I’m going to be honest with you and say that I hate wintertime in Washington. I’m sure most people can agree with me as the endless grey skies, the cold, the rain, and sometimes snow (especially snow this year!) can be so mentally exhausting. In the past, every time winter came around I used to just hole up inside and not do anything aside from going to the gym. This wasn’t very healthy physically or mentally and especially since the winters here can be a very depressing time, I knew that I had to start changing up my mindset and attitude about how I approached the winter season. I also wanted to be in better hiking shape by the time warmer weather came around so last year I started hiking in late winter and decided it wasn’t so bad. This current winter season I hiked all winter from December to now and I gotta say it was such a blast! I actually hiked more than I did in the fall which surprised me (definitely gotta make up for that this year!).
I still can’t believe how many adventures we went on this season and the solitude that comes with winter hiking is truly phenomenal. On the popular trails you’ll still get some crowds but not anywhere near the summer crowds and if you start very early you’ll easily be able to get the trail all to yourself for quite awhile! We did a great mix of lesser known trails and popular trails this season and it was great to cross off some of the highly trafficked trails I’ve avoided all these years. I’m excited to share some of my favorite hikes this season and I hope it helps you plan out your hiking adventures next winter! I love how the trails change each season and each season has its own unique beauty and perspective so if you are anything like how I used to be in the winter, I encourage you to get out there next winter season! Hopefully this post will help inspire you!
(*Disclaimer: I want my opinions and photos to inspire you but please still do thorough research on your own before heading out to the trails. Most of my fellow Washingtonians know this website but for anyone who doesn’t and those who are not from Washington and are visiting the area, I highly encourage you to look up all of these hikes on the Washington Trails Association website or All Trails and always try to read several of the most recent trip reports you can find to get a feel of the most current conditions! Also remember to practice Leave No Trace principles! *)
Hummocks/Boundary West Trail (Mileage varies, no passes required)
This was probably one of my favorite hikes of the season! It’s no secret that I love the Mount St. Helens area and the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and if you’re looking for solitude in the winter these are great areas for it! It’s easy to find solitude in either area in the summertime as well (just avoid the big visitor center area trails) so winter time is a piece of cake if you’re trying to find peace and quiet. I personally think Mount St. Helens is underrated and I think the whole Mt. St Helens Volcanic Monument Area is really beautiful. I get that it can be a little repetitive in the scenery if you do a long hike out there, especially in the summer when it’s dry and “barren-like”, but I love seeing how much life has already returned to the area and I just think it has such a unique kind of beauty. If you are looking for something different though, then definitely come in the winter and even better when some snow is forecasted to fall! It completely transforms the landscapes here and gives it such a different kind of character.
You can start off at the Hummocks trailhead and just do the short loop ( 2.4 miles roundtrip) if you prefer something easy or if you have small children with you. The view of Mt. St Helens is supposed to be great on a clear day. We had no such luck and could only see the base of Helens but we’ve seen the view many times so it wasn’t a big deal to us. We had never seen this area covered in snow so that was the real treat! If you want to extend the hike then you can continue on to the Boundary West Trail which you will see a sign for. You can take this trail all the way to the Johnston Ridge Observatory or just turn around at any point. We didn’t go all the way to the visitor center but ended up with about 6 miles roundtrip. This was such a great experience for us and it was made even better by not seeing another soul on the trail (except for birds!). If you’re looking for solitude and something different definitely head out this way next winter.
Peoh Point (6 miles roundtrip, no passes required)
We actually did this hike on December 2nd which is technically still fall as the first “official” day of winter is December 20th. However, in certain parts of Washington once December hits winter is usually in full effect by then and since this trail was covered in a lot of snow I decided to just save it for my winter recap rather than putting it with my fall recap. Keep this in mind though if you decide to go out there later in the winter and always read trip reports first as the snow may be impassible on the roads. This hike was our first snowy trail of the season and it did not disappoint! Peoh Point is usually a great and easy summer trail for families and beginner hikers and has a great view of the surrounding area. Come in the winter after a snowfall and you’ll get a more challenging hike and get to experience a gorgeous winter wonderland. While we were there we didn’t see anyone else so I’m guessing this is a great trail for solitude in the winter as well. The snow got deeper than we had anticipated but we still made it easily enough without snowshoes, especially since the majority of the trail is more like a road. Once we got to the top there were no views due to the snow and fog but it was a very cool experience. As you can see by the pictures it looked like we were climbing up some big snowy mountain rather than just a little viewing point. Definitely a must-do in the early winter before roads become impassable.
Pratt River Trail (6 miles roundtrip, NW Forest Pass needed)
Pratt River Trail is great in all seasons but especially for winter when lowland hiking takes over. This is the perfect trail if you are in search of the typical PNW stroll through the forest kind of day. The big mossy green trees are absolutely stunning but hold a special kind of magic in the dead of winter. There is also a little waterfall and multiple viewing areas to see the river along the way. One of the coolest things to me was at the start of the trail there is the most epic looking bridge commonly known as the “Middle Fork Snoqualmie Bridge”. I just love the architecture of the bridge so much and I’m not alone in that sentiment! The Middle Fork Snoqualmie trail is closed by the way due to a huge landslide. The Pratt River trail is located on the same trailhead though, you just take a right instead of a left after the bridge. You’ll see the closure sign anyways so there is really only one way to go (as of publication of this post on March 29, 2019). This trail is very very very wet and muddy in the winter so come prepared with waterproof boots and gear. There are also some creek crossings that can get pretty deep. We also came after a heavy rainfall the night before so the river was raging. Always be careful around the river when conditions are flowing like it was for us. All in all this is a great hike for people of all skill levels as there is hardly any gain but it is also just long enough to get a decent workout in on an “active rest day”.
Blue River, Oregon Day Trip – Tamolitch Blue Pool (Tamolitch Falls) and Hot Springs (no passes required)
Wintertime is great for spontaneous road trips because it is so much easier to beat the crowds and find parking versus in the summertime! Joe and I have been wanting to branch out to explore more of Oregon, Canada, and even Idaho soon. Oregon seemed like the easiest one to tackle first so I know some summer adventures will be in the works! Any Oregon readers, I would love suggestions of hikes and outdoor gems that would be an easy enough weekend trip for Washingtonians! Drop me a comment below or email me! Anyways back to this specific morning, Joe and I decided at the very last minute the night before to wake up super early and head out to Blue River, Oregon to go check out the infamous Tamolitch Blue Pool (Tamolitch Falls) and a hot spring nearby. Oregon has a lot of wonderful hot springs when compared to Washington and I intend to check out more soon! There are a couple down south in the desert region that I am dying to visit.
The one we checked out this morning right after sunrise was absolutely gorgeous! It’s situated by the Mckenzie River and has such a peaceful setting that is perfect for relaxing. It is a small hot spring and easy to get to so unfortunately you could be sharing it depending on time of year and time of day. Since we went very early and in the wintertime we got to enjoy this place to ourselves! In the winter this hot spring actually becomes more of a lukewarm spring due to the river water coming into it but we all react to temperatures differently. For Joe it was a little too cold but for me I was comfortable soaking for at least 25 minutes. There is a little cave area further into the spring where I felt the water was warmer as well. Due to hot springs etiquette I would rather not point out all the specifics to keep this place clean and less trafficked but it is very easy to get to. If you go to Soak Oregon online you’ll be able to find more info on it as well as hot springs etiquette and directions. As for most things if you just do a little research, I guarantee you’ll find it!
After a soak at the springs and a mini photoshoot (haha) we headed on over to the Blue Pool. I’m sure many of you have seen pictures of this stunning place. My pictures unfortunately do not do this place any justice because of the position of the sun when we went but seriously the water is so blue and clear. The Blue Hole is a popular place to swim in the summer although I have read that the water is extremely cold. This doesn’t stop people from taking a dip though and this trail is highly trafficked in the summertime. The hike is pretty easy for all skill levels and quite enjoyable walking through a well-kept trail through the forest with glimpses of the river, beautiful mossy trees, and a couple cool bridges. When we went there was some snow on the trail which also added to the magic. There is some rocky terrain halfway through the trail so keep this in mind if you have knee problems. The trail is only approximately 3.7 miles roundtrip but you can extend it by going back to the trailhead and going down the McKenzie River Trail to the left. This is generally just a forest stroll but we got more great views of the river, epic morning lighting through the trees, and got to cross a sketchy (but cool!) icy bridge! We went about 10 miles roundtrip total on this day. The drive time was about 10 hours roundtrip and it was brutal but well worth the time to experience these moments with my best friend. Next time we head to Oregon though I think we’ll just stay out there for the weekend!
Franklin Falls (Mileage varies in winter, normally 2 miles roundtrip, NW Forest Pass needed)
This a very popular hike in both the summer and the winter but it is a definite must-do in the wintertime, especially if you get lucky and the falls are completely frozen! It is the most dazzling icy winter wonderland and generally pretty easy for most skill levels as long as you have the appropriate gear (waterproof boots, microspikes, potentially snowshoes depending on conditions, etc.). We went shortly after the February snowpocalypse and the waterfall was basically almost all frozen! It was an incredible sight to see and I remember gasping as I rounded the corner, it was that pretty! We went the longer route due to the road closure in the winter but there are apparently two ways to get to the trail. We went off Exit 47 and parked along the road before the road closure. From there we walked on the road to the trailhead. It is longer than the other route but fairly straightforward and easy. After you pass the Denny Creek Campground you will take a left to the trailhead.
Overall we finished with approximately 7.5 miles roundtrip versus the 2 miles the trail normally is. It made for good exercise though and made it worth the drive! There is a shorter route if you take Exit 52 and park at West Summit and I think it amounts to approximately 3 miles roundtrip. Trip reports on WTA have very thorough directions for this route. We just went where the GPS led us and ended up at Exit 47. For trail conditions on the day we went we didn’t wear our microspikes the whole way to the falls. We probably could’ve popped them on while descending to the falls but it was fine overall. We decided to put them on when we headed back to the car. This is a very popular hike in all seasons so expect company but if you time it out well you can still beat the huge crowds. There were also some ice climbers while we were there and it was fun to watch!
Heybrook Ridge (3.3 miles roundtrip, No passes required)
This hike is great in all seasons but it is perfect in the winter if you are trying to find something that will most likely be snow-free with moderate elevation gain (but not too much!). There could potentially be snow on the trail though (I know there was in February due to that previously mentioned snowpocalypse) so always check trail reports and weather if you’re trying to avoid snow. This trail is a great short little leg burner with awesome pay-off. You get incredible views various mountains and you can even see Bridal Veil Falls across the way. The forested trail is also very beautiful and makes for some great shots if you’re into photography. There is also a little mini waterfall on the trail and they have a bench up there to sit and enjoy the sound of the streaming waters.
I always like coming out to the Index and Gold Bar area so even though this is a bit far for a short hike (about 2 hours drive from Tacoma) I enjoy the scenery when we come out here and I think you will too if you haven’t been. There are some other hikes in the area you could check out as well such as Heybrook Lookout (I’ve done this hike and it’s a great short hike!), Wallace Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Serene Lake (this is a harder/longer hike so probably best to do on its own instead of pairing it with Heybrook Ridge). Be sure to stop at the little tiny Wayside Chapel off Highway 2 and also grab some coffee to warm back up at Espresso Chalet. They are known for their Bigfoot statues and their coffee is pretty good too! There are multiple coffee stands along that stretch in Gold Bar though so you have plenty of options. If you really want to make a day out of it add the Reptile Zoo in Monroe to your itinerary as well!
Heather Lake (4.6 miles roundtrip, NW Forest Pass needed)
Another popular hike that we finally crossed off the list! I’m telling you if you want to do some of the major hot spots in Washington and are trying to escape massive crowds then you definitely need to hike in the winter! As the WTA site indicates, this trail is the perfect hike for beginners looking to take the next step up. The trail climbs almost immediately and pretty steadily throughout. It’s definitely a good little workout for only being about 4.6 miles roundtrip. The trail was very muddy and wet in January and there are little waterfalls and stream crossings so be sure to wear the appropriate shoes. We also brought spikes which most people didn’t have but it definitely made walking around the perimeter of the lake a lot easier which had some snow and ice.
The lake was half frozen when we went although not nearly as much as it had been in December. We actually saw a couple people who were having a hard time on the trail, slipping a lot due to wearing bright white sneakers and cutting roughly through forest off the trail to get to the lake faster. We then saw them proceed to walk across the lake which as I stated before was not very thick ice…you could see it melting and hear it popping while walking around the perimeter. It was pretty crazy that they would risk that and I just want to remind everyone about the importance of being prepared and to be respectful of our public lands and our trails that volunteers take such good care of for the public to enjoy. Also, to refrain from doing dumb things just to get the “perfect” picture for social media.
I hate being the person to call it out because once upon a time Joe and I were inexperienced and weren’t always prepared as well as we should have been, even now sometimes we do things spur of the moment or if you travel and can’t bring a lot with you if you’re doing carry-on only…there are many factors. Some of the things I saw on the trail on this day though were pretty ridiculous and you see it a lot on popular trails. I think it’s even more important to be prepared and safe in the wintertime when conditions are pretty rough and always changing. I just want to remind everyone to always try your best to check on current conditions before you go and to be respectful of the trail and always practice Leave No Trace principles. I swear sometimes I feel people hike and go on trails literally just for a picture on Instagram and to see any blatant disrespect for nature and trail conditions always gets to me a little. Anyways enough with my rant, this really is a great little hike with excellent pay-off. You could also do Lake Twenty-Two nearby which is equally as popular. I personally think Lake Twenty-Two is prettier than Heather Lake but both are beautiful lakes! The popular Mount Pilchuck is also near here if you’re looking for a little more of a challenge.
Rattlesnake Ledge (4 miles roundtrip, no passes required)
Rattlesnake Ledge is another popular one we crossed off the list this winter (and probably the #1 most popular of them all!). I refer to this hike as the “basic bitch” of Washington hikes. I call it that because it’s so well-known and popular, you see it non-stop all over social media, and usually it’s most people’s first trail when they start hiking in Washington. To be honest I’ve been avoiding this hike for years because of the popularity and big crowds. Just not a fan as you always run into some pretty bad trail etiquette on well-known trails as mentioned above and also unprepared people which can be dangerous for you sometimes even when you’re prepared (people not wearing the right shoes/spikes and sliding into others on a narrow path is a good example for the day we went on this hike). I also like to try to find some solitude when I hike but going very early in the winter seemed like a decent time to do it before spring and summer comes and doubles the crowds. It was a good decision and it didn’t disappoint so if you have also been avoiding this hike because of the crowds then put it on your list for next winter season!
We actually came at a great time in the morning because the sunrise crowd was coming down and late morning to early afternoon crowds (9-1:00 PM) were nowhere near close to showing up yet. I would suggest going in the winter and starting around 6:30-8:00 in the morning. The hike itself is pretty easy for experienced hikers and offers just enough gain and difficulty for beginner hikers. The gain is pretty steady most of the way up but the pay-off is more than worth it for such a short hike. The views really are incredible and it is easy to see why this trail is so popular, especially with how easy it is to get to from Seattle/Tacoma. Don’t forget to check out Rattlesnake Lake when you finish up the hike. Lastly, remember to be careful once at the viewing point, especially when it is crowded! No picture is worth risking your life over!
Little Si (4.7 miles roundtrip, Discover Pass needed)
ANOTHER popular hike checked off the list! Little Si is a great one for the winter and offers decent exercise and a nice viewing area all within an hour of Tacoma. The gain is steady most of the way through and in the winter time there will likely be a little snow so definitely bring the appropriate gear. When we went we brought our spikes but didn’t end up using them, although we probably could have if we wanted to make life a little easier on some parts of the trail. The views are not crazy epic like Mt. Si or even Rattlesnake Ledge but there’s something about a sea of endless lush green trees that is just so beautiful and moody. This is also great practice to get you geared up and excited for Mt. Si or just to get some decent elevation in when the majority of high elevation trails are covered with impassible snow. Get here as early as you can to beat the crowds. Even in the winter by the time we got back to the car the parking lot was filled! All the North Bend/Snoqualmie hikes get this way so always plan accordingly if you are trying to find a little peace and quiet.
Guillemot Cove (Mileage varies, no passes required)
10.) This little hike has actually been featured on my blog before but nonetheless I am adding it again since it was our last “official” hike of the winter season! This nature reserve is located on the Kitsap Peninsula in the cute little town of Seabeck about an hour away from Tacoma. This drive goes by fast for me because I love driving through the Key Peninsula and beyond. Such a beautiful drive with views of the water and forest. Guillemot Cove encompasses approximately 184 acres according to the WTA website and there are plenty of little trails to explore here! The area can get pretty wet and muddy depending on the time of year so be sure to wear the appropriate footwear.
This place is great for families because of all the relatively flat trails to explore. Going back to the car does have a little bit of a steep incline but it is a short walk back. The highlight of this place is a cute little stumphouse that people of all ages will get a kick out of. There is also a pretty ittle rocky beach to relax on with incredible views of the Olympics. It usually doesn’t get very crowded here so the beach would be a perfect place for a little solitude on a hot summer day as well. Definitely recommend this place for a fun little walk in nature during all seasons.
That wraps up my favorite hikes of the 2018-2019 winter season. I really hope that this small list inspires somebody out there to get outside next winter! Let me know in the comments if you have done any of these hikes or if any of them are on your list now!
Until next time,
Kelsie