5 Best Washington Hikes with Dogs in August

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The wildflowers are in full bloom, the lakes are as warm as they’re going to get, and all of the higher elevation hikes should be snow-free. This is not a drill. Lace up those boots, hit the trail, and push yourself to new heights. As the annual summer drought marches on, you’ll find water less available on the trail, so be sure to bring plenty for you and your pooch.

  1. Winchester Mountain Lookout: 3.4 miles round-trip, 1300 feet elevation gain, North Cascades region, Northwest Forest Pass. This is a short but relatively steep hike to a fire lookout tower perched at 6500 feet and offering 360 degree views of the North Cascades. Simply breathtaking on a clear day. Pair this fun hike with a stop at some of Bellingham’s breweries–Boundary Bay Brewery and Aslan Brewing Co both offer good food and drink. The smoked salmon chowder at Boundary Bay and Hawaiian pork tacos at Aslan are particularly good.
  2. Heather-Maple Pass Loop: 7.2 miles round-trip, 2000 feet elevation gain, North Cascades region, Northwest Forest Pass. An abundance of wildflowers, mountain views, an alpine lake, and dramatic scenery make this an unforgettable hike. Clockwise gets the steep part of the trail done with early on while counter-clockwise gives you more dramatic views of the surrounding peaks. Go on a sunny day to get the most out of the views. You’ve earned yourself a tasty bite after this hike, so head to Marysville for the best BBQ in Washington at Jeff’s Texas Style BBQ–the pulled pork was superb.
  3. Lake Serene-Bridal Veil Falls: 8.2 miles round-trip, 2000 feet elevation gain, Central Cascades and Snoqualmie region, Northwest Forest Pass. A crystal-clear mountain lake and cascading waterfall make this a very popular hike, and rightly so. Go early or during the week to avoid the crowds. Make sure to take the Bridal Veil Falls detour on your way to the lake so you don’t lose motivation for the steep climb on your way back. Benjarong in Monroe is a Thai restaurant with delicious Phad See-Ew and Crab Fried Rice that you won’t commonly find on menus. Or, for a delicious weekend brunch head to Purple Cafe and Wine Bar in Woodinville for a flight of mimosas, and food too.
  4. Ptarmigan Ridge: 9.0 miles round-trip, 1350 feet elevation gain, North Cascades region, Northwest Forest Pass. Wildflowers and wild blueberries make the stunning scenery of this hike even more spectacular. It is high-altitude, exposed terrain offering in-your-face views of Mount Baker and Coleman Pinnacle. Mount Vernon offers the best post-hike dining options: COA Mexican Eatery has great tacos and enchiladas, Taste of India has delicious butter chicken, and Mr T’s Family Cafe is known for their huge biscuits and hearty breakfasts.
  5. Stagman Ridge – The Bumper: 9.0 miles round-trip, 1700 feet elevation gain, South Cascades and Mount Rainier region, Northwest Forest Pass. The views (best on a clear day) of Mount Adams are spectacular with the mountain reflected in Lookingglass Lake, summer wildflowers in Horseshoe Meadow, or fiery autumn reds. This is one of my favorite hikes to pair with a weekend overnight adventure. After the hike, camp overnight at Trout Lake Campground and then head to Portland the next morning and have brunch at Screen Door Restaurant–all of the food is delicious but the fried chicken and sweet potato waffle and the bananas foster french toast were particularly good. Explore the city and if you have room for more tasty bites, stop by Tamale Boy – Dekum for Oaxacan and Northern Mexican style tamales.