Perhaps I've been spoiled by high-country trails, but I find many of the trails in Tiger Mountain State Forest monotonous. However, aesthetics aside, they do serve a purpose and I am thankful for them. We need trails close to home that can be hiked year-round.
Besides, if you hike Tiger Mountain on a regular basis, you'll find several loops and one-way hikes that are quite satisfying and provide enough mileage and elevation gain to qualify as a good workout. You also will find a few hidden delights and experience solitude, especially if you avoid the most popular trails.
By Karen Sykes | December 30, 2004
Capitol Lake and Tumwater Falls get our vote as the most scenic parks within the city limits of Olympia. Both offer impressive scenery and historical points of interest, including the old Olympia Brewing Co., established in the early 1900s. You can visit both parks in a day and enjoy a variety of scenes, ranging from segmented Tumwater Falls to the quiet waters of Capitol Lake with the state capitol rising above.
By Karen Sykes | December 23, 2004
You don't have to go far up Mount Rainier to break trail in fresh snow. A favorite snowshoe trip of mine is the Eagle Peak Trail, which begins at Longmire and winds through fine old-growth forest before climbing to a treasure chest of views.
You'll need to work to reach the saddle between Eagle and Chutla peaks, with views of Rainier and other mountains. But you'll probably have the trail to yourself. It's a mystery as to why this quiet route doesn't attract many hikers any time of the year.
By Karen Sykes | December 9, 2004
The holidays are a good time to get acquainted with Camano Island State Park. It's on the west side of the island, which is surrounded by the waters of Skagit Bay, Port Susan Bay and Saratoga Passage and is accessed by a bridge from the mainland.
By Karen Sykes | December 2, 2004
Hiking in the mountains becomes a challenge this time of year, but the desert lands to the east are just as special in the cold months as in spring, and Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park near Vantage is an excellent introduction.
True, winter days are short and the mountain passes can be harrowing, but the park is open year-round and is only about a two-hour drive from Seattle. Get a pass report and an early start, take warm clothing, field guides and head over Snoqualmie Pass for a different kind of hike.
By Karen Sykes | November 25, 2004
The Rim Trail at Mud Mountain Dam is one of the most unusual winter hikes we've ever found. The two-mile trail is open to hikers and mountain bikers, but there's more. Beyond the two-mile mark, the trail comes to an access road for horse riders. Here the route continues as road and descends to the White River -- this stretch is known as the River Trail. Hikers, mountain bikers and horse riders can continue to Scatter Creek, about four miles from the start of the Rim Trail.
By Karen Sykes | November 11, 2004
Hikers are seeking lower-elevation trails now that snow is falling in the mountains. One on which you won't need to lower your enjoyment expectations is the path at Lake Sylvia State Park.
Originally a logging camp dating back to the 1800s, the 223-acre park is near Montesano between Olympia and Aberdeen.
By Karen Sykes | November 4, 2004
If you like to flirt with the weather, Snow Lake near Snoqualmie Pass is a good place to start. As Halloween approaches, the weather is more apt to play tricks than to give out treats, so hikers need to be prepared for winter conditions and carry the proper gear.
By Karen Sykes | October 28, 2004
The days are numbered for hikes in the Teanaway region now that winter's on the way. But if you don't mind taking a gamble on the weather, you may hit the jackpot with Koppen Mountain.
By Karen Sykes | October 21, 2004
Hex Mountain is a high point on Sasse Ridge, rising above Cle Elum Lake in the Wenatchee Mountains, and you might think someone put a hex on you if you approach it from the 3.5-mile Corral Creek Trail.
The steep, loose terrain and no switchbacks combined with rain to make this one of the worst trails I've ever hiked.
By Karen Sykes | October 14, 2004
