Favorite Winter Conditioning Hikes?

Submitted by SummitMyPeak t3_116udtd in Washington

Hey all,

Live in Seattle but travel around the state so figure best to throw this question wide. Curious to learn about your favorite hikes that are good for conditioning in the winter and spring months. I can start with a few of mine, but trying to expand my horizons (note: I have snowshoe trails too but am specifically curious about hikes that don't require snowshoes). Also aware that conditions impact all of these, and just sharing based on some of the seasonal conditions over the last five years that allowed me to do these in the winter and/or spring:

  1. Granite Lakes (Middle Fork Snoqualmie)
  2. Upper Wallace Falls (outside Sultan)
  3. Manastash Ridge and Rattlesnake Dance (near Ellensburg)
  4. Various loops in the Capitol State Forest

Note that when I say "conditioning," I mean hikes that have decent length and/or elevation gain, and are primarily intended to keep the body and mind in shape before the summer season arrives and harder terrain is once again accessible.

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Comments

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Novel-Art3412 t1_j98kbqr wrote

Little Si, Mount Si, and Rattlesnake Ledge are always good

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midnightmacaroni t1_j99b556 wrote

Cable Line to West Tiger #3 - 2k elevation gain in 1.5 miles and only 30 min from Seattle.

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jch1013 t1_j98j9go wrote

Baker lake and ancient lakes are my go to longer winter hikes that typically don’t have snow

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honvales1989 t1_j9a54z1 wrote

  • The Triger Slam: start on the West Tiger #3 trail, then head to West Tiger #2 and finish with #1. That’s 8-9 mi and 3k gain
  • Dog Mountain in the Gorge is 6-7 mi (depending on what branch of the trail you take) and 2800’ gain
  • Mailbox if you’re looking for something harder
  • Hex Mountain is a good conditioner snowshoe (~6 mi and 2800’ gain) with low avalanche danger (always check the forecast before going)
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