Summer Hiking

I do a bit of hiking with the kids and Freya during the week while Sam is at work. These are usually around 2 miles and pretty easy for the kids. I have been working with them on preparing their own packs with the essentials- layers, food, water, whistle etc. They usually really love carrying their own packs but they are still getting use to it! We attend and host hikes with Hike It Baby weekly and get out with friends regularly too! I have no problem taking the kids and Freya out on my own either! Usually we stay in the county and nothing too crazy. I am pretty outnumbered with 2 kids and a puppy! We are excited that fall is here as we do a lot more hiking during the “off season”. The trails are less crowded and the weather is cool! Also everything is so green and wet! The kids find an abundance of slugs and mushrooms, which helps keep them motivated on the trail! We were able to squeeze in 3 big hikes this summer. By big I mean, more than an hours drive and a little more challenging than our everyday hikes! My list is growing for off season and I can’t wait!

Spider Lake is an easy 2 mile loop around the lake in Olympic National Forest. The first 50 feet is rather steep but after that it is a very enjoyable trail with only 200 feet of elevation gain! It is in the National Forest so Freya could join us for this hike. The ride to the trail head is a bumpy ride on a forest road! Not my favorite kind of road but Sam does a good job of keeping me distracted! There is limited parking at the trail head so thankfully we got there in the morning. This is honestly one of my favorite trails we have done so far! There are even a few spots on the lake to camp! We would love to get into backpacking as the kids get older and can help carry their own gear. Keeping this spot in mind!

**I have said it before, but this is one of my favorite views.**

**There were 3 bridges on this trail. The kids loved it!!**

**Lots of spots on the trail to get close to the lake.**

**This is what most of the trail looked like…beautiful views of the lake.**

**Bridge 3/3. These were all much longer than they look! Also bridge #2 was high and scary! Okay, I think I was the only one who was scared!**

**This is a great trail for Freya! She has come along ways since this hike so I wold love to see how she does if we do it again!**

Heybrook Ridge is a 3.3 mile (down and back) trail with roughly 800 feet of elevation gain located in the central Cascades. The viewpoint at the end was totally worth it! Now that I say that, I have yet to hike and have the view not be worth it! There are lots of switchbacks on this trail but it was still a pretty easy trail. We went on a weekend in the afternoon so the trail was fairly busy. We spent some time at the viewpoint so we were able to have moments to enjoy the view without other hikers.

**Odin hiked the entire trail himself. Aspen did get a ride on dad’s shoulders for a bit on the way down!**

**Nice little bench to stop and take a break!**

**So close to the viewpoint! Look at my kiddos go!!**

**Totally worth all those switchbacks!**

**Mountain top chats with Uncle Charlie!**

**Odin was so pumped to be able to get this close to the power lines.**

**Odin loves to be the leader! I had to run in front to get this picture haha!**

We had originally planned to do a waterfall hike in Olympic National Park near Lake Crescent but when we got to the trail head there was a sign for no pets! On the recommendation from the park ranger we decided on Spruce Railroad trail instead! This trail allows leashed dogs even though it is still in ONP. The trail is 8 miles round trip with only 200 feet of elevation gain! It is an old railroad track that was converted into a hiking and biking trail. The trail follows along Lake Crescent and you are able to take a short detour out to Devil’s Punchbowl. Devil’s Punchbowl is a rounded cove in Lake Crescent estimated to be about 1,000 feet deep. This is a popular spot for thrill seekers to jump in! We did not hike all 8 miles but did around 2.5 miles of it. We are thinking it might be fun to bike it next time!