Ellie Kozlowski - Washington Day Trips by Theme

Safety Note Washington State is home to a host of potentially dangerous animals including rattlesnakes, bears, and mountain lions, as well as natural hazards, such as extreme temperatures, avalanches, mudslides, bluffs and drop-offs (not to mention the possibility of volcanic activity, earthquakes, and tsunamis). Always heed posted safety warnings, take commonsense safety precautions, and remain aware of your surroundings. Youre responsible for your own safety.

Editors: Brett Ortler and Amber Kaye Henderson

Cover and book design by Jonathan Norberg

Front cover photo: Mount Rainier: Dene' Miles/shutterstock.com; map, Globe Turner/shutterstock.com

Back cover photo: Fort Nisqually, Tacoma: Loren L. Masseth/shutterstock.com

Interior photos by Ellie Kozlowski except as follows:

: Maria Palla Abad

Photos used under license from (top): Nadia Yong

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Washington Day Trips by Theme

Copyright 2021 by Michelle L. Kozlowski

Published by Adventure Publications

An imprint of AdventureKEEN

310 Garfield Street South

Cambridge, Minnesota 55008

(800) 678-7006

adventurepublications.net

All rights reserved

Printed in the United States of America

ISBN 978-1-59193-924-5 (pbk.); ISBN 978-1-59193-925-2 (ebook)

Disclaimer Please note that travel information changes under the impact of many factors that influence the travel industry. We therefore suggest that you call ahead for confirmation when making your travel plans. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information throughout this book, and the contents of this publication are believed to be correct at the time of printing. Nevertheless, the publishers cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions, for changes in details given in this guide, or for the consequences of any reliance on the information provided by the same. Assessments of attractions and so forth are based upon the authors own experiences; therefore, descriptions given in this guide necessarily contain an element of subjective opinion, which may not reflect the publishers opinion or dictate a readers own experience on another occasion.

Table of Contents

Dedication

To the curious, the spontaneous, and those willing to go the extra mile.

Acknowledgments

Without the encouragement and support I received from my community of friends, colleagues, writers, and family, I would not have been able to write this book. Thank you all.

A giant, giant thank-you to Brett Ortler from AdventureKEEN for placing this project with me. You helped me cultivate an even greater love of Washington State (which I didnt know was possible). Amber Kaye Hendersoneditor extraordinairethank you for your keen eye and fine-tooth comb. And thank you to Kate Johnson and Liliane Opsomer for your dedication and support.

Thank you to my fellow day-trippers: Denise Miller, Erica Chang, Rachel Toor, and Theo Pauline Nestorit was an adventure doing research with you.

Thank you to all of you who generously offered up your favorite day trips when I inquired online, at social gatherings, and at my place of workespecially Bruce Whitmore, Naomi Whitmore, Maria Abad, Jenna Kruger Behrman, Melissa Lindstrum, Geneva Randall, Emma Vice, Emily Ballert-Dalrymple, and Cynthia Dukich. Your recommendations and insight proved invaluable.

A shout-out to my writing pals who were by my side (literally) during part of this project: Maya Jewell Zeller, Linda Cooper, Sonora Jha, Ruchika Tulshyan, Jessica C. Trupin, Novera Alim King, Anne Kilfoyle, and Aileen Keown Vaux.

Thanks to the people behind HistoryLink.orgyour dedication to documenting regional history is both admirable and informative.

And a warm, magic-hour thank-you to those of you who helped with photography, including Cat Stoothoff, Maria Abad, Erica Chang, and especially Mo Aristegui.

To Sean Koenig: You are a lifesaver. Your supportand research!buoyed me when I needed it most.

And a waterfall of thank-yous to my partner and greatest champion, Jonah Kozlowski, who is always willing to jump into glacial water and report back.

Land Acknowledgment

The trips throughout this book take place across the traditional lands of many Indigenous peoples, including the Makah, Klallam, Lower Elwha Klallam, SKlallam, Chimakum, Quileute, Hoh, Quinault, Cowlitz, Chehalis, Kwalhioqua, Chinook, Lower Chinook, Sahaptin, Tenino, Yakama, Klickitat, Walla Walla, Wasco-Wishram, Palouse, Wanapum, Umatilla, Sinkiuse-Columbia, Columbia-Wenatchi, Nlakapamux, Puget Sound Salish, Duwamish, Puyallup, Muckleshoot, Snohomish, Snoqualmie, Nisqually, Suquamish, Upper Skagit, Squaxin, Swinomish, Twana, Skokomish, Samish, Stillaguamish, Sauk-Suiattle, Tulalip, Nooksack, Lummi, Halkomelem, Colville, Nespelem, Entiat, Okanagan, Methow, San Poil, Sinixt, Nez Perce, Chelan, Kalispel, Spokane, Ktunaxa/Kutenai, Salish and Kootenai, Schitsuumsh/Couer DAlene, and Cayuse tribes.

I am grateful to live on the traditional land of the Coast Salish People, including the Duwamish People, and I am full of gratitude when I visit and greet the lands beyond. I will be donating 50% of the royalties from this book to Indigenous-centered nonprofits and organizations, and/or directly to Washington State tribes. To learn more about which tribes ancestral lands you are visiting on your day trip, use native-land.ca as a resource to get started. To learn more about the movement to return Indigenous lands to Indigenous people, visit landback.org.

Big Four Ice Caves (see )

WASHINGTON STATE HAS INCREDIBLE DIVERSITY when it comes to its geography and climates. In addition to boasting three national parks, Washington has desert, rainforest, coastline, mountains, rivers, volcanoes, glaciers, and hot springs. Outdoor enthusiasts have flocked to the state to take advantage of the wide range of terrain and the activities that come along with it, including hiking, snow sports, fishing, boating, biking, climbing, and exploring. Whatever adventure youre looking forfrom backpacking trips to a beginners hikeWashingtons got it.

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

A nearly 2.5-mile-long lava tube at Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument

An ancient volcanos basalt core, seated on the shores of the Columbia River

Large snow caves on Big Four Mountains north side

A geological wonderonce the site of the worlds largest waterfall

Otherworldly erratic boulders deposited during the Missoula Floods

See the sky like youve never seen it before.

Site of the creation of the plutonium bomb

Unreal blue waters make Lake Crescent exceptionally picturesque.

Observe orcas from the shoreif youre lucky.

Visit in the summer, when a profusion of alpine wildflowers make their appearance

A remote hike with 360-degree views in the Selkirk Range

One of Mt. BakerSnoqualmie National Forests most stunning alpine lakes

A striking basalt lava formation on the Columbia River

Ape Cave

GPS Coordinates: N46 06.519' W122 12.623'; Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, 42218 NE Yale Bridge Road, Amboy, WA 98601; 360-449-7800