5 Best Washington Hikes with Dogs in September

Posted on by

The first hints of autumn are here as the higher elevation flora turns fiery red and the morning air holds a crisp chill. This may be my favorite hiking month. The world seems to pause, as if taking a deep breath. Footsteps land with a hollow, reverberating thud on alpine earth. Morning dew gives way to morning frost. The reds, yellows, and oranges of early autumn make for a striking contrast to cerulean blue skies. The North Cascades in particular are spectacular this time of year. The cooler temperatures may give you and your pup a new spring in your step as you climb ever higher to experience the contentment found only in nature.

  1. Mount Beljica: 4.0 miles round-trip, 1100 feet elevation gain, South Cascades and Mount Rainier region, Northwest Forest Pass. This trail to a former lookout tower site offers spectacular views of Mount Rainier without being inside the national park. A steep initial ascent, followed by a ridgeline traverse, a lakeshore trek, and then a scramble up to the summit of Mount Beljica. So much packed into this hike, best on a clear day. Grab a bite to eat at Wildberry Restaurant or Basecamp Bar and Grill in Ashford after.
  2. Chain Lakes Loop: 8.0 miles round-trip, 1700 feet elevation gain, North Cascades region, Northwest Forest Pass. This hike is just gorgeous–stunning mountain views, meadows with wildflowers, wildlife, alpine lakes for swimming, wild blueberries in late summer, and blazing fall foliage. Pair this 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. If breweries aren’t your cup of tea, try Punjabi Junction (also in Bellingham) for yummy dal tadka or butter chicken, garlic naan, and gulab jamun for dessert.
  3. Skyline Divide: 9.0 miles round-trip, 2500 feet elevation gain, North Cascades region, Northwest Forest Pass. The meadows and mountain views are equally spectacular in late summer with wildflowers as they are in brilliant fall colors. Chuckanut Brewery in Bellingham has lots of random food–the Pacific clam chowder is tasty.
  4. Yellow Aster Butte: 7.5 miles round-trip, 2550 feet elevation gain, North Cascades region, Northwest Forest Pass. While the summer wildflowers and mountain views are beautiful, the fiery fall foliage is beyond breathtaking. Be sure to get to the trailhead early or go on a weekday if possible as this is a very popular trail. Goat Mountain Pizza in Bellingham offers pizza by the slice or whole (try the roasted mushroom with truffled garlic puree!)
  5. Pete Lake: 9.0 miles round-trip, 400 feet elevation gain, Central Cascades and Snoqualmie region, Northwest Forest Pass. The alpine lakes wilderness surround this gorgeous lake and the trail offers mountain views, an abundance of wildlife, wildflowers, campsites, old growth forest, and a lake that reflects the gorgeous scenery. Cottage Cafe and Fireside Lounge in Cle Elum has pretty standard breakfast and lunch options.