One Thing You Should Do This Weekend

Hike.

Why?

Because it’s good for you.

But we know that doesn’t usually work as a motivation, so here are some others.

If You Live in Maple Valley…

You live only an hour (more or less) from a beautiful, gigantic mountain.

Mt. Rainier, needless to say, towers over its foothills in a standalone fashion that makes it appear much higher than 14400 feet.

There are so many hikes around the mountain, full of waterfalls and wildflowers, with pretty spectacular views of the countryside.

Sunrise Trail is a favorite.

You live a measly 40 minutes away from Cougar Mountain.

And it has a ZOO! It’s very cool.

The park itself has a couple waterfalls, and miles and miles of trails. Bring plenty of mosquito repellant though.

Cougar Mountain once was a heavily-mined area. Keep an eye out for the signs marking old mines – you don’t wanna fall in.

And Cougar Mountain is right next to Tiger Mountain.

Fortunately there are no tigers on Tiger Mountain. Just a vast expanse of wondrous wilderness. “Just”.

You’re an hour to Mount Si, and even less to Rattlesnake Ridge.

Mount Si is probably one of the most popular hikes in the area – it’s fairly easy, but offers gorgeous views of the Cascades and the Seattle Metro from the top.

You’re less than 45 minutes from Federation Forest.

It’s right on White River, surrounded by tons of towering Evergreens. Pristine.

Check out the parks website for Federation Forest.

FLAMING GEYSERS.

Really. “Methane seeps”.

Flaming Geyser State Park is only TWENTY minutes away. Who needs Yellowstone anyway?

You can make it to Twin Falls in just over half an hour! 

Can you tell we love waterfalls?

Powered by the 90 annual inches of rain the North Bend area receives, Lower Twin Falls plunges off of a 150-foot rock wall.

Any other hikes in the area you particularly enjoy?