Goals, hiking, pnw, travel

Hurricane Ridge Snowshoe

We were able to finally make it to Hurricane Ridge ✨The trail has eluded us for a few trips due to closures. The drive up was beautiful .The parking lot was quickly filling so once we parked , we geared up and set out on the trail . There were already several groups of snowshoers on the trail so plan to go early .


The trail was absolutely beautiful! Trees covered in snow and really perfect conditions when we started. After we let the more popular turnaround point to continue to the summit , the snow became softer and was harder to navigate with just spikes so we changed to snowshoes.The snow became less packed and even with snowshoes there was still some post holeing making it difficult to climb . The path was also getting hard to see because the snow was covering tracks and even with navigation it was difficult. With white out conditions, we turned around about 1/2 mile from summit . Sometimes knowing when to turn around is one of the hardest decisions when you are so close .



Trail Stats ⬇️
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📍 Hurricane Ridge
🧭 Deming , Wa
🥾 3.4 miles RT ( we came in at 4.58 )
🏔️ 826 ft elevation gain ( we gained 758 )
⭐️ Stats based on AllTrails and Apple


Hurricane Ridge is in avalanche terrain, so it is best to check the NWAC avalanche forecast before venturing out (updated every night at 6pm).

Check out our Snowshoe at Artist Point ~ Mt. Baker ⬇️

disney

Magical Details ✨

Pretty little details that make even the ordinary magical ✨

coffee, hiking, Mt.Rainier National Park

Kuju Coffee Review

We recently had an overnight at a Mt. Rainier Hut and so I knew I wanted some coffee for our stay . I picked this up at REI and I was so impressed with it! First of all , how can you not love the name basecamp when you are doing an outdoor mountain adventure?
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As soon as we made it to the hut and after getting settled , I made a cup of coffee. It was so good! There is something about being on top of the mountain in a hut with a cup of hot coffee in hand. My friend and I headed out to the deck to enjoy as our littles played in the snow and we savored each drop with the beautiful background.


I really love the design and functionality of the coffee.
Each filter fits into your cup and you tear the top off then pour hot water . Delish! Perfect pour over ☕️ It is perfect for outdoor adventures and officially added to my hiking gear .

Disneyland, family adventures, travel

Toon Town at Disneyland

Toon Town Bliss ❤️

hiking, pnw, travel

Wahclella Falls Trail

Wahclella Falls Trail is one of our top 10 hikes! I lost count of the waterfalls as we hiked in and out but everywhere I turned there was a waterfall . It is definitely the greatest Show in nature and it’s a perfect hike if you are wanting a quick hike with a great views.

It felt a little bit like we were in Jurassic World because of how beautiful and lush it was. Absolutely breathtaking! You get a little of everything with this hike .. rocky , inclines , bridges and so many waterfalls ❤️

Stats ⬇️

📍Wahclella Falls
🧭 Cascade Locks , Or
🥾 1.9miles RT ( we came in at 2.9)
🏔️ 308 ft elevation gain ( we gained 591)
⭐️ Stats based on AllTrails and Apple

Check out our reel ⬇️

hiking, travel

Artist Point Snowshow ~ Mt.Baker

Oh the beauty of Mt. Baker! Artist Point was our first snowshoe of the season and we couldn’t have picked a better place to go. You get endless views of the North Cascade peaks ,as well as stunning views of Mt. Baker and Mt. Shuksan.Two of the most beautiful mountains in Washington State.


It is also on the ski area boundary for Mt. Baker so as you climb up one of the steep sections you will see skiers and snowboarders a few feet from you .. this was actually pretty awesome!

Trail Stats ⬇️

📍 Heather Meadows and Artists Point Trail
🧭 Deming , Wa
🥾 3.2 miles RT ( we came in at 3.99)
🏔️ 872 ft elevation gain ( we gained 959)
⭐️ Stats based on AllTrails and Apple
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Artist Point is in avalanche terrain, so it is best to check the NWAC avalanche forecast before venturing out (updated every night at 6pm).

Check out our reel below ⬇️

hiking, pnw, travel

Pnw Hike ~ Otter Falls

This was one of our wettest hikes of the 2024 Season. I almost had a mutiny to not do it when we pulled up and it was still dark and pouring rain outside . So thankful for the friends who wouldn’t let me mutiny and encouraged me to still do it .


It was so dark we had to have headlamps on to start so I had to include our pic of starting the hike. You start by walking through the forest for a few miles and navigate a few water crossings. Keep going until you come to the Otter Falls sign and then you go to the left . There is a bit of a hill to navigate over and then you come to a beautiful hidden rock face waterfall .

Heart Rock.. my sweet friend has a gift for finding them

It still amazes me that there are these hidden waterfalls in nature . And yes! It was totally worth it!

STATS
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📍Otter and Big Creek Falls via Taylor River Trail
🧭 North Bend,Wa
🥾 9.5miles RT ( we came in at 9.06 )
🏔️ 902 ft elevation gain ( we gained 1000 )
⭐️ Stats based on AllTrails and Apple

Check out our reel of the hike ⬇️

hiking

Mountain Top Goals

So true! Climbing is so much more than just the summit. The discipline that starts before you are even on the trail , the grit to push through when you really want to give up , learning to pace yourself to have the strength and energy for the climb but also enough to make it back down, telling yourself one more step a thousand times and fast enough to finish but slow enough you don’t miss the beautiful details inbetween .⭐️

family adventures, hiking, pnw

Horsetail & Ponytail Falls Hike ~Columbia River Gorge

Horsetail Falls is located in the “Waterfall Corridor “ of the Historic Columbia River Highway. It plunges a 176ft over a basalt cliff and is absolutely breathtaking. This waterfall is easily accessible for all . There is plenty of parking across the street but on sunny days come early because it fills up quickly.

If you want to add another short hike to Pony Tail Falls (Horsetail Falls #438) you will follow the trail to the left . It is a bit steep at first but it’s short so hang with it because when you come around a bend there is a beautiful waterfall that is in sight and feeds the Horsetail Falls. It cascades over a cliff and you can walk behind it . There is a beautiful pool that in the summer we have played in. It’s almost like a hidden pool…So beautiful!

📍Horsetail Falls and Ponytail Falls
🧭 Cascade Locks , Or
🥾 .8 miles RT ( we came in at 1.04)
🏔️ 301 ft elevation gain ( we gained 294)
⭐️ Stats based on AllTrails and Apple

Check out our reel with videos below ⬇️

family adventures, hiking, pnw

Pinnacle Peak Park via Cal Magnusson Trail Hike to Fire Lookout Tower

Elevation Hike that makes you work for it! Mt Peak in Enumclaw has two routes .. Long and steady or short and steep . We took the short and steep on this trip .



Once we made it to the top , we enjoyed a break in the beautiful Fire Lookout and snapped some pics. It took us just about 2 hours round trip . Below are our stats⬇️

📍Pinnacle Peak Park via Cal Magnusson Trail
🧭 Enumclaw, WA
🥾 2.7miles RT ( we came in at 2.5)
🏔️ 1299 ft elevation gain ( we gained 1004)
⭐️ Stats based on AllTrails and Apple