Summer Activities Vancouver WA

Activities: Hiking

Info:
State: Washington
Location: Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Length: One-Way: 3.5 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 2600 feet
Elevation Change: 2200 feet
Best Season: Summer, Fall
Difficulty: Difficult
Usage: Moderate
Parking: Northwest Forest Pass is required at trailheads.

Description: The Ridley Creek Trail follows the Ridley Creek drainage to Mazama Park and the Bell Pass Trail #603 in the Mt. Baker National Recreation Area. Western hemlocks of impressive size and groves of Alaska yellow cedar are highlights of this trail. In the first 0.5 mile, the trail crosses the Middle Fork of the Nooksack River. There is no bridge over the Middle Fork and the crossing can be extremely dangerous. Ridley Creek Trail has received minimal maintenance over the past several years.

Activities: Hiking, Snowshoeing

Info:
State: Washington
Location: Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Length: One-Way: 4.1 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 4200 feet
Elevation Change: 800 feet
Best Season: Summer, Fall
Difficulty: Difficult
Usage: Light
Parking: Northwest Forest Pass is required at trailheads.

Description: Start on the Damfino Lakes Trail #625 in an old clearcut, quickly entering mature forest. In 0.7 mile a junction with Canyon Ridge Trail #689 is encountered. Turn left and follow Canyon Ridge Trail 0.5 mile to the junction with Boundary Way Trail (#688). Stay right at the junction. The Boundary Way Trail meanders through boggy meadows, then along a forested hillside. More meadows alternate with forest as the trail follows a ridgeline toward the Canadian Border. Boundary Way is a primitive trail, which receives only limited maintenance.

Activities: Hiking, Fishing

Info:
State: Washington
Location: Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Length: One-Way: 3.3 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 1600 feet
Maximum Elevation: 1800 feet
Best Season: June to November
Difficulty: Easy
Usage: Heavy
Parking: Northwest Forest Pass is required at trailheads.

Description: The Lewis River Trail is a lowland trail that follows the course of the Lewis River as it meanders through a magnificent old-growth forest of Douglas-fir, western redcedar and bigleaf maple. Five spectacular waterfalls will delight you as you explore this route. The trail totals 14.4 miles in Length, but can be accessed at five different points: The trail description is broken into three sections. The first section is the barrier-free portion that takes you to views of Curly Creek and Miller Creek falls. The second section starts at Curly Creek viewpoint, heads north and ends at Lower Falls Recreation Area. The third section describes the trail from Lower Falls Recreation Area to the trail’s end at its junction with Quartz Creek Trail #5. This maintained trail leaves the Lower Falls Campground and climbs above the river. It crosses Copper Creek and comes to Middle Falls. The trail circles a cliff above Upper Falls, providing excellent views of the falls. It crosses Alec Creek and terminates on Forest Road 90 near Quartz Creek Trail #5.

Activities: Hiking, Fishing

Info:
State: Washington
Location: Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Length: One-Way: 0.5 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 5000 feet
Maximum Elevation: 5100 feet
Best Season: July to October
Difficulty: Easy
Usage: Moderate

Description: The Wapiki Lake Trail leaves Lemei Trail (#34) approximately three miles from Forest Road 24. The trail traverses a timbered hillside to Lake Wapiki, which is part of Lemei Rock’s old crater. Lake Wapiki is surrounded by steep, blocky basalt cliffs, which define the crater rim. Wapiki is a Chinook word for elk.

Activities: Hiking

Info:
State: Washington
Location: Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
Length: One-Way: 2.7 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 3520 feet
Maximum Elevation: 4800 feet
Best Season: Summer, Fall
Difficulty: Moderate
Usage: Moderate

Description: The Butte Camp Trail at Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument is a maintained trail traversing a lava flow and then entering a regenerating clearcut. The trail begins on a steady climb through a lodgepole pine forest until reaching Lower Butte Camp. The trail then switchbacks up the hillside through a noble fir forest to the sub-alpine meadows of Upper Butte Camp. A permit is required to go above 4800 foot elevation on the Butte Camp Trail. The first part of this trail is good for hikers of all ages.