The Pacific Northwest is home to some of the world’s most beautiful hikes and adventure spots just waiting to be explored. From massive mountain peaks to epic waterfalls and sandy coastlines, the only problem you’ll have is figuring out where to start! Whether you prefer the journey or just the view at the top, here are a few of our favorite stomping grounds to get you in the mood for adventure.
Salmo-Priest Loop – Colville, WA
Escape into the heart of Colville’s Salmo-Priest Wilderness – a backcountry oasis located on the Northeastern Washington/ Idaho border. Usually taking about two or three days, you’ll want to pack your camping gear for this 19-mile hike through the vast wilderness. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery as you descend 1,800 feet to the South Salmo River, trek past an old trappers cabin in Idaho, until you finally make it to Little Snowy Top Lookout, where you can enjoy your newly expanded horizon.
Shi Shi Beach, WA
Shi Shi Beach truly embodies the wild and rugged Olympic Coast of Washington with picturesque views stretching across the horizon. Only an 8-mile round trip, this hike can easily be done in a day, but is also perfect for beach camping under the night sky and to enjoy a little backcountry surf sesh. During this coastal exploration, you’ll experience surf-battered logs scattered across the beach, massive sea stacks sitting peacefully offshore, and plenty of marine life who call the tide pools home. Make your way to Shi Shi beach to experience the Pacific Northwest in its finest form.
Summerland – Mount Rainier National Park, WA
Known for some of the best close-up views of the colossal Mount Rainier, Summerland Trail is the go-to for awesome hikes in the Pacific Northwest. Make your way through vast meadows and thundering waterfalls as you hike along steady terrain before a final series of switchbacks puts you at the top of Summerland Shelter – a perfect place to eat lunch and appreciate the view. More adventurous hikers can continue 1.5 miles up the Panhandle Gap to witness mountain goats, Roosevelt elk, and the occasional black bear in their natural element.
Tom, Dick, & Harry Mountain – Government Camp, OR
Embark on this beautiful adventure at the Mirror Lake trailhead just two miles west of Government Camp, Oregon. Along the first stint of your hike, you can expect the trail to be heavily trafficked until you reach Mirror Lake – a glassy mountain lake with an insanely beautiful reflection of Mt. Hood. Over the next mile, you’ll quickly ascend as you experience phenomenal views of the surrounding valleys until you reach the top of Tom, Dick, and Harry Mountain. Here you can reflect on your excursion with unrivaled views of Mirror Lake, Government Camp, and the legendary Mt. Hood.
South Sister Summit – Bend, OR
Test your boundaries and wave goodbye to your comfort zone as you climb the third tallest mountain in Oregon – the epic South Sister. Located in Bend, Oregon, South Sister is the tallest of the famous Three Sisters chain. Kick off your exploration at Devil’s Lake campground – where you can camp for the night, fuel your body, and catch some Z’s. From there, you’ll trek through numerous switchbacks until you reach the false summit. Make your way over the crater to the true peak and bask in some of Mother Nature’s best work. When you reach the top, embrace the abundance of incredible Oregon landscape and scan the horizon for awesome views of some of the most beautiful mountains in the country. The lineup includes Middle Sister, North Sister, Three Fingered Jack, Mt. Hood, Mt. Washington, Broken Top, and Mt. Bachelor.
Store Your Gear
Most of these hikes aren’t accessible during the snowy, wintery months of the Pacific Northwest, so when the temperatures drop, store your outdoor gear at any of our StorQuest locations. Late fall is the perfect time to switch out trail packs for snowboards and skis.