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? 

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. 

Dirty Harry's Balcony and Peak

Difficulty: Moderate to Hard

Distance: Balcony 5 miles - Peak 11 miles

Discovery Pass  Required

We were joking as we were hiking up this old logging road that the hike was named after the wrong cinematic tough guy: instead of Dirty Harry, it should be called Rocky, as most of the time we were hoofing it over rocks and boulders. However, this trail was not named after Clint's gritty bad ass cop persona, but rather Harry Gault, the logger who actually forged the road many years ago. Despite the rocky assent, this hike is well worth your time, and the payoff is amazing.

Mailbox Peak

Difficulty: Hard

Distance: 2.5 miles one way
Discovery Pass Required

Yup, there really is a mailbox at the peak of this hike. But, let me fore warn you now, this hike is not for the weak of heart. Do not even attempt this hike if you are not in great shape and an experienced hiker. Don't let me scare you off though: it will challenge you from the second you step onto the trail, but the payoff is totally worth it if you are in shape enough to make it to the top.

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.

Annette Lake

Difficulty: Moderate
8 miles round trip
Northwest Forest Pass Required

A very nice waterfall right out of the gate on this hike. This hike starts out pretty easy, with gradual climbs. After about 1/2 mile or so, you cross over the Iron Horse Trail and things start to get a little more steep. You will climb pretty high for a couple of miles and then the trail evens out and opens up a bit. Once you have reached this point, the trail will eventually start descending into the lake.

Mason Lake

Difficulty: Hard
7 miles round trip
Northwest Forest Pass Required

I have rated this hike difficult because it is VERY steep. You really are climbing up the whole mountain from practically the bottom. At one point the road came up half way before the trail started, but with so many washouts (and you will see them as you hike) most of the road was just turned into trail making this hike even longer. You really need to be in shape to go up this one, but very worth it.

Sliver Peak

Difficulty: Hard
6 miles round trip
Northwest Forest Pass Required

We do this hike almost every year we love it so much. It is a bit of a difficult hike, but so worth the view at the end. It also has all the elements of a good hike. Water, small mountain lakes, a meadow, mountain climbing, and amazing views. Who could ask for more. And, if it couldn't get better, if you go in late September, amazingly yummy blueberries!

 

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.