5 Best Washington Hikes with Dogs in October

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Peak autumn colors often arrive at the cusp of September and October, lingering through the first couple weeks of October. Chase the colors by starting your fall hiking at upper elevations, following the reds and oranges as they sweep down the mountains to lower elevations. The cooler weather of October is much appreciated–by humans and dogs alike–after months of hiking through the dry summer heat.

  1. Icicle Gorge Nature Loop: 4.2 miles round-trip, 150 feet elevation gain, Central Cascades and Snoqualmie region, Northwest Forest Pass. This pleasant, gentle, creekside trail through the Icicle Creek Valley is an excellent autumn hike with vibrant fall foliage and small waterfalls. Since you’re already on the east side of the Cascades, consider stopping at Munchen Haus in Leavenworth for some famous Bavarian hospitality and bratwurst.
  2. Cutthroat Lake: 3.8 miles round-trip, 400 feet elevation gain, North Cascades region, Northwest Forest Pass. This is one of very few North Cascades hikes with minimal elevation gain that still offers mountain views, a pleasant lake, and especially beautiful fall foliage as the larches turn golden yellow. Grab a brisket sandwich or a pulled pork sandwich at Moose Creek BBQ in Arlington for some post-hike nourishment.
  3. Observation Peak: 5.0 miles round-trip, 500 feet elevation gain, Southwest Washington region, Northwest Forest Pass. Save this one for a clear day, for panoramic views that go on for miles from the top of this old fire lookout site overlooking Mount Adams in the distance. 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.
  4. Thorp Lake: 5.8 miles round-trip, 1260 feet elevation gain, Central Cascades and Snoqualmie region, no parking pass. This hike east of the mountains is particularly beautiful with a dusting of snow. The moderate distance and elevation offer a great variety of terrain, mountain views, a lake, a stream with spawning salmon, and fall foliage. Cottage Cafe and Fireside Lounge in Cle Elum has pretty standard breakfast and lunch options.
  5. Lake Valhalla: 7.0 miles round-trip, 1500 feet elevation gain, Central Cascades and Snoqualmie region, Northwest Forest Pass. The hike to Lake Valhalla has a little bit of everything–meadows, wild huckleberries, spectacular fall colors, forests, ridgeline views, and lake for the pups to swim in. The sandy beach of the lake makes for a pleasant resting point. Take the Smithbrook trailhead route tackling switchbacks before turning left toward Lake Valhalla when the trail levels out and meets up with the Pacific Crest Trail. If you get an early enough start and finish the hike around midday, take a detour into Seattle on the way back for some delicious weekend brunch/breakfast: Portage Bay Cafe–dungeness crab cake benedict, carnitas benedict, oatmeal cobbler french toast; 5 Spot–bag of beignets, forager’s forest scramble, chicken and waffle; Endolyne Joe’s–bag of beignets, caramel apple french toast, forager’s omelette.