As the leaves turn red, more and more people turn to the beauty of nature to see the wonderful colors and vibrant forests of the Pacific Northwest. One of the best ways to see the true beauty of Washington is to go on hikes. “I love hiking because it lets me disconnect from the internet and enjoy the beauty of nature,” says Zoey Nichols (12). Whether you hike to a lake, waterfall, or simply a walk through the trees, hikes are a very popular fall activity due to the vast array of trails in Washington.
One of the most popular hikes is the Enchantments hike, which takes you around the southern side of MT. Rainier past many lakes and gorgeous scenic views. “It’s gorgeous, especially if you are going with friends,” says Aurora Letellier (9). This approximately 21-mile hike is a great way to see the vibrant colors of fall but is not for the faint of heart, as it has an elevation gain of over 7000 feet and requires a 30-pound backpack with rations, a tent, and a sleeping bag, as well as whatever tools and luxuries you require to stay 3 nights. You are also recommended to keep a bear canister on you during the whole hike, just in case creatures come prowling.
One of my personal favorite hikes is the Ozette Lake hike; it is about a 9-mile roundtrip of incredible coastline, picturesque forests, and renowned scenery. This trail takes you from Lake Ozette on a 3-mile hike through a beautiful forest on a boardwalk to Cape Alava, then on another 3-mile hike from Cape Alava to Sand Point along the coast of Washington, then from Sand Point back through the forest to Lake Ozette. This hike is perfect for people who love the scenery but aren’t looking for a big challenge, as it barely has any incline. I highly recommend this hike, but just like any trail in the wilds of Washington, bring a bear canister.
My final recommendation for a great fall hike is the Lena Lake hike. This hike is fairly difficult but also semi-short, as it is about 7 miles round trip. It begins in the Olympic Mountains and takes you on a 3-mile series of switchbacks and 1300 feet of incline that leads you to Lena Lake, one of the most beautiful places I have seen in Washington, untouched by pollution and preserved by the great mountains of the Olympic. Lena Lake is an incredible experience that is worth every drop of sweat, but this hike is also hard because it has a very steep incline, so going up is hard and going down can be even harder, so I would recommend this for someone who has experience hiking.
Washington is one of the most amazing places when it comes to hiking and offers so many choices for all people; these are just a few of the many choices and beautiful hikes from Washington.