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Triple Falls & Oneonta Falls, Columbia River Gorge

March 17, 2013 / doublemom94

The hike to Triple Falls in the Columbia River Gorge is a must if you like waterfall hunting. Begin at Horsetail Falls, right at the trailhead and a tourist stopping spot. From there it’s a short hike up to Oneonta Falls, where the trail takes you behind the falls – not often you get to see a waterfall from the reverse side. From here most tourists head back to their cars, but if you keep going, you’ll get to Triple Falls and a lot more solitude. Tori and I had a picnic lunch on a huge log out over the stream, just above Triple Falls, and then had fun scrambling up the riverbed on big boulders. This is a very rocky trail, watch your ankles 🙂

UPDATE: I’ve heard that beginning in 2022 permits will be required for some of these areas. Probably a good thing, since the last time I tried to hike there it was so crowded I literally felt like cowering in a corner.

Upper Palisades, MRNP

March 17, 2013 / doublemom94

Love love love the hike to Upper Palisades Lake in Mt. Rainier NP. No good views of the big Mountain itself, but this hike definitely has its own beauty. There are only 2 campsites at Upper Palisades Lake, so if you’re looking for an un-crowded area in MRNP, this is a good spot. The meadow below the Palisades cliffs is beautiful, makes you feel very small. When I was there late last summer, gentians were blooming everywhere. This will be another one of my “must do yearly” backpack trips.

South Mowich River, MRNP

March 15, 2013 / doublemom94

This is the first overnight hike of the season into Mt. Rainier NP for me, because of its lower elevation. Unlike most other campgrounds, you hike down to South Mowich from the Paul Peak trailhead, not up. Not any great, spectacular views of the Mountain except for a few spots on the Paul Peak trail, but the South Mowich River valley is beautiful in and of itself, and when everything else around Rainier is still under feet of snow, this is a good option.

Skyscraper Pass/Berkeley Park, MRNP

March 15, 2013 / doublemom94

I leave a little bit of my heart at Skyscraper Pass every time I go out there. It’s one of my favorite places at Rainier… so much so that I’ve been known to hike out with a good book and a JetBoil to brew myself a pot of tea, and park myself at the top for 8 hours enjoying the view and talking to people as they pass by. Having to go through Berkeley Park to get there is the icing on the cake. (for photos of Berkeley Park in full wildflower bloom, stay tuned for my Wonderland Photos).

Just once in your lifetime (or several times, in my case) it’s worth it to get up well before dawn and drive out to Sunrise before the sun comes up, just to sit there and watch Rainier light up like a Christmas tree with alpenglow. It’s magical… the photos don’t come close to describing what it’s really like to watch the color change.

White Pass Nordic Area – Snowshoe

March 15, 2013 / doublemom94

The Nordic Ski area at White Pass (Hwy 12) has dedicated snowshoe trails as well as x-country skiing. It’s beautiful starting at the Yurt at Leech Lake, snowshoeing around the lake and through the forest or along the groomed trails. You can also connect with the PCT here and snowshoe for miles and miles…. It’s a great winter escape for those of us whose knees will not ever ski 🙂

Skyline Trail in Winter, MRNP

March 14, 2013 / doublemom94

The Skyline Trail in winter is just as gorgeous as in summertime, but in a different way. There is great show-shoeing out of Paradise, hopefully on a crystal-clear winter day that allows you to see all the way to Mt. Hood in Oregon. It’s days like these that get me through our gray, wet, PNW winters….

p.s. It IS possible to work on a tan in winter in Washington, I’ve gotten sunburned in January

Skyline Trail, Paradise, MRNP

March 14, 2013 / doublemom94

The Skyline Trail out of Paradise at MRNP is the classic dayhike at Mt. Rainier. Granted, it’s packed with tourists all summer, but it’s so gorgeous it’s worth the crowds, especially in the height of wildflower blooming season (these photos were taken in mid-August). Even then, on some years you can expect to cross some snow at the top near Panorama Point. Great views of Mt. Adams and Mt. St. Helens along the trail too. Did I mention the over-abundance of wildflowers? Sensory overload, in a good way…

Sheep Lake / Chinook Pass

March 13, 2013 / doublemom94

Sheep Lake is another one of those “gotta do this once a year” hikes… it’s an easy 2 mile hike in from Chinook Pass. Expect wildflower overload in August-ish (along with mosquitoes), not to mention a gorgeous mountain lake perfect for a picnic lunch. It’s a perfect easy dayhike, but there are also some nice camping spots around and near the lake.

Reflection Lake/Narada Falls, MRNP

March 13, 2013 / doublemom94

Above Longmire at Mt. Rainier, there is a nice little hike from Narada Falls up to Reflection Lake and back down on the Lakes Trail. August is usually prime wildflower season. If it’s waterfalls you’re looking for, this is a great trail!

Naches Loop, MRNP

March 13, 2013 / doublemom94

The Naches Loop off of Hwy 410 at Chinook Pass has to be my absolutely favorite fall hike for colors. It’s an easy 3-mile loop around Naches Peak, great for beginners, or for rehabbing knees after surgery. In October it lights up like a Christmas tree with fall colors. This is one of my yearly pilgrimages… Too bad the road is closed for winter, or I’d be up there snowshoeing too.