Mountains

Explore the 'Alps of the Northwest' from Joseph, Oregon

Explore the ‘Alps of the Northwest’ from Joseph, Oregon

Outdoor lovers are discovering the 17 peaks near the mountain town.

The 9,572-foot Eagle Cap reflects here in Mirror Lake.

Chatting with a PCT 'Trail Angel'

Chatting with a PCT ‘Trail Angel’

These volunteers are heaven-sent

Andrea and Jerry Dinsmore planned to run a tiny truck stop when they retired from their jobs as a truck driver and mechanic, respectively. Instead, they became volunteers, running a “human stop” as trail angels—people who help thru-hikers (those who hike long-distance trails from end to end) with small acts of kindness—welcoming more than 500…

The 14 Best Places to Hike in the PNW

The 14 Best Places to Hike in the PNW

The days are long, the sun is shining— it’s time to get outside

With Haley Durslag, Cassie Gruber and Jake Laycock The days are long, the sun is shining—it’s time to get outside. Our guide to 14 of the region’s best hikes and six bike rides that will help you celebrate the season by enjoying iconic trails and urban adventures. Half-Day HikesYou can take these hikes in the…

The Last Stand: Numbers of Elusive Mountain Caribou Shrinking Dramatically

The Last Stand: Numbers of Elusive Mountain Caribou Shrinking Dramatically

Forestry, climate change and recreation have taken a toll on the mountain caribou

In the far northeast reaches of our state, the bleached antler of a caribou sits quietly on a shelf in the back of a ranger station. Seemingly out of place, the antler is not as incongruous as it first appears. Nearby in the Selkirk Mountains, which form Washington’s borders with Idaho and British Columbia, the…

The Best Places to Visit Along the Northwest Coast

The Best Places to Visit Along the Northwest Coast

It's not too late for a summer adventure. Let's hit the road

From the rugged and wild tip of Cape Flattery, Washington, to the undulating dunes of Bandon, Oregon, the Northwest coastline has lured wanderers for centuries—some of them straight into the rocks (one reason this stretch is dotted by dozens of picturesque lighthouses). The danger for today’s vacationer, who most often arrives by land, is making…

Best Northwest Hikes and Walks

Best Northwest Hikes and Walks

Find serenity, soaring views—and a sweet workout—on these 20 spectacular trails.

A sweeping glacial vista on a bluebird afternoon…an ancient rain forest, trees dripping with moss…the fecund scent of a deep mountain meadow…come July, our hearts yearn for the sweet sylvan dream that is Northwest hiking. Like nowhere else in the world, here, a short drive and an adventurous spirit are all it takes to transport…

Best Hikes to see Wildflowers

Best Hikes to see Wildflowers

Two hikes boasting riotous wildflower displays and gorgeous mountain views.

Sourdough Ridge TrailSunrise, Mount Rainier Difficulty: Easy; 2.5 miles, 400-foot elevation gain Location: Two hours from Seattle in the northeast corner of Mount Rainier National Park. Nearest town: Enumclaw, 60 minutes. $15 park entrance fee; dogs prohibited; nps.gov For subalpine meadows bursting with extravagant color, head to Sunrise, the highest spot you can drive to on…

How Seattle Measures Up Against 1962 Predictions

How Seattle Measures Up Against 1962 Predictions

Predictions for the growth of ‘Pugetopolis’ were off—but not always by much.

Fifty years ago this summer, Seattle was in the middle of a major transformation. Planners were rushing to build the first World’s Fair in America since World War II. Construction was under way on a second floating bridge across Lake Washington, and the I-5 freeway was marching toward the Canadian border. Seattle was being spruced…

Grey Matters: Knute Berger on Seattle's War-making Business

Grey Matters: Knute Berger on Seattle’s War-making Business

Despite our peacenik reputation, a key to Seattle’s economy is the war-making business.

If you listen to people like Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly, “Left Coast” cities like Seattle are so far out of the mainstream that we’re on the outer banks of reality. It’s true that we’re an antiwar kind of place, having been at the forefront of opposition to nuclear submarines, and wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Central…

New to Climbing and Hiking? A 101 on Hiring the Right Guide

New to Climbing and Hiking? A 101 on Hiring the Right Guide

Unless you’re a pro mountaineer, hiring a guide service is key to summiting success. Here are a few

MOUNTAINEERING GUIDES Rainier Mountaineering Inc.Mount Rainier, Mount Shuksan, Forbidden PeakBased in Ashford, RMI is one of the oldest and most established guide companies leading climbs on Mount Rainier. Founded in 1969 by legendary mountaineer Lou Whittaker and attorney Jerry Lynch, RMI boasts some of the biggest names in the business among its guides. Basic local…

The Truth About Bigfoot

The Truth About Bigfoot

From canyon to cave, the Sasquatch legend persists.

Rumors have circulated for years that Washington’s Cascades are the native habitat of Bigfoot (aka Sasquatch). Some certainly emanate from events that occurred (or not) one evening in 1924 in a canyon—ever since known as Ape Canyon (elevation: 4,200 feet)—southeast of Mount St. Helens. A group of miners shot at a mysterious 7-foot-tall apelike creature…

Grey Matters: Why Seattle is an All-inclusive Base Camp

Grey Matters: Why Seattle is an All-inclusive Base Camp

Seattle is a climber’s town, but some of us prefer the comforts of base camp to the rigors of mounta

Years ago, my photograph appeared in Seattle Weekly as part of a spoof on mountain climbing. I posed in a parking lot in SoDo with an ice ax, standing in front of a building with a picture of Mount Rainier painted on the wall. Let’s just say I am not exactly the embodiment of physical…

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