North Face Seattle WA

Activities: Hiking, Snowshoeing

Info:
State: Washington
Location: Olympic National Park
Length: One-Way: 1.7 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 700 feet
Maximum Elevation: 2700 feet
Elevation Change: 2000 feet
Trail Surface: Maintained
Best Season: Summer
Difficulty: Difficult
Usage: Heavy

Description: The Mount Storm King Trail is a short, steep trail heading south from the Storm King Information Center on the southern shore of Lake Crescent. The trail follows a paved path under the highway and along the northern bank of Barnes Creek. After paralleling the creek for about one half mile the trail forks, turn right at this fork and begin ascending the northern Barnes Creek Valley wall. The Mount Storm King Trail ascends to a terrace above the creek, reaching the western ridge crest of Mt. Storm King. Once the ridge is crested, you receive a brief break from the climbing. However, the trail once again climbs steeply using switchbacks to ascend a ridge line. Along this ridge are sweeping views from various overlooks.

Activities: Hiking, Hunting/Shooting, Fishing

Info:
State: Washington
Location: Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Length: One-Way: 2.5 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 4400 feet
Elevation Change: 900 feet
Best Season: Summer, Fall
Difficulty: Difficult
Usage: Heavy
Parking: Northwest Forest Pass is required at trailheads.

Description: The Wild Goose Trail travels through the entire Heather Meadows area, providing access to all other trails. The northern section of the Wild Goose Trail leads from Bagley Lakes Trailhead (at the ski area parking lot) to Austin Pass Picnic Area. The southern section begins at Terminal Lake and climbs uphill to Artist Point, providing an alternative to driving up the highway to its terminus at Artist Point. Wild Goose reassurance markers embedded in rock cairns help to lead hikers through sections of the trail.

Activities: Hiking

Info:
State: Washington
Location: Mount Rainier National Park
Length: Round Trip: 7.2 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 2820 feet
Maximum Elevation: 5700 feet
Elevation Change: 2880 feet
Best Season: Summer
Difficulty: Difficult
Usage: Heavy

Description: The Eagle Peak Trail begins east of Longmire on the western end of the Tatoosh Mountains. It heads 3.5 miles east, gaining almost 3,000 feet in the process. The trail ends on the saddle between Eagle and Chutla Peaks. The peaks are accessible with a lot of exposure, so individuals without mountain climbing experience should not attempt to summit Eagle and Chutla Peaks. The hike on the Eagle Peak Trail begins heading east and crossing a small stream in the first few minutes of the trail. It climbs steeply through thick forest, over switchbacks at first. Two miles from the trailhead, the trail crosses a tributary to the Nisqually River on a wooden bridge and continues to ascend on long switchbacks. About a mile from the stream crossing, the trail begins heading through an open, subalpine meadow. Views of the Tatoosh Range peaks lie to the east of this high meadow, which is usually in full bloom by mid July. Beyond the meadow, the trail crosses some rocky terrain ascending 360 feet in 0.5 miles to the saddle. The saddle between Eagle and Chutla Peak lies at 5,700 feet. The maintained trail ends at this point, with views of Mt. Rainier, the Tatoosh Range, Snoqualmie National Forest, Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Adams.

Activities: Hiking

Info:
State: Washington
Location: Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Length: One-Way: 4.1 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Best Season: Summer, Fall
Difficulty: Difficult
Usage: Heavy
Parking: Northwest Forest Pass is required at trailheads.

Description: Beginning at Austin Pass, the Lake Ann Trail enters the Mt. Baker Wilderness as it switchbacks down into the headwaters of the Swift Creek Drainage. The trail travels through meadows and wooded areas while bordered by Shuksan Arm to the north and Artist Ridge to the south. In approximately 2.5 miles, pass the unsigned junction with Swift Creek Trail #607 on the right. As the trail begins to climb out of the Swift Creek drainage through heather, talus slopes and subalpine forest, Mt Baker comes into view. The trail then reaches a saddle above Lake Ann. Dropping down toward the lake, an unsigned junction is encountered. The left fork leads to the popular Fisher Chimney route for climbers attempting to summit Mt. Shuksan. The right fork leads to lakeside campsites. Lake Ann hikers are rewarded with up-close view of Mt. Shuksan and its Lower and Upper Curtis Glaciers. Listen for the thunderous roar that means a chunk of ice has broken off one of the glaciers and is tumbling down the rock face. Snow can remain late into the summer. Hikers should use caution when crossing snow slopes and be aware of cornices that form above the trail. Lake Ann will often remain frozen late into summer. Hikers should use caution when approaching the Lake Ann shoreline and never walk on the ice. During periods of heavy runoff from snow and rain, Swift Creek crossings can be challenging. If entering the North Cascades National Park Service Complex overnight, a free backcountry permit is required. Fires are prohibited; campers must use backcountry stoves for cooking. In keeping with wilderness regulations, party size is limited to 12.

Activities: Hiking, Hunting/Shooting, Fishing

Info:
State: Washington
Location: Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Length: One-Way: 1.5 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 4000 feet
Maximum Elevation: 5237 feet
Best Season: July to October
Difficulty: Easy
Usage: Heavy

Description: The heavily used Cultus Creek Trail begins at the Cultus Creek Campground, enters the wilderness and climbs semi-open slopes toward the summit of Bird Mountain, a 1.5 mile long backbone ridge. The trail climbs 1,200 feet in elevation before passing through a saddle at 5,237 feet where you will be rewarded with views of the west slope of Mt. Adams. Beyond the saddle, the trail enters large timber and eventually connects with the Pacific Crest Trail National Scenic Trail (#2000). The trail features abundant huckleberries and views of Mt. Rainier and the Goat Rocks, Sawtooth Mountain and Sleeping Beauty.