It’s finally time to peel off those polar fleeces, flannels and long underwear my fellow lumberjacks and lumberjanes. We wait patiently for these precious few months for the opportunity to experience our beautiful surroundings without being clad in Gore-Tex everything. And, some of our best trails in the Pacific Northwest are nearby fantastic local breweries … so you can go ahead and treat yo’self to a frosty cold one after those hard-earned miles. Here are some of my favorites in Washington and Oregon:
Icicle Ridge Trail, Leavenworth, WA
4.0 miles round-trip; 1,800 foot elevation gain; highest point is 3,000 ft.; dogs allowed on leash
On the east side of the Cascade Mountain Range, about 45 minutes past the popular Stevens Pass Ski Resort, lays Icicle Ridge. This trail is quite vertical with several switchbacks, but the view at the top is well worth the effort (and can be windy – so hold onto your hat!) Any time after April, you’ll most certainly have sunny and warm weather, so be sure to pack your sunscreen. If you hike it earlier in the summer, purple and white flowers grace you along the trail, butterflies flutter about, and plenty of snow still caps the top of the mountains. Pictures won’t even do the views justice. You may leave feeling like you just walked through a fairy tale (hint: it’s not far from the elusive Enchantments –one of the hardest places to get a camping permit in the Pacific Northwest). Wildlife sighting can occur, so keep you’re eye peeled for mountain goats. Click here for some amazing gear to help with your hike.
After, head into town to the aptly named Icicle Brewing Company for a Khaos Kolsch. It’s actually really hard to go wrong at this fondly-loved local watering hole, as there’s a beer for everyone, but this particular brew embodies everything great about this quaint German-themed town: a well-balanced German Style Ale as “crisp as a mountain breeze.” It’s basically as refreshing as the crystal clear glacial water running down the Wenatchee River behind it.
Rattlesnake Ledge, North Bend, WA
4.0 miles round-trip; 1,160 foot elevation gain; highest point is 2,078 feet; dogs allowed on leash
Another steep hike, but well traveled and a favorite for day hikers from Seattle. It genuinely is a good beginner’s hike for anyone looking to advance from flat surfaces. If you can, sneak up to this spot on a nice day mid-week to avoid crowds. It is one of the best (and only) ways to see the Cedar River watershed and Chester Morse Lake. This area is off-limits to humans to preserve it from contamination since it serves as a large portion of the Seattle Metropolitan area’s drinking water, and thus the views of this pristine aquatic view can be bluer than Seahawks fans on a Friday.
Nearby, grab a pint of Summer Beer at the Snoqualmie Brewery and Taproom. This seasonal sweetheart is billed as a “pre-Prohibition Pilsner” using ale yeast to give it a fuller body. After a day in the Evergreen hills, few other beers can reassure you that summer has indeed arrived like this one.
Lost Lake Butte, Lost Lake, OR
4.6 miles round-trip; 1,270 foot elevation gain; highest point is 4,468 feet; requires Northwest Forest Pass or special entry fee
The best thing about this hike is that, depending on where you live, you can either camp near at the glasslike Lost Lake or drive in for the day to hike up to the top for a prime view of Mt. Hood (oh, and Mount Jefferson, and Mount Rainier—NBD). This hike is well-graded and covered by plenty of trees along the way, so if it’s not too warm out you might want to bring layers. If you’re thinking about camping with the family, bear in mind that this hike probably isn’t great for younger kids. The last ¾ mile of the trail is made of steep switchbacks to alert you you’re about to be reminded why your calves are burning like disco fever: an incomparable melody of pure, unadulterated PNW majesty.
Nearby, you’ll find Hood River, the Oregon town that surely must have the most breweries per capita. So, with so many to choose from, I’ll make it easy for you: just go to the Double Mountain Brewery and Taproom. Then, once there, order a “Sacre Bleu,” because that’s what you said once you got to the top of your hike near Lost Lake. It’s a Belgian-style brew with loads of flavor like figs, clove and banana but finishes clean. Just do it. You’ll thank me.
Green Lake Trail, Bend, OR
5.6 miles round-trip; 1,350 foot elevation gain; highest point is 6,800 feet; dogs allowed on leash; wilderness permits required for both day-use and overnight camping during the summer time
Unless you are Elijah Wood, you’ll never get to experience what it feels like to visit Middle-Earth. But, if you’d like to get somewhere close, head to this trail in the Three Sisters area of Central Oregon. You’ll see diverse vegetation, waterfalls, and lava rock all along the way. Keep in mind that this is a very popular hiking area for locals, so if you’re planning on going for the weekend you might want to seek out the less traveled trails that are nearby if you prefer a more isolated hike. If you’re not fond of mosquitoes, you might want to wait until later in the summer to head out once they’ve had their fill of the early birds.
After indulging in the sublimely odd landscape of the Central Oregon, drink something equally weird yet refreshing: the Jingo Jango ISA from Silver Moon Brewing. Though lesser-known that other Bend beer houses, Silver Moon was the third brewery to set up shop. This IPA-style beer known as the sessional because of the rotation of hops used. Unlike many of its peers who try to invoke bold flavors of tropical and citrus fruits, this beer does not taste like soap. It tastes delicious, and even better after a day in nature.
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