Emerald Pools: Zions National Park

Difficulty: Easy

2 miles round

This is a very easy hike in the Zions National Park. It is one of the most popular hikes due to it's ease, beauty, and the fact that it is right across the street from the only lodge located within the parks boundaries. We did this hike the night we arrived, to stretch our legs after being in the car all day. It's a great little hike and perfect if you're hiking with little ones.

Spruce Canyon: Mesa Verde National Park

Difficulty: Easy

2.5 Miles round trip

After hiking to Petroglyph Point, you can lengthen out your hike another 2.5 miles to have a total of 5 miles. If you were to just do one hike or the other, I would definitely do the Petroglyph Point trail, but taking the Spruce Canyon trail is a great way to lengthen out your hiking time and be able to head to the canyon floor.

Petroglyph Point: Mesa Verde National Park

Difficulty: Easy

2.5 Miles Round Trip

Most of Mesa Verde is seen from view points on the road, but there are a few simple, short hikes that you can do that are definitely worth your time. Our favorite of these hikes was the Petroglyph Point Trail. Great views of the canyon, cliff dwellings, and of course the petrogyph wall are all part of this awesome little hike: there is A LOT to see in just 2.5 little miles!

Denny Creek Water Slides

Difficulty: Easy

2 Miles round trip

Northwest Forest Pass

This is one of my all-time favorite hikes to take kids on. It's short, it's easy, the drive isn't too long to get there and you get to play in the water. Who could ask for a better little people hike? 

Coal Creek Falls

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 6 Mile Loop

Hiking on Cougar Mountain, which is where you will find Coal Creek Falls, is like hiking on a complicated spider web: there is a labyrinth of over 36 miles of trail to explore. It's best to either map out your route before you go, or if they are available grab a map at the trailhead, so you will not be putting in a lot of hiking time trying to get yourself back to your car. If you have the time there are also some old mine shafts you can see, and an old mine cave. It's closed to going inside, but still cool to look at. The trails up here are very well maintained and super easy to hike on, all you have to do is decide how adventurous you want to be and how many miles you want to log.

Spruce Railroad Trail: Devil Point and Punchbowl

Difficulty: Easy

2 miles round trip

 

 

This last weekend we hopped in the car and headed up to Joyce, Washington to visit some cousins. One of the things we did while there was visit the Punchbowl on the Spruce Railroad Trail, along Lake Crescent. There are several things that make this hike a-maz-ing! First - the lake is the most clear, beautiful turquoise lake you will ever see: Second - an old railroad tunnel: Third: cliff jumping. Need I say more? And, this hike is so easy that we had the littlest of little with us and everyone just did it in their swimsuits and flip flops.

Twin Falls

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 3 Miles

Discovery Pass Required

This hike is short, easy and beautiful. It's perfect on those days the kids are getting antsy in the summer time and need something to workout some energy. 

Greenwater Lakes

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 4 miles Round

Northwest Forest Pass Required

This is the perfect hike for families, as it has everything a kid would be looking for in a hike: it's easy, you get to cross the river multiple times over awesome log bridges, and not just one lake - but two! Although this hike was super easy, it is beautiful enough that even the avid hiker will enjoy being here for the day!

Sol Duc Falls

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 1/12 miles to falls, but trail continues if you so choose

Olympic National Forest Fee: $10.00, 7 day pass, per vehicle

The trail is easy, though soggy, and the falls are beautiful. Just about anyone can tackle this hike, and it's so worth the walk.

Hurricane Ridge

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 3 miles +

National Park Entrance Fee: $10.00, 7 day pass, per vehicle

This was an amazing hike! We spent hours up here exploring and every bend we went around was another spectacular view. You can just take the paved trial up to the top for an easy 3 miler, or you can spend all afternoon (like we did) just hiking on all the branch off trails. 

Iwetemlaykin State Park

Difficulty: Easy

About 1 1/2 miles

I live in Seattle, but love to go hiking wherever I am. We spent a week at Wallawa Lake, Oregon with family last week and had a blast exploring a whole new area. This hike is really more of a walk, but so amazingly beautiful that it is very much worth your time if you are ever up there.

Nolte State Park

Difficulty: Easy

1.4 miles around the lake
Discovery Pass Required

This hike is perfect if you have small children. It is only 1.4 flat miles around Nolte Lake, so it is short and easy. There are also a lot of little trails throughout, leading down to the lake for youngsters to explore.

Rattlesnake Ridge

Difficulty: Easy

4 miles round trip

Our first hike for 2011. It felt so good to be back out on the trails! We have had a very wet and cold spring here in the PNW, so it feels like it's taken forever for us to get out. Rattlesnake Ridge is perfect: close, easy and a great payoff. We always do this hike when we want a quicky after work - pack a dinner and eat at the top with an amazing view.

Green River Gorge

Difficulty: Easy
1 mile round trip

A nice place to sit and relax with rocks a plenty to throw into the water, but that's about all this place offers. It is a great hike for those of you with small children or brand new hikers just looking for a small hike to tackle.

Talapus Lake

Difficulty: Easy
4 miles Round Trip
Northwest Forest Pass Required

This is a great hike that is not to far away from North Bend. It's on a very easy trail that follows Talapus creek for most of the way. This makes for great ambiance and some beautiful peeks at small waterfalls.