Rockport, Washington

Start from the Ross Lake Trailhead off Highway 20.  Hike down with your vessel 1.5 miles to the hull road.  From there you can launch your vessel.   Ross Lake is very large with many destinations to paddle to.  I went to Cougar Island and Rainbow Point then paddled up to multiple spectacular wate...

This is a short hike at just under 2 miles round-trip, with little elevation change. The trail begins at a parking area, alongside Washington Route 20. The hike takes you through the forest to an overlook of both Ross Dam and Ross Lake, before making the final descent down to the dam. The trail i...

Pack up your canoe with supplies for the day and launch from Colonial Creek Campground Area to begin your journey. As you approach the bridge to cross the lake, pull off to the parking area, there is signage for the boat launch area where you can easily carry your equipment down to the water's ed...

Diablo lake is the perfect place to camp if you're looking for solitude and natural beauty. It's northeast from Seattle in the North Cascades. Colonial Creek Campground has large camp sites right on the lake. It is first come first serve, however check out is at noon so arrive around 11:30 to sna...

Ruby Mountain is one of the North Cascades more prominent peaks, sitting high above Diablo and Ross Lakes. This trip is one for more experienced hikers with a very aggressive incline from start to finish. If that does not scare you then definitely add this amazing hike to your list. While it can ...

...After spending my 3 days exploring and capturing the partial lunar eclipse at North Cascades National Park in Washington, I was eager to find another adventure that I haven't done yet or others didn't know much about. As I was driving East leaving Gorge Creek Falls, .9 miles on my left I spott...

While not a hike in of itself, this walk to Ladder Creek Falls is still very enjoyable as you bound over a large suspension bridge, wander past smaller falls and overgrown garden steps, and get an up close and personal look at the oldest operating building in Skagit County, the powerhouse. Drive ...

You start the trail in a newly created parking lot (outhouses as well). Follow along the trail, and within a short distance from the parking lot you will come to a fork. Take the left trail (right goes to Flora Lake). This part of the trail is fairly flat with some nice scenery. You will follow t...

Despite this trip report being titled "to Winchester Mountain", the fun doesn’t stop there. Even though Winchester Mountain is the most popular summer hike departing from Twin Lakes, this whole area turns into a fun-zone during the winter.Upon reaching higher ground above the lakes, this zone off...

Starting at 3,640 feet elevation, the Cascade Pass Trailhead begins adjacent to the Johannesburg Camp and proceeds east along a relentless series of switchbacks. Though the trail is consumed by a thick Washington evergreen forest, the switchbacks frequently open to sweeping vistas of the far-reac...

Set your eyes on one of the most photographic mountain landscapes in North America. You can drive up early for the sunrise, but really any time of day will be a treat.In the spring, make sure to come when the lake isn't frozen over so you can get the full reflection of Mt. Shuksan on the water. T...

You do need a Northwest Forest Pass to park in the lot overnight. You can buy a day use E-pass online here (pick Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest from the drop down menu) and print it out and it's ready to use. Or you can buy the annual pass here.The adventure to Artist Point begins in the ...

Note to any hikers taking on this trail, this is a non-repeating trail meaning it goes in a big loop. The trailhead has 2 trail points of entrance. To the right (the pathway that is not paved) is the counter-clockwise route, a little less steep and more scenic at the start. To the left, the trail...

Note that Artist Point is only accessible by car during the summer - it is closed off from cars as of First Snowfall (end of September) through June.The parking lot of Artist Point is only about an hour and fifteen minute drive from the city of Bellingham, WA. The beautiful and peaceful road that...

A couple things must coincide for you to have a great time watching the milky way at Artist Point. The road up to Artist is only open during the summer and early Autumn months but it's always good to check on the Washington State Department of Transportation website to see current road conditions...

Just over 2 hours northeast of Seattle, Baker Lake is an often overlooked gem of the North Cascades. With 8+ miles of turquoise green water to explore, Baker Lake makes for a great day trip or overnight trip, with plenty of backcountry boat-in campsites and sandy beaches along the shore. You can...