Unique Feeling Areas to Hike

Submitted by mountainsofcorn t3_102vzlj in Washington

Looking for hikes that feel different than the typical hike here in (western) Washington. Mainly in terms of biome.

I’ve spent some good time in eastern WA and have clearly seen very different flora and fauna than western WA that way, as well as experiencing a different kind of hike with the less dense forests and deserts.

Any other unique feeling areas around here, maybe with unique foliage or hiking styles?

I’m thinking I might find some unique stuff on the eastern side of the cascades down near the Oregon border, or maybe some of the forested mountains rising out of central Oregon’s deserts (umatilla, wallowas, etc)

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insanitylevelzero t1_j2vmb1m wrote

Go to the Olympic Peninsula and into one of the rainforests, like the Hoh Rainforest.

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mountainsofcorn OP t1_j2vmobe wrote

Of course, I love it out there. Guess I should have included where I have been, but I have been to pretty much all of the main well known areas for hiking. I feel like there has to be some region with something special and different feeling that I haven’t heard about yet though

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velowa t1_j2vp0x2 wrote

The areas outside of Ellensburg like Umtanum Ridge always feel different to me since they are basically high desert. Watch out for rattlers. https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/umtanum-ridge-crest

I’ve always wanted to check out more of the scablands created by the Missoula Flood but can’t tell you any specifics of good hikes in the area. Probably pretty easy to find something.

Not different biome, but have you done the Kendall Catwalk? Its a benchcut in solid rock a hundred feet up. Built by the WPA, I believe. https://northbendescapes.com/kendall-katwalk/ https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/kendall-katwalk

Ever tried snow shoeing? Definitely a different hiking style.

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v0mdragon t1_j2wwgxx wrote

anything in the high alpine in central washington. lake chelan sawtooths/enchantments/upper entiat. also, southern central washington along the eastern columbia gorge.... coyote wall, klickitat river trail, etc.

also, i very much enjoyed hiking the north coast route on the olympic coast. just so much different than most hikes in washington but still very wild and beautiful

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PipeLayer2016 t1_j2vwjo8 wrote

Hike along the beach in the ONP. Timed with the tides, rope ladders up into the woods, little creeks with upland pools. Heading north to mosquito Creek always was one of my favorites. Totally different hike, but Tubal Cain Trail is also awesome

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mcde1234 t1_j2wpvtb wrote

Ancient Lakes near Ephrata

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ElTardoDente t1_j2xzia1 wrote

I’m there all the time. Blackberries in the summer and wildlife like no tomorrow during the winter. Definitely one of my favorite places in this state Edit: ancient lakes is closer to quincy than it is ephrata, it is part of the “Quincy lakes” as we call em in this area. About 10 minutes from the gorge amphitheater as well if any of you are concert goers.

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zh3nya t1_j2x56qr wrote

Have you explored much terrain above tree level? For a burly outing in a beautiful volcanic alpine environment with striking cliffs and sweeping seemingly barren landscapes check out the Observation Rock and Echo Rock areas in late Summer. I have not needed special gear beyond trekking poles and maybe microspikes. Approach via Knapsack Pass for an adventurous long day. Proceed a few hundred feet up the ridge above Observation Rock for incredible views of Rainier's Mowich Face. There are other cool areas like this around Rainier.

Deception Pass and surroundings have unique rocky bald habitats.

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-make-haste-slowly- t1_j3032i3 wrote

Have you been around Okanagan county? You could be lucky enough to see a great gray owl.

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perfecttommy t1_j2y339c wrote

West Bar- either via Colockum or the nature reserve just north

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AdAdventurous8225 t1_j2ycoje wrote

My husband enjoys the stairs at Mt Eleanor & Mt Si. I'm from Eastern Washington & did a lot of hiking in the Tri-Cities where I'm from (husband grew up in Bellevue) of there's some gorgeous trails in the Gorge (both sides)

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grby1812 t1_j2vz04l wrote

I understand what you mean. I'm familiar with the western side of the North Cascades and it tends to be pretty homogeneous. Took the Alaska ferry to Juneau and it was beautiful but didn't see a radical change. It was wetter, flora was bigger and the glaciers were lower elevation.

There's a rain shadow from Sequim to Anacortes. Rainfall difference is as much as 26in to 56in in a 10 mile range. A hike across that transition might be pretty interesting. Elwha to Sequim maybe?

Speaking of transitions, I like the hike from Rainy Pass down into Steheiken. You start in mountain forest, ascend to alpine and drop to semi-arid desert in less than 15 miles.

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Xbalanque_ t1_j2xo1fk wrote

Steheken is not "semi arid desert".

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grby1812 t1_j2zvm97 wrote

You're right, I was thinking of Chelan. I always take the ferry to the other end of the lake. Chelan has 300 sunny days per year and receives a little over 11 inches of rain per year. Arid deserts are areas which receive less than 10 inches. Semi-arid is 10-20in. Steheiken gets 32.

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