Seattle– Washington– (September 2021) Space Needle, Museum of Pop Culture, Seattle Art Museum, Pike Place Market, The Gum Wall, Fremont Troll and so much more. We stayed at Green Tortoise Hostel- http://www.booking.com/Share-JJYEI5 they had free breakfast, laundry and great wifi. It was right across the street from Pikes Place Market & The Gum Wall which was perfect
Here is a YouTube video of our trip through Washington State https://youtu.be/NmMNbL4_Fdw
Olympic National Park – Washington– (August 2021) 1 hour from Seattle- $20 per vehicle or parks pass- this park covers a lot of ground so take that into consideration. It is not like a typical National Park as you will be driving in and out of the park to reach places. The wait time for the Hoh Rainforest took over an hour. We chose to do 1 or 2 places a day but it was so much driving- so for sure dont choose more than 2 places each day. There is not much lodging in this area- lots of camping but your main town is Port Angeles which is far. Forks like in the Twilight movies is super expensive and there is nothing really to see there. We stayed by Lake Crescent in an airbnb called Lord Carlton Manor
Ruby Beach– this is the first beach you should stop at! 2nd beach is the one to check out- then end at Rialto Beach. I love looking into the tide pools and seeing Sea Anemone. This beach got busy but had lots of room to explore. Dont forget to check out the tide charts when visiting. No parks pass needed for this beach
Rialto Beach– Bald Eagles, Whales, Sea Lions are spotted here- lots of sea life in the tide pools here- 3.4 miles round trip hike- easy hike but only fully accessible during low tide- need a parks pass to enter this park- dog on leash only and not allowed at night and camping
Hoh Rain Forest- Spruce Trail- easy 1.2 miles- No dogs allowed on trails. Hall of Mosses- connects with Spruce Trail- 2 miles round trip or .8 on its own. Do the whole 2 miles! You walk through amazing pockets/areas of the mossy trees and it was super cool. Also your camera wont seem to be able to capture it but still take the photo cause you can edit is so slightly and it comes out with how you saw it.
Hurrican Ridge- Dogs can not be on trails but can be at the park at lookouts and visitor center – 1.6 miles hike one way- great views- also great views from Visitor Center – having just been to Mount Rainier we decided to skip this part of the park.
Lake Crescent & Marymere falls– hike to Marymere falls is 1.5 miles round trip- Swim in the lake – best view is the north side – dogs allowed on the East Beach – there are a lot of spot to access this Lake- the water is so clear and refreshing.
When leaving Olympic National Park and wanting to go to Seattle take the ferry back. You get great views of the city. When leaving Olympic and going to North Cascades take the ferry up by Port Townsend- you have to book ahead for that ferry. This will be the fastest way and you wont hit the Seattle traffic. BUT you must book ahead or take whatever openings they have if any. Spend the night in Bellingham and eat all the food before heading to North Cascades National Park. We loved the town of Bellingham so recommend spending more time there if you can.
North Cascades National Park – Washington– (August 2021) Free to enter park -3 sections to North Cascades NP- Chelan Lake, Ross Lake & North Cascades- nicknamed the American Alps- this is one of the least visited National parks- it was hands down our favorite park of this trip. So quiet and so gorgeous- I wish we had so much more time here. We would have rented kayaks and explore more
Diablo Lake Vista Point & Washington Pass Overlook– see it off highway 20- both these lookouts you can see from the road and can park and explore. Diablo Lake Vista Point is gorgeous- there is also a secret path between the bathrooms that gets you to a view without the railings. At Washington Pass there is a short and insanely gorgeous hike to explore. We loved both these spots so much!
Rainy Lake hike– 2 miles- easy- swim at the end- bring bug spray
Blue Lake– 4.6 miles- easy to moderate- swim at the end
Cascade Pass Trail– 6.5 miles- moderate
Dogs must be on leash throughout this park
Mount Rainier National Park – Washington– (August 2021) 1 hour 30 min from Seattle- $30 vehicle or parks pass- we actually did this from Seattle and then went to Olympic NP- we love Mount Rainier! BUT we also got a clear day so that made it spectacular to see all the mountains. I know people leave feeling very underwhelmed if they dont have a clear day. Something to take into consideration.
Skyline Trail– 5.6 miles round trip- this trail is gorgeous! highly recommend- we had to stay at for an hour eating lunch to see if the clouds would move so we could get a view and we did!!! It was worth the wait and made the hike even more gorgeous. If you want a shorter hike you can go to Glacier lookout where you get the best view of Rainier and then turn back.
Myrtle Falls via Skyline Trail– .8 miles- if you do the skyline trail this will loop back and down to Myrtle falls- but you can also hike from the parking lot to Myrtle falls which is very short and beautiful. On a clear day you can see Mount Rainier in the background- we did not get a clear day but maybe next time!
Sunrise at Reflection Lake– you can drive right up to Reflection Lake- if you have a clear day the views look spectacular in the photos i have seen- It was not clear for us but was still beautiful.
Christine Falls & Narada Falls– both short walks from the car and both before you get to the vistor center where you will start your hikes towards Mount Rainier- for sure worth the stop.
Portland, Oregon– Portland Art Museum, Portland Japanese Garden, kayak the river through downtown, hike to the witches castle, go on a portland food tour, Blue Star Donuts, breweries and so much more.
Multnomah Falls- 34 min away from Portland- there are many waterfalls close to Portland but this one is not to be missed. Dogs allowed on leash
Cannon Beach- 1 hour 21 min from Portland. This is the beach from the goonies! Dogs allowed on beach
Crater Lake National Park– Oregon– $25 entrance fee or free with parks pass- 4 hours from Portland. Formed collapse of the volcano known as Mount Mazama, after an enormous eruption about 7,700 years ago. You can stay in the park- the stars are night are amazing! Rim drive is 33 mile drive around the perimeter with over 30 lookout points. Also lots of hiking off the rim road for even better views. Enter the park with full tank of gas- nearest gas station is 35 miles. Dog are allowed in the park
Rachel Travel Vibes 