I don’t have crampons or micro spikes, so ideally something accessible! Thank you

My family goes backpacking once each summer and we're starting to think about our next trip so I'm looking for recommendations. We have some pretty specific conditions we're looking for, so apologies for the novel.

We're all adults and there is anywhere from 2 to 6 of us going. Some of them are in their 60's and a bit slower so were looking for around 4 miles/day with low elevation gain. 3 to 4 days (2-3 nights) is optimal.

We need at least occasional tree cover/shade on the trail but the more shaded the better. We hate when there are biting flies and bees so trails with known bug issues aren't our thing. My mom got bit/stung by something last year and was pretty miserable due to her more severe reactions to them (not anaphylaxis).

We have tents and water filters and need water sources for those on the trail/not >.5 mile from camp site.

Our favorite trails were at: Ross Lake Baker Lake Lake Ozzette Goldmire springs (mostly for the springs, hated driving on the road there and the bugs)

We didn't like: Wonderland/Berkley Park on Mt Rainier. I don't remember exactly where we were as this was at least 5 years ago but I think it was somewhere on the wonderland trail. We only stayed one night and turned around. It was high elevation with no tree cover most of the time and my mom says the bugs were terrible but I just remember way too much sun and very steep at the beginning.

Any recommendations close to these are welcome! We're thinking about some lower elevation Mt Rainier trails currently.

I live in California and have backpacked a lot of the Sierra‘s. Up in your area I’ve done the timberline Trail around Mount Hood and spider gap loop in glacier peak wilderness which were both so epic. This last summer I went to Wyoming and I think I wanna come back up to Washington for my next trip, but I need to be thinking about Permit season. I would love to do the Wonderland trail around Mount Rainier, but I don’t think I can get that much time off work. So then I’m thinking about Alpine Lakes wilderness or the North Cascades. I don’t mind trying for a Permit and then having a back up. If I wanted to be on the trail 5 to 7 days doing 10 to 15 miles a day depending on terrain and elevation gain what would be some ideas?

Meeting up with my brother tomorrow for a hike, I’m driving down from Vancouver and he’s driving up from Seattle. Looks a bit rainy, so going canoeing seems like not that good of an idea. We both done Oyster dome before. Any recs for a good rainy day hike in the greater Bellingham area/anywhere two hours from both cities?

Edit: looking like I'll be trying Lighthouse and Lottie Point via Rosario Head Trail! Looks gorgeous. Thank you for everyone who replied! https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/lighthouse-point-and-lottie-point-via-rosario-head-trail

Hey all! I'm not "great" at hiking (left knee injury over a year ago has made life difficult), but I still like to go and push myself. Rattlesnake out by Fall City is a decent challenge for my knee, if that gives anyone reference. I just take lots of breaks.

That being said, I'm contemplating a rainy hike this weekend. Somewhere with good views as a "reward" before heading back down to the car. Suggestions for a solo hiker, less than 6 miles total, easy/medium?

I might want to bring my dog (leashed 100% of the time).

My friend is missing on Mt. Hood in Oregon as of 11/6. His last ping on AllTrails is on the PCT Oregon Section G near Zig Zag Falls, 2-3 miles from the Timberline Lodge (by my estimates). He had started from below and hiked up the Paradise Park 778 trail. I am a hiker, but not in snowy conditions. If anyone is in the area soon, PLEASE keep an eye out for him. His name is James. Thank you. (Yes, search and rescue is also looking, I just really wish I could be out there myself)

(cross-posted on Mountaineering subreddit)

Update: No changes as of 11/8 around 4pm PST. The search continues. SAR team leading the operations. Appreciate anyone who plans to be in the area to keep an eye out for him. White skin, brown hair, about 6'3". Thank you everyone!

Update: James very sadly died and was found on 11/8. Please, please take care of yourselves out there. Buy the expensive gear if it will keep you safe. My love to this community and all the support you have shown us. Thank you

We are planning on hiking Colchuck Lake but heard its closed during this time around. Any recommendation where to hike this weekend around the area?

I'm looking for suggestion of trails to check out this weekend. Some can't miss fall hikes. Prefer in sw washington but can travel a bit.

Hi all, I will be visiting Rainier and Olympic NP this winter and I assume that I will have to carry chains even if my vehicle is AWD/4WD - when they mention "checking for chains" do they mean that you can have it in the trunk or will it be required on your truck? (of course if the conditions are bad enough they will likely be required) but is this the case normally?

Looking to take camp overnight in a fire tower during a trip I have planned next year, would like to find one in Washington that doesn’t need a reservation, the more remote and difficult to get to the better. Any suggestions?

Am experienced hiker and safety conscientious.

Any good hikes 1-2hrs from South King to see salmon spawning? I see them locally in the stream now and was thinking it would be great to see a bunch of them rather than ~10 in local stream

Trying to go on a last second hike to see some snow. Im not talking a dump of snow, my car would never make it. But are there hikes getting some snow with the storm today that anyone can think of?

Anyone lose their headphones at the top of Saltzman where the cars park? DM me with the brand and model and I'll get them to you.

Decided to add hot springs to our hiking trips. Went to one this weekend and was under the impression the private tubs were for nudity and the open ones were not. That wasn’t the case. Just checking the standard that clothes are optional. Before bringing my kiddos to the next want want to know the norm. Thank you.

Went to bagby it was beautiful.

Edit: I truly have no opinion on if I feel it’s okay or not. I just wanted knowledge of the culture and expectations on it. Have some kiddos with trauma so just want to be thoughtful to all parties including those enjoying their time at the hot spring in the nude.

I'm hoping to do some snowshoeing this winter. I recently bought a RAV4 which has 4WD, so I'll need four total chains. I definitely don't want the cheap ones where you have to put them down in front of the tires and drive on to them, but I also don't want to spend $600 on a set of four.

Does anyone have a brand they like for tire chains? I'm looking for a set somewhere in the middle of these price ranges, maybe $300ish for a full set.