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Destination of the Day: Gold Creek Pond
Outdoors Jennifer Hackett Outdoors Jennifer Hackett

Destination of the Day: Gold Creek Pond

The scenic Gold Creek Pond is a perfect place to stop on your way over Snoqualmie Pass. You can enjoy a leisurely summer stroll or have a picnic. The trailhead for the Interpretive site is just 1.5 miles from I-90 exit 54 (Hyak), and there is a bathroom and parking for more than 20 vehicles at the trailhead. The trail that loops around the lake is dirt with a section of boardwalk, but it is classified as ADA accessible. There are benches and picnic tables around the lake where you can sit and enjoy the day and a large picnic area near the parking area (head left of the trail to get to the picnic area). A USFS pass is required at the trailhead, which has a payment kiosk if you do not have an annual pass.

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Fall Colors in the Mountains to Sound Greenway
Outdoors, Joyrides Jennifer Hackett Outdoors, Joyrides Jennifer Hackett

Fall Colors in the Mountains to Sound Greenway

Discover the beauty of the Mountains to Sound Greenway with this tour through favorite stops near Seattle. Walk or bike the Snoqualmie Valley Trail, learn about railroad history and get a bite in Snoqualmie, check out the Three Forks Natural Area (and let your dog romp in the off-leash park), and then head up to the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Valley to hike, picnic, or just play by the river.

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Wilderness Coast Backpacking
Outdoors, Joyrides Cailen McDevitt Outdoors, Joyrides Cailen McDevitt

Wilderness Coast Backpacking

Imagine waking up to the whoosh of the ocean breathing and sea birds cackling offshore. You can smell a mix of sea salt and conifer. Sunlight is just starting to illuminate the massive stone monoliths lazily bathing off shore. Tendrils of morning mist are swirling upwards as the day heats up. It’s morning on the Wilderness Coast!

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Four Caves to Explore in Washington State
Outdoors Jennifer Hackett Outdoors Jennifer Hackett

Four Caves to Explore in Washington State

Washington State is not well known for caves, but it has some great places to explore underground. From lava tubes, and limestone caverns, to a small cave that was inhabited almost 7,000 years ago, here are a few opportunities to get underground. Explore the Ape Cave, Guler Ice Cave, Layser Cave (occupied 7,000 years ago) and Gardner Cave.

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Discover Four Great Washington Waterfalls in Four Climate Areas
Outdoors Jennifer Hackett Outdoors Jennifer Hackett

Discover Four Great Washington Waterfalls in Four Climate Areas

Discover four great Washington waterfalls in four climate areas. Two of the things that make Washington amazing are stunning waterfalls and the variety of climate zones. You can find waterfalls in the coastal rain-forests of the Olympic peninsula, the temperate forests of the Seattle area, the sub-alpine and alpine landscapes of Mt Rainier National Park and the arid shrub steppe of Center and Eastern Washington.

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