Skip to content

Warning: May Cause Daydreaming. Our ‘Mountain Guide’

OK, so you can't actually see the mountains today, but just knowing they're there keeps us grounded

By Seattle Mag May 5, 2011

rainier_0

Days like today remind me of how easy it is to take our mountains for granted. Just yesterday, driving across the lake, I got a great big mountain in my eye; Mount Rainier in all its glory, sun glancing off of glaciers, etc. etc. Today, no sign of it…except on the cover of our May issue!

Our Mountain Guide is a huge round up of our beloved local peaks, and great ways to enjoy them, from scenic drives to ski adventures, to butt-kicking clambers. Love mountains enough to buy land? We’ve got info. Worried about volcanoes? Bears? Yeti? We address those concerns, too. Click on a few links (below) and check it out…then pray for a little sun and plan a day-trip foray to explore. Enjoy!

9 Can’t-miss Peaks:From irresistable Mount Rainier to restless Mount St. Helens, a peek at our favorite snow-capped goliaths 

Local Ski Resorts & Crowd-Free Trails: Six hot spots for going downhill this ski season and less crowded alternatives to the usual trails

Mountain Lore: From canyon to cave, the Sasquatch legend persists

Thar She Blows! A Glance at Washington’s volcanos: Eye-popping mountain views come with a serious price tag

When Animals Attack: From experienced to novice, remember: safety first!

5 Driveable Summits: Some people respond to the call of the wild with a sharpened stick and a bag of granola

New to the Outdoors? Our 101 on Getting Started: We navigate where and how to get started on your beginner mountain treks

Washington’s Mountain Vacation Homes: Looking for a vacation home or a weekend rental close to the mountains? Here’s an idea of what’s available

 

Follow Us

A Lighthouse Stay on Bellingham Bay

A Lighthouse Stay on Bellingham Bay

Hotel Bellwether’s refreshed waterfront stay, dapper lobby dog, and scenic route north turn the short drive from Seattle into a real getaway.

The first sign that Bellingham was going to feel farther away than it is came in Edison, over a rich, flaky pastry. Earlier this spring, I was invited to stay at Hotel Bellwether, and my friend and I headed north from Seattle, a roughly 90-mile drive that usually takes about an hour and a half…

Five Lesser-Known Washington State Parks for Spring and Summer

Five Lesser-Known Washington State Parks for Spring and Summer

From Hood Canal beaches to Blue Mountain wildflowers, these quieter parks give warmer weekends some breathing room.

As the outdoor season gets going, many of us, myself included, tend to gravitate toward Washington’s national parks and a handful of the state’s most popular trails. There’s no arguing that they’re pretty spectacular. However, we also know that summer crowds are an issue and detract from the very reason we went in the first…

The Warmest Welcome: Why You Should Visit the Tri-Cities This Year

The Warmest Welcome: Why You Should Visit the Tri-Cities This Year

Just a few hours away from Seattle, this robust community offers great wine, a budding food scene, and more than 300 days of sun.

There is a point, when I’m traveling along Interstate 82 (I-82), somewhere around Exit 26, when I usually notice a shift in the light—especially in the wintertime. Coming out from the pass and heading south to leave the flat, cloud-shrouded gray of Western Washington behind, I feel a burst of happiness at the blue skies…

Paint Check: Select Alaska Airlines Planes Get a Fresh Look

Paint Check: Select Alaska Airlines Planes Get a Fresh Look

The local aviation company debuts a bold Aurora Borealis-inspired livery as it expands internationally.

At the beginning of the year, Alaska Airlines unveiled its new global livery: a bold design inspired by the Aurora Borealis. Painted in a palette of deep blues and shimmering emerald greens, the sleek look is a nod to Alaska Airlines’ continued addition of international destinations, which will expand to London, Rome, and Reykjavik by…