MOUNT WASHINGTON
I love this trail to get back into hiking shape during the winter or early spring. It’s got some nice views at the top and along the way on a clear day. This is a great alternative to nearby Mount Si since it sees a lot fewer people, but there will still be substantial crowds on a nice summer weekend.
Quick Facts:
Distance: 8 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 3400 feet
Location: Mount Washington trailhead, Exit 38 off I-90, Olallie State Park
Season: Year-round, but be mindful of avalanche danger in the last couple of miles during winter
Dogs Allowed: Yes
Parking Pass: Discovery Pass
Check the weather: mountain-forecast, weather.gov
Check for recent trip reports: WTA, AllTrails
Notes: When there has been a lot of recent rain or snowmelt portions of this trail get pretty flooded with a couple inches of water, so it’s best to wear waterproof boots and bring a change of socks.
If you’re hiking this in the winter make sure to check snow levels and avalanche danger. There are some slopes in the last 2 miles that have avalanche potential if the conditions are right.
Getting there:
Click here for the TH location on Google Maps
This trailhead is right off of I-90 and any car should be able to make it.
View across I-90 from the summit, January 2021
View from the trail, December 2017
Hike description:
Start by hiking a short but steep shortcut trail that leaves near the west end of the parking lot. This will end on a gravel road, which you’ll take a right on to. This will quickly bring you to the Palouse to Cascades trail, where you’ll take another right. After 0.2 miles, look for an obvious trail on the left. It will only be marked by a cairn and “WA” carved into a tree next to the trail.
Start up this trail, which is quite steep and rocky. After about half a mile the trail becomes wider and more easily hikeable, but the steep grade persists for another mile longer as you gain 1500 feet in the first 1.5 miles. This part of the trail winds through a very nice forest past some impressive rock walls, and around a mile from the trailhead you’ll cross the first significant stream of several on this hike. Definitely turn around if it’s running dangerously high.
1.7 miles from the trailhead the path flattens briefly before again hiking uphill. At around 2 miles you’ll emerge into a more open section of the trail with nice views of nearby Change Peak. At 2.75 miles from the trailhead you’ll reach an intersection with the Olallie trail, where you’ll take a left to keep hiking uphill. Very shortly after that you’ll reach another signed intersection with the Olallie trail and will again stay to the right.
View of Rainier from the summit, April 2017
View from the trail, March 2018
View from the summit, December 2017
3 miles from the trailhead you’ll cross the last major stream of the ascent and then start the final climb up Mount Washington. As you switchback up the east face the views across I-90 will get better and better. You’ll soon cross a boulder field, and if there is a lot of snow at this elevation will want to carefully consider if this is safe to cross.
Finally at 3.9 miles you’ll reach the last push to the summit. As you head north, the views of Mount Rainier behind you are amazing on a clear day with Chester Morse Lake and Masonry Pool below and the Olympics to the west. Hike to the very summit, where there’s a weather station (scenic!) and some great views of peaks across I-90. On a clear day you can see both Mount Baker and Glacier Peak! Enjoy some lunch at the top (I like the hillside looking out to Rainier) before heading back down to your car.