September 2020 Vol. 1 No. 1 K I O K O A L E X A N D R A ' S B E S T O F T H E P A C I F I C N O R T H W E S T My Guide to Washington's National Parks MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK Paradise Visitor Center Favorite Hikes: Skyline Loop Trail (6.0 miles, moderate) Note: access to Panorama Point. Pinnacle Peak Saddle Trail (2.4 miles, moderate) Favorite Stops: Reflection Lake Wildflowers (typically bloom from mid-July to mid-August) Paradise Inn Sunrise Visitor Center Favorite Hikes: Burroughs Mountain Loop Trail (9.4 miles, moderate) Mount Fremont Lookout Trail (5.6 miles, easy-moderate) Note: best during sunrise. Frozen Lake via Sourdough Ridge Trail (2.9 miles, easy) Note: an easy hike if you don't have time to do the full Mount Fremont Lookout Trail! Favorite Stop: Tipsoo Lake September 2020 Vol. 1 No. 1 OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK Olympic National Park Visitor Center Favorite Hikes: Sol Duc Falls Nature Trail (1.6 miles, easy) Deer Lake Trail (6.3 miles, moderate) Favorite Stops: Olympic National Park Visitor Center Exhibits Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort Explore Port Angeles Waterfront Juan de Fuca Arts Festival (typically in late May) Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center Favorite Hike: Hurricane Hill Trail (3.1 miles, easy-moderate) Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center Favorite Hike: Hall of Mosses Trail (0.8 miles, very easy) Favorite Stops: (DIY) Twilight Movie Tour in Forks First Beach Ruby Beach Hoh River Lake Crescent Area Favorite Hike: Marymere Falls Trail (1.7 miles, easy) Favorite Stops: Kayak Rentals at Lake Crescent Lodge or Fairholme Store (dates range from April to mid-October) Note: Lake Crescent is freezing and there will likely be no lifeguards on duty, so kayak at your own risk. Sunset drive around Lake Crescent Road September 2020 Vol. 1 No. 1 NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARK Diablo Lake Area Favorite Hike: Diablo Lake Trail (7.5 miles, moderate) Note: the end of this hike is an underwhelming view of Ross Dam, but the views along the way are beautiful. Favorite Stops: Diablo Lake Overlook Ross Lake Washington Pass Area Favorite Hike: Heather-Maple Pass Loop Trail (7.1 miles, moderate-difficult) Note: this is my favorite hike in the State of Washington, and it's especially beautiful from mid- to late-September when the autumn leaves and early snowfall are on full display. I prefer to hike in the counter- clockwise direction of the loop. Favorite Stop: Washington Pass Overlook TIPS & TRICKS Invest in an America the Beautiful Pass, which gives you access to every National Park, National Forest, and Federal Recreational Lands for only $80 per year. Download an app to track your hikes, such as AllTrails. This can help prevent you from straying off the trail, which is especially useful in winter conditions..