Let us know. Bonus: seen this bus on Instagram? Washington State Nickname: The Evergreen State. Share them with us on our Facebook page! (Make sure to download these amazing road trip question to pass the time!). ), Luckily, there are camping spots nearby check them out here. Potentially one of the most iconic Mount Rainier hikes, the Burroughs trail will get you up close and personal with the mountain -- so close you feel like you can touch the summit. Read More: 5 Essential Things You Need For The Washington Coast. There are plenty of wineries around the area too! Whats In My Backpack: The Ultimate Long-Term Travel Packing List, 30 Useful Gifts to Give Backpackers & Travel Lovers, 12 Outstanding US National Parks to Visit in Spring, Badlands & Beyond: The Ultimate South Dakota Road Trip (Map Included), A Travelers Guide to New Mexico: The Best Traditional Eats & Hot Springs, The Unglamorous Reality of Vanlife (All the Dirty Details). Lodging Nearby: Free breakfast and private hotel rooms are what youll find at Nisqually Lodge, just 30 minutes from High Rock. Hiking Trails in Washington: The best hiking trails of Washington traverse the state's many environments, including three esteemed national parks. Timpanogos' 11,752 summit during the . Once you begin making your way down, youll likely meet many others who got out of bed after you did, making their way up to the ledge. Check out Falls Creek Falls trail, which takes you to another gorgeous waterfall in Washington! Photographer Blake Ashworth shot the scenes from. Read more in, Located in Central Washington, you'll find the remains of what was once the largest waterfall known on Earth, which is now 3.5 miles of steep cliff that drops over 400 feet. Horseshoe Basin. Distance: 0.4 milesDifficulty: EasyElevation Gain: 10 feetEstimated Time: 10 minutesLocation: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National ForestPass Required: Northwest Forest. > Plan your visit to Park Butte using WTA's Hiking Guide, Location: North Cascades -- Mountain Loop HighwayLength:9.2 miles, roundtripElevation Gain:2,840 feetHighest Point: 5,200 feetBest Season:Late July - mid-October. Subscribe to GeekWire's free newsletters to catch every headline. We suggest coming in the late spring when the water levels are high. The wind is very fierce in this natural corridor, but exciting nonetheless! If you are looking for scenic hikes around Washington, you are in luck. Address: Cape Flattery, Washington 98357, USA Address: Mount Rainier, Washington 98304, USA If anything bad should happen, help will not be far away. A view of the river. This one is waterproof! Bear Spray: Because animals are most active as the sun is coming up. GPS System: All Trails and Cairn are great options for a phone GPS. Its on the very edge of the Columbia River Gorge, so you could visit Maryhill Stonehenge if you are planning a day trip from Portland. While many folks head up the paved path to Hurricane Hill, solitude seekers climb up the Mount Angeles trail and branch off to attain Sunrise Ridge. If you are heading out on an Olympic Peninsula road trip, Lake Crescent is a likely stop at the beginning of your journey. Explore the geology and admire the unparalleled views. We hiked it on Friday morning and shared the peak with only 10 other hikers for the big show. Two of the most beautiful natural features meet to make this one of the best places to watch the sunrise (or sunset!) We suggest coming in the winter, when the water feels that much warmer and the snow falls quietly on the surrounding trees! 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. Climb up the final ascent and reach the lookout that is longer staffed, but provides one epic viewpoint for hikers. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. Your details are safe with us. If youre yearning to enjoy the great outdoors in the winter, these trails are great for winter hikes. This is a trail to save until August or September. Deception Pass is a Washington state park located on Whidbey Island in the Puget Sound. There is no other place in or around Washington that you will be able to capture it in such alignment (the view from the bike path along the George Washington Parkway is a little more spread out than this and difficult to get a good view of the US Capitol). There are plenty of opportunities for camping here, including trying to snag a VERY limited spot at the Ross Lake Resort. If you visit during the right season, watch for huckleberries alongside the trail on your way back to the trailhead! OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Hotels in Seattle, Car Rentals in Seattle- 5 Rentals To Consider When Renting a Car in Seattle, Sunset in Seattle: 8 Most Breathtaking Views of Seattle Sunset, Beer in Seattle: 25 Best Breweries, Taprooms and Craft Beer in Seattle, Seattle In March: Top 10 Things to Explore, Weather and Tourist Friendly Tips, Seattle in February: Top 5 Places to Go, 10 Things to Do, Weather and More, Currency Exchange in Seattle: 4 Places and 7 Tips for Foreign Currency Exchange in Seattle, Top 17 Souvenirs from Seattle : Take Little Pieces of your Seattle Experience Back Home, Surfing in Seattle: Top 6 Spots to Ride a Wave in Seattle. Day hike it or backpack here in late summer or fall, when it really shows off the best of autumn foliage. From the top, youll have views of Mount Rainier, Sawtooth Ridge, and everything else over the steep drop-off in front of the tower. There was a time where you would have been able to climb to the top, but it has been closed off for years. It can get pretty windy here so keep that in mind if you are planning to camp! Elliott Bay Marina Source Nestled in northeastern downtown Seattle, by the Magnolia Bluff, Elliott Bay Marina gives a whole different feel to the city's shoreline. The worlds smalles, MU CANG CHAI If youre up for it, continue a bit further up the trail to see Middle and Upper Rattlesnake Ledges. This is a nice, easy trail for the beginning hiker that takes you around a 1.5 mile loop through ancient trees. 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. There is way more security there and Ive heard conflicting rules about tripods. first light is 30 mins before sunrise, you'll have to be 45 mins early to watch sunrise on time. After a while of hiking, youll reach a large junction where youll branch off onto a new trail. Warm Clothing: Its typically colder in the dark, so pack an extra layer. Windproof Jacket: Peaks and viewpoints tend to be windy. We highly suggest visiting Mount St. Helens during the late spring early summer, because this is when the wildflowers are in bloom! Discovery Historic Loop, 115 SE Columbia Way, Vancouver, WA 98661, USA. Come during sunrise or sunset (like we dont recommend this enough, HA!) Photo by trip reporter Willow's Humans. Be sure that you're camping on an established site or sturdy surface, like rock or dirt, and avoid camping in meadows or grasses, as this can damage the landscape. A backpacking favorite where you can spend a dayor a weekexploring the wonders of this alpine landscape. So I compiled the top 7 best spots to make your trip to the Nations capital easier to navigate. A small tarn along the trail. Artist Point is located at the very end of Mount Baker Highway, and the 4.4 mile trail comes with a seriously stunning reward. Plus there is this overwhelming feeling of peace and calm in a city thats usually hustling and bustling during the day. Standing at over 5,600 feet tall, High Rock sits higher than many of the surrounding peaks, making for a phenomenal spot for sunrise. Washington DC is ideal for sunrise photography. Facebook Its the center of 4 great landmarks all within a central area. I'm Geena, a long-term budget traveler determined to scout out the most interesting cultural activities & experiences each destination has to offer. Spring the mountain will be carpeted in wildflowers, Summer brings the best weather and lush green trails, Fall is crisp & cool, & in Winter the snowy peak is more difficult to summitbut the views are an absolute winter wonderland. Its definitely one of our favorite places to see on the Olympic Peninsula! 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. Pro tip: Bring an ultra zoom lens. The Kalaloch area of Olympic has several rugged beaches. Many people come to climb its adventurous rockface, but its just as exhilarating seeing it from the Washington Pass Observation Site parking lot! If you live in Washington, there are a plethora of hiking trails around to keep you occupied. Read More: 11 Places To See On The Olympic Peninsula. > Plan your visit to Mount Misery using WTA's Hiking Guide, Location: Selkirk RangeLength:44 miles, one-wayElevation Gain:8,000 feetHighest Point: 7,140feetBest Season:June - October. 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. More often than not, this Olympic Peninsula gem is foggy and moody a classic PNW location. Ive done all the research for you so you can just get out there and shoot. Take plenty of time to stop enjoy the scenery - it's incredible. (Aka, its a very very short walk). Check the weather forecast (www.weather.gov or www.usairnet.com) for a partly cloudy day with a cloud base above 10,000 feet that will reflect vivid colors. Sunrise over Alki Beach in Seattle. Spend 30 minutes walking around the area its incredibly beautiful on a clear day! This entire region is free dispersed camping and any open site is up for grabs. Were Berty and Emily Mandagie, husband and wife travelers, photographers, and journalists! Best Time of Year to Go: All seasons!! 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 one stop shop if you will. Hiking trails in Olympic expose the beach, rainforest, and high alpine scenery of this wild peninsula, and Mount Rainier hiking trails really test your legs, as do the top-rated hiking trails of . Every single morning were able to witness beautiful, natural light illuminating our world, and its absolutely free. Anywhere you go, Mount Rainier is waiting in the background to blow you away with yet another picture-perfect view. Explore the Tree of Life at Kalaloch Beach! 5 Best Places to Watch the Sunrise in Seattle Elliott Bay Marina. All of these give the perfect opportunity for a great sunrise hike in Washington, as long as you are lucky with a clear day and the ability to crawl out of bed early! Against a backdrop of blue autumn sky and the magnificent peaks of the Cascades, they are a dazzling sightand, There is something incredibly magical about the, . You can read more about other amazing Washingon beaches in our complete list here. For all those who want a concise list of our favorite photography locations in Washington State, this is the post for you. Picture Lake was definitely given its name for good reason, as its likely one of the most picturesque lakes Ive ever seen! Hope you found this guide useful and if you have any additional questions, feel free to drop them in the comments. It also brings unique challengestiming your hike for sunrise or sunset, hiking in dim light, and watching the show in cooler twilight temperatures. This narrow and rocky trail alsoincludes old-growth forest, gorgeous wildflowers, and stunning views into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness from both sides of the pass below Kendall Peak, where the Katwalk begins. Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument and surrounding areas are the perfect photo spots in Washington for geology buffs! Its a little more rugged here than La Push, so if youre looking for a little adventure this is your place. Sunrise and sunset hikes are a wonderful way to greet the day or night. Learn how your comment data is processed. Less than an hour's drive outside of Seattle is Mount Rainier National Park, which is focused on the towering peak of Mount Rainier itself, the highest mountain in Washington. Subscribe to GeekWire's free newsletters to catch every headline, App of the Week: PITFALL! Photo by dbaile16. As the sun rises, the bright oranges, yellows, and pinks take over the sky and create an absolutely magical glow over everything the light touches. As an added bonus I created a 1, 3, and 5 day sample photo itinerary for your trip to Washington DC, click here to download my ideal schedule. Distance: 4.1 milesDifficulty: HardElevation Gain: 2,100 feetEstimated Time: 4 hoursLocation: Olympic National ParkPass Required: National Parks Pass. Located in the Gifford-Pinchot National Forest, it has everything that makes Pacific Northwest hiking trails special. How did we choose these twenty out of the hundreds of incredible trails? Id recommend following your instincts and emotions while capturing images here. Its one of the coolest places in Washington state to visit if you love flora and fauna there is an abundance of both here! This is also the best place to photograph cherry blossoms when theyre in season. Population: A little over 7.6 million people call Washington home. Weekend Adventurer. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Keep clicking for seven of the state's top natural swim spots. Out of all the times Ive been out for sunrise (trust me its way more than I can count), I have been asked to put it away once while I was at the Lincoln Memorial. Hause Creek Campground Hause Creek Campground | Photo Copyright: Brad Lane Mount Fremont Lookout Distance: 5.7 miles Difficulty: Moderate Elevation Gain: 1,100 feet Estimated Time: 3 hours Location: Mount Rainier National Park Pass Required: National Parks Pass However since then Ive heard of photographer friends being asked to put it away. The fullloop provides fantastic views of the Columbia River Gorge, an intimate look at the Cape Horn Falls and a challenging workout as it climbs and descends the rocky slopes of Cape Horn. Photographer Blake Ashworth shot the scenes fromMay 11 to June 9, using a Timer Remote Control to take photos every four seconds. On some days, the 22-year-old Tacoma resident would wake up as early as 3 a.m. in order to make it to the location. These are some of the best hikes in Washington for seeing the beautiful sunset. So heres my little wild card sunrise photo suggestion because technically this is not in Washington DC. It was tough, but taken together, we felt these hikes do a great job of showing off Washington's incredible trail diversity. Its also worth mentioning that there are three beaches, respectively named First, Second, and Third Beach. This charming waterfall can be found along a short 0.2-mile trail within Olympic National Forest. Visit, In the North Cascades Range is a stunning large wilderness area that you can explore while hiking one of the many trails like the one covered in our, Also known as Washington State Route 20, this is a great scenic route if you're looking for a wondrous view. This hike is a thrill for backpackers and day hikers alike. Its the ultimate sunrise spot to see the big three landmarks (Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and the US Capitol) all lined up. Berty Mandagie is a Washington state photographer and love to shoot weddings and engagement sessions up here. Please share some locations in the comment section. Google +, Space Needle 5 Best Places to Watch the Sunrise in Seattle 1. You cant get more Pacific Northwest than Cape Flattery literally! The Martin Luther King Jr Memorial is good starting location for the Tidal Basin to photograph the sunrise. The incredible view of Rattlesnake Ledge from the top is loved by families and photographers alike. Just simple dirt pullouts that often can be a little steep or treacherous to get into. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Let me know if you hiked High Rock Lookout & loved the sunrise views as much as we did! The worst that will happen is that someone will ask you to put it away. We like to come in the morning or just when the sun sets behind the mountains for that gorgeous PNW golden hour and glassy waters. Mount Baker, Mt Baker, Washington 98244, USA. Plan to arrive at your viewpoint at least 15 minutes prior to find a nice viewing spot, set up your blanket or tripod, crack open a thermos of hot tea, and put your layers on. A stunning North Cascades alpine hike just south of Mount Baker. Hood in the distance! Sunrise is located 60 miles northeast of the Nisqually Entrance and 14 miles northwest of the . Marmots and black-tail deer often roam the area, and theyre most active at dawn and dusk, giving you a great possibility of spotting them. You can even spot Mt. Between the months of October and March, this peak, which is the largest on the east coast, is the first place you can catch the sun coming up in the entire country. Olympic Sculpture Park. Flickr / cxlt Youll follow a path that is fairly uphill for almost the entire hike up to the first ledge, which is typically the most popular to stop at. Between the great views, the epic experience, and the incredible colors that fill the sky during sunrise, it just cant be beaten. Rainier. Campsites at Snow Lake are some of the most coveted locations within Mount Rainier National Park. Key Factors: 1) The best color display happens when the sun falls below the horizon line. The beauty found in Washington state is seemingly endless as are the number of hikes to find gorgeous scenery. Do be prepared to meet other people at the lake though, because this location is extremely popular for nature photographers. From this viewpoint, you can see the Space Needle, much of downtown, and the water. Plus, its family-friendly and great for those who want to see an epic spot but arent really big hikers. Seattle, WA 98104. And if you know me, Im all about finding those reflections in puddles. A peaceful scene photographed near the summit of Mt. Saint Mary Lake has an . Your efforts will be well-rewarded with the scenery up top. 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