Dogs & Kids not recommended at the peak. Its in Arlington, Virginia, just outside of the capital city but the views here are fabulous. Distance: 3.2 milesDifficulty: ModerateElevation Gain: 1,300 feetEstimated Time: 2 hours 30 minutesLocation: AshfordPass Required: None. Its called Snap DC: Your Guide to taking Extraordinary Photos of the National Mall and Beyond and it is available on Amazon. Source. Gothic Basin Location: North Cascades -- Mountain Loop Highway Length: 9.2 miles, roundtrip Elevation Gain: 2,840 feet Highest Point: 5,200 feet Best Season: Late July - mid-October Gothic Basin. A stunning North Cascades alpine hike just south of Mount Baker. There are SO many incredible places in Washington if we included every destination this blog post would be a mile long. The clouds paired with the colors from the sunrise create one of the most magical experiences youll ever have. Every single morning were able to witness beautiful, natural light illuminating our world, and its absolutely free. Plus, it's great for kids. Scenic Hot Springs is a hidden gem of Washington state. Mount Misery isa delightful hike to the Oregon Butte Lookout, situated on a hilltop in the remote Blue Mountains. Theres a sign at the top that shows what landmarks are in different directions. What are some natural wonders in Washington? This is also the best place to photograph cherry blossoms when theyre in season. The Kettle Crest is a high-country route stretching 44-miles alongsome of the most glorious areas of northeastern Washington. You can get a view of the entire skyline of Washington DC. (1.4 miles roundtrip, 310 feet elevation gain, Puget Sound Energy) 3. Do be prepared to meet other people at the lake though, because this location is extremely popular for nature photographers. Located in the Olympic National Park, this rainforest is covered in green, lush textures that cover everything from the trees to the ground floor. The Palouse River charges over the rocky precipice and plummets 198 feet to the waiting, round salt-rock canyon. Its fun to get little dancing reflections like this one pictured. I lived near Vancouver for a while and found Silver Star to be one of my all-time favorite hikes because of the amazing views from the top. Way up on the Olympic Peninsula, youll find the hike to Hurricane Hill, a 5,765-foot peak overlooking the Olympic Range and National Forest. If youre lucky enough, theres this amazing warm, orange glow that hits the white marble. Personally, it looks beautiful when its gloomy AND when its bright and sunny. Key Factors: 1) The best color display happens when the sun falls below the horizon line. As the name of this beautiful 3 mile trail suggests, this is an amazing spot to catch a sunrise and to catch the last glimpses of daylight as well. The Evergreen State is an outdoor playground filled with natural wonders. However, its not exactly on the way to anything (its a detour on a road trip around the Olympic Peninsula) so plan an extra few hours into your drive to visit Cape Flattery. Because its not always as glamorous as you think. This challenging yet rewarding hike is known for the brilliant gold colors of western larches. Read about our latest sunrise at Lake Wenatcheeand see the amazing Washington pictures we got! . If you need to go, Id highly suggest waiting to go to this one . Flickr / drewmark 3. An inside look at the most Instagrammable shots in Washington. I'm here to help you avoid blowing your budget on overrated tourist attractions, find the most mouth-watering street food, & navigate your way through local markets. Seattle, WA 98104. I dont endorse any services I dont personally use or recommend. Love Washington? Sunrise is the closest area of Mount Rainier to Silver Springs Campground, and other recreation options within proximity include salmon fishing in the White River and trekking on the Crystal Mountain Trail. 2. We never post anything without your permission. Google +, Space Needle After a while of hiking, youll reach a large junction where youll branch off onto a new trail. How Much Does It Actually Cost to Travel the World? OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Enjoying some of the best hikes in Washington that end with a stunning sunset, of course. For even more beautiful places in Washington, head down to the base of Ross Lake. For the most part they are not allowed. The last little part of the trail to the top is definitely steep, but its totally doable after the easy hike in. Second Beach is the most iconic! The park has more than 700 glacial lakes, 131 of which are named. Day 5. There is some incredible coastal hiking all the way up and down the coast, but this little slip of the wild Olympic Coast is a classic. first light is 30 mins before sunrise, you'll have to be 45 mins early to watch sunrise on time. The trail is pretty well trafficked, so its a pretty easy trail to follow, even in the dark, as long as you have the proper gear. Sunrise and sunset hikes are a wonderful way to greet the day or night. Its a perfect location for an iconic Washington photo for minimal effort. This image was taken a little bit after the sun had risen from behind the memorial. Climb up the final ascent and reach the lookout that is longer staffed, but provides one epic viewpoint for hikers. If you bring your ultra zoom lens, you can even get the US Capitol in the reflection. For more, visit our, Drive along this scenic byway to see some of the most diverse landscape the state of Washington has to offer. More often than not, this Olympic Peninsula gem is foggy and moody a classic PNW location. Beaver Falls Flickr / ldeld This charming waterfall can be found along a short 0.2-mile trail within Olympic National Forest. Theres really nothing quite like it within such a short distance of Vancouver and Portland, Oregon. Get more stories delivered right to your email. This is Vietnams best kept, I dont really know how to begin to talk about V. My world is a brighter place with you in it. It is less than 100 ft away and gives you a similar view than the reflecting pool but at a more elevated perspective. Hood in the distance! Visit AllTrails to learn more. This incredible park is a popular destination to visit throughout the year, but snowy weather limits access to some areas. Between the views and a great opportunity to see wildlife, this is definitely one of the best places in Olympic National Park. Curt Hedges Former Fenestration Specialist at Hartung Glass Industries Author has 152 answers and 64.3K answer views Updated 3 y Related This is a trail to save until August or September. There is so many great details to see that I want to make sure that I can include them all in one photograph. A ten-mile loop that shows off the lakes, meadows and vistas (not to mention huckleberries) of Indian Heaven Wilderness and Mount Adams with a southern section of the Pacific Crest Trail. Gothic Basin. 1. Distance: 4.1 milesDifficulty: HardElevation Gain: 2,100 feetEstimated Time: 4 hoursLocation: Olympic National ParkPass Required: National Parks Pass. We hiked it on Friday morning and shared the peak with only 10 other hikers for the big show. Subscribe to our free email newsletter for hiking events, news, gear reviews and more. Plus, its family-friendly and great for those who want to see an epic spot but arent really big hikers. Sometimes, extremely talented photographers will capture this incredible, overlooked phenomena and share their photos with us online! Truly, youll never want to make your way down, but as you do head down the mountain, youll start to see how popular this trail is. Head to our, This incredible natural beauty is located in Palouse Falls State Park in Eastern Washington and was has the distinction of being named Washington's official waterfall. If youre lucky, you may even witness a cloud inversion, where it feels like youre sitting up above the clouds, with just the mountaintops peaking out. One of the most difficult hikes that Ive done is to Mount Storm King, simply because its a straight uphill shot for the entire hike. Photographer Blake Ashworth shot the scenes from. Its also worth mentioning that there are three beaches, respectively named First, Second, and Third Beach. Favorite things to do on the San Juan Islands include sea kayaking, whale watching, and dining on local fare. Trail explorer. From Utah to Maine to the prairie of Missouri, rise and shine, pack the camp coffee, and hit the trail before the rest of the world wakes up. (Read this post to pack your road trip essentials! A summer favorite of many PNWers, La Push Second Beach should not be missed. It's truly an otherworldly hike. Just for reference, this is what the carillon looks like. If youve been in Seattle only a little bit, SOMEONE is bound to have recommended you hike Rattlesnake Ledge, of of the most iconic hikes near Seattle. Glacier National Park is the destination of choice for people who enjoy stunning lake sunrise and sunsets. Love Washington? I think the biggest concern is when the memorials are crowded and other people may trip over the legs. From here, youll be able to see for miles, looking down at Rattlesnake Lake and outwards at Mount Si and Mailbox Peak. Artist Point at Mount Baker is best experienced during sunrise the sun peeks right out from behind Mt. If youre ready to see some of the most beautiful sunrises that youve ever seen, read on, and head to these locations. (Aka, its a very very short walk). This is a way to moderate trail, about 5.5 miles round trip. My top 7 places to capture the sunrise in and around Washington DC. It's the center of 4 great landmarks all within a central area. There are gorgeous national parks like Mount Rainier, the Olympic Peninsula, or the North Cascades, and also plenty of state parks or short jaunts into the Snoqualmie region. This moderately challenging hike starts at the large parking lot for the Rattlesnake Lake Recreation Area. The trails at Mount Rainier National Park can get very busy in the summertime, so we suggest visiting early in the morning or in the shoulder season for pictures without crowds! The United States Capitol is beautiful from all angles and all times of the day but obviously my favorite is sunrise. If you manage to snag one, take time to hike the 2.5 mile trail just before sunset. Where exactly are most instagrammable places in Washington State? This hike will take you through lush landscape for 6 miles. A cloud inversion below Mount St. Helens. Spirit Falls, Washington: An Epic Waterfall. Learn more by visiting this, This southern-most peak on the eastern front of the Olympic Mountains has an astonishing view! Along the North Cascades Highway, just park the car in the parking lot and get out of your car to have a look at miles of scenery in front of you. Twitter While this trail makes for an excellent thru-hike, it can also be be easily split into smaller chunks for a day hike or overnight. If you are up for a road trip, you may want to check out our scenic road trip that takes you to 7 Wonders Of Washington. Kelly Butte Fire Lookout. Youll be blown away by the views in every direction of Mount Rainier, rolling hills, grazing mountain goats, and more. We nearly got our van stuck trying to navigate the tight space. The Olympic National Park is huge, so weve put together the perfect road trip around the Olympic Peninsula, including all the best stops (like this one below)! I just love how reflective the wall is. Location:PasaytenLength: 12 miles, roundtripElevation Gain: 1,550 feetHighest Point: 7,200 feetBest Season: July - October. The beauty found in Washington state is seemingly endless as are the number of hikes to find gorgeous scenery. This place is a favorite in all seasons. Its just a spectacular show. Here, you can see the remnants of the 1980 eruption, and how the surrounding landscape is recovering and changing because of it. The one-man graphics company Digital.Meals created a video of 30 sunrises in Seattle and Tacoma over 30 days, picking iconic locations such as Gas Works and Kerry parks, as well as more ordinary streetscapes. Just a short drive west of the quaint German town of Leavenworth is the glacial-fed lake with its iconic island. 19 Easy Hikes in Washington State27 Best Waterfall Hikes in Oregon21 Hikes Near Bend Oregon19 Best Spring Hikes in WashingtonSpirit Falls, Washington: An Epic Waterfall. Dress according to the weather and grab a coffee, you wont regret it. I love this spot to just sit on the edge of the pool and watch the sun rise. A small tarn along the trail. For more information on Goat Rocks Wilderness, visit this, With the number of mountains throughout the state, overlooks are found everywhere. Mount Baker, Mt Baker, Washington 98244, USA. Classic, wide, central Washington views. You May Not Know: 34 Impressive and Fun Facts About Washington State. Consider fall and winter. This state park is located in the most southwest corner of Washington state and is a perfect stop on a road trip of the Oregon Coast. But also, consider taking a few moments for yourself here. Open Since 1906 Cle Elum Bakery Has Been Serving Bread And Pastries In Washington Longer Than Any Other Bakery, Countless Celebrities Have Loved This Iconic Washington Nightclub For Decades, Here Are The 8 Most-Recommended BBQ Restaurants In Washington, According To Our Readers, The Afternoon Tea At This British-Themed Brunch Spot In Washington Will Transport Your Taste Buds Across The Pond, The Adults-Only Resort In Washington Where You Can Enjoy Some Much-Needed Peace And Quiet, The Southern Restaurant With Some Of The Best Home-Cooked Food In Washington, This Washington Flea Market Covers Huge Ground With Up To 600 Vendors On-Site, Few People Know About This Washington Valley Covered In Lavender. Large junction where youll branch off onto a new trail to taking Extraordinary Photos of most! Best hikes in Washington, head down to the waiting, round salt-rock.., natural light illuminating our world, and how the surrounding landscape is recovering and changing of! 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