[Kirt]

I'm looking for some hiking ideas for August for me and my kids. I have two girls 10 yrs & 7 yrs old. The 10 yr old has done a fair amount of overnighters with dad, the younger one only day hikes. I will be bringing along another adult and child with me. We live in Eastern Washington but would like to be in the Cascades either off of I-90 or HWY 410. Other preferences: -Up to 3 miles each way -Up to 1,200ish feet elevation gain -A lake would be fun but not a must -Dog friendly Any suggestions would be great! Thanks, K

[sarbar]

Dayhiking or backpacking? Noble Knob on Hwy 410 Fremont Lookout at Sunrise Burroughs 1 & 2 at Sunrise Naches Peak Loop on Hwy 410 at Chinook Pass PCT North at Chinook Pass to Sheep Lake and Sourdough Gap PCT South at Chinook Pass to Dewey Lakes Silver Falls Loop at Ohanapecosh, Mt. Rainier...... Oopsie..didn't see the dog...well, no Rainier Unfortunley that wipes out the best hikes at Chinook unless you go North on the PCT

[Kirt]

oops! Backpacking. Thanks for the ideas, I new I could count on you. You have helped in the past for snowshoing ideas. Thanks again I'll check these out. K

[sarbar]

I'd defintely recomend Sheep Lake at Chinook Pass then, easy hike in, a nice lake, and good meadows You can't go wrong with that one.

[Kirt]

Oh yeah, that looks like a good one. It was right under my nose.... I have the "best hikes with dogs" by Dan Nelson (pg 220). Thanks again, K

[ActionBetty]

Bear Creek Mt.... 7 miles round trip. My youngest is 8 now.. He says he wants to go.. but his behavior tells me otherwise

[Kirt]

Hey AB, nice to hear from you. I'm not sure if I know where that is. Is that NW of Ellensburg? Thanks, K

[Wes]

Naches peak loop is the one you want. Pretty Alpine, plenty of huckleberries, and nice lakes, even animals (I saw a bear once near by the trail on the other side of the road). If you can get down to the lakes at the east side of the loop, I'd recommend it.

[JimK]

Twin Sisters Lakes near Bumping Lake off Highway 410 fits your bill. Drop the overnight packs and you could go up Tumac Mt. for a nice view. Bring DEET in mid summer. Here is Slugman's report: Twin Sisters Lakes.

[ActionBetty]

[Kirt]

Thanks for the suggestions. TR will follow the hike! K

[Amanita]

FYI. No dogs at Mt Rainier Nat Park, but dogs are allowed on the Naches Loop on US Forest Service Land. A coworker of mine who has dogs but no kids told me about a book on hiking w/ dogs in the Pacific NW; I'll see if I can get the book title for you. I have kids but no dogs; I prefer Alpine goats. Hope you and your daughters have a good time. I have a 5 yr old girl and a 2 yr old boy. I'm taking my 5 year old up to Mt Rainier for an overnighter at the end of the month. I'd like to take my daughter on a hike in Eastern WA in Sept or Oct to view the larch trees and maples; any suggestions for the Eastside?

[sarbar]

Blue Lake on Hyw 20, past Rainy Pass. An excellent dayhike for kids-and they will love the old cabin/lake gorgeous larches and views.

[Kirt]

Amanita: I only moved here a year ago from Covington (near Maple Valley) so I will be trying to figure out E. Wa. hikes this fall myself. I haven't got a copy of the book but Alan Bauer & Dan Nelson recently came out with a book on Eastern Wa. Best Desert Hikes Action Betty out of Kennewick has been helpful in the past on Eastern Wa. hike suggestions and has a youngster as well. K

[Kirt]

Thanks Sarbar, I will keep that noted for a day hike some time. K