If you're one of those people counting
the days until summer, I hear you,
but I'd also love to offer an
opportunity to embrace the moment.
Don't let the cold keep you indoors.
Teresa Haggerty from Cascade
Mountain Adventures has five trails
that are great for winter hiking.
You have 5 hikes that we have
to check out during the winter.
I'm excited to talk about that.
What is first
close to Seattle?
Our first stop in the tour is going
to be outside in North Bend in
the Middle Fork Snoqualmie area.
The Pratt River trail.
This incredible trail
is 6 miles out and back.
Rolling terrain mostly flat and it
follows the shores of the Middle Fork,
Snoqualmie River through some of the
luscious forest and most incredible
Moss formations that you'll ever
have the opportunity to take in.
It is a beautiful stroll
for adventures of all.
Ages and abilities, but a side note,
it is far enough away where
there is no cell phone coverage,
so heads up OK.
Beautiful thing,
but something
to note and it looks like
there's a beautiful bridge there
for pictures and everything.
What about Mount Peak,
just outside of Enumclaw?
Mount Peak is an incredible destination,
some good views to enjoy along
the way to a newly opened to the
public replica Fire Lookout.
It's a really great family
friendly activity for
OK that's good 'cause I need that.
Family friendly and it's not too
hard for maybe a 5 year old to hike.
I I believe in
your 5 year old they can
definitely do it and the
the elevation on this one. It tops
out at 1800 feet so well it's not
coffee that alright? What about
Lake Wenatchee State Park?
This is a really great spot,
not too far out of Leavenworth.
Wenatchee State Park is a beautiful
year round destination but in the
winter time it's particularly magical.
There are miles of groomed snowshoe
trails and cross country skiing if
that's something that is of interest.
Yeah, that is easy to access
and a really great spot to check
out a winter sunset. That
sounds beautiful, but bring
your headlamp for the way back
definitely and your snow park permit.
This is a snow park a lot in the
winter time, but they're easy to grab
at locations all around the state.
Copy that. Alright, what
about Riverside State Park?
Riverside State Park is just
about 10 miles outside of Spokane,
but it feels like a world away.
There are miles of trails for winter
recreationalists of all kinds.
Of the Spokane River,
either right down in the river
and an incredible bridge,
or up a little bit higher for views
up above at a really great location.
I love it. What about Cape?
Am I saying this right capable of a yes
and also known another name?
Ozette triangle is another very
popular name for that destination.
This takes us out to the
Olympic Peninsula to the ocean.
This is in Olympic National Park
and a longer trail than some of
the others we've talked about at
9.4 miles round trip out and back.
But those nine miles are gentle,
they're rolling,
and they take you through the
forest out to the Oceanside and
some incredible rock formations for
those who want to do some camping.
During this time of year,
if the tides are in your favor
and the weather's on your side,
this is a really great backpacking location.
But be careful,
there are some clever raccoons out there.
The Park Service wants you to have
hard sided bear canisters to make
sure you don't end up accidentally
sharing your snacks with tiny costs.
Yes,
and you don't want to get between a raccoon.
When they're snack, I learned that early on,
living in Seattle and Western Washington.
What are some important things to keep in
mind when we're hiking during the winter?
So you're always gonna wanna make
sure to have your 10 essentials
on board if that's unfamiliar.
That's a great place to start for
hikers all year round and make sure
you've got your backpack stocked
with things you're going to need
all the time for the winter season.
There's a few things I also want
to show you that you're always
going to find in my backpack.
These are microspikes,
fantastic little spikes.
That you can put on any hiking boots.
They're like chains for your boots.
Exactly.
These are always in my
backpack during the winter.
If Frank.
Particularly I'm expecting ice or snow
moving on to some more fun items,
but you'll always find in my pack this
is my well worn and well loved sit pad.
Seems a little strange,
but this is a thing to put down on the
snow on the wet ground so you have
a nice place to sit when you get to
that beautiful viewpoint to really
take it all in when it's cold out.
What's better than hot cocoa or a nice?
Cup of soup.
Last but not least,
do you wanna know it's so important?
Of course all the time,
particularly the winter.
Know what the roads are doing,
know what the weather's got in store for you.
When in doubt,
incredible resource in this state.
WTA Washington Trails Association.
You can find them at wta.org
tell you all about recent trail
conditions and give you the
information you need to know.
Forest Rangers National Park Rangers
are also your best friends.
If you have any questions and for
those looking to get a little bit more.
Feisty out in the snow conditions
and venture further.
Please do take a look at the
education services offered by
the Northwest Avalanche Center.
You'll find them at NWAC dot US.
They offer incredible free education.
I love those ideas.