When it comes to fabulous hiking destinations, there is perhaps no better place in the world to experience the majesty of nature than the Pacific Northwest. With a cornucopia of exceptional options for outdoor enthusiasts, hiking in Washington is always an enlightening, relaxing experience as the great beauty of Cascadian forests and mountain ranges is enough to quiet even the most restless of souls. Here are a few of our favorite selections within driving distance of our Lake Forest Park dispensary.
Hiking in Washington: Elliott Bay Trail
The Elliott Bay Trail is a staple of Seattle’s recreational parks, as this pleasant journey along the Puget Bay shore extends a full 5 miles and provides a stunning view of the gorgeous coast. The trail is frequented often by the city’s residents as not only a means of experiencing the outdoors but also a way to get from one part of the city to the next, as the bike path provides a straight shot across Seattle without the interference of intersections.
Elliott Bay Trail will take you straight through the Olympic Sculpture Park, home to a variety of abstract and modern masterpieces of the art of the sculpture and a symbol of Seattle’s creative ingenuity. Be warned, however, that this trail’s stellar reputation has made it a crowded destination on weekends and other high-traffic periods.
Hiking in Washington: McCollum Park
Though surrounded by seemingly domesticated suburban homes, McCollum Park offers Pacific Northwestern beauty with lush, verdant cedar trees and all the glorious greenery of Washington state. Hikers walk the length of a closed loop around the park, roaming amidst the famous Douglas firs of this unique part of the country.
Alongside the hiking trail, McCollum Park offers amenities you would find at any other park in the state, including a swimming pool, picnic tables, and a mile-long jogging track. For those looking for a memorable destination for hiking in Washington, McCollum Park easily exceeds expectations.
Hiking in Washington: Evans Creek Preserve
This signature location for hiking in Washington is considered ideal for those who experience hiking to witness the diversity of animal and plant life, as Evans Creek Preserve incorporates a mixture of different ecological biomes into its allotted area. Visitors who travel the length of the nature preserve will encounter swampy wetlands, dense forest, and beautiful meadows, together encompassing the breadth of Washington’s incredible ecosystems.
Hiking in Washington: Little Mashel Falls
With three different waterfalls and two sprawling trails to choose from, Little Mashel Falls offers something different for the experienced trail traveler in the Seattle region. While the name of the park implies the waterfalls are small in stature, they are actually anything but “little”. The splendor of the falls, the largest of which is 90 feet, makes this a hiking selection worth showing off to friends.
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