquarium, gardens, beach, museums and historical displays.
By Karen Sykes | March 4, 2004
Location: Whidbey Island, Island County.
Length: One mile (round trip) to overlook or 3.5-mile loop.
Level of difficulty: Level to moderately steep dirt/gravel trail.
By Cathy McDonald | February 5, 2004
Hike of the Week
Seward Park is always delightful, but I especially enjoy the park in winter. It's situated at the end of Lake Washington Boulevard South and is easy to get to on those all-too-short days in January. However, you might not get that far as there are several other regional parks and historical points of interest along the way.
By Karen Sykes | January 1, 2004
The walk: A two-hour amble here will take you through the land where the worlds of Chief Sealth and his Suquamish Tribe met the group that has become known as the Denny Party, after the white settlers landed at what would become Alki (a Chinook word for "by and by").
By Terry Tazioli | December 25, 2003
