19 hikes to explore the outdoors with your kids

The last time I took my daughter hiking, we saw three garter snakes on the trail, two of which she spotted. After that point on, we moved at a glacial pace. She looked under every bush and behind every tree for another snake.

That’s what it’s like when you hike with kids. They force you to change your perspective, literally. I think since they’re close to the ground, they see more. More bugs, more flowers, more snakes. You’ll cover fewer miles, but you’ll see those miles better.

We’re in prime hiking season now. And with most kids out of school, it’s time to explore. Here are some ideas in Snohomish County and nearby.

Ashland Lakes

A hike up to Ashland Lakes offers two sweet little lakes and, later in the season, a ton of blueberries. Much of the trail is on boardwalks and it’s occasionally rough, but older kids will be fine. The lake has a trail that loops all the way around and several good picnic spots. There are also fire pits. On the way back, take the short side trail to Beaver Plant Lake to look for frogs. 5.5 miles and 800 feet of gain.

Getting there: Follow the Mountain Loop Highway from Granite Falls. About 4.5 miles beyond the Verlot Public Service Center, turn right on Forest Road 4020, signed for Ashland Lakes. Turn right at Forest Road 4021. In about 1.5 miles, turn left on Forest Road spur 016. Discover Pass.

Barclay Lake

Pack a lunch and a swimsuit and check out Barclay Lake on a warm day. You won’t be alone, but you’ll get to enjoy a pretty trail and a kid-friendly lake. The trail rolls slightly, but is never steep. There are plenty of big trees for kids to play around. There are also camping spots if you’d like a short backpack trip. 4 miles round trip, 200 feet of gain.

Getting there: Drive east on U.S. 2 past Baring. Near milepost 41, head left on 635th Place NE. Keep left on Forest Road 6034. The trailhead is at the road’s end. Northwest Forest Pass.

Bear Lake

This is a short hike to a little mountain lake. Go later in the season for plentiful giant blueberries. There are a few camping sites if you’d like to try an easy backpacking trip. 0.8 miles roundtrip and 75 feet of gain.

Getting there: From Granite Falls, follow the Mountain Loop Highway; 4.5 miles past the Verlot ranger station, turn right on Forest Road 4020. Take a right for Forest Road 4021. At 1.5 miles, keep right and follow the bumpy road to the trailhead. No parking pass.

Beaver Lake

Go early or late and you may get to see the beavers. Go in the middle of the day for an excellent picnic. The trail to Beaver Lake is almost perfectly flat. The trail follows near the Sauk River, with a few spots to get down and play by the river. The beaver pond has a nice log bridge that kids will love. This is a good spot to turn around, or walk a few more minutes until the trail dead-ends at the river. 4 miles round trip, about 100 feet of gain.

Getting there: From Darrington, head south on the Mountain Loop Highway. Drive about 9 miles to the trailhead. No pass required.

Big Four Ice Caves

The Big Four Ice Caves are a popular attraction on the Mountain Loop Highway, and with good reason. The easy, well-made trail leads to a gorgeous and fascinating viewpoint. You can get a good look at the ice caves, which form every year, and gorgeous Big Four rises high above. Remember that the caves are dangerous, especially this time of year. Do not go in them and stay way back.

Getting there: From Granite Falls, head east on the Mountain Loop. The parking area is 14 miles past the Verlot Ranger station. Northwest Forest Pass needed.

Boardman Lake

This is an easy hike to a large mountain lake. Boardman Lake is great for a leisurely day of picnicking, splashing in the water and lounging in the sun. Right at the beginning of the hike, you’ll pass by Lake Evan, a smaller lake. The trail is a bit rough in spots, but pretty much anybody should be able to manage it. 2 miles, 300 feet of gain.

Getting there: From Granite Falls, head to the Mountain Loop. After the Verlot ranger station, drive 4.5 miles and turn right on Forest Road 4020. At 2.5 miles, head left, staying on Forest Road 4020. Trailhead is 2.2 miles ahead. No parking pass.

Boulder River

The Boulder River trail is a lovely forest ramble. The trail rolls some, but is mostly flat. You’re in sight of the river for much of the way. There’s a set of impressive waterfalls at about a mile in, a good turn-around point for young kids. The trail goes up to four miles, one way. The forest is coated in dense moss.

Getting there: Follow Highway 530 east from Arlington. Just after milepost 41, turn right on French Creek Road/Forest Road 2010, just after a small development of houses, and drive 4 miles to the trailhead. No pass needed.

Bridal Veil Falls

Kids will be entranced by this impressive waterfall. Come on a warm day and enjoy the refreshing spray from the falls. Or come on a wet day in your rain gear. The falls are on the same trail as Lake Serene, a longer and harder hike. After 1.5 miles, watch for a fork that heads to the right. You’ll climb steeply, up some step, and reach the falls in another fall of a mile. 4 miles round trip, 1,000 feet of gain.

Getting there: Head east on U.S. 2. About 7 miles after Gold Bar, turn right on Mount Index Road and look for the sign for Lake Serene. Important note: This is a very popular hike and can be overcrowded on weekends. If you do go on a weekend, park safely and try another hike if there is no safe place to park. Northwest Forest Pass needed.

Heybrook Lookout

The hike to Heybrook Lookout is steep but short. It’s just a mile to the top, where you’ll find a former fire lookout. It’s a great family hike. Kids will enjoy the big payoff of a tower to climb. Adults will admire the views all around. Bring a picnic. 2 miles and 800 feet of gain.

Getting there: Head east on U.S. 2. Just past mile marker 37 and a big sign for the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, the trailhead is on the left. No parking pass.

Iron Goat Trail

This trail follows an old railroad grade, which means it’s a gentle walk that’s great for all ages. Signs along the way tell you about the area’s history. It’s an ideal hike for young kids and large groups. Up to 6 miles and 700 feet of gain.

Getting there: Take U.S. 2 to just past mile marker 58. Turn left (north) on Old Cascade Highway, then turn right into the Iron Goat Interpretive Site. No parking pass.

Lime Kiln Trail

Take a walk through history on this trail. A railroad once ran through here and there was a mining operation. A lime kiln still stands, as well as a few other artifacts you can spot along the trail. 7 miles, 625 feet of gain.

Getting there: From Highway 92 in Granite Falls, turn south on Granite Avenue. Turn left on Pioneer Street. Turn left onto Waite Mill Road. Head left at the sign for Lime Kiln Trail. Turn left into the parking area. No parking pass.

Old Robe Canyon

Old Robe Canyon features a lovely, green trail that winds down to the Stillaguamish River. Most of the trail is well-shaded, and it would be a nice hike on a hot day. The trail begins by dropping down a series of switchbacks before staying flat for the rest of the trip. A bit of scrambling will bring you to the river, where kids can play at the river’s edge.

Getting there: From Granite Falls, go east on the Mountain Loop for 7 miles. The trailhead is on the right side of the road. There’s a wide area for parking. Look for an old brick and wood sign with faded words.

Pacific Crest Trail

Hike just a bit of this famous trail that goes all the way from Mexico to Canada. Start at Stevens Pass and head north as far as you like. The trail is mostly flat for several miles.

To get there: Head to the Stevens Pass ski area. Just east of the pedestrian bridge over U.S. 2, turn left (north) into a parking lot.

Old Sauk River Trail

This trail is nearly flat and follows the Sauk River, which comes in and out of sight as you stroll. This is an easy walk for young kids. 6 miles, 150 feet of gain.

Getting there: From Darrington, head south on Mountain Loop Highway. Trailhead is on the left in about five miles. All paved road. No pass required.

Suiattle River Trail

The Suiattle River Road opened late in 2014 after being closed for more than a decade. Drive all the way to the end of the road and hike as long as you like. It’s an easy trail, and trail crews have been working on it to get it back in great shape. Up to 14 miles, 900 feet of gain.

Getting there: From Darrington, head north on Highway 530. Turn right on the Suiattle River Road. Drive to the end of the road. Check with Darrington Ranger District to determine if a Northwest Forest Pass is needed.

Sultan River Canyon Trail

This lovely new trail was built to give kayakers access to whitewater below Culmback Dam, which holds back Spada Lake. It begins on an old road. You follow that for about 1.5 miles, climbing gently, until reaching a turn-off. The trail proper drops down to the river over about a mile. The trail is well made and gently graded. Just keep in mind that you’ll have to get your kids back up the climb later. (Before or after your trip, you can also walk on to Culmback Dam, which is fascinating for kids and adults.) 6 miles, 700 feet of gain.

Getting there: Take U.S. 2 to Sultan Basin Road. Turn left. After Olney Pass, the road forks. Head left. A gated road heads to the left; that’s where you’ll start hiking. Park just beyond that at a wide spot in the road. Sign-in at Olney Pass.

Tonga Ridge

This hike starts high and stays high. The only steep section of note is at the beginning. Young kids may struggle with it. After that, the trail rolls a lot. It’s a nice ramble along a ridge top. On clear days, the view is lovely. You can wander for as long or short a time as you like. If you feel like a dip, Fisher Lake is a nice place for a swim.

Getting there: Follow U.S. 2 east. Just past the Skykomish Ranger Station, turn right on Foss River Road (U.S. Forest Service Road 68.) At a Y intersection, veer left onto Road 6830. Follow this to Road 310 and turn left. Trailhead is at the end of the road. No pass required.

Trout Lake

It’s a mere 1.6 miles to reach Trout Lake, but it seems like even less. The trail climbs, but gently, and it’s smooth and pretty. Along the way, kids will enjoy an excellent log bridge and a giant Douglas fir. Bring your camera. You’re going to want a photo with the tree, which I guarantee you won’t be able to miss. The lake itself is pretty with a little day-use area where kids can get in to wade or swim. There are also some camps for those who’d like an easy backpack trip. The trail continues on to several other lakes, but from this point on it’s much rougher and steeper.

Getting there: Just past the Skykomish Ranger Station, turn right on Foss River Road. Watch for a left-hand turn onto Forest Road 6835. The trailhead is at the end of the road. Northwest Forest pass.

Wallace Falls

You have many options on this trail. For a short hike, just head up Small Falls. The falls are tiny, but very pretty. Take the short loop trail here and read the Native American story that’s told on plaques along the trail. Or head along to lower, middle or upper falls. The middle falls are the most scenic. If you push on to the upper falls, the trail gets a lot steeper. Up to 5.6 miles and 1,300 feet of gain.

Getting there: Drive east to Gold Bar on U.S. 2. Turn left on First Street. Take a right on May Creek Road. At the Y junction, keep left. Discover Pass required. There is a dispenser in the parking lot. Parking lot can fill up on weekends.