The views on this hike warrant a five star review for sure! Loads of waterfalls, mountains, and of…read morecourse trees and flowers to see on this route up to Rachel Lake. The problem? Not a clear trail at all. My hiking group and I found ourselves asking, "Is this trail?", numerous times on this extremely strenuous seemingly endless uphill trek to the lake. Now, granted, some of our group was in better shape than others and managed the physicality of the trail better than others but still we all agreed it was extremely hard. First you drive up a gravel road approximately 6 miles to get to the parking lot. One bathroom is available there which wasn't too gross. Once you enter the trail it starts heading up. And up and up and up. It is seemingly endless. I believe it about 4 plus miles up. The trail starts out fairly marked and easy to follow. Then it doesn't. Unfortunately I got separated from my group for a good portion of this hike due to my attempt to stay with the "faster" ladies, lol. I just kept going up. Thank goodness a few other people passed me to let me know I was on the right track. No trail at all really for a good portion and I merely followed a dry creek trail. Extremely rocky and loads of bushwhacking. I had to stop every five to ten feet to catch my breath. The steepness reminded me of a hike in Big Sur called Garrapata which after I competed that one I said I would never do again, lol. Now to the good parts of the hike. Gorgeous scenery beyond words! Loads of amazing waterfalls as you are following a creek flowing from a lake high above. The lake was outstandingly beautiful. I took a quick dip in the icy water at the top! Quickly it changed my outlook on the hike and cooled me off. Will I do it again? Maybe, but next time. I will bring more snacks for the hike that give me energy. I will start out slower and take more frequent deliberate breaks. And please please don't forget your mosquito repellent! Also, long pants as a large portion of this hike you go through tall grasses and overgrowth. I consider myself an experienced hiker when I was in CA, but here in WA, I am a beginner for sure. Stay hydrated and go at your own pace. This is worth it at least once. SYOY and No FOMO for me here! Lol.

Lake Rachel is a great hike if you're looking for a beautiful end view and lots of fun sights along…read morethe way. Unfortunately, the trail is not marked well and we went off path and up towards different falls a couple times but going off trail was worth it for the extra couple views we saw! Be prepared to get your feet wet and be careful climbing over the slippery rocks.

It was very beautiful however I'm onto you people up there.... There is some weird stuff going on…read moreup towards there. Things that are off about activities people were doing. And a SINGLE footstep larger then a humans step heard outside my tent and a bunch of little things moving outside at night.... I was dying inside as a single mom out there alone! Freakin scary as hell. It's very beautiful there but something also gave me the feeling like someone was watching.

This was our first camping experience!…read more We had heard there were some spots where you could just drive in and see if there was some camping space available, but since this was our first time we didn't really want to risk it and reseved spot 044 online through recreation.gov. When we got there our spot was ready to go! It was a great area right next to the creek so we had some amazing soothing sounds at night, the very clean restrooms were just a 3 minute walk away, and we had some lovely neighbors. One of the main things for us was: we needed working toilets, water, and a dog-friendly space. Salmon la Sac was a great fit in all of these areas. The one thing I'll say is our spot (044) was hit HARD by the sun most of the day, and since we went there in early August it got real hot real fast. The guys who were camping right next to us (I believe they must've been either 042 or 046) had literally the best spot since it still had the creek right in front of them, but they also were in a shaded area, so if you go there, try to get that one!

If you're planing to go camping, this is a beautiful lake to go to and there's a campground close…read moreby. First word that came to mind when I initially saw it was "pristine". It's a picture perfect lake. If you go early in the morning, the water is calm and it's so quiet. It's perfect fishing weather and trout is super easy to catch here. It's a two pole limit per person. There's quite a bit of activity in the afternoon during the summer of kayaking, tubing, rowing, etc. but the lake is large where it does not get crowded. No motorized boats allowed. The water is clear and a beautiful blue color. Be careful since it can get deep quick. The view is like no other with other mountains and trees surrounding it. Cooper Lake is small on the map, so not that many people go to it from what I have read. Cle Elm river and Kachess lake are nearby which is visited more.

Leavenworth Sleigh Rides at Beaver Creek Lodge was an absolute must-do during my trip and made even…read moremore special because it was my very first experience in the snow. Being from Hawaii, this was both exciting and exhilarating to say the least. The lodge is about a 30-minute drive from where we were staying at the Obertal Inn. We purchased our tickets online ahead of time, which I highly recommend since rides can sell out. Upon arrival, everything was well organized with clear signage directing us where to go. Check-in was conveniently located in the same area as the gift shop and coffee stand. Since we didn't want to hold anything during the ride, we waited to shop until afterward. After checking in, we were instructed to meet our guide out front near the fire pit. Once she arrived (I wish I remembered her name!), she walked us over to our carriage. It ended up being our lucky day because we had the carriage entirely to ourselves, which made the experience feel even more magical and intimate. Throughout the ride, our guide shared background history of the area and pointed out wildlife we might spot along the way. Sitting bundled up in the cold, surrounded by peaceful winter scenery, was such a serene and unforgettable experience. Before heading back, we stopped for hot apple cider which was absolutely delicious and exactly what we needed in the freezing temperatures. We also had the chance to take photos with the horse, who was incredibly sweet and even let us pet him. Overall, this experience exceeded all expectations. If you ever find yourself in Leavenworth, I would 100% say this is a must-do. It's a beautiful, memorable way to take in the winter magic of the area.

Every time I'm in Leavenworth, somehow I manage to find something new to do - this time, thanks to…read morefamily, we decided to go on a snowy horse-drawn sleigh ride! We arrived and immediately jumped onto the sleigh as we got there a little late (thanks to a jack knifed semi on the way there). They were nice enough to wait for us which was great. Once on, they have a blanket for you to cover up with if desired, which we did use, because it was freezing! You ride around the property/area for about 35 minutes and when it's all covered in snow, it's so picturesque and fun. Leavenworth had just got a ton of snow so we definitely went at the right time! I forget the name of the man who was operating the ride with us, but he was really kind and kept genuine conversation flowing. My only tip is try not to sit in the very front, right behind the horses. As you can imagine, the smell is NOT great LOL Once we got back from the ride they let you go warm up in a super heated tent and they have warm beverages, free of charge, for everyone. My kids took advantage of the hot cocoa real quick. If you haven't done this in Leavenworth yet, it's for sure worth the money!

Had a great time in the river! Lots of fun and excitement were had by all. Our guide did great job…read moreexplaining everything all along the way.

Went to Leavenworth for a birthday kayaking experience and we were not disappointed!…read more Blue Sky has the best guides for amateur adventures like us and it was a blast. They have a detailed guide for every possible incident because how unpredictable the water can be and we knew what to do when called to action. My wife was knocked right off the raft and the correct action was done to get her back in the raft. Highly recommend!

What an absolutely wonderful Park for kids and adults both!…read more Very well maintained, loaded with amenities for everyone, this park offers something for everyone. Paved walk ways all through the park, covered benches for catching that lunchtime crowd who enjoy eating out doors, water works for the kids, a large covered eating area suitable for very large groups, extreme Frisbee golf, and lots and lots of open grassy area for running and playing, makes this one of the nicest parks in Wenatchee.

We found this interpretive site online and decided to check it out while passing through. Near…read moreBlewett Pass, take Forest Road 9716 about 1/2 mile past the sno-park to the large parking area at the trailhead. There is a toilet available, and a map to help with the 25 interpretive stops along the trail. On this Thursday morning we had the place to ourselves. The main 2 mile loop is easy to follow with only minor elevation changes. Most of the interpretive signs are there, so we learned a bit about the trees along the way. Currently there are gorgeous flowers in bloom and fabulous views to take in on a clear day. On this quiet day we spotted a young buck, a rabbit, loads of birds, squirrels, and chipmunks...but heard much more rustling in the trees. We had a great time, and found the trail peaceful and fun. Highly recommend, as Swauk Discovery is good for families and anyone who enjoys a serene walk in the forest.

Swauk Forest Discovery Trail was a beautiful loop trail that wasn't too difficult, was family- and…read moredog-friendly, and offered gorgeous views along the whole way. Lots of signage to help you learn about the trees in the area. Located in the Blewett Pass area, I liked that it didn't have a long and bumpy forest road to access the trail head. We were lucky to come on a clear day and see views of Rainier and the Enchantments.

Shhhh. This is a place to protect and treat with reverence…read more It's tucked away about 8 miles northwest of Mt. Adams. Yeah, that one. Maybe you've even been there? The name Takhlakh comes from the Native American word,"takh", which means meadows. Yes, there are meadows abundant here, and in the spring time, they are profuse with wildflowers. Please don't be a loser and pick any. Just take a picture and let them continue to bloom and prosper. Takhlakh Lake is very clear. Rather unfortunately, National Geographic named it in 2013 as one of 20 places in the world for their "Must Do Adventure Bucket List". This resulted in a short lived surge of bone headed visitors. You know, the kind who leave trash on the ground, don't know how to properly put out a campfire, let their dogs shit in the middle of a trail, run generators in the wilderness when camping and....shudder, yes, even pick rare wildflowers. But YOU are not that kind of visitor so you can be trusted with the stewardship of this incredibly photogenic treasure. You and your sensible, wilderness savvy friends will treat this sacred place as it should be and will leave no trace. For that, the rest of us thank you. And as a lifelong Northwestern woman, this spectacular lake is one of many I consider "home turf" which I am happy to share with you and your caring others. A person can do an easy, leisurely stroll around the entire perimeter (maybe a mile and a half), meandering in and out of breathtaking vista after vista, and just feel the stress and tension melting away in the clear, clean silence. You can put in with your kayak or canoe-no gas motors! Please. You can camp at the adjacent Takhlakh Campground, which gets Beaucoup bonus points for providing a wheelchair accessible trail for folks with mobility limitations who are also seeking some spiritual connection out in the wild. Plus, if you are into doing the whole wazooh, you can make this lovely spot a rest stop on your 35 mile hike circumnavigation of Mt. Adams. But that's if you really know what you are doing. Remember, this is wilderness not a day hike in an urban park. Takhlakh Lake takes some time and some intention to discover. You will be so happy you did.