CONNECTING » with NATURE Hikes for all seasons
W
hether your kid runs ahead like a fleet-footed mountain goat or slides along like a spotted slug, here are three hikes per season where you can enjoy the journey with kids in tow.
A winter excursion to Gold Creek Pond
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Discovery Park, Seattle
Grand Ridge Park, Issaquah
Rattlesnake Ledge, North Bend
Tolt-MacDonald Park, Carnation
Seattle’s largest park (534 acres) offers beaches, meadows, ponds and woodlands along a web of hiking trails. Enjoy views of Puget Sound, Mount Rainier and the Olympic Mountains. 3Easy. Tip: Walk along the beach to see West Point Lighthouse or visit the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center, a free Native American art gallery and conference center.
Seward Park, Seattle
Dash Point State Park, Federal Way
This state park has a broad beach and many miles of hiking trails to explore. 3Easy. 11 miles of trails. Tip: Bring bikes and explore the flat trails or search for ocean animals on the beach at low tide.
Farrel-McWhirter Farm and Park, Redmond Spring is a great time to visit the animals -- bunnies, chickens, sheep and pigs. Keep an ear out for the “hee-haw” of the donkey, too. There are miles of woodsy trails to roam, or throw rocks into the stream, balance across logs and cage yourself into long-rooted trees. 3Easy/Moderate. About 2 miles of short trails.
Heybrook Lookout, Stevens Pass
After a steep 1.3-mile climb through woods dense with chipmunks, arrive at the end of the trail and breathtaking views. Turn around and climb the stairs, and you’ll have an even better view of the surrounding peaks. 3Moderate. 2.6 miles.
Before You Go
Take a meandering climb through lush woods. If you make it to the top, there’s a viewpoint that looks over the Snoqualmie Valley. (Stay back from the edge.) Afterward, cool off in nearby Rattlesnake Lake. 3Easy/Moderate. 1.9 miles one way.
Denny Creek, North Bend
If you can make it uphill through the woods to the 1.1-mile mark, pack extra clothes and maybe towels. There’s a spot where Denny Creek makes a natural waterslide over slippery rocks. Walk another mile to see Keekwulee Falls. 3Easy/Moderate. 1.1 mile one way to Denny Creek waterslide, 1.8 miles one way to Keewulee Falls.
Myrtle Falls, Paradise, Mount Rainier National Park This stroller-friendly jaunt is one of a number of easy hikes to be found among Mount Rainier’s alpine meadows. Blooming with wildflowers and featuring a 72-foot waterfall, it’s the perfect place for lots of fun and great pictures. 3Easy. 1 mile one way.
Perhaps the highlight of this hike is traversing the 500-foot suspension bridge over the Snoqualmie River. Or it may be playing on the shore: throwing rocks, building dams and floating boats on the smaller streams. 3Easy. 12 miles roundtrip. Tip: Rent a yurt, camp out or bring your RV to extend your stay.
Carkeek Park, Seattle
The best time to visit Carkeek is in November and December, when a run of Chum salmon makes its way up Piper’s Creek, which is flanked by a stroller-friendly gravel trail. More rugged back trails offer a tour of the woods. 3Easy. 3.5 miles roundtrip.
Gold Creek Pond, Snoqualmie Pass
Huckleberry bushes and fiery red maples put on a fine show of color along this stroller-friendly loop. If you know where to look, you might spy spawning Kokanee salmon (red, with green heads.) Bring lunch and picnic by the picturesque mountain pond. 3Easy. 1 mile roundtrip.
Pack lots of water and snacks, a first-aid kit, extra layers, and sunscreen. If you are going into the wilderness, take gear that will help you survive overnight if you get stuck. The Pacific Northwest has its share of wildlife, so be aware of your surroundings and make noise while hiking the trails to let them know you are in the vicinity. Share the map with your kids before you set off, and go over safety rules, including “Stay on the trail and if you get lost, stay put and shout for help.”
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GOLD CREEK: COURTESY OF JASMIN THANKACHEN. SAFETY: ISTOCK
Spy winter ducks from the stroller-friendly lakefront trail, or venture uphill to explore the dripping moss-covered corners of an old growth forest. 3Easy. 2.4 miles roundtrip. Tip: Stop at the playground and zoom down on the zip line.
Experience spring in the cedar bog at this lush park, featuring a 600-foot wetland boardwalk and a large bridge over Canyon Creek. 3Easy. 7 miles of trails. Tip: Watch for horses on the trail; this is an equestrian-friendly park.
