Ruby Beach Washington

Ruby Beach Olympic Peninsula Washington

Ruby Beach is the northernmost of the southern beaches in the coastal section of Olympic National Park in the U.S. state of Washington. It is located on Highway 101, in Jefferson County, 27 miles (43 km) south of the town of Forks. 

Ruby Beach is one of the most well-known and highly anticipated beaches to visit along the Olympic coastline. A short trail 0.25-mile nature trail from the parking area leads to the beach with several rock stacks protruding from the beach and just off shore.

Like virtually all beaches on the northern coast, Ruby Beach has a tremendous amount of driftwood. It is notable for the number of sea stacks there. The beach is so called because of the ruby-like crystals in the beach sand. Destruction Island is located about 4 miles southwest off the beach. The island and the Destruction Island Lighthouse can be seen from the beach.

Second Beach, Third Beach, Ruby Beach and many other coastal wilderness locations are also excellent places to view inter-tidal life in the Washington Area.

Ruby Beach is located in the Olympic Peninsula on the south side of the Olympic National Park is the most beautiful beach and famous for the

·         Tide pools,

·         with stunning sea stacks,

·         with soft sand, driftwood,

·         Beautiful bluffs,

·         Rugged rock formations,

·         Rock islands known as sea stacks, and

·         Reddish sand that occasionally gathers and large. 

Nearby Areas:

To the north, the Hoh Rain Forest is about a 50 minutes’ drive from Ruby Beach.

To the south, the Lake Quinault is only 40 miles away.

How to Reach : Ruby Beach is the northernmost beach in the Kalaloch area, and it's slightly less than 10 minutes north of Kalaloch Lodge. To get there, just take Highway 101, the same road that runs by Kalaloch Lodge.

Christine Falls Washington

Christine Falls at Mount Rainier National Park 

Christine Falls is a waterfall on Van Trump Creek in Pierce County, Washington. The falls are 69 feet (21 m) feet high and are best known for the Christine Falls Bridge spanning the lower drop. The upper drop is 32 feet (9.8 m) high and is almost impossible to film in tandem with the oft-photographed 37-foot (11 m) lower tier. The lower tier is probably one of the most commonly photographed locations in the Mount Rainier National Park.

The falls drop 69 feet in drops of 32 and 37 feet respectively and are notorious for being nearly impossible to photograph together. Since the lower drop of the waterfall is spanned by a bridge it most often photographed. The upper tier of the fall is not as easily viewed.

·         Name : Christine Falls

·         Height : 69 Feet

·         Easy Access to waterfalls from the Paradise Valley Road parking lot

·         Location : Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

How To Reach: The Christine waterfall is on the road to Paradise. Limited parking at the falls is available.

From the Nisqually entrance of the park, drive 10.7 miles, just past the Comet Falls trail-head to a small parking area. A short set of stairs leads to the falls overlook.

Nature Conservancy Cascade Head Preserve

Oregon Nature Conservancy Cascade Head Preserve

Cascade Head is a spectacular coastal headland and is part of a 270-acre reserve owned and managed by the Nature Conservancy. It is a haven for rare plants and wildlife that were once abundant along the Oregon Coast including the Oregon silver spot butterfly. The views from the top of Cascade Head are outstanding and include the Salmon River Estuary. The experience on being on top of the windy grassy headland overlooking the blue Pacific Ocean is not one to be missed!

Cascade Head is part national forest, part County Park, and part Nature Conservancy. It offers beach and river access as well as two rarities: coastal meadows, high above the sea, filled with flowers and grasses and butterflies.

To get there, you head for US 101 like you’re going to Lincoln City, but turn north from where Oregon Highway 18 comes in near Otis. A short distance up, you’ll see Three Rocks Road to the left; that leads to Knight Park and the trail-head #for hike #1 below. Keep going on 101 and, just before the crest of the hill, look for a road leading left into the woods; that leads to the trail-heads for hikes #2 and #3, but it will be closed between January 1 and July 15 each year.

Hike #1: Knight Park to Cascade Head Hike

This one starts from the parking lot at Knight Park, by the mouth of the Salmon River. Follow a trail through the trees and along the road, then keep following signs until the trail goes into the woods and starts climbing a bit.

It gets brushy and crosses a few creeks, but it isn’t much work. After just over a mile, you’ll pop out into the open in the meadows, with a decent shot at spotting elk grazing or a bald eagle flying overhead. From here, the trail will keep climbing as much as another 1,000 feet or so.

Hike #2: Easier Access to Cascade Head

If you take the second road off 101 described above, you’ll first come to a trail head at a right-hand turn in the road. This is for the upper access to the meadows, and it’s a very straightforward affair: You just walk out through the woods on an old road for 1.3 miles, and there you are — at the top of the meadows. You can then go down towards Knight Park if you’d like or just hang out.

You could also, if you were feeling up for a slightly bigger challenge physically and logistically, do a cool shuttle: Leave one car here, take another to start at Knight Park, then walk up here on hike #1 and take the car down to hike #3.

Hike #3: Hart’s Cove Hike

 The hike with the best variety at Cascade Head starts at the end of the upper road. This one leads about three miles out to more meadows with views of Hart’s Cove, and it starts out in an unusual way: downhill.

The first mile or so loses about 500 feet of elevation, then it levels and goes in and out of a few creek drainage's before popping out into the meadows. Especially early in the hiking season (which starts July 15), this meadow can be really grassy and bushy, as no hikers have been in to trample down trails.

If you head for a clump of trees off to the left, you’ll have a nice place to sit with a view of Hart’s Cove and a waterfall that drops into the ocean. Throughout the second half of the hike you’ll often hear sea lions barking, as well. And if you’d like, there’s a little adventure trail down to the ocean from beyond the trees.

Narada Falls Mt Rainer

Narada Falls in Mount Rainier National Park

Narada Falls is a waterfall in Mount Rainier National Park, in the U.S. state of Washington. It is said to be the most popular, because the Mount Rainier Highway crosses the falls between its two tiers.

This magical waterfall – and popular Mt. Rainier tourist attraction – is located on the road from Longmire to Paradise, just one mile west of the entrance to the Paradise area. At 176 feet high, the falls have two distinct features: the top tier, and tallest at 159 feet is a horsetail fall, so described because it has multiple channels down the rock face.

The lower tier is a 17-foot plunge to a pool. Reached by a short, but often wet and slippery path, the best viewing is from below the road. Parking is convenient and for any visitor, especially waterfalls devotees, this stop is a must-see. There is a trail available to hike down below the falls however it is often wet and slippery, and not typically snow-free until late May.

·         Height:           188 feet

·         Form:             Horsetail

·         Number of Drops:    2

·         Water Source :          Paradise River

·         Location :      Mount Rainier National Park

Narada WaterFalls Hike : Trail begins on the far side of the bridge, The path may be wet and Slippery. The Paradise River runs clean not milky, because it originates from snowfields, not debris-laden glaciers. 

·         Distance : 0.2 Mile (0.4 Round trip)

·         Steep : 200 foot Descent / Ascent

From some early visitors of the waterfall suggested spiritual connections. They name it Narada after a powerful sage of Hindu mythology who acted as a messenger between human and divine realms.

At the end of the short trail, the entire 168-foot-high waterfall is visible. The vista is not only about dramatically falling water but also the rock that created the steep drop. Here the paradise river plunges over the edge of a relatively recent flow of hard andesite lava that abuts much older rock. This lava's cooling was accelerated by contact with the icy surface of the glacier that once filled this valley.

How To Reach : From the Nisqually Entrance to the park, follow the road 14 miles to a signed viewpoint and parking lot. Follow a short trail for full views of the falls.

White Salmon Oak NRCA WA

White Salmon Oak Natural Resources Conservation Area

White Salmon Oak Natural Resources Conservation Area NRCA was established to protect stands of Oregon White Oak (Quercus garyana), which dominate much of this site.

Natural Resource Conservation Areas (NRCAs) protect outstanding examples of native ecosystems, habitat for endangered, threatened and sensitive plants and animals, and scenic landscapes. More than 118,700 acres are conserved in 36 Washington state NRCAs.

This 551-acre natural resource conservation area (NRCA) contains representatives of all the Oregon white oak plant communities found in the White Salmon River drainage. These oak-dominant plant associations, which are quickly disappearing from Washington, provide a glimpse of the region's pre-settlement landscape and serve as important wildlife habitat for small mammals, birds, and reptiles.

White Salmon Oak NRCA also supports large areas of mixed Douglas-fir – Oregon white oak forest and open expanses of grassland balds.  Much of this landscape can be seen from the historic Weldon Wagon Trail which traverses the NRCA, providing exceptional opportunities for wildlife viewing and hiking. 

How to Reach : Weldon Wagon Trail-head: from Portland, take I-84 east to Exit 64/Hood River Bridge. Cross the bridge and turn left/west onto WA SR-14. Drive 1.6 miles and turn right onto Highway 141 ALT. Continue 2.2 miles and turn left onto Highway 141. Go 4 miles to Husum, turn right before crossing over Rattlesnake Creek/bridge onto gravel road named Indian Creek Rd, and drive 0.6 mile. Bear left onto Indian Cemetery Rd., then continue on 0.3 mile to 4x4 road and sign marking the Weldon Wagon Trail.

McNeil Point Hike

McNeil Point Hike Mount Hood Wilderness

Mt Hood McNeil Point hike is 10.5 miles roundtrip with an elevation gain of 2200 feet. We can get the amazing meadow views at Bald Mountain. The hike to McNeil Point begins at Top Spur Trailhead, in the Mt. Hood National Wilderness. We need to follow signs for McNeil Point along the Pacific Crest and Timberline Trails heading north.

This trail is Located on the northwest shoulder of Mount Hood, this McNeil Point hike offers all the best that alpine has to offer. Wildflowers, mountain-fed creeks, and a fantastic mountain view.  

·         Start point: Top Spur Trail-head

·         End point: McNeil Point Shelter Mt Hood

·         Distance: 10.4 miles round-trip

·         Elevation gain: 2200 feet

·         High Point: 6,100 feet

·         Difficulty: Difficult

·         Seasons: July - November

·         Location: Mount Hood National Forest 

Hike Description : From the Top Spur Trailhead, you head upwards for half a mile and then take a right onto the Pacific Crest Trail. A very short way on, you reach a junction with four different trails near a large sign where you can fill out your Wilderness Permit.

Your best option is to take the Timberline Trail up and to the right of the sign. This will have you going gently upwards through dense forest until you reach the wide view of Bald Mountain. Far below the trail is the Muddy River and up ahead should be a truly stellar view of Mt. Hood.

Continue on the trail until you enter the forest again. You should soon reach a sign indicating a "Cut Off Trail" that goes up and over the ridge to your left. Take it. It is only 0.1 miles.

On the other side of the ridge, take a right and begin a moderate ascent up and through the forest on the Timberline Trail. You will pass the turnoff for the McGee Creek Trail and continue upwards. In a little over a mile you will come out of the forest into a wide-open meadow with excellent views. Continue past this meadow area and you head downhill a short distance before climbing up a few switchbacks.

At the top of the switchbacks continue on the main trail. You will cross two creeks (one with a rather pleasant waterfall), hike past two small lakes, head up a couple switchbacks, and then reach the turnoff for Mazama Trail #625. Continue on the Timberline Trail up the ridge and you will soon reach the McNeil Point turnoff that goes to the right.

How To Reach: Drive to Lolo Pass, Oregon. Immediately before reaching the top of Lolo Pass is Forest Service Road 1828. Take a right onto Road 1828 and go 3 miles to the junction with gravel Road 118. Take a sharp left onto Road 118 and follow for 1.6 miles to the Top Spur Trailhead.

Silver Star Mountain Hike

Silver Star Mountain via Grouse Vista Hike

Silver Star Mountain is one of Southern Washington's most exciting summits with views to nearly every local cascade peak. This trail takes the "moderate" way up coming from the South with nearly twice the elevation gain of the traditional route but still much shorter than some of the extended loops. Silver Star Mountain via Grouse Vista Trail is a 6.3 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Washougal, Washington that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult.

At over 4,000' in elevation, Silver Star Mountain gives great views by nearly anything else in the Columbia River Gorge save perhaps for Larch Mountain's summit. The hike to the top can be made a number of different ways -- all starting considerably high up the mountain via dirt access roads.  The Grouse Vista trailhead is located on the south side of the mountain outside of Washington's Washougal and takes just over an hour to reach from downtown Portland.

·         Silver Star Mountain via Grouse Vista Hike

·         Start point: Grouse Vista Trail head

·         End point: Silver Star Mountain Submit

·         Distance: 6.8 miles (round trip)

·         Elevation gain: 2040 feet

·         Difficulty: Difficult

·         Seasons: May through November

·         Parking Fee : Discovery Pass Required

Hike Description: Silver Star Mountain is one of the best 360-degree summits within a day's drive of Portland, boasting a rocky, exposed viewpoint of five major cascade volcanoes. It is also a great wildflower area in the spring, and huckleberries abound in the fall. Further, there are enough unique and sometimes fanciful rock outcrops along your journey that you'll wish you brought a geologist along!

The Silver Star area, three are most established trails:

·         The Grouse Vista Trail,

·         The Silver Star Trail #180 and

·         The Bluff Mountain Trail

The Grouse Vista Trail option, from the south, is a little longer and more elevation gain than Silver Star from the north, but the Grouse Vista Trail road is easier. The Bluff Mountain trail is somewhat longer. The Grouse Vista trail is also the option with the most diverse terrain - alternating between exposure and shade, passing by large geologic formations, and keeping most of panoramic views available from the Silver Star summit under wraps until the final approach.

The hike can probably be divided in three sections: 1) Steep and forested, 2) Exposed and flat, then 3) Very steep and in-and-out of the trees. Each section is just about a mile long.

Starting from the Grouse Vista Trailhead head due north. (There is a trail leading south with a trailhead sign for Larch Mountain. As you continue straight, you notice the trail is full of loose rocks - so you'll want good boots and trekking poles. You are following the path of an old forest road, but the road's condition is so eroded and grown over that you almost wouldn't know. The ascent here is a bit steep in some places. At just over a mile the forest will open up to a massive meadow. In spring this is a gorgeous field of wildflowers, and in the fall, it's filled with ripe huckleberries. You'll also be treated to two unique geologic formations: Pyramid Rock to your right and Sturgeon Rock in the distance to the north.

As you approach the summit, the views to the north, east and south open up wide to you with Mount Adams, Mount Hood, Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helens sitting respectfully at their benches along the horizon. On a clear day you can see Mount Jefferson due south.

How to Reach : Take highway 14 east to Washougal via Washougal River Road. Turn left onto Hughes Road (marked as the scenic area) and follow the roads to Forest Road 1200.

The last 8 or so miles are on a dirt road. Most cars should make it when there isn't snow, but high clearance is highly beneficial for potholes and flying rocks.