Published: Sunday, October 9, 2011
Picturesque fall hikes can be family friendly and fun
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Michelle Dunlop / The Herald
The trail to forest-rimmed Barclay Lake can be crowded in the summer, but it makes for a great hike in the fall and can be done with relative ease.
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Michelle Dunlop / The Herald
A 30 minute drive from Forks, the Hoh Rain Forest is part of Olympic National Park. The area receives the most rainfall in the 48 contiguous states.
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Michelle Dunlop / The Herald
Hoh Rain Forest offers trails for both day-hiking and backpacking into the Olympic National Park. A campground is situated near the Hoh visitor center.
Forget summer hiking.
This year, it shouldn't be hard to do, given how short of a season it was.
But fall hiking in Western Washington is fabulous.
The trails tend to be less crowded. The temperatures are perfect -- just pack an extra layer -- and, cross your fingers, the rain typically isn't in full gear yet.
The area has plenty of hikes for families or those who aren't looking for a challenge but want to get outdoors.
Grab the kids and a camera and head to one of these trails soon:
Bench and Snow lakes
2.5 miles roundtrip; 700 feet of elevation gain
For such a short trek, this hike has lots to offer: two beautiful lakes, views of Mount Rainier and a sprinkling of fall colors.
And, depending on when you go, there may still be some huckleberries along the trail for picking.
About three-quarters of a mile into the hike, you'll come across Bench Lake, which sits in a meadow, surrounded by trees, known as "the Bench."
Hike up another half-mile to Snow Lake, which is framed by rocky peaks. True to its name, the water of this lake tends to have snow until late in the season.
Directions: Take the Stevens Canyon entrance to Mount Rainier and drive roughly 16 miles on State Route 123. Park at the trail head on the south side of road.
Hoh River
1 to 10.5 miles; 300 feet of elevation gain
Why hike through a rain forest during the fall?
The light here in October is spectacular. On a bright fall day, the sun gives the rain forest a lovely green glow.
Keep an eye out for elk, which wander throughout Olympic National Park.
As you meander under the thick canopy of trees you'll have ample chances to check out the Hoh River. Along its banks, you'll see bunches of trees with red and yellow leaves growing along the banks -- a stark contrast to the stands of old-growth forest.
The trail doesn't gain much elevation, so it's perfect for families. There are plenty of points along the way to stop or turn around depending on how much time you have.
Directions: Follow U.S. Highway 101 north from Kalaloch about 20 miles. Turn east on Upper Hoh Road. The visitor center and trail head are about 18 miles down the road.
Thunder Knob
3.8 miles, 600 feet of elevation gain
This is a great hike in the spring, summer or fall. But it's a good excuse to set out to see the North Cascades during the autumn.
Although you'll park just off the highway, you'll walk through the Colonial Creek campground to reach the trail head. Cross a creek on the log bridge until you reach a boulder field. This is the trickiest part of the hike. Watch for cairns to keep you to the trail. You won't need to do any scrambling if you stick to the trail.
The trail climbs through the trees, giving you a few opportunities to look out at the North Cascades. There are benches about a mile up the trail, but save your lunch to eat up top, where there are lots of spots to take a rest.
The view from Thunder Knob peers down at the beautiful blue-green waters of Diablo Lake and at the mountains.
Directions: Follow Highway 20 east to the Colonial Creek campground in North Cascades National Park. Parking is just off the north side of the highway.
Barclay Lake
4.5 miles; 225 feet elevation gain
For a fall adventure closer to home, try Barclay Lake.
During the summer, this hike is nearly overrun with people. Its proximity to Everett and its relative ease are a huge draw. But in the off-season, you'll stand a better chance of getting a little peace and quiet here.
Most of the two mile hike to the lake winds through the forest. Barclay Lake is rimmed with trees and faces Baring Mountain, a jagged slab of granite that sits back from the lake. You'll enjoy wonderful views of the mountain at the lake.
There are several campsites and spots to enjoy a picnic lunch. The lake also has some beach area, which is a perfect spot for children to play.
Explore the trails around the lake for more views.
Directions: From Everett, drive 40 miles east on U.S. Highway 2. Before milepost 41, turn north on 635th Place NE. Take a left in less than half a mile on Forest Road 6034 and continue 4.25 miles to the trailhead.
Second Beach
4 miles; 350 feet elevation gain
This is a fantastic hike at anytime of year.
But in the autumn, you'll escape the crowds of summer and enjoy gorgeous sunsets on the beach.
The hike to Third Beach is short and well worth the effort. Much of the elevation gain is at the start of the trail.
The path travels through forest, where you'll find heavily mossed trees and mushrooms.
Just before you drop down to the beach, visitors have created a display of trinkets they've found on the beach.
At the beach, head left to have a better chance of getting away from other beach-goers.
If you visit at low-tide, you'll find plenty of sea creatures like starfish in the tidepools. Otters and sea lions can also be spotted playing near the seastacks.
Directions: Take U.S. Highway 101 west from Port Angeles until you reach the signs for State Route 110 towards La Push. Follow the signs toward La Push. The trailhead is about a mile before town on the left side of the road.
This year, it shouldn't be hard to do, given how short of a season it was.
But fall hiking in Western Washington is fabulous.
The trails tend to be less crowded. The temperatures are perfect -- just pack an extra layer -- and, cross your fingers, the rain typically isn't in full gear yet.
The area has plenty of hikes for families or those who aren't looking for a challenge but want to get outdoors.
Grab the kids and a camera and head to one of these trails soon:
Bench and Snow lakes
2.5 miles roundtrip; 700 feet of elevation gain
For such a short trek, this hike has lots to offer: two beautiful lakes, views of Mount Rainier and a sprinkling of fall colors.
And, depending on when you go, there may still be some huckleberries along the trail for picking.
About three-quarters of a mile into the hike, you'll come across Bench Lake, which sits in a meadow, surrounded by trees, known as "the Bench."
Hike up another half-mile to Snow Lake, which is framed by rocky peaks. True to its name, the water of this lake tends to have snow until late in the season.
Directions: Take the Stevens Canyon entrance to Mount Rainier and drive roughly 16 miles on State Route 123. Park at the trail head on the south side of road.
Hoh River
1 to 10.5 miles; 300 feet of elevation gain
Why hike through a rain forest during the fall?
The light here in October is spectacular. On a bright fall day, the sun gives the rain forest a lovely green glow.
Keep an eye out for elk, which wander throughout Olympic National Park.
As you meander under the thick canopy of trees you'll have ample chances to check out the Hoh River. Along its banks, you'll see bunches of trees with red and yellow leaves growing along the banks -- a stark contrast to the stands of old-growth forest.
The trail doesn't gain much elevation, so it's perfect for families. There are plenty of points along the way to stop or turn around depending on how much time you have.
Directions: Follow U.S. Highway 101 north from Kalaloch about 20 miles. Turn east on Upper Hoh Road. The visitor center and trail head are about 18 miles down the road.
Thunder Knob
3.8 miles, 600 feet of elevation gain
This is a great hike in the spring, summer or fall. But it's a good excuse to set out to see the North Cascades during the autumn.
Although you'll park just off the highway, you'll walk through the Colonial Creek campground to reach the trail head. Cross a creek on the log bridge until you reach a boulder field. This is the trickiest part of the hike. Watch for cairns to keep you to the trail. You won't need to do any scrambling if you stick to the trail.
The trail climbs through the trees, giving you a few opportunities to look out at the North Cascades. There are benches about a mile up the trail, but save your lunch to eat up top, where there are lots of spots to take a rest.
The view from Thunder Knob peers down at the beautiful blue-green waters of Diablo Lake and at the mountains.
Directions: Follow Highway 20 east to the Colonial Creek campground in North Cascades National Park. Parking is just off the north side of the highway.
Barclay Lake
4.5 miles; 225 feet elevation gain
For a fall adventure closer to home, try Barclay Lake.
During the summer, this hike is nearly overrun with people. Its proximity to Everett and its relative ease are a huge draw. But in the off-season, you'll stand a better chance of getting a little peace and quiet here.
Most of the two mile hike to the lake winds through the forest. Barclay Lake is rimmed with trees and faces Baring Mountain, a jagged slab of granite that sits back from the lake. You'll enjoy wonderful views of the mountain at the lake.
There are several campsites and spots to enjoy a picnic lunch. The lake also has some beach area, which is a perfect spot for children to play.
Explore the trails around the lake for more views.
Directions: From Everett, drive 40 miles east on U.S. Highway 2. Before milepost 41, turn north on 635th Place NE. Take a left in less than half a mile on Forest Road 6034 and continue 4.25 miles to the trailhead.
Second Beach
4 miles; 350 feet elevation gain
This is a fantastic hike at anytime of year.
But in the autumn, you'll escape the crowds of summer and enjoy gorgeous sunsets on the beach.
The hike to Third Beach is short and well worth the effort. Much of the elevation gain is at the start of the trail.
The path travels through forest, where you'll find heavily mossed trees and mushrooms.
Just before you drop down to the beach, visitors have created a display of trinkets they've found on the beach.
At the beach, head left to have a better chance of getting away from other beach-goers.
If you visit at low-tide, you'll find plenty of sea creatures like starfish in the tidepools. Otters and sea lions can also be spotted playing near the seastacks.
Directions: Take U.S. Highway 101 west from Port Angeles until you reach the signs for State Route 110 towards La Push. Follow the signs toward La Push. The trailhead is about a mile before town on the left side of the road.
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