[chriss]

HI- I'm new to this board (a resident of good ol' New England) but have found lots of help in Eastern equivalents. My situation is this: My wife and I, experienced backpackers, are coming to Seattle next May (1-7 or so) for a meeting and are looking for places to do some great day hikes or short backpacks (2-3 days max) within a day's drive of Seattle. Trouble is, there's snow in them thar parts in May! Are there places people might recommend that may have less snow at that time? We can tolerate a bit (I'm a 4 season camper but she is only a 3 1/2 season camper) but certainly not much in the way of storms. Thanks in advance. Chris

[Otter]

There is the lower part of the duckabush River on the olympic peninsula...a good short back pack. There is also the dungenous spit for a nice long day hike not too far from there.

[Stefan]

Depending on how much snow falls during the winter, there are some places on the east side of the Cascades that are free of snow. But, since many of the trails still have snow at that time of the year, I also recommend the east side of the Olympics for a backpacking trip, that way you can get in a ferry ride too. When looking on the eastside of the Olympics try to find a place that is below 3000' feet of elevation. If you decide to go to the east side of the Cascades where the weather is usually better, try to find a place below 4000' feet of elevation--usually higher if it has a southern exposure.

[ajgoodkids]

Your biggest issue that time of year for most hikes is whether you can drive to or near the trailhead. The snow is usually consolidated enough by then for on-snow travel without snowshoes. You do need decent boots and gaiters. The following all have year-round accessible trailheads and short drives from Seattle. Lake Serene and Lake Twenty Two should both be doable that time of year if the avalanche hazard is low. Expect some on-snow travel. They're both excellent dayhikes with big trees, nice lakes, and impressive rock cirques if they're not socked in with fog. The Boulder River Trail up toward Darrington is deep in a pristine river valley with a roaring river, big trees and a couple of nice waterfalls. To the ford and back is a nice nine mile round-trip stroll. The East Bank Trail at Baker Lake, a longer drive from Seattle, may be doable then. There are big old-growth trees and Mt. Baker views on that one. That one could be a backpacking trip if you want. We've not done Fragrance Lake up toward Bellingham, but it gets good reviews. The Middle Fork Snoqualmie Trail would be okay then. It is flat and easy. It would be an interesting hike even if the weather is bad. Twin Falls at Ollallie State Park near North Bend is a short lowland hike, but it has some big trees and it gets to big waterfalls. That would be a perfectly good hike in bad weather. Lake Annette up toward Snoqualmie Pass is an excellent hike that is sometimes doable that time of year if you don't mind crossing a couple of steep avalanche chutes. As others have noted, there are likely good hikes and even backpacking trips available at that time at the edge of the Olympics.

[Sore Feet]

Hmm. Thunder Creek perhaps? I bet there will still be snow at the higher levels in the drainage (beyond Fish Creek, if not sooner), but the trailhead is relatively low, so it tends to be pretty snow free by May. Taylor River trail ought to be clear up to at least Otter Falls (where there are some sites) by May, unless we have another monster snowfall this winter. Trout Lake may be open by then, but the road could still be closed before the trailhead. The Baker River trail may be clear by then, and if not, it's pretty heavily forested, so snow walking would be at a minimum. Sulphide Camp, at the end, is well covered too.

[catwoman]

Not to forget Lower Lena Lake in the Olympics! It's a pretty easy approx. 3-miler that's low enough that should be completely out of the snow. Can even have campfires at the lake. Pretty lake.

[chris]

Thanks to all! Look forward to visiting. If you're headed east, advice on good hikes can be had at www.outdoors.org with its many forums similar to this,(mostly White mtns) or also www.lexicomm.com for a slightly wider area. Chris

[sarbar]

On the Olymic Pennisula: Lower Lena Lake is a great choice(paved acess rd!), so would the Elwha valley and lower portions of the Hoh rain forest-as said before, just stay under 3,000 ft and you should be ok.(the first 9 miles of the Hoh are relatively flat) Also the coast is great in May! No quotas on permits, and few people-I'd always recomend Ozette. Somebody mentioned Fragrance Lake near Bellingham-it is a nice dayhike(one can park camp at Larabee State Park across the way) It's a good early seasoner trainer. Baker River is great in spring, so would East Bank. Good luck!

[polarbear]

Ancient Lakes over by Quincy. Pretty easy hike in a nice deserty area. Shouldn't be any snow at all in May. Several lakes, but some powerlines too--just ignore them as it's a cool area.