Talk about an incredible view. Storm King and visit Marymere Falls on a half-day hike. Try taking an affordable whale watching cruise, that departs right out of downtown Seattle! 5 Best Places to Watch the Sunrise in Seattle 1. The San Juan Islands are the perfect place to capture that Washington State photo. Distance from Seattle: 2.5 hours drive from Seattle. It can get pretty windy here so keep that in mind if you are planning to camp! Speaking of rain, on day 21 of the experiment there's a transition from sunrises to rain and clouds. Trail explorer. This historic Stonehenge was inspired by the original one in England and built as a memorial for the soldiers of the local area who fought in WWII. They can be accessed via a 20-foot staircase into the opening where the temperature drops to 32 degrees. This place not only has pristine water and beautiful views from the Storm King and Fairholme docks, but you can also hike up Mt. Its fun to get little dancing reflections like this one pictured. Location:PasaytenLength: 12 miles, roundtripElevation Gain: 1,550 feetHighest Point: 7,200 feetBest Season: July - October. Washington DC is ideal for sunrise photography. What I think is most interesting about the US Capitol is that a lot of people dont get up close to the building itself. Disclaimer: Do we think this is a complete list? Flickr / hokyumgrl This warm scenery featuring Lake Washington is especially relaxing! Anywhere you go, Mount Rainier is waiting in the background to blow you away with yet another picture-perfect view. Save a visit to this dramatic state park for spring or fall (when things cool off). I just love how reflective the wall is. Its just a spectacular show. My first suggestion is to stand at the Capitol reflecting pool facing east, you can get some great reflections. The turquoise color of this body of water makes this one of the most beautiful places in Washington. 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. ), If you live in Spokane, its a pretty easy drive to this state park, but for Seattleites, it will take pretty much all day for a drive. Timpanogos' 11,752 summit during the . The project reminds me a bit of the Midnight Lights video at CenturyLink Field, though in this case the light show just happens to be performed by mother nature. If you love waterfalls, you need to plan a trip to Falls Creek Falls in Washington! Against a backdrop of blue autumn sky and the magnificent peaks of the Cascades, they are a dazzling sightanda Washington essential. Each of these hikes has the epic opportunity to see a beautiful sunrise, because of its viewpoints and height advantage. These are some of the best hikes in Washington for seeing the beautiful sunset. Early this year, Berty and I wrote our giant list of things to do in the Pacific Northwestto inspire us to travel more in our own backyard. Top 5 Bike Rentals in Seattle: Explore the Emerald City on Two Wheels, Wedding in Seattle: 5 Best Venues and 4 Awesome Tips for a Stunning Wedding, Scuba Diving in Seattle: 8 Best Dive Spots and 6 Diving Schools in Seattle, Plan your trip with experts and get best offers. [wp_my_instagram username="themandagies" limit="6" layout="6" size="large" link=""], the perfect road trip around the Olympic Peninsula, our favorite places to see on the Olympic Peninsula, 34 Impressive and Fun Facts About Washington State. Food of Seattle: 15 Dishes of Seattle that You Must Try! What are some natural wonders in Washington? If you are up for a road trip, you may want to check out our scenic road trip that takes you to 7 Wonders Of Washington. The wall and the footpath provide great leading lines. Love Washington? Distance: 4.1 milesDifficulty: HardElevation Gain: 2,100 feetEstimated Time: 4 hoursLocation: Olympic National ParkPass Required: National Parks Pass. Heres my little secret to photographing the Lincoln Memorial. Located in the Gifford-Pinchot National Forest, it has everything that makes Pacific Northwest hiking trails special. If youre looking to do hiking in higher elevations (in most of the mountain ranges), youll need to wait until it warms up. 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. 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. With reservations required and a steep hike ahead of you, only the determined and tough make it up here! The Goat Rocks Wilderness is a beauty, and this less-traveled access point is a great way to explore the area for yourself. But dont let that make you miss out on this beautiful location. Nestled close to waterways and mountains, There are 5 best spots to watch the sunrise in Seattle. Lodging Nearby: The Best Western Plus in Camas offers free breakfast and is less than an hour away from Silver Star Mountain. Photo by dbaile16. 3. Here, there is a short series of boardwalks to stunning vistas of the ocean and spectacular rock formations. Peaceful lakes, snow-capped mountain views, flower-filled ridgelines and more await you here. If youre ready to see some of the most beautiful sunrises that youve ever seen, read on, and head to these locations. One such wonder is the Guler Ice Caves in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Weve got an entire guide on what to expect at Scenic Hot Springs, but nothing beats experiencing it for yourself! Read More: 9 incredible Washington hot springs to enjoy all year long. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Berty Mandagie is a Washington state photographer and love to shoot weddings and engagement sessions up here. And there you are, sitting on top of a mountain, admiring the miles of views, listening to the peaceful sound of birds chirping. Plus, trails are less crowded and youll have more time to sleep before sunrise. A backpacking favorite where you can spend a dayor a weekexploring the wonders of this alpine landscape. Many people come to climb its adventurous rockface, but its just as exhilarating seeing it from the Washington Pass Observation Site parking lot! However since then Ive heard of photographer friends being asked to put it away. This trail is a classic Gorge-area hike. However, the views make the effort so worth it! So of course, I had to add a little cherry blossom image here too . Head to, Hike along the Marymere Falls Trail to find this enchanting waterfall near Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park. Dress according to the weather and grab a coffee, you wont regret it. Below, Ill tell you the top 7 hikes in the state that are worth crawling out of bed early and trekking up a mountain for, just to see those epic colors. I just cant stop staring at that little slice of light and the coolness that oozes off of this image. A small dirt-covered parking lot marks the beginning of the hike & you can park overnight and camp here. (1.4 miles roundtrip, 310 feet elevation gain, Puget Sound Energy) Bring a hot drink and a snack to stay warm and savor the experience. The last time I spoke to a Capitol Policeman about it, he said they are allowed. Technically, its not the National Mall so the same rules dont apply as they do at the memorials. We suggest coming in the winter, when the water feels that much warmer and the snow falls quietly on the surrounding trees! Artist Point is located at the very end of Mount Baker Highway, and the 4.4 mile trail comes with a seriously stunning reward. Photo by trip reporter geezerhiker. Sometimes, extremely talented photographers will capture this incredible, overlooked phenomena and share their photos with us online! This state park is located in the most southwest corner of Washington state and is a perfect stop on a road trip of the Oregon Coast. You can even spot Mt. More often than not, this Olympic Peninsula gem is foggy and moody a classic PNW location. How did we choose these twenty out of the hundreds of incredible trails? Theres not too many people, so you can relax and enjoy the peace and quiet of the hot springs. Mt. Ive pretty much been to every one of these places at least 20 times. I'll help teach you how to find off-the-beaten-path attractions even in the most traveled places & give you the confidence to visit any destination that piques your curiosity. What To Expect On A Sunrise Hike At Palouse Falls, 10 Awe-Inspiring Things To Do In Redwood National Park, 23 Incredible Things To Do In Boise, Idaho (For Outdoor Lovers). Either way, youll still be able to capture some beautiful sky images from here. (Map under maintenance, it will be up soon! This hike is a thrill for backpackers and day hikers alike. After the sun rises, check out the Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) Memorial and the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. 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. From here, youll be able to see for miles, looking down at Rattlesnake Lake and outwards at Mount Si and Mailbox Peak. Its surprisingly quiet! This is a nice, easy trail for the beginning hiker that takes you around a 1.5 mile loop through ancient trees. A one stop shop if you will. There is something incredibly magical about the Hoh. If you plan on spending the night here, please note that Gothic Basin is an extremely fragile area. From this viewpoint, you can see the Space Needle, much of downtown, and the water. This hike is a thrill for backpackers and day hikers alike. Distance: 3.4 milesDifficulty: ModerateElevation Gain: 900 feetEstimated Time: 2 hoursLocation: Olympic National ParkPass Required: National Parks Pass. 7. Cadillac Mountain is more than 1,500 feet tall, and the hike to the summit is about . This was also the maiden voyage for our converted camper van and helped us figure out some things we had done wrong during our van build. A small tarn along the trail. 19 Easy Hikes in Washington State27 Best Waterfall Hikes in Oregon21 Hikes Near Bend Oregon19 Best Spring Hikes in WashingtonSpirit Falls, Washington: An Epic Waterfall. Snap DC: Your Guide to taking Extraordinary Photos of the National Mall and Beyond and it is available on Amazon. A one stop shop if you will. Photo by trip reporter TheKingBoar. Weekend Adventurer. 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. Trail Conditions: The trail is super well maintained and well-trodden. Popular destinations within the San Juan Islands include Friday Harbor, Eastsound, and Moran State Park, where visitors will find one of the best campgrounds in Washington. 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. And the best part is, you can find a hiking trail nearby to suit just about any experience level, ability level, or personal taste. The Washington Pass Overlook is one you dont even have to hike to. However, its not exactly on the way to anything (its a detour on a road trip around the Olympic Peninsula) so plan an extra few hours into your drive to visit Cape Flattery. There are several hammock poles positioned at the very tippy-top of the lookout and are undoubtedly the best views. A perfect mix of wildflower fields and blue/green mountains, this place captures the heart of free spirits and sunset chasers. Snoqualmie Falls, located in Snoqualmie, is a classic Seattle destination made even more special by bubblegum pink and pearly blue hues at sunrise. This charming waterfall can be found along a short 0.2-mile trail within Olympic National Forest. > Plan your visit to White Bluffs using WTA's Hiking Guide, Location: Eastern Washington -- Palouse and Blue MountainsLength: 16 miles, roundtripElevation Gain:1,000 feetHighest Point: 6,401 feetBest Season:spring. So I compiled the top 7 best spots to make your trip to the Nations capital easier to navigate. I'm Geena, a long-term budget traveler determined to scout out the most interesting cultural activities & experiences each destination has to offer. There are plenty of spots along the rocky ridge to set your bag down and relax. This place is a favorite in all seasons. Have you taken any amazing photos of the sun rising in our state?? Hike an iconic section of the PCT north of Snoqualmie Pass. Photo by trip reporter Willow's Humans. 1. Consider fall and winter. If you need to go, Id highly suggest waiting to go to this one . We nearly got our van stuck trying to navigate the tight space. There are SO many incredible places in Washington if we included every destination this blog post would be a mile long. Take plenty of time to stop enjoy the scenery - it's incredible. There is some incredible coastal hiking all the way up and down the coast, but this little slip of the wild Olympic Coast is a classic. 3. Bala Mt. 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. Hike Time: Only about 50 minutes to the summit. Its a little more rugged here than La Push, so if youre looking for a little adventure this is your place. The incredible view of Rattlesnake Ledge from the top is loved by families and photographers alike. But dont let the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial be the end of your journey around the Tidal Basin. Scenic Hot Springs is a hidden gem of Washington state. 7) Beacon Rock State Park: The 848-foot high basalt volcanic plug was stopover point for Lewis & Clark in 1805. The Sleeping Beauty Trail near the Columbia River Gorge is a relatively short, yet steep 2.5-mile hike that leads to an overlook with panoramic views. Its a fairly easy trail to the top, as its paved for the entire way and is just a slight incline until you reach the last portion. Its in Arlington, Virginia, just outside of the capital city but the views here are fabulous. These caves are actually lava tubes filled with incredible ice formations. Here Ill give you a quick rundown on what you should be packing for a hike at sunrise. In the spring, this hike is a great one for wildflower meadows dotted with scarlet gilia, dutchman's breeches, calypso orchid, sulphur lupine, giant-head clover, elkhorn clarkia, and more. Youll be blown away by the views in every direction of Mount Rainier, rolling hills, grazing mountain goats, and more. Go any time of day in any sort of weather. You can get a view of the entire skyline of Washington DC. Hause Creek Campground Hause Creek Campground | Photo Copyright: Brad Lane One of the most difficult hikes that Ive done is to Mount Storm King, simply because its a straight uphill shot for the entire hike. Learn more about it in, You'll be amazed by this 15-mile canyon located between Ellensburg and Yakima. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Click Here! 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. Whether you've just moved to Washington state or you just want to show off Washington's stellar hiking trails to your out-of-state visitors, this list of hikes shows off some of Washington's best trail diversity. Snap DC: Your Guide to Taking Extraordinary Photos of the National Mall and Beyond Best Places to Watch and Capture Washington DC Sunrises, 210 Pages - 04/26/2018 (Publication Date) - CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (Publisher). Lodging Nearby: At Emerald Valley Inn, youll have access to an on-site restaurant and adorably decorated rooms. Long Beach Peninsula. This incredible park is a popular destination to visit throughout the year, but snowy weather limits access to some areas. With mountain backdrops and a turquoise tint in the water, Ross Lake easily takes your breath away. Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument and surrounding areas are the perfect photo spots in Washington for geology buffs! To sum up the San Juans in a few words, we would say this: ferries, marine life, pristine beaches. All Rights Reserved, Photography & content cannot be used without our permission. But if you're in good enough shape to make the journey, the views alone will motivate you to keep going. 8. Lodging Nearby: Just 30 minutes from Picture Lake is the Mt. Pro tip: Bring an ultra zoom lens. Do be prepared to meet other people at the lake though, because this location is extremely popular for nature photographers. Here are a few tips for enjoying a cozy, colorful view near Seattle: Be a sleuth. Best Time of Year to Go: All seasons!! Read this post to pack your road trip essentials! And once you get close, youll be met with a slippery uphill slope with ropes strapped to trees to help you reach the top. Hope you found this guide useful and if you have any additional questions, feel free to drop them in the comments. This city is a heavy, Im obsessed with the Singapore Airport , THE ISLA EXPERIENCE Here are some of the best places to take pictures in Seattle! Horseshoe Basin. An inside look at the most Instagrammable shots in Washington. Washington is a hiking enthusiasts paradise. This is also one of the most well-known places in Washington state because of the recent eruption! Twitter If you are hoping to stay overnight (and you definitely should! Enjoying some of the best hikes in Washington that end with a stunning sunset, of course. With so many mountain hikes to choose from, many hikers forget about the glories of Washington's coast. I could sit at the top of Mount Storm King for hours and just take in everything around me (in fact, I think that I did ). We suggest coming in the late spring when the water levels are high. . In my opinion, the Reflecting Pool is the ultimate sunrise location in Washington DC. The huge trees, the cascading moss, the birds and Roosevelt elk, the Olympic Mountains rising above and the broad river valley extending up and downstream, all make this a hike that must be done at least once in a lifetime. Spray Falls and Narada Falls are also some incredible Washington waterfalls to check out in the area. > Plan your visit to Kettle Crest using WTA's Hiking Guide, Washington Trails Association We hiked it on Friday morning and shared the peak with only 10 other hikers for the big show. Commonly known as "The Evergreen State", Washington not only has incredible landscapes, it also has scenic seasides, panoramic cityscapes and bustling shops, restaurants and bars that attract locals and tourists from all around the globe. Summer (July-September) is the best time for these hikes, as the snow will be melting and trails will open up. , colorful view near Seattle: 15 Dishes of Seattle: 2.5 hours drive from Seattle last time spoke... 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