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Rattlesnake Ledge Trail
SNOQUALMIE VALLEY TRAIL, NORTH BEND, WA: Stepping into another week of exploration, I found myself reflecting on life’s trails—both the ones that wind through the forest and those that weave through our hearts. Each hike offers a new opportunity to embrace the beauty around me, while also navigating the deeper valleys of my emotions. Following…
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Carter and Madcap Falls
MT. RAINIER NATIONAL PARK, LONGMIRE, WA: As the first hints of dawn began to paint the sky, I found myself behind the wheel, embarking on my cherished ritual of early morning drives to a trailhead. With much of the Pacific Northwest still tucked away in bed, the quiet hum of my car accompanied me through…
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Button Rock Dam and Sleepy Lion Trail
BUTTON ROCK PRESERVE, LYONS, CO: It’s mid-June and I find myself in Colorado. In addition to spending time with family, I thought I would venture out for a local hike, nothing too crazy, as most of my gear is back in Washington. After enjoying a cup of coffee with a friend, I heed his warning,…
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Dry Creek Trail
OLYMPIC NATIONAL FOREST, HOODSPORT, WA: Today, I set off for the Olympic National Forest, eager to tackle the Dry Creek Trail near Hoodsport, WA. The drive was mostly in darkness, my headlights cutting through the early morning haze, as I anticipated the sunrise behind the mountains surrounding Lake Cushman. I made the most of my…
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Lake Twenty-Two
MOUNT PILCHUCK STATE PARK, GANITE FALLS, WA: An early start finds me out the door by 4am, eagerly heading to Mount Pilchuck to hike the Lake Twenty-Two Trail. This beautiful destination, a couple of hours north, opens up an opportunity to stop by my mother’s—today is a special day, her birthday. As I embark on…
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Wallace Falls and Lake Loop
MT. BAKER-SNOQUALMIE NATIONAL FOREST, WA: It’s Memorial Weekend, one that I don’t recognize. The house is quiet, the cooler sits empty, and the grill stands there, waiting to be broken in for the season. In this stillness, I sit in my thoughts, resisting to what nowadays is commonly called a “new norm.” I’m not a…
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Lena Lake Trail
OLYMPIC NATIONAL FOREST, WA: Fueled by confidence from my last waypoint, I felt optimistic about my search for a new trail. The Olympic National Forest resonates with my spirit. I rise early, embarking on a serene two-hour drive to the Lower Lena Lake Trailhead, located off HWY 101 on N Hamma Hamma Rd (NF-25). It…
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Palisades #1198
MT. BAKER-SNOQUALMIE NATIONAL FOREST, WA: It was an early Sunday morning, a day that held a special kind of weight—it was Mother’s Day. As I set out on my journey, my heart was heavy with thoughts of our children, who are navigating the rocky terrain of what this day may mean for them now and…
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Lovers Lane and Sol Duc Falls
OLYMPIC NATIONAL FOREST, WA: Returning home this week, I looked forward to getting back out on a beautiful Pacific Northwest trail, which was a delightful contrast to my recent desert adventure in Arizona, just as beautiful in its own rugged way. Lovers Lane & Sol Duc Nature Trail in the Olympic National Forest seemed like…
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Ford Canyon
WHITE TANK MOUNTAINS, AZ: This waypoint takes a delightful turn from the lush Pacific Northwest to a sunny Southwest desert near Surprise, Arizona, the home of my in-laws. During this brief visit, I was thrilled to seize the opportunity for an early morning hike just minutes away in the beautiful White Tank Mountains. The park’s…
Musings 