Gorgeous views of unique rock formations, the Enchantment Mountains and town of Cashmere. Make sure…read moreto go counterclockwise and it is easier easiest to return the same route for an out and back. We did the complete loop however coming down was extremely steep and unsafe at some areas due to slides. Not ideal for kids due to very steep trail trails and unsecure ground. We also noticed several ticks along the way. Keep your eyes out for marmots too. Enter through the cute garden gate just past the restrooms. Be sure you already have a WA State Discovery Pass since there's no pay machine.

What Peshastin Pinnacles State Park lacks in total hiking trail length it makes up in vertical gain…read moreardor. Views from the top of the pinnacles on a clear sunny day are absolutely stunning and the climb adds a bit of physical satisfaction in working up a slight sweat to reach the vista points. A helicopter pad is located closer to the parking lot/entrance, guessing in part in case of an emergency be it a snake bite, rock climber fall, or hiker tumble. It is a great place for a short, difficult hike. However, ropes and other rock climbing supplies strewn across the trail can detract from the overall experience. During the summer of 2021 the park was closed due to extreme fire risk. Fortunately this was communicated both on the website and at the driving entrance.

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.

For anyone looking for a fun and easy to slightly moderate trail, highly recommend this one!!…read more Highlights of trail: 1. Parking Lot: Fairly large. Come early and beat the crowds :) 2. Trail Length: Used All Trails app to track and took about 7miles round trip for the loop 3. Trail Difficulty: Depending on how you start, difficulty level can vary. My friends and I opted to start the loop off at the switchbacks (going counterclockwise on the trail) and that was really the most tough part with the never ending incline. Once done with the switchbacks, it was smooth and easy sailing with the rest of the flat trail. If you want a shorter route and not finish the whole loop, just start the trail off clockwise and for the first couple of miles; it will be pretty flat before the gradual incline starts. 4. Trail Features: So many things to see!! :) Love reading the historic notes along the trail to give context about the various train tunnels and such. Tons of cool plants, mini waterfalls, and plenty of scenic viewpoints. 5. Other notes: Hiking poles not needed but I do suggest hiking boots or shoes with good tractions as some of the trail can get a bit rocky. Plus, there are a couple of streams to cross over, so shoes might get wet! Overall, peaceful hike and not too far of a drive from Seattle~

Weather is getting nice, but the weekend we went it was a little rainy, cloudy and wet outside…read more Whatever, deal with it. It's about a 90 min drive if you are coming from Seattle proper area, head towards Stevens Pass in Skykomish. We got there about 830am, so there was only a few cars in the little lot at the trail head. There's a port-a-john you can use if you need to go. The trail is relatively easy to medium depending on physical condition, small little climb when you start then it evens out when you get to the top of the upper loop and remains level all the way throughout. Bottom loop is pretty flat and wide with good views too. Do both. Depending on what you do, it can be about 7-9 miles round trip. Nice views, little waterfalls, cool & slightly spooky looking old train tunnels(you are not allowed to go inside), cool looking anchor wall, some signs along the way to explain some history of the Great Northern Railway over the Cascades. I enjoyed it, glad we took time to get outside, get some fresh air, and go to towns I've never been to. I read some articles and posts about paranormal activity there, unfortunately I didn't see any ghost.

Took the Aiare 1 class with this group. Great class, instructors and guides. Very informative…read more Great subgroupings. Highly recommend.

Went out yesterday with my fiance to learn trad leading. I was searching for a company that was…read moreable to tailor a course to our needs. Our guide was Matt and he covered everything we were looking to learn with many extra little gear tips and climbing techniques. We started the day off learning how to place gear on the ground, then did a few mock leads on top rope where each piece was evaluated and went over. We plan plan on going out again soon for some multi-pitch climbing. I highly recommend this guide service, all contact was done with Olivia, the owner, and was fast and easy.

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.

We were camping at Nason Creek Campground and just as we started exploring, we saw this stable and…read morechecked it out. Horse rides were $32 for a 2 mile ride (approx 45 minutes) per person. I made an appointment for the next morning at 9am, and the next day when we showed up they were expecting us. The horses looked healthy and happy. The stable hands treated the horses with care as they saddled them up and helped us get situated. Jake was our trail leader. He did a good job of keeping us entertained, teaching us about horses and things we encountered, answering questions, and just being friendly. He is collecting dad jokes for better trail material, so be sure to share your favorites with him. Our 45 minute ride was mostly through the forest. We crossed a road several times. There is beauty in the forest, but we did not get to any territorial views. There is also a 4 mile, 1/2 day, and full day option so it might be that they have time to get to even better views. This was not my first ride, but I'm by no means a cowboy. I had fun. It was my son's first real horse ride and he enjoyed it. I would go again.

I spent much of my childhood riding with Icicle through the nearby Summer Camp (Zanika) and they…read morewere always so fantastic with us kids. Now, 15 years later, we've come back with the next generation of our family and they are still just as wonderful. My sister-in-law and I wanted to take my two young nephews (two and three years old) on a trail ride with us, so we called to schedule one for the next day. But oops, we accidentally made a reservation with their Leavenworth location in town rather than their location at the State Park on Lake Wenatchee. When we showed up this morning for our reservation, there was no guide there! We called in, and Megan immediately helped us resolve our scheduling mistake and personally saw to it that we would still get a ride in that day. Two hours later (we killed time at the playground at the state park), we were back at the stable and on our horses (July and Cookie) with the boys! Megan personally took us on our ride, and was an amazing guide-- very patient with the littles and constantly checking in with us to make sure they were doing okay. If you're looking for a family friendly stable in the area, you've GOT to go with Icicle!

This is the best moderate alpine rock route in Washington…read more It's in what is probably the most beautiful natural area of Washington. So, why is it not more well-known? More often climbed? It's in the Enchantments, with a long approach. This is a permit-only area and it's infamously hard to get permits. The granite is incredible, the mountain goats plentiful. Put in for a permit, cross your fingers, and have fun!

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.