Kenneth
Portland
Heading to Seattle for business and I have a few extra days to explore. Where are the best areas to explore if you're into the outdoors? Willing to drive a little out of the city (2 hours max).
Thanks
Great choice, Kenneth! Coming to Seattle and then exploring our wilderness is something most people completely overlook!
I loved the day hike to Snow Lake Trail in Snoqualmie Pass. It's definitely a day trip, but even in the snow, it's a beautiful alpine lake hike that can be done by anyone from medium to advanced skills.
You could always head over to Bainbridge Island or Vashon (Washington) and explore some of the wilderness on either of these -- or just check out a few wineries!
In Seattle, you can get a bit of wilderness too -- check out Golden Gardens or Discovery Park, both of which offer opportunities to explore outdoors but are within reach of the urban setting.
Hope this helps! Have a great trip!
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Go to Mount Rainier taking Maple Valley which is the scenic route. It's on 50 miles. Stop a long the way and enjoy coffee and a sandwich when your 17 miles from destination. It's Big Foot territory.
Mount Rainier is stunning. You can get to Sunrise in ~2 hours. Paradise is closer to 3 hours. Both are simply world class and worth the drive if the weather is good; if the weather is bad it's a long drive to see clouds, skip it.
Taking a ferry to Bainbridge Island or Vashon Island is nice and the views are great.
There are great hikes all along the I-90 corridor. Check out http://wta.org for suggestions. There is nothing like getting into the alpine wilds and spending time at a lake (caution, lots of easy ways to get lost, these are truly wilderness areas)
Rent a paddleboard on Lake Union. Great way to see Seattle. If you're fit and have time going through the Montlake Cut and into Lake Washington is a blast.
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You definetely should visit the Snoqualmie FallsAn amazing place to see and lots of hiking possibilities there.
Head up towards Snoqualmie Pass from Seattle and serendipitously exit the freeway at many different points either before or after the pass proper... Might want to explore the WTA.Org website awhile before hand.