Our goal was 30 miles of hiking in July and August--we overshot by a few miles. Here is a list in no particular order.
EF= boy rating
JJ= parent rating
no dog rating--she loved them all the same.
1. Denny Creek
5 miles
EF rating: easy!
JJ rating: really easy.
Highlights: nice waterfall/creek area for playing.
Lowlights: lots of people
Comments: keep walking after you find the creek---lots of uphill, views and eventually you will come to a lake (we didn't go quite that far). This is a good early season hike---no snow issues, trail in great shape, not too far from Seattle.
Link: Denny Creek
2. Snow Lake
8 miles (if you take the trail down to the lake and wander about)
EF rating: moderate--pretty steep just before you see the lake
JJ rating: moderate
Highlights: playing in the lake, some snow patches, chipmunks, toilet in the forest
Lowlights: popular
Comments: definitely worth the trip down to the lake--just bear in mind that you have to walk back up to the main trail.
Link: Snow Lake
3. 4th of July Creek Trail
6 miles (depends on how far you go--we did not make it to the tower)
EF rating: hard. hot! steep!
JJ rating: moderate
Highlights: rattle snake, unbelievable views
Lowlights: no water, very dry/dusty, no obvious destination
Comments: We did this trail when we discovered that we could not bring our dog on the other trails in the area. It is extremely steep and probably a little dangerous for kids ---lots of drop-offs. No water source and extremely hot. Kids got extra credit for doing this one.
I can't resist quoting from the WTA trail description---we really fell into this one by accident. Sometimes it is best to have no idea what is ahead....
"Don't let this hike's bad reputation dissuade you from reaping its good views. Sure, it's one of the snakiest trails in the Icicle Valley-save it for a cool day. And yeah, it's one of the steepest trails in the valley-hottest too-best to save it for a cool day. And total vertical feet-oh boy, you'll gain plenty-so save it for a cool day when the serpents are sedate. Are you getting the picture? But the views are amazing: from the Chiwaukum to the Entiat to the Stuart ranges and beyond-savor the panorama on any day!"
Link: 4th of July Creek Trail
4. Spray Park
8 miles
EF rating: moderate. AWESOME
JJ rating: moderate. Awesome, indeed.
Highlights: waterfall, flowers, fields, views of Rainier, everything
Lowlights: popular, no stepping off the trail---at all! lots of forest rangers, bugs
Comments: Exraordinary hike---lots of uphill after the waterfall, but the payoff is the meadow. Very buggy, so don't plan on standing still for long. definitely a late season hike.
Link: Spray Park
5. Twin Falls
3 miles
EF rating: easy
JJ rating: easy
Highlights: forest, waterfalls
Lowlights: extremely popular
Comments: good trail most of the year. crowded, but a nice trail for most ages/abilities.
Link: Twin Falls
6. Little Si
5 miles
EF rating: moderate
JJ rating: easy
Highlights: rock climbers, views
Lowlights: lots of people--especially at the summit
Comments: we did this one early on in our challenge and it gave the kids a good idea of what a "real" hike is like. The uphill isn't too bad---wander through the forest for a mile or so and then up hill to the top.
Link: Little Si
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