Non-Seattle Sights

Snoqualmie Falls

Snoqualmie Falls is on my must-do Seattle list. A gorgeous waterfall that helps demonstrate the beauty found throughout the Pacific Northwest. One of the best things about the falls is ease of accessibility. You can take exit 25 along I-90 and reach the falls in a few miles. There is a viewing platform a few hundred feet from the parking lot, allowing everyone a view of this magnificent waterfall. For those who want another view, there is a half mile trail to another viewing platform near the base of the falls. The trail is fairly steep so I wouldn’t suggest lugging extra things with you, like a stroller. There are also a few sets of stairs along the trail. Upon reaching the bottom of the trail, continue along the fenced in path that runs behind the Puget Sound Energy building to reach the viewing platform. Many people ignore the warning sign and climb over the railing to get to the rocks at the base of the falls for some spectacular photos. Climbing over the railing does require some dexterity and balance to be safe. [NOTE: Trail closed due to construction until 2013...boo]

Hours: 24 hours a day, 365 days a week

Fees: Free

Location: Closest address:

6501 Railroad Ave SE, Fall City, WA 98024

Mt Rainier

It’s hard to come to Seattle and miss the looming presence of Mt Rainier – unless it’s cloudy. Clouds often shroud the beautiful mountain, making its appearances all the more noticeable. Mt Rainier is like a guardian angel always watching over Seattle – if you don’t take into account that the mountain is a volcano. The mountain provides some very pretty views, but you get even more beautiful views by visiting. Due to Mt Rainier’s size (over 14,400 feet high) the surrounding mountains can easily be overlooked until you are on Mt Rainier looking at them. There are a few main areas The Paradise Visitor center is probably the busiest one and includes not only a visitor center but a lodge at 5,400’ in the southwest section of the park. This is also a common starting point for a climb to the summit, passing through camp Muir. The Skyline trail creates a great loop from Paradise and passes through Panorama Point, my favorite hike which rewards you with views of Mt St Helens, Mt Adams, and Mt Hood on a clear day. The trails do start out quite steep from the visitor center so take your time. Another popular nearby place for visitors is Reflection Lakes which provides a gorgeous view of the peak above the lakes. The other popular visitor center is at Sunrise in the northeast section of the park at 6,400’. This center is the highest one in the park. Sunrise does provide another perspective of Mt Rainier and also has some great hikes with a view of the peak throughout. This visitor center is only open for a short time during the summer though, so plan ahead! Make sure to check the web site for road and trail conditions before heading to the mountain as things change quickly.

Operating Seasons and Hours:

Longmire: Open Year-Round

Paradise: Open Year-Round

Ohanapecosh: Late May - Early October

Sunrise: July - Early September

Fees: $15 for private car (7 day entrance permit)

$5 for each visitor 16 and older entering my motorcycle, bicycle, horseback, or on foot

$30 Annual Pass that are great to visit within the Mt Rainier National Park.

Leavenworth

Leavenworth is a quaint little Bavarian village tucked away in the Cascades in the middle of Washington. It is about a 3 hour drive from Seattle, but I love visiting! Besides the town itself being fun, the drive is gorgeous. You can get there via I-90 or Highway 2, both taking you through the mountains. My favorite route is Highway 2 although it can be slower since you are passing through small towns. Leavenworth has a concentrated town center where most of the action takes place. There are several shops and restaurants intertwined, all that can provide lots of entertainment. A couple of my favorite shops are the Wooden Toy Store adjoined by the Hat Store, a must see place for all – you have to try on the hats! I like reading all of the t-shirts in the Black Swan and there are several stores with a wide variety of taffy – very delicious. A majority of the restaurants are Bavarian in nature, but you will still find other options like Italian and Chinese. Whenever I go to Leavenworth I enjoy some nice Bavarian food, washed down with some German beer. The whole town uses the Bavarian architecture, adding to it’s allure. Leavenworth is also a hot spot of other activities such as nearby white water rafting, hiking, rock climbing, and skiing. It is near the breathtaking enchantments and there are many groups that raft on the Wenatchee River. The town also hosts festivals throughout the year, such as Oktoberfest and Christmas Lighting ceremonies. Christmas time is amazing in Leavenworth, it is truly the embodiment of the holiday spirit. Music is played, there are bonfires in the street, everything is decorated, carolers perform, and it is all topped off with the lighting ceremony after sunset. After attending last year, Leavenworth will be part of my yearly Christmas tradition.

Mt St Helens

Mt St Helens is another famous volcano in Washington but is much further from Seattle, at least 3 hours south depending on what part of the mountain you are going to. The main visitor center most people go to is the Johnston Ridge Observatory at 4,255’ at the end of state highway 504. There are a few trails nearby but most people visit to take pictures and see the museum. The south side is home to Ape Cave and Lava Canyon. Ape Cave provides a trail through a lava tube – make sure to bring a source of light and a jacket! The lower portion of the cave is an easy hike while the upper portion presents many more obstacles including large boulders and an 8’ rock face to climb over. Hiking through the cave is an awesome experience though! There are many other trails on the south side too. The west side is home to Windy Ridge, a great view point or trailhead, depending on how adventurous you are. The drive to Windy Ridge is fascinating because you get to see the transition to the blast zone and various effects still lingering from the 1980 eruption.

Reference Material:

Guide

Trails

Fees: $8 (16 and older) for Coldwater Lake recreation area of Johnston Ridge Observatory

Deception Pass

Deception Pass is a beautiful area between two islands on the north end of Puget Sound. The pass is bordered by Fidalgo Island to the north, Skagit Bay (part of Puget Sound) to the east, Whidbey Island to the south, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the west. The current through the pass can be surprisingly strong and there are boat tours offered. Pass Island contains several trails for exploration, as well as the area at both ends of the bridge. The trails are not very long and are relatively easy, but they provide some additional activity besides walking along the bridge. On the south end, a trail to the east leads to Goose Rock Summit providing a view over Whidbey Island, while a trail to the west leads down to the beaches. The view from the bridge is amazing - green trees, blue-green water, and the islands. The view from the beach and Pass Island also offer views of the bridge itself. If you are in the area, a stop at the pass is definitely worth it. The state park also offers campgrounds in addition to many other activities.

Hours:

Summer: 6:30 AM to Dusk

Winter: 8:00 AM to Dusk

Location: 41020 State Route 20, Oak Harbor, WA 98277

British Columbia

Our neighbor to the north, Canada, also provides many opportunities for adventures. Two major cities in British Columbia are Vancouver and Victoria. Victoria can be reached via the ferry or Victoria Clipper. Vancouver is only a few hours away by car. British Columbia is an extension of the Northwest seen in Washington.

Vancouver is nestled in the mountains with ample opportunity for hiking and skiing nearby. Touring the city itself can be fun and a stop in Stanley Park is a must. There are tour buses that run throughout the city allowing you to explore several areas, such as the Vancouver Trolley and the Big Bus. Exploring Stanley Park can be a lot of fun, but it is a very large park so you may want to take a horse drawn tour through the park. There are a couple of suspension bridges nearby that can be fun to check out as well, the Capilano and Lynn Canyon suspension bridges.

If you have enough time, a drive up from Vancouver to Whistler can also be very rewarding. The views throughout the drive are incredible and Whistler itself is a curious little village, best known for skiing during the winter. During the summer Whistler also offers many activities including hiking, zip lining, and sightseeing tours from the gondolas. Squamish, a quaint town along the road to Whistler, is an excellent rock climbing area as well.

Victoria, on Vancouver Island, is a wonderful city to visit and you should plan more than one day to take in the sights. Butchart Gardens is easily the most well known Victoria attraction and offers something new throughout the season with the changing plants found there. There are several things close to Victoria's inner harbor that are also worth visiting. The Parliament building has free public tours which are very informative. Next door to that is the Royal B.C. Museum which has three floors of very well done exhibits. The Undersea Garden is located in the inner harbor, not far from the Empress hotel which is known for its afternoon tea. Walking downtown you can explore Market Square where you might find an afternoon music show or find some interesting trinkets at the many stores, or you can continue on to Chinatown. A short bus ride from downtown is the Craigdarroch Castle, an exquisite old house that has seen many changes throughout the year. West of downtown is the fisherman's wharf, a charming area of floating homes that house various businesses and restaurants. Taking the ferry to Victoria is an excellent option, especially with their extensive bus system.