Mikes 3-4 day hikes

3-4 day hikes are in the eyes of the beholder/hiker. Depending on your hiking style it could be as little as 24 miles(8miles/day) or as great as 60 miles(15 miles/day).

You will probably find snow on most of the trips. Some of the trip descriptions are based on snow free conditions, some are not. If you do not like snow, you should check out the conditions FIRST

Guidebooks describing these hikes can be bought at REI or most bookstores in the Seattle area, and can be found in public libraries or the LSID library. The LSID library also has a computer program to help you find your kind of hike.

Some definitions of Route/Loop/Hike: Hike - you go in and out on the same trail. Route - You need two cars or need to be dropped off and picked up. loop - you end up back at your car (within two miles) and most of the trail is not repeated.

Stars 1>>5 my ranking of the trip, usually based on views and flowers.

Some trips are on my wish list, or I have partially covered the route. This is especially true of Cady Pass and Lost Creek Ridge.

CONSULT THE PROPER GUIDEBOOKS, CALL THE RANGERS AND CHECK OUT THE CONDITIONS. DON'T RELY ON ANYTHING THAT I HAVE SAID EXCEPT TO WHET YOUR INTEREST.

A great loop trip. great views of the Olympics,and Ocean (if you are lucky.) Guidebook suggests after labor day for fewer people. I have seen goats and Bears on this trip. Spent 1 night on top of Mt Bogachiel. You could also stay at Heart Lake, Seven Lakes Basin or Deer Lake. Permits were required, but advanced reservations were not needed the last time I was there.

A nice route. I was dropped off at the South trailhead and hitchhiked in Port Angeles at the end of the hike. took a bus, taxi, and ferry back to Edmonds. One of the bridges is gone and a easy ford is required. take your tennis shoes. Plan to stay at the Low Divide and hike around the general area.

The classic rainforest trail. Go part way in(a) or else go all the way to shoulder of Mt Olympus(b) where the climbers start out. Many camping spots besides the two distances that I have listed.

Another rainforest trail.Several different camping spots available at 7,10 and 13 miles (enchanted valley). Best to go in June and see all of the waterfalls. The starting off point for the climb over Anderson Pass.

Trail starts at the West end of Lake Cushman and follows the historic route of the McNeil Expedition. For best results you should read the book by Robert Woods "Men Mules and Mountains" so that you get a better appreciation of the trip. Camp Pleasant(a) is a nice Olympic river hike, while Home Sweet Home(b) takes you over a pass into a beautiful(sp) valley.

Same as the Enchanted Valley trip, but you go over Anderson Pass and then have the choice of the Doasawallips or Duckabush river trails as exit points.

This trial is considered difficult because of the route finding challenges of the middle section. In a low snow year or late in the year it shouldn't be that much of a problem. most of the folks hiking the trail had no idea of its difficultly. About 1/3 of the loop consists of the first half of the low divide trail.

An easy introduction to the west coast of washington. A tide map is needed. Plenty of opportunities for side trips. camping on the ocean. usually crowded. PERMITS may be needed.

A good way to jump into the middle of the PCT without doing the whole crest trail. gets you up onto the ridges around cady pass. Several different approaches to this hike, the index road, or through lake Wenatchee. I have only been on the pass and ridge, and not on the approach trails. Lake Sally Ann, Kodak Peak, red Pass are all accesible if you are ready for sidetrips.

I have been on both ends of this route,but not on the middle section. It is on my list of hikes to go on. Again a classic ridge walk, with Kenneddy hot springs thrown in as part of the trip. you will need two cars or an ability to hikchhike to complete this route.

One of the two ways into Stehetekin, the other way is rainy pass or take the boat.Stehetekin is a great place to visit. It reminded me of what Vail might be like 100 years ago. The easiest way to see the valley once you hike in, is to take one of the shuttles up and down the valley. Space is limited and you should have reservations.

Vista creek loop.I have been on this route twice. Once on the PCT and yet another trip as a loop.The scenery as you climb up on the shoulder of Glacier peak is fantastic. Several great campsites all with great views.

A quick way to traverse part of the Pacific Crest Trail. "NOTE: the trail has two stream crossings that in the high water of snowmelt season or cloudbursts are formidable to the point of suicide". Alpine lakes trail guide. The road to the trailhead was quite rough when I was there about 6 years ago.

A great place for views of mt Rainier and flowers if you go in early august. PERMITS REQUIRED ( no advance permits by mail, 24 hour advance in person. Spend one night at Summerland and several nights at Indian Bar. There is another exit trail to the east of indian bar, if you don't want to repeat yourself. this would make it a route rather than a hike.

Hike around Mt Rainier. Consult the Mt rainier book or a specific book on the Wonderland trail. You can start at any of 3 o4 road accesses to the trail and complete all or part of it. PERMITS REQUIRED - for overnight camping

A route or a hike, since you can access it from any of three directions. great flowers, great views of the mountain and Mirror Lake (the site of Asahel Curtis's famous picture/stamp) PERMITS REQUIRED - for overnight camping

A loop around Mt. St Helens with at least three access points, but with limited campsites. the loop is approximately 30 miles and you have to add the access miles needed to get on the loop. There have been reports that parts of the trail has been washed out recently and you should check with the rangers. The trip is described in some of the latest books on Mount St. Helens. OREGON

The trip up eagle creek is very nice. You may just want to camp up where the trail joins the creek and then walk back. The trail from Wahtum lake along the PCT is not known for its views. the ***** rating is for the eagle creek portion. There are "three" trails bwtween the lake and the gorge. the PCT, the Eagle creek, and one in the middle. DO NOT take the middle one. It is extremely steep.