Mountaineering Close to Seattle With Your Canine

The Seattle space affords spectacular mountain climbing along with your canine inside a 90-minute drive of town! Get insider ideas for pet pleasant mountain climbing at Cougar Mountain, Annette Lake, Franklin Falls, Cherry Creek Falls, the Ira Spring Path at Mason Lake, and Heather Lake.

 

Prime Pet Pleasant Hikes Close to Seattle

The Seattle-area affords some significantly spectacular canine pleasant mountain climbing, with out having to drive greater than ninety minutes (site visitors allowing, in fact!). And the Washington Trails Affiliation has the most effective mountain climbing web sites and apps I’ve ever used, permitting you to save lots of favourite hikes and entry mountain climbing info even if you’re offline.

A number of Fb teams additionally present sage recommendation about present path circumstances and different info. For insider recommendations on particular hikes or mountain climbing typically try Washington Hikers and Climbers, PNW Outside Girls Group, or Canines within the Cascades.

It might be simple to collect an inventory of 30 glorious canine pleasant mountain climbing places close to Seattle. However as an alternative I’m sharing my all-time favorites for year-round adventures.

 

Cougar Mountain

Positioned within the Issaquah Alps, the three,100-acre Cougar Mountain park has a community of 36 miles of canine pleasant mountain climbing trails, simply 15 miles from downtown Seattle. This can be a path runner’s paradise and concrete hiker’s dream!

Initially serving as a meals acquisition space for Native American tribes who would forage wild roots, vegetation, and berries, in addition to hunt sport, this grew to become a mining space after European settlers arrived. And within the 20^th century logging operations took over.

The US navy utilized the forest for 2 energetic missile websites in the course of the Chilly Warfare with a purpose to shield the Puget Sound from potential airstrikes.

Lastly, within the late Nineteen Sixties, King County took management of the land and developed it into the park that’s there as we speak. A number of artifacts from the mining days nonetheless seem on numerous trails, together with reveals, a concrete dam, a lined mine shaft, and a mine cart.

READ MORE ⇒ Prime 11 Canine Pleasant Issues To Do In Seattle

 

Cougar Mountain is stuffed with streams, waterfalls, single monitor trails, and bashful wildlife. The very best peak within the park is Wilderness Peak at 1,595 ft, and the paths range in size and issue from broad simple paths to serpentine uphill challenges.

Info on Cougar Mountain is simple to search out with an in depth Wikipedia entry that features descriptions of all the paths, their lengths, and the place to entry them. And King County gives an on-line path map, in addition to indicators and printed maps on the path heads.

Annette Lake

When you’re into waterfalls, turquoise rivers, alpine lakes, and mountain views, then head out to Annette Lake for the day or plan an in a single day journey!

Relying on the yr, the snow can stay effectively into spring. I did this hike in late Could a couple of years in the past and crossing the snowfields was a bit unnerving with out spikes and poles. And the lake was nonetheless nearly utterly lined in snow and ice!

The path is well-maintained and never terribly demanding, gaining 1,800 ft within the 7.5 miles roundtrip. A NW Forest Cross is required, so you should definitely choose one up earlier than heading out.

One of many highlights of this hike isn’t removed from the car parking zone — the dashing turquoise waters of Humpback Creek. Earlier than crossing the bridge, reap the benefits of the good picture opp on the rocks alongside the water. And take a second to admire the cascading falls tumbling downstream.

After crossing a couple of small streams, you’ll attain a number of steep slopes with views of Granite Mountain and Humpback Mountain. As soon as the snow begins to recede, look ahead to wildflowers like trillium.

When you go by way of the slopes, Annette Lake isn’t far past. There are a number of spots to get pleasure from a picnic lunch, or perhaps a swim when you’re up for a chilly shock!

 

Franklin Falls

Franklin Falls is a pleasant, simple hike simply off 1-90 that’s good for newbies and people mountain climbing with youngsters. The 2-mile leisurely path ends at a 135-foot waterfall that cascades between the freeway viaducts. A NW Forest Cross is required to park within the tons and hike the paths.

READ MORE ⇒ Suggestions for Mountaineering With Canine

A brief, steep path with a handrail guides hikers proper as much as the waterfalls. The spray is heavy and rocks will be fairly slippery, so take care. And produce a wipe on your digicam lens, or all of your images shall be cloudy!

For a particular deal with, go to Franklin Falls in the course of the winter months when the falls are frozen. You’ll must analysis the very best path entry if you go as a result of the snow can drive car parking zone and/or path detours. The above-mentioned Fb teams will be of nice help.

Carry spikes for traction and loads of heat garments – it will get very chilly by the falls. The steep slope resulting in the underside of the falls is icy in the course of the winter, so go slowly and take small steps whereas hanging onto the wire rail.

This can be a well-liked hike, so arrive early, even within the winter. Or, higher but, head there on a weekday.

 

Cherry Creek Falls

Only a quick drive outdoors of the quaint city of Duvall, Cherry Creek Falls is a candy little gem with largely native site visitors. This simple, five-mile hike was initially the positioning of a logging camp and is accessible any time of the yr.

With the big community of pet pleasant trails, it’s additionally an awesome vacation spot for path runners trying to go for longer distances with their furry companions.

The route follows a well-maintained path with a number of river crossings. Some have sturdy bridges, whereas others encompass a easy broad log stretched throughout the span.

Throughout the winter and spring, the creek is commonly dashing and water ranges will be excessive, making the crossings a bit sketchy. Canine appears to have way more bravery and stability than their people, however watch out along with your pups if the water poses a hazard.

 

The path progressively descends to the 25-foot waterfalls and passes an previous rusted automobile that makes an excellent picture spot. The sandy shore of the waterfall pool is spacious with loads of good logs to sit down and benefit from the view or eat a snack.

Afterward, proceed up the trail above the waterfalls to finish a semi-loop. Or just flip round and head again the way in which you got here.

This path will be muddy in the course of the wet months, so convey waterproof sneakers. Additionally notice that there isn’t a official car parking zone for the hike, as the primary half mile is positioned on a courtesy easement on non-public property. There’s a shoulder simply earlier than the path head the place you may go away the automobile. Don’t park the place indicators point out “non-public street” or you can be ticketed.

Ira Spring Path At Mason Lake

Named for one in all Washington’s most vital path advocates, Ira Spring was a photographer and conservationist whose namesake path befits his legacy. Wildflower fanatics will love Ira Spring Path at Mason Lake throughout peak bloom.

 

The elevation achieve on this path is pretty important — 2,420 ft in simply over three miles. However the rocky ridges provide unbelievable views of Mt. Rainier to take your thoughts off the climb. After summiting the excessive level of the hike at 4,320 ft, the path descends into Mason Lake.

There may be ample area to discover a shady spot for a picnic. Or perch atop one of many huge boulders to soak within the sunshine. Canine will get pleasure from enjoying fetch or cooling off within the turquoise lake.

Tenting can also be potential on the lake, full with designated tenting areas and a backcountry bathroom. Earlier than your go to, choose up a NW Forest Cross, which is required for parking and using the paths.

READ MORE ⇒ Tenting With Canine – A Newbie’s Information

Heather Lake

Accessible most any time of yr, Heather Lake is a hike for all seasons. Winter months imply fewer crowds – simply you should definitely use your micro spikes! And fall brings good colours, because of all of the berry bushes.

This hike is nice for any stage of hiker on the lookout for a average problem. The climb begins as quickly as you hit the path and winds by way of previous and new-growth forests. The colourful shades of inexperienced are noteworthy, with evergreens, moss, and ferns spreading in all instructions.

After a little bit of climbing, you’ll attain a boardwalk that results in the lake. Carry waterproof sneakers, as there are a couple of water crossings, together with a small waterfall that makes for a pleasant picture cease.

Discover a good picnic spot, or proceed all the way in which across the lake to soak up the complete perspective. Within the winter, the boardwalk will be slippery, so be cautious.

Seize your NW Forest Cross and arrive early to beat the crowds, particularly on weekends. Arriving on the car parking zone earlier than 9 gives you a greater probability of getting the lake to your self. In truth, pack a hammock to get pleasure from a couple of moments of grasp time earlier than everybody arrives!

I hope this publish offer you some new locations to discover when mountain climbing along with your canine close to Seattle! Maybe we’ll see you out on the paths.

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