When is the Best Time to Hike in Washington? There is some incredible coastal hiking all the way up and down the coast, but this little slip of the wild Olympic Coast is a classic. Either way, youll still be able to capture some beautiful sky images from here. ), make sure to secure the proper backpacking permits before planning your backpacking trip. 7) Beacon Rock State Park: The 848-foot high basalt volcanic plug was stopover point for Lewis & Clark in 1805. From the top, youll have views of Mount Rainier, Sawtooth Ridge, and everything else over the steep drop-off in front of the tower. Bring a hot drink and a snack to stay warm and savor the experience. If you are heading out on an Olympic Peninsula road trip, Lake Crescent is a likely stop at the beginning of your journey. Try taking an affordable whale watching cruise, that departs right out of downtown Seattle! We value your privacy. Standing at over 5,600 feet tall, High Rock sits higher than many of the surrounding peaks, making for a phenomenal spot for sunrise. From massive sand dunes to river vistas and excellent shrub-steppe, this unique are is a delight for hikers' looking to switch up their usual forested treks. Its one of the coolest places in Washington state to visit if you love flora and fauna there is an abundance of both here! Rialto Beach is full of adventure, wonder, and drop-dead gorgeous hikes. This entire region is free dispersed camping and any open site is up for grabs. Recognize it from the Twilight Series? My top 7 places to capture the sunrise in and around Washington DC. Learn more about it in, You'll be amazed by this 15-mile canyon located between Ellensburg and Yakima. From here, its a fairly steady uphill climb to reach the lookout tower and the trail is covered in loose rocks, so watch your footing! Source. Glacier National Park is the destination of choice for people who enjoy stunning lake sunrise and sunsets. One of the most difficult hikes that Ive done is to Mount Storm King, simply because its a straight uphill shot for the entire hike. Ross Lake, North Cascades National Park. Subscribe to GeekWire's free newsletters to catch every headline, App of the Week: PITFALL! Read more about Palouse Falls in our, This remarkable mountainous area in Olympic National Park is perfect for snowboarding, skiing, and hiking and has endless scenic views. > Plan your visit to Steamboat Rock using WTA's Hiking Guide, Location:Central Washington -- Tri-CitiesLength:variesElevation Gain:variesHighest Point:900 feetBest Season:spring and fall. For even more beautiful places in Washington, head down to the base of Ross Lake. Not legally Im sure, but stealth camping is a major part of vanlife, and as long as you are self-contained and dont draw attention to yourself, youll save yourself the early morning drive. This hike will take you through lush landscape for 6 miles. You can read more about other amazing Washingon beaches in our complete list here. Subscribe to our free email newsletter for hiking events, news, gear reviews and more. It is less than 100 ft away and gives you a similar view than the reflecting pool but at a more elevated perspective. If you are looking for something a bit more challenging, you can check out Gothic Basin Trailhead in Snohomish County, Washington. Artist Point at Mount Baker is best experienced during sunrise the sun peeks right out from behind Mt. You won't be disappointed. There are plenty of wineries around the area too! Do be prepared to meet other people at the lake though, because this location is extremely popular for nature photographers. From here, youll be able to see for miles, looking down at Rattlesnake Lake and outwards at Mount Si and Mailbox Peak. 3801 Beacon Ave S, Seattle, WA 98108, www.seattle.gov Kerry Park Similar to Gas Works Park, the real winner of any stargazing attempt from Kerry Park is the Seattle skyline. At night, listen for the coyotes and count stars. It seems like there is no right or wrong answer so I would just take your tripod if you want and just be respectful when photographing the grounds. What I think is most interesting about the US Capitol is that a lot of people dont get up close to the building itself. Youll be able to explore a bit of Friday Harbor on San Juan Island and explore the surrounding Puget Sound by boat. An invaluable resource is the Washington Trails Association, which gives plenty of information on trail statuses, conditions, etc. Mount Fremont Lookout Distance: 5.7 miles Difficulty: Moderate Elevation Gain: 1,100 feet Estimated Time: 3 hours Location: Mount Rainier National Park Pass Required: National Parks Pass Get more stories delivered right to your email. Mount St. Helens is first in line, and as you spin around, youll also see Mount Rainier, Mount Adams, Mount Hood, and Mount Jefferson. Want another epic Washington Coast adventure? We never post anything without your permission. Read More:What To Expect On A Sunrise Hike At Palouse Falls, Like Palouse Falls, its quite the drive from welleverything. Trust me when I say that the views of Mount Rainier along this entire trail are incredible. Photo by trip reporter geezerhiker. Its a great display of shadows, line and usually totally empty. If youre yearning to enjoy the great outdoors in the winter, These 9 Nature Hikes Will Make You Fall Even More In Love With Washington, 9 Low-Key Hikes In Washington With Amazing Payoffs, The Beautiful Tiger Mountain In Washington Has A Mouthwatering Drive-In Right By The Trails, The Little-Known Beach In Washington You Can Only Reach By Hiking This 1.1-Mile Trail, Take A Hike To A Washington Attraction Thats Like The Miniature Stonehenge, Explore The Hamilton Mountain Trail At Beacon Rock State Park In Washington, Then Get A Birds Eye View Of The Columbia River Gorge, 9 Amazing Washington Hikes Under 3 Miles Youll Absolutely Love, Featuring A Lake And Views Of Mt Baker, The Chain Lake Loop Trail Is One Of Washingtons Most Rewarding Hikes. It's the most iconic and it is the place that I tell everyone they must go to if they have never been to the national mall and especially at sunrise. Let me know if you hiked High Rock Lookout & loved the sunrise views as much as we did! After a while of hiking, youll reach a large junction where youll branch off onto a new trail. This moderately challenging hike starts at the large parking lot for the Rattlesnake Lake Recreation Area. Hope you found this guide useful and if you have any additional questions, feel free to drop them in the comments. This place is a favorite in all seasons. If youre interested in vanlife I recommend trying a short overnight in your car like this one to see if its something youre interested in. That way you will see all the great predawn colors in the sky. (1.4 miles roundtrip, 310 feet elevation gain, Puget Sound Energy) Louisa Boren Park. Its the center of 4 great landmarks all within a central area. Save a visit to this dramatic state park for spring or fall (when things cool off). > Plan your visit to Bird Mountain Loop using WTA's Hiking Guide, Location: South Cascades White Pass/Cowlitz River ValleyLength:14 miles, one-wayElevation Gain:3,897 feetHighest Point:6,316 feetBest Season:July - September. Along the North Cascades Highway, just park the car in the parking lot and get out of your car to have a look at miles of scenery in front of you. > Plan your visit to Kendall Peak using WTA's Hiking Guide, Location: Central Cascades Stevens Pass - EastLength:7.3 miles, roundtripElevation Gain:3,600 feetHighest Point: 7,085feetBest Season: Late summer - fall. Jutting 5892 feet into the air above the forested slopes of the surrounding hillsides, Sunrise Peak's rocky summit offers enterprising hikers some of the best early morning views of Mount Adams you can get in the state. Here are some of the best places to take pictures in Seattle! This one is waterproof! Bear Spray: Because animals are most active as the sun is coming up. GPS System: All Trails and Cairn are great options for a phone GPS. If youve been in Seattle only a little bit, SOMEONE is bound to have recommended you hike Rattlesnake Ledge, of of the most iconic hikes near Seattle. We all know how gorgeous The Evergreen State is. A cloud inversion below Mount St. Helens. For more information on Goat Rocks Wilderness, visit this, With the number of mountains throughout the state, overlooks are found everywhere. The sky bursts with pinks, oranges, reds and lavenders. If anything bad should happen, help will not be far away. What To Pack on a Sunrise Hike in Washington. This classic Southern Washington walking spot is a 2.3 mile loop with stunning river views, and its an amazing place to catch a sunset. The Olympic National Park is one of the best places to take pictures in Washington State. What are some scenic hikes in Washington? Photo by trip reporter WonderSmash. > Plan your visit to Blue Lake using WTA's Hiking Guide, Location: North Cascades -- Mount Baker AreaLength: 7.5 miles, roundtripElevation Gain: 2,200 feetHighest Point: 5,450 feetBest Season: Late summer - fall. Meaning you get a slightly elevated view of Virginia and the Potomac River just by walking up the stairs and circling around the back. In my opinion, the Reflecting Pool is the ultimate sunrise location in Washington DC. The trail winds you through the last patches of forest on the mountainside & is a fairly steep incline the entire 1.6 miles to the summit. Rainier. Starting at the Sunrise Visitor Center (fitting name, right?! Whats In My Backpack: The Ultimate Long-Term Travel Packing List, 30 Useful Gifts to Give Backpackers & Travel Lovers, 12 Outstanding US National Parks to Visit in Spring, Badlands & Beyond: The Ultimate South Dakota Road Trip (Map Included), A Travelers Guide to New Mexico: The Best Traditional Eats & Hot Springs, The Unglamorous Reality of Vanlife (All the Dirty Details). Larches in the early fall. This city is a heavy, Im obsessed with the Singapore Airport , THE ISLA EXPERIENCE This is a nice, easy trail for the beginning hiker that takes you around a 1.5 mile loop through ancient trees. Distance: 5.7 milesDifficulty: ModerateElevation Gain: 1,100 feetEstimated Time: 3 hoursLocation: Mount Rainier National ParkPass Required: National Parks Pass. The Kalaloch area of Olympic has several rugged beaches. I think the biggest concern is when the memorials are crowded and other people may trip over the legs. So of course, I had to add a little cherry blossom image here too . Explore the geology and admire the unparalleled views. Plus, trails are less crowded and youll have more time to sleep before sunrise. And the reflection in the lakes of the trees, mountains, and setting sun are so worth that long drive up the side of the mountains. We respect your privacy. The miners who originally constructed it had little time for switchback or nicely graded trails. The beauty found in Washington state is seemingly endless as are the number of hikes to find gorgeous scenery. Hiking Trails in Washington: The best hiking trails of Washington traverse the state's many environments, including three esteemed national parks. Its also worth mentioning that there are three beaches, respectively named First, Second, and Third Beach. Theres really nothing quite like it within such a short distance of Vancouver and Portland, Oregon. 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