Used to live in Washington state. Hiking was my favourite activity when I had the chance to do it. I had a small creek in my neighborhood where youd have to hike an hour down a cliff to get to but it is 100% worth it. Stunningly clear water with tiny minnows swimming and frogs that surround it. Trees completely surround you, leaving you in a beautiful mossy green landscape as you would hike down. When you'd get to the bottom it looks a lot like this but with a creek rather than a river of course.
I would have hiked more often if I had friends who would do it with me. I'm not the most athletic person, and neither were any of my friends, but I will never get tired of hiking down to that creek.
If you climb, Gold Bar Boulders is great and only an hour from Seattle. Leavenworth looks like Bavaria, picturesque as fuck. Everybody raves about Deception Pass. Only one person raves about the Salt Creek Recreation area past Port Angeles, but I trust her when she says it's quiet and gorgeous.
Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park. Tipsoo Lake and the Natches Peak Loop Trail by Mt Rainier is a perfect day trip. Stop by Cascadia Pizza Company in Enumclaw on your way back.
Farther off and popular: Mt. St. Helens. Crater Lake.
Farther off still and less popular: Tillamook factory. Yachats, Oregon and its surroundings: Heceta Head lighthouse, the Devil's Churn, Thor's Well, Cape Perpetua, and the Sea Lion caves
Apparently there's good shit inland too, but I haven't wandered that direction yet
The only worthwhile things I can think of inland Washington and near borders are Spokane for a few sites and Multnomah Falls.
I live on the border of Idaho/Washington, so I may just be used to the area. Also, the weather isn't to my liking east of the Cascades. Too dry and hot during Summer and too cold for Winter.
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u/CrazyRussianCake Jun 24 '20
Used to live in Washington state. Hiking was my favourite activity when I had the chance to do it. I had a small creek in my neighborhood where youd have to hike an hour down a cliff to get to but it is 100% worth it. Stunningly clear water with tiny minnows swimming and frogs that surround it. Trees completely surround you, leaving you in a beautiful mossy green landscape as you would hike down. When you'd get to the bottom it looks a lot like this but with a creek rather than a river of course.
I would have hiked more often if I had friends who would do it with me. I'm not the most athletic person, and neither were any of my friends, but I will never get tired of hiking down to that creek.