2021 Hiking Adventures
Wow the year has flown by and I didn’t get to as many hikes as I wanted, but these 10 were pretty amazing and just one was a repeat hike! Some of these have been on my bucket list for years so I’m glad I was able to finally get to them. It’s really hard to find hikes you haven’t been on here in WA state if you’ve done like 100. I tried to find some hikes that aren’t super popular and that are more hidden gems. So I hope others can find these useful!
Hike 1: Pinnacle Peak
This short hike up to the top of Pinnacle Peak is a nice way to start the year or get back into the groove of things especially New Years Day hike. Found near Enumclaw — parking is easy and there’s lots of trail variety. Makes for a nice walk, run, or hike!
Hike 2: Kennedy Falls
This hidden gem is on your way to the Olympic Peninsula — along the 101. We had gone to Kevin’s parents cabin looking for a hike around the area and this one popped up. The trailhead is near the fire station — we just parked there and walked in. The trails range from big openings to a small little trailhead marked by a cairn — where you turn to find this rushing waterfall! It was a fun trail around 6 miles in length and was a perfect hike in the cold January temps. No one knows it exists so you likely will have the trail to yourself or locals who live nearby.
Hike 3: Oyster Dome
This hike has been on my bucket list for years! Take the drive up to Bellingham and park along Chuckanut Drive — if you can find a spot. It’s usually pretty crowded with people hiking. If you can find a spot you just go right across the street to the trailhead. Don’t forget your Discover Pass and poles! It’s 1100 ft upwards and poles definitely help you out. You ascend up switchbacks and for us — there was still snow on the ground and pretty windy. We made it to the top, ate our protein bar and turned right back down with all the blustery wind. Usually the view clears and you can see all of the bay! After we made it back down we went to Taylor Shellfish and had oysters by the water — Oyster Dome hike has to end with oysters being eaten right?
Hike 4: Snoquera Falls
Had never heard of this hike before, but just was searching the Washington Trails Association site and stumbled upon it. It’s very close — like 5 streets from the turn to Crystal Mountain and again we had the trail to ourselves. Although we did see lots of elk tracks, we did not see any while hiking. Bring snow shoes or crampons for this one — it was super snowy still and we trekked poles in hand up to the waterfall. It was still slightly frozen but had some water falling off. Don’t get too close as frozen icicles could fall easily. A nice 4 mile hike in snow and what better way to end the day, and go 5 more streets down to Crystal Mountain. We took the ski lift to the top just for fun and ate snacks at the top. It was a crystal clear day so we got such beautiful views of Rainier. Best part was we decided to do this hike at random on mid-day Friday!
Hike 5: Iron Goat Mountain
Third times a charm right?! Not with this hike — I’ve tried to climb this mountain over the last 3 years around the same time and there always seems to be too much snow. Looks like I need to go in the summer time when the snow all melts. There was a big avalanche it looked like and a ton of snow had come down so we only hiked to the railroad track tunnel. But the snow was at least a foot deep as we kept falling into pockets as we hiked. Grab your Northwest Forest Pass if coming here and plan for the weather — https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/iron-goat-trail
Hike #6 Greider Lakes
First off know how far away this hike is — I didn’t realize 13 miles off Sultan road would take another hour of driving through very rough roads. But once you make the 2 hour drive and get to the trailhead it’s pretty easy to follow. The hike itself is long — around 9 or 10 miles in length. Oh and you can even count all your switchbacks — there really are 40 of them…we counted. I forgot our protein bars in the car so we had a little bag of peanuts and water; that was it so make sure you remember snacks. The lakes and views were beautiful though and we found out you can camp out there as well. They have camp sites spread out at the lakes — first come first serve.
Hike #7 Mt Rainier Paradise skyline loop — Fremont Look Out
Leave early for this hike as it’s always crowded and the parking lot fills up super fast. Bring a lot of water as there’s no trees to shade you and maybe a god hat! Follow the trail up and up to beautiful sweeping views of Mt. Rainier and to the right the Fremont Look Out Tower. Stop and eat lunch and then hike down the other side — we made a loop around and saw lots of goats on the side of the mountain, gorgeous views of Mt. Rainier and other trails below. You need a National Park Pass — I highly suggest buying online before you go — line is long and if you pre-purchase you can go right on in, sometimes they have separate line for people who have passes. On our way down the lot at the top of the visitor center was full so they weren’t letting more cars in. The wait to get just to the visitors lot was at least 150 cars long.
Hike #8 Mt Storm King
If you are ever near Port Angeles or the Olympic Peninsula this is a must see/do hike. Start along the beautiful lake Crescent, the trail widens to the Mt Storm King Trail while the other is to Marymere Falls (go back to it on your way down). Now start the climb up the mountain — go through some forest, switchbacks, and then you come to a section on top where you see climbers ropes. This trail is super exposed and you need to use the ropes to get to the top. Luckily many climbers have been here and have left gloves on the hillside to use so you don’t get rope burn. Slowly grab the rope and start walking up the trail. Your forearms will burn a little, but you’ll soon realize the ropes help so much and make it way easier to get up the mountain. Once you finish the ropes you’re at the top and the view is gorgeous. The clouds part, you can take photos on the edge of the rocks and you can see for days! On your way back down be mindful of the ropes — if you need to slide down on your butt, but use that rope.
**Disclaimer: Hikes 9 and 10 were on the Big Island of Hawaii — if you are ever there definitely do these 2 hikes!**
Hike #9 Pololū Valley
This popular hike on the Big Island is very easy to navigate because you just follow the trail all the way, walk across the beach and then go straight back up to a lookout. You begin the hike with a nice easy down hill jaunt and then the beach is at the bottom. You’ll see some people surfing, and some just having a picnic at the beach, but you’ll want to cross the river and head straight into jungle/tree territory to start your climb. If it rains the trail can be extremely muddy so where good hiking shoes. As you climb you’ll feel like you’re in rainforest and then you’ll see it change to more mountainous, and fruit trees (strawberry guava plants are everywhere). You can eat these on your way up just watch the seed they’re kind of hard. And then you get to the lookout bench at the top. Then the trek back the hardest part is after the beach climbing back up the hillside to your car. Walking sticks/pole are definitely recommended, but a quick 3 mile hike!
Hike #10 Waipio Valley
This is a fun little drive out to Waipio Valley and the lookout is beyond beautiful — you don’t have to hike, well maybe a nice 100 feet from the parking lot to see this beauty. The hike and difficulty come from going all the way down to the Black Sand Beach, crossing a raging river, and then having to come all the way back up a 25% grade cliff. Only 4-wheel drive cars can get down because of the steepness and potholes, but as you descend down into the valley you see the beauty all around you — it’s like a movie. Walk down side ways — as it’s less intense on your shins and knees. Once you get to the bottom you can turn left and walk another half a mile to see a water fall, but most people will turn right and continue following the trail. You might run into some wild horses like we did pictured above — they’re very sweet and just so tranquil, but do not pet since they are wild. Once you final get to the beach you have to cross the river to get to the other side of the mountain if you want to continue hiking. Pro tip — take off your hiking shoes and put on water shoes while wadding through the water. The water will be moving pretty quickly so follow others or use your hiking poles to get you through. Once to the other side follow the trail to continue climbing into the hills. When heading back up the giant cliffside put your head down and just trek; if you have poles they will make all the difference.
