Among the most popular fall hikes in the Cascades are those with abundant larch trees. The Maple Pass Loop near Rainy Pass on Highway 20 (aka “The North Cascades Highway”) offers a great mix of larches, views, meadows, and lakes. Larches are an unusual “deciduous conifer” whose needles change a spectacular golden color and completely […]
Larch Season Hike: Maple Pass Loop Read More »
This is the second of a three-part series about doing a 3-day trail run/hike on the Wonderland Trail. It’s typically done as a week-long backpacking trip, or at the fast end of the spectrum, as a fast ultra run in under 1.5 days. To understand what is involved in a 3-day, here is a primer
Wonderland Trail 2 of 3: Mowich Lake to White River Read More »
Mt. Rainer is visible from the Idaho border and from space. It’s an icon of the Pacific Northwest: 14,410’ of rock and ice rising up from the sea in an immense display of majestic beauty. Less obvious is the thin ribbon of trail circling the mountain, the Wonderland. The trail hugs the mountain’s glaciated flanks,
Wonderland Trail 1 of 3: Longmire to Mowich Lake Read More »
We check in with eleven-year-old Caden Ragsdale, son of ultra athlete Chris, about a running club he established to help keep him motivated.
Caden’s Running Club Read More »
Highway 542, the Mt Baker Scenic Byway, runs east-west from Bellingham to Artist Point. It is the access point to some of the Northwest’s best mountain terrain: fantastic trails, North Cascades National Park, mountaineering, skiing at Mt. Baker Ski Area, and some of the best backcountry skiing in North America if not the world. If
Trail Running in the North Cascades: Festival 542 Read More »