Hiking for some people is an escape. For others, it is something that challenges them. Whatever your reason for going hiking may be, it should be accessible to everyone. Anyone should be able to enjoy the beautiful sunsets or sunrises, the calming nature, and everything else that hiking has to offer. Washington has lots of nature, allowing for stunning views. Along with that, you can find lakes to swim in or lookouts to climb! It all depends on what trail you decide to take. 

   Heather Lake Trail is a beautiful one-mile trail. The path takes you through the woods, which takes you to the most breathtaking view of Heather Lake, surrounded by trees and mountains. The trail is moderate and can be completed by anyone who is wanting and willing. People love to say It is a beautiful hike and worth your time, and highly recommend bringing waterproof shoes and warm clothing, as it does tend to snow in the early mornings on the trails!

   Gold Creek Pond is a one-mile trail that is ADA accessible and takes you to a beautiful view of a lake, perfect for taking any summer swim. It is in Snoqualmie Pass, and past hikers love how easy it is to complete the hike with such a beautiful view at the end as a reward. It is recommended that you bring comfortable shoes, as the trail isn’t too difficult and doesn’t need any hiking gear.

   If you’re a hiker with experience and looking for a much more challenging trail, then Maple Pass Trail is something you should try out. It is based up a mountain, with high elevation and steep paths. People say to bring comfortable hiking shoes; the proper gear at the trail is 7.4 miles. The trail paths are slim, and it is not recommended for beginners. People who have done the trail have said that while it is challenging, the views are worth all the struggle. 

   Are you looking for a moderately easy trail, with a beautiful view at the end? Heybrook Lookout is the trail for you. The old fire lookout is in North Cascades National Park. It is especially worth the hike in the winter mornings or summer days. The trail is steep and moderately easy, only 2.6 miles roundtrip! Surrounding the trail you can find mountains, trees, clear skies, and the most beautiful sunsets. 

   Maybe you’re a more experienced hiker, waiting for your next challenging hike. Or maybe you’re someone who wants to surprise your friends with an adventure. Either way, Mount Storm King is definitely a trail to keep in mind. The trail is four miles round trip, and definitely not recommended for first-time hikers. This is a trail to make sure you do your research for, as there are many different things to be cautious of when taking on this Mountain.

   Marymere Falls is around 1.8 miles round trip, and geared towards beginners. It is quite an easy trail for anyone to take on. The trail is in the Lake Cresent region and rewards you with a beautiful view of a 90-foot waterfall. It is well-maintained and relatively flat so there is no need to worry about constantly hiking up hills. 

   For all these hikes you should definitely bring shoes that are comfortable, supportive, and have traction. Along with that, you’ll want to bring a backpack containing a change of clothes, warm layers, snacks, water, a first aid kit, and of course a camera. I would recommend carrying with you a precharged battery that you could plug your phone into just in case. For the tougher hikes, hiking poles are recommended. However I am not a professional, so please do your research before taking on any hikes.