5 Best Washington Hikes with Dogs in November

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The rain has returned, but this doesn’t mean the hiking fun has to cease. The lush lowland evergreen forests call out for exploration, embracing and sheltering you with their moss-covered boughs. The musky scents of fall are beginning to ripen, to the delight of dogs everywhere. The leaves have almost all fallen from the deciduous trees and the salmon have returned to spawn in local rivers. I’m constantly amazed and thankful that I get to live, work, and play in such a beautiful place.

  1. Clark’s Creek Park Loop: 5.5 miles round-trip, 0 feet elevation gain, Puget Sound region, no parking pass. This is an interesting trail that connects several parks and open space designated areas together. It’s a pleasant wooded stroll in the middle of urban life. If you go in the morning, stop by Tibbits @ Fern Hill in Tacoma for the best breakfast you’ll have this year. It is a small, seasonally rotating menu of so much deliciousness!
  2. Moulton Falls: 4.0 miles round-trip, 90 feet elevation gain, Southwest Washington region, no parking pass. Meandering river-side trails, dozens of shades of green in the thick forest, a picturesque bridge crossing, and waterfalls galore. If you want a low-key adventure, get here early or on a rainy day and you’ll likely have the place to yourself. Dozens of local brewery offerings are on tap at Sproos Tap House and Wine Bar in Woodland with a tapas-style snack menu to round out a lovely day.
  3. Elliott Bay Trail: 10.4 miles round-trip, 0 feet elevation gain, Puget Sound region, no parking pass. Lovely urban hike on a paved path following the shoreline of Elliott Bay, excellent year-round with the added bonus of having a great excuse to stop at some great restaurants in the city–my favorites are Ivar’s Acres of Clams (4 chowder sampler), The Steelhead Diner (ling cod fish and chips and strawberry-rhubarb tart), Sushi Kappo Tamura (black dragon roll), Mani’s Kitchen (lamb tikka masala or butter chicken), Junebaby (Sunday fried chicken dinner special), The Pink Door (risotto, la fettunta, and Saffron and Moscato Wine Poached Pear with blood orange sorbet), and Pike Place Chowder (clam chowder and lobster roll).
  4. Spruce Railroad Trail: 10.0 miles round-trip, 250 feet elevation gain, Olympics region, no parking pass. Part of the longer, historic Olympic Discovery Trail, this hike takes you through an old, abandoned maple tree orchard then along an old railroad, and finally skirting the shoreline of Lake Crescent. About a mile into the hike, you cross a large bridge over the lake overlooking the Punchbowl pool. Views of the towering mountains surrounding the lake are particularly good around mile 3.5. You can turn around at any point on this out-and-back hike. Head to Kokopelli Grill in Port Angeles, reservations recommended, for some yummy crab cakes, smoked salmon chowder, and fish and chips.
  5. Packwood Lake: 10.0 miles round-trip, 600 feet elevation gain, South Cascades and Mount Rainier region, Northwest Forest Pass. This lake hike is often accessible earlier and later than many other alpine lake hikes and provides ample mountain views so save it for a clear day. Don’t expect anything amazing from the local food but your best best is probably Spiffy Dine In Drive In in Randle.