WASHINGTON STATE TRAVEL BLOG

Instead of me creating a massive, never-ending list of hikes in Washington State, I'm going to list the best hiking trails in Washington State but... with a twist... they are some of our favorites. And more specifically, we are targeting the SW corner of Washington State (primarily hikes in the Gifford Pinchot) and I will try to give you as much insight as possible!

My brothers and I, (Ashley), grew up in the middle of 'nowhere'... like 'no-electricity nowhere' (ponder that for a minute)... and our form of entertainment was exploring the great outdoors! I actually introduced a few of these hikes to Nate and Blake... needless to say, they approved 😉

Let's start with the most recent hike that we just discovered and fell in love with...   

HAMILTON MOUNTAIN near Carson WA (watch our video here)

Hike Highlights: (see pictures here)

• Incredible views of the Columbia River Gorge, Mount Adams, & Mount Hood 
• Birds eye view of the Bonneville Dam
• Beautiful & crispy cold waterfall (Rodney Falls) 
• 8.1 mile loop with an elevation gain of 2286 ft 
• Dog friendly 
• Kid-friendly hike (to a certain point at the higher elevation)
• Camping available  
• Discover Pass required (can buy onsite or online) 
• Restrooms only at parking areas (trailhead) 

QUICK TIP: There are 2 small parking lots & they fill up quickly, so go early to get a spot... especially on the weekends!

QUICK TIP #2: If you park at the second parking lot, instead of walking back down the hill to gain entry to the main trailhead, you can walk uphill towards the camping area and gain entry there (its a little closer) than walking downhill.

⬇⬇ Jump to our next 4 suggested Washington Hikes ⬇⬇

APE CAVES near Cougar WA & Mount Saint Helens

(#2 for our favorite hiking trails in Washington State) 

Hike Highlights: 

• One of the most unique hikes in Washington that we have ever experienced... in an OLD LAVA TUBE!!
• The cave is completely pitch black, so you will need to bring a good couple of BRIGHT flashlights! You can rent lanterns at the little information station on sight if you didn't bring a flashlight (cell phone lights don't work very well... FYI), but I would HIGHLY recommend a couple of flashlights!
• Timed reservations are needed during 'covid' (check Ape Caves website for updates)
• Two distances are optional to choose from. The 'lower' cave route (1.5 miles total, down & back) or the 'upper' cave route (1.5 miles one way) which leads to an 8ft rock wall to shimmy up (this is actually pretty hard to climb) and then crawl over some rocks to an opening, leading above ground and then 1.5 miles back to the parking lot
• $5 Day pass can be purchased for parking (on-site) or the NW Forest Pass is needed
• The slimy stuff on the walls is actually a food source for all the smaller critters living in the cave & the ecosystem (please don't touch it)... and maybe a combo of bat poo 💩  YEP! There are bats!
• Sorry, no pets allowed in this one
• Great hike for kids (I would only suggest the 'lower' route)
• 433 ft elevation gain (but you don't honestly even notice it!)
• In order to gain entry into the caves, you have to go down a set of stairs... and they can get slippery (be careful)
• Bathrooms are only available at the entrance (near the information center)

QUICK TIP:  Bring warm clothes (even during the summer months). There is a bit of a cold draft that runs thru the cave and it stays about 40 degrees year-round!

QUICK TIP #2: Make sure to wear sturdy shoes and watch your step! For the most part on the 'lower' route, there is flat walkable ground (not the case for the 'upper' route, but there are also larger rocks and boulders all over! They sneak up out of know where and will help you pack for your trip... your trip down to the ground🤣🤦‍♀️ 

LEWIS RIVER FALLS (upper, middle & lower falls) between Cougar WA & Trout Lake WA

(#1 for our favorite hikes in Washington)

Hike Highlights: 

• Yes, that is 3 different and incredibly beautiful waterfalls and a hike combined... and trust me, they are worth the trek!
• If you didn't want to do the full hike, luckily there are viewpoints to each waterfall that you can drive to and walk in off the road, which is nice when you have someone that wants to see the falls but mobility is a little bit of an issue.
• These three waterfalls (starting with the Upper Lewis Falls, to the Middle Falls, & down to the Lower Lewis Falls) are obviously connected and have about a 4-mile hike (one way) with views of the Lewis River between each waterfall
• This is a well know hike for bikers to be on as well
• Kid-friendly & dog friendly too (yep, a leash is required)
• 974 ft elevation gain
• The road can close down for the season, so be sure to check the Gifford Pinchot website for updates
• Camping is available (check website to make reservations)
• Bathrooms are only available at the entrance of each trailhead/waterfall

QUICK TIP:  Sometimes, if we didn't want to go the full loop of 8+ miles, we would leave one car parked at the Lower Falls, take a second car to the Upper Falls and then park it there and hike back down to the Lower Falls. Yes, you would have to drive back up to get the second car, but you get the gist.

QUICK TIP #2: These waterfalls are EXTREMELY busy and the parking lots fill up VERY quickly, during the week is best to go, or go early in the am during the weekends to ensure you get a parking spot

QUICK TIP #3: This by far is our #1 hiking trail in Washington State, and we highly recommend you check at least ONE of the waterfalls out! Also, on your way to the falls, there are multiple short hikes that you will easily pass by and only take about 15 minutes to walk!