Hiking To Olympic Hot Springs

 The beginning of the trail

The actual trailhead

 Crossing a bridge ( you are almost there )

One of the "cleanest " hot springs

One more pool with the "view"

The scenic Lake Davis

The last time I was soaking in hot springs was 6 years ago in Oregon. It was winter time: the hike, the scenery, the hot springs - everything was gorgeous.

Since then I've always wanted to go back there. And recently I've discovered that we have not one , but dozens of hot springs , right here in our own backyard. I made some research, and the Olympic Hot Springs looked like the best choice.

The hike to Olympic Hot Springs is 2.5 miles from the trailhead during warmer months. When there is snow, road barricades are erected, and it increases the hike from 2.5 to 6.5 miles during winter. As you can see from the pics, the trail was not that bad. The snow covered part of it was icy, but passable. The hike itself was very easy.

As for the hot springs pools, well , I guess you will be the judge. To me, they looked quite shallow, somewhat dirty, and not that hot :) But I guess the combination of hiking, camping, and relaxing in the pools would make the trip worthwhile.

Personally, I had fun and really enjoyed the trip. I wish I had more time to explore the area a little bit more.

Hiking Mailbox Peak in winter and summer

The trail to middle fork Snoqualmie river

Mt Rainier

Besides the actual mailbox there is another ''sight''

Couldn't help not taking such a cliche picture

Downtown Seattle

The Snoqualmie river

As Mike McQuaide wrote in his book ''Day Hike! Central Cascades'' : " everybody should do mailbox peak once-and maybe just once." And i would agree with him. 

This is a very strenuous hike-straight up from about 1,000 feet to about 4,900 feet in 2.5 miles.

And as Mike wrote in his book "at the top, the rewards are big". 

But you will be the one to judge...

Attention: this is the trailhead for both-mailbox peak and the middle fork Snoqualmie river. 

The Mailbox Peak trail is to your left ( if you cross the creek,you've gone too far). 

There is no actual sign, but rather a big post warning you about the difficulty of the trail.

What is it like hiking Mailbox Peak in winter ?

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Hiking ( Tiger Mountain)

Choose your way

Mt Rainier from south end of Tiger mountain

Eastside view

Paragliding from Tiger mountain

Before i have already wrote about the Issaquah Alps as a great hiking destination just miles away from Seattle.But Tiger mountain is not only a great hiking ( and mountain biking) place , but also a paragliding mecca of NW.On a good sunny day you can observe dozens of paragliders taking off from the top.If you want to try, many pilots offer tandem flights. Check out one of our friends sites.

Hiking ( the Enchantment Lakes)

Every year hundreds of people head out for the Enchantments lake- one of the most beautiful places in Washington. Because of the popularity of that place , it is very difficult to get a permit for camping in that area.Usually all the permits are sold from June 15th- till October 15th. I took my trip on June 7th. As it turned out ,it was a little bit too early to go camping in that area.There was lots of snow in the upper lakes ( past Lake Vivian), besides there had been snow fall the day before.