Best Hikes With Children In Western Washington The Cascades

Trails specifically selected with younger hikers in mind Tips for family vacation destinations Features easy-to-access “nature fixes” throughout Western Washington Author Susan Elderkin has seen her kids express wonder and glee at discovering insects and flowers, melt down in tearful defiance in the middle of a trail, and triumphantly reach a summit and view. In short, she’s a regular mom who wants to encourage other parents to get their regular kids out into nature too. While Susan is an expert hiker in her own right, it’s her children who helped her to see hiking from a kid’s point of view. The result is Best Hikes with Kids: Western Washington, a fresh and wholly new guide for families looking for quality time together away from their distracting devices. Guidebook features include: 125 hikes—carefully selected and vetted by both parents and children Routes range in length from less than 2 miles (great for toddlers) to as much as 6 miles (for older kids who want to test themselves) Handy info blocks give a quick snapshot of each hike: best season, difficulty, length, high point, and elevation gain 13 “Great Getaways”—weekend or vacation destinations around the state with hiking trails and other family-fun activities Colorful icons indicate star attractions of the hike: splash zone, wildflowers, old-growth, dog-friendliness, stroller-accessibility, and more “Best of” lists make it easy for families to match hikes to their kids’ interests Driving directions, complete trail information, GPS trailhead coordinates, and color map included for each hike Tips on how to motivate kids on the trail, what’s appropriate for different ages, nature facts, and more Whether you’re looking for the best hikes to hug a really big tree; take a fun and refreshing dip; see birds, animals, or waterfalls; go on a winter day; or stuff yourself with berries, Best Hikes with Kids: Western Washington has you covered.

The first of a new series of popular family guides combines new material and features in a handy user-friendly format.

Guides to day hikes and overnighters for families. Tips on hiking with kids, safety, and fostering a wilderness ethic.

Using this complete guide, residents and tourists alike can discover the exciting activities and attractions found in these beautiful and easily accessible parks. From dramatic Mount Baker to lush Paradise near Mount Rainier, from the eerie moonscape of Mount St. Helens to the craggy beaches of the Olympic Peninsula, every destination offers unique rewards to those willing to explore. 83 maps. 90 photos.

* Explains the geologic natural history of the North Cascades * Appeals to hikers who are fascinated by the region, as well as amateur geologists * Authors are both geologists with the US Geological Survey Composed of everything from volcanic island arcs and deep ocean sediments, to parts of old continents and even pieces of the deep subcrustal mantle of the earth, Washington's North Cascade region is a true geologic mosaic. Here, authors Tabor and Haugerud reveal that the spectacular scenery of these mountains is matched by equally spectacular geology. Beginning with a summary of the geologic history of the North Cascades, the first section also offers the novice a primer on geologic terms and processes. The second section covers more than 150 accessible sites of geologic interest, arranged by reference to the rivers and streams of the range. Many new ideas about the rocks and geologic processes in the North Cascades are introduced, making this a must-read for those studying the region.