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Washington Hiking and Friendsgiving – Winter 2020
- By Michael Lakus
- Read Time: 8min
Westward to Washington
There were plenty of reasons to get out to Washington late November 2020, and this Friendsgiving trip was the real deal! I saw some old friends and made some new friends on this 10 day trip from Seattle to Mt. Rainier with nonstop hiking and healthy pours! Special thanks to Jasmine for the invite!
Comin’ at ya with another in-flight edit, 4K video recap. I’m beginning to get these down to a science!
Travel Logistics
Used Chase UR for a Renaissance in Seattle, Jasmine and Olivia covered most of the logistics on this one with amazing Airbnb cabins and AVIS rentals ($250 + $100). RT flight ran about $350. Would recommend Alaskan if available. Adding roughly $200 for misc spend brings the total to around $900.
This trip to Washington was twofold. I was able to hang out in Seattle with some long time friends, Alex and Chase, at the beginning and tail end, while hiking all over the Cascades with the Friendsgiving crew. It all started and ended in Seattle; taking a two car caravan clockwise loop out into neature and staying at a few incredible cabins. I don’t think anyone expected the amount of snow we had, but it made for one of the best hiking escapades I’ve ever been on.
Driving Conditions
Being a Floridian, I always forget about driving in true winter weather. Bring at least a snow shovel! Even with 4WD, we got stuck a few times on unplowed roads.
Saturday in Seattle, Washington
The week in Washington started at the classic crashpad in West Seattle with Alex and Chase. I flew in a day early to enjoy catching up on old times, see what was new and poke around their part of town a little bit. Shoutout to Alex for the big time French toast breakfast before we set out around the area. When a friend has a million kitchen electronics and utensils, you know you’re in for a good time.
During our exploration, I was excited to get a chance to purchase some oolong from Floating Leaves tea. This place was on my sourcing list for Taiwanese oolongs for some time, so I made it a point to get a few varieties while in town. The staff was great and I was also surprised by Chase’s interest in the gong-fu brewing style. It’s always nice to have a fellow tea drinker!
Wallace Falls and Leavenworth
After parting ways in Seattle, I met up with the rest of the crew (Jasmine, John, Liv, Leslie, Haleigh, Becky) to begin the drive out to Washington’s Cascade mountains and eventually the cabin. The first two stops were a hike at Wallace Falls before grubbin’ up in Leavenworth.
This type of hike was DRASTICALLY different than what we were to have for the remainder of the trip, and it goes to show how dynamic the weather and climate is around Washington. The scenery was super green and vegetal with Jurassic-looking plants everywhere; especially ferns and moss. Wallace Falls was an excellent warmup hike to set the tone moving forward. It also set the Icing tone, when Jasmine took a kneel for the first Ice of the trip (watch the video!).
If ever on the more east-side of Washington, Leavenworth has to be on the list. We didn’t spend a super long time here, but pre-COVID I bet this place was poppin’. Regardless, it has the goodies; the knickknacks; the hearty German foods. We also got our snowshoe rentals here!
Wenatchee Lake Cabin Life
I’ll say it now – hands down sickest cabin I’ve been at.
From now on whenever someone mentions Washington, this is what I’ll remember. The cabin was on the glass-smooth Lake Wenatchee with snowcapped mountains as the backdrop. I could get behind waking up each morning to a lake view, fresh air and a cup of something. Of course, the cabin was also well suited for planting some ice mines.
Now as for real amenities, this place had freaking everything – a hot tub, sauna, dock with several kayaks, tree fort. C’mon! Oh, and we took full advantage.
Our time around Wenatchee took us on memorable hikes to Dirtyface peak and more liquidity, including Hidden Lake and Lanham Lake. The snow kept piling up, and the snowball fights became more intense. It was surely becoming a winter wonderland in Washington.
Dirtyface was our first experience in the thick of it, and we had an absolute doozy running (falling) and body-sledding on the snow. Lanham Lake trail was a spur of the moment audible when other planned trails were closed. It just goes to show some gems can be found playing it by beer.
Snowshoes and Crampons
I didn't even know about crampons before this trip, but they are amazing for icy trails. Showshoe rentals are around $15 - $25 a day, but are 100% needed for this kind of action.
Mount Rainier
For those with a sweet tooth, it was all about that Rainier for dessert. It’s simply a massive, majestic volcano that you want to get to know. So we did. I was feeling brave and ready to go after the Yosemite hikes.
Our initial conversation took us on Skyline trail, battling some slight snow and clouds. But then the sky opened up, the sun was out, and layers were shed. Looking at Rainier after hiking a ways up, the actual peak looks doable still, but it is all deception. We were still only slightly above 7,000ft (another 7k to the summit)!
Nevertheless, we persevered. We survived. The clouds were now below us, and this is what the hike was all about.
We spent the remainder of the day chasing the setting sun down the mountain; making our own trails. It was pure bliss and freedom descending the side of a mountain, seeing your tracks behind you, but none in front – yet.
Washington Wrap-up
I would have never guessed I’d be spending Friendsgiving in Washington this year, but I’d do it again in a heartbeat. I enjoyed each and every part of my time there; seeing old friends and healthy pours with new friends.
Being out in neature sparked moments of clarity for me. I want to articulate those moments, but it is truly one of those “gotta see and feel it for yourself.” So, get out there and give it a go.
-ML
Recap of Places
Check out the MAP for links!
- Seattle
- Floating Leaves Tea – lots of oolongs to chose from
- Wenatchee Lake
- Dirtyface Trail
- Hidden Lake
- Lanham Lake
- Leavenworth – touristy but awesome Bavarian town
- Mount Rainier
- Skyline Trail
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Michael Lakus
IT professional, athlete, musician, ponderer of many things... Born and raised in Florida, I began traveling internationally after college. I created this site primarily to remind myself of where I've been and to share my experiences on traveling with a quirky, stress-free, travel attitude.
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