4th July 3-day: Where to go in WA?

[Elena Lee]

I'm looking for your suggestions. Where do you think we should go for a 4th of July weekend? I'm thinking 3-day under 30 miles considering we'll have to drive there and back. I'm looking for a loop hike. I thought i got it down with Little Beaver-Big Beaver but the taxi on Ross lake is expensive for just the two of us, and at this time, there is no boat that we can take to split up the cost with others.
I have one day to decide!

Thanks

[Rakesh Malik]

The Necklace Valley might be a good option, though I'd check the snow levels with the rangers first. This one's high on my list.
http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/necklace-valley

Also consider the Wild Sky and Henry M. Jackson location —
http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/cady-ridge
There's a loop hike there that's between 20 and 30 miles long IIRC, but I don't have the guide with me at work to look it up. It includes Benchmark Mountain in the loop, and a short stretch on the PCT. I can't bring the mind which trail it loops back on, but with a little bit of road walking (IIRC under 1 mile) it becomes a loop. And the area is gorgeous.

One of the rangers recommended the Seven Lakes Basin in the Olympics very highly.

I was going to suggest this one
http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/spider-gap but I think it's a bit too long for 3 days. (44 miles.) That's what you get for relying on memory when you're absent-minded… and thinking mostly about the views. :)

If you look at one of the Green Trails maps, you ought to be able to put together a loop hike in the Middle Fork Teanaway valley also, or take a gamble on the Enchantments… but for that one call the Wenatchee-Okanagon ranger station first, as it might still be too icy for a safe traverse. If it IS clear, and you can get passes, it's worth it. (If you do it, go in via Colchuck if possible; it's steeper than going in via Snow Lakes, but also 4 miles shorter — same elevation gain…)

This one also comes highly recommended (by a couple of folks who know the area very well, since one of them has actually circumnavigated the Wild Sky Wilderness in order to validate and document its boundary — he was one of the folks that helped to get it established)
http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/bald-eagle-mountain
IIRC it's a loop, beginning at the Quartz Creek Trailhead in the North Fork Skykomish River drainage, and culminating in a stunning vista from Bald Eagle Ridge, giving you a view of the entire Wild Sky Wilderness… this one's high on my list for this summer also.

I hope that helps :)

[Elena Lee]

Thanks Rakesh i will check these out. Btw, are you a pro photographer? would be nice to bounce off some ideas on scenic photo opportunities around in the state. Do you have a gallery?

[Rakesh Malik]

I am, and I'd be happy to talk photography :)

I've only been in Seattle for a couple of years, so I haven't had time to get out and explore the (vast) area nearly as much as I'd like to.

I don't have a gallery of my own yet, but I do have a small collection of prints on display at the Sierra Club office in Seatle (cascade.sierraclub.org) and I have a selection of images up on my web site (duh :)) http://www.WhiteCranePhotography.com

There's no shortage scenic photo opportunities around here. It's actually a bit daunting because there are so many options to pick from :)

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