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Trip Report Roundup: Getting the Family Together — Outside

Posted by tiffanyc at Jul 05, 2023 01:38 PM |
Filed under: Families Go Hiking, Parent Perspectives, Hike Planning, Hiking Destinations

Hitting the trails is a great way to spend the day together as a family, and no one knows that better than our great hiking community! Here are some of our favorite recent trip reports from hikers who were able to round up the family to get outside.

Hitting the trails is a great way to spend the day together as a family, and no one knows that better than our great hiking community! Here are some of our favorite trip reports over the last few weeks from hikers who were able to round up the family to get outside. 

Looking for some help planning your next hike with your own little ones? We've got you covered. And if you want to read tips, hike suggestions and stories about families spending time together outside, sign up for our free Families Go Hiking newsletter.


Hyas Lake

Older and younger child standing in Hyas Lake. Photo by rbs13.
The kids had a great time dipping their feet in the water. Photo by rbs13.

rbs13 took their 12- and 2-year-old to Hyas Lake for an overnight family backpacking trip, where they played in the water and had great views of Cathedral Rock across the lake. 


Heybrook Ridge

Two adults, two children and a leashed dog standing at Heybrook Lookout with Mount Index in the background. Photo by Rayan.
A great family portrait at the top! Photo by Rayan.

Rayan's family — including the dog — took a day hike together to Heybrook Lookout. They picked and ate fresh salmonberries and huckleberries all the way up.


Sauk Mountain

Two children and two adults hike on the Sauk Mountain trail. Photo by Smooth Operator.
The kids were delighted at the views on this hike. Photo by Smooth Operator.

Smooth Operator found Sauk Mountain to be a great hike for both their 2-year-old daughter (who enjoyed the views and looking for wildlife from a carrier) and their older son (who hiked on his own). They said, "Encouraging kids to challenge themselves with some guardrails is important for confidence and my son has had some mental and physical growth in seeking new adventures as has my daughter."


Fremont Lookout and Skyscraper Mountain

An adult hiking with a carrier with Mount Rainier in the background. Photo by ef91.
It was a perfect bluebird day for this family hike. Photo by ef91.

ef91 celebrated the opening of Sunrise Road on a sunny hike to Fremont Lookout — with a push to Skyscraper Mountain after — with their wife and with their 1-year-old in a carrier.


Evergreen Mountain Lookout

A child sits at the summit of Evergreen Mountain Lookout looking at Mount Rainier through binoculars. Photo by barnacles.
The binoculars were a good idea. Photo by barnacles.

barnacles's 6-year-old is already a seasoned hiker, having started hiking at age 3. Regarding their hike to Evergreen Mountain Lookout, he says: "The view was great. It was a bit steep but not too steep... We heard and then saw a ptarmigan. Let's tell them what it sounded like too, it went hmm hmm hmm hmm."


heather Lake

Child stands in Heather Lake, looking up at the mountains across the water. Photo by Cuppa.
There's a big pay-off at the end of this trail. Photo by Cuppa.

Cuppa's kid got to see the beauty of Heather Lake — and Mount Pilchuck in the distance — in person after a hike up the rocky, rooty trail. 


Ancient Lakes

Two adults and a leashed dog standing at the edge of the rocks taking a photo of the water at Ancient Lakes. Photo by Leap.
This area makes for some gorgeous photos. Photo by Leap.

After Leap hiked Ancient Lakes for the first time over Memorial Day Weekend, they were so taken by its beauty that they made a pit stop on their way to Spokane a few weeks later to show their family how incredible it was. 


capitol state forest - mima falls loop

Two children hike along the Mima Falls Trail in Capitol State Forest. Photo by vdouglas.
The trails were in great shape for this hike. Photo by vdouglas.

vdouglas and kids saw a lot of greenery and wildflowers on their hike in Capitol State Forest. Although they didn't make it to Mima Falls, they still had a great time. 


wallace falls STate Park

A young hiker walks past the Wordsworth quote sign at Wallace Falls. Photo by karacmomof3.
Luckily, the tree canopy kept this crew a little protected from the sun. Photo by karacmomof3. 

karacmomof3 and their eponymous "3" — ages 8, 11 and 13 — dedicated one morning for a hike to Wallace Falls State Park. It was a very sunny day and they were glad to find a lot of shade on their hike. 


Margaret Lake

Margaret Lake on a sunny day. Photo by KarenBT.
A beautiful day for a lake hike! Photo by KarenBT.

KarenBT and their daughter, son-in-law and dog hiked up to Margaret Lake together. Although they had to contend with some vicious mosquitoes at the lake, they got great views of Mount Rainier and saw plenty of wildflowers. 


Ebey's Landing

Four children and a leashed dog look at a washed up fish carcass on the beach at Ebey's Landing. Photo by GoMamaCook.
There was plenty to see at the beach that day. Photo by GoMamaCook.

GoMamaCook and kids went to Ebey's Landing for a sunny bluff/beach combo hike. On the beach, they found plenty of marine flora and fauna — including a dolphin carcass that had washed onto shore. 


Cape Alava

An adult with a backpacking pack and a young child cross a wooden bridge. Photo by Loren Drummond.
On the whole hike, this bridge was the only part that needed hand-holding. Photo by Loren Drummond. 

Loren Drummond, WTA's senior digital strategy manager, took her 3-year-old on an overnight backpacking trip to Cape Alava. Although it was a tough hike, he was able to hike all the way in himself — snacks and games helped. 


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