Lake Stevens, Washington

We went into this hike knowing it was 8 miles round trip and a portion of it being 1300 feet straight up in 1.3 miles. We expected the weather to be really snotty and rainy, but it was a lot better than we expected.  Typically, this would just be your normal hike, but for Em, HAHA NOOOOOOO. Eve...

Located down the road from the San Juan Islands and kitty corner from Olympic National Park, Seattle is a mecca for outdoor adventure enthusiasts. Seattle’s infamous rain shadow allows the flora and fauna to flourish and creates some of the most breathtaking scenery you’ll ever lay eyes on. We’ve...

If you've ever been to Seattle, you know the proximity to amazing outdoor adventures is pretty ideal. If you haven't, it's about time to plan a weekend trip. From Seattle, you don't have to drive too far to find some of the most dramatic mountain landscapes in the country and of course, the best ...

Winter can often be thought of as a time to stay indoors, drink hot chocolate, and hibernate. The opposite couldn't be more true. When you explore in the winter, not only do you get to see landscapes in an entirely different way, but you also get to enjoy a little more solitude that you typically...

Skip the long lines for coffee or brunch this weekend and head out on a hike for some challenging uphill climbs, stunning lake views, cascading waterfalls, and an escape from the city. Because there are so many options immediately surrounding the city, just choosing your hike is a challenge. We'v...

While this is everything that I own and use, you don’t by any means need to buy all of it to take great photos and videos! This is my complete gear list and I definitely don’t bring it all out with me on every trip. I customize my bag for each adventure depending on what I’ll be doing and what th...

If you’re looking for a three-day getaway in the United States, you cannot go wrong with the Emerald City in the Evergreen State: Seattle, Washington. Stereotypes of never-ending rain aside, Seattle offers a diverse mix of activities and scenery to satisfy any modern day traveler.On top of numero...

Backpacking for the first time can be both scary (in a good way!) and exhilarating. Here are a few relatively easy backpacking trips in Washington to get you hiking. Trust me, once you start, you can’t stop!1. Thunder Creek - North Cascades National ParkPhoto: Dawn CoyoteDistance: options for 5-1...

It does not matter whether I am car camping with luxuries or on an expedition to climb some of the worlds most remote peaks, my Feathered Friends Swallow UL 20 Sleeping Bag goes everywhere I go. As a 3-season 20-degree bag, I have happily used it on chilly summer nights in the Blue Ridge Mountain...

Seattle has many miles of paved trails throughout the city, but hitting the trails doesn’t just have to be for weekend pursuits. There are many opportunities for singletrack and these trails are all within 20 miles of downtown Seattle. So get up, get dirty, and get to work before your boss. These...

Most people know that Seattle is one of the greatest cities in the world for outdoor enthusiasts (opinion). Yet while some may assume summer is ripe for adventure, spring and fall actually offer hikers, scramblers, and mountain runners the best conditions to explore Seattle’s local peaks (fact). ...

I attended an excursion led by one of my co-workers through Trailhead Direct. It's an amazing pilot project co-led by King County Metro and King County Parks to provide public transportation and expand access to hiking destinations along I-90 near Seattle, Washington. Our hike at Poo Poo Point tr...

“I’ve always wanted to go there!” are six words that used to trickle out of my mouth more often than veggies went in. Just as often were the two words “One day…” I once lived a life of hesitation and slept in a deep well of procrastination. I found every excuse in the book for why I couldn’t do s...

This story is presented by Oboz.  My first spring PNW hike of the season was filled with blue skies, lots of native plants that got me excited for a fruitful foraging season, and even some splashing sea lions! My Spring PNW hike When the alarm went off on the morning of my group hike that I p...

During the day, Rattlesnake Ledge is one of the most popular hikes within the one hour of Seattle. This means that the parking lot, as well as the road leading to the trailhead, is full of cars. If you hate crowds like this, then this is the time for you to go. You don't need much for this advent...

What do you do when you have finals and a sunny day? Drive to a lake and hammock, duh. I just got out of class daydreaming of going out and just relaxing in the sun. I have a reputation in class for not showing up if the sun's out, so when someone asked me why I was in class, I asked myself the s...