Amazing hiking spots are withing miles of Seattle

Our second weekend in Seattle we decided to go hiking up to the Rattlesnake Ledge, a 4 mile - 1,175 feet climb. Someone had mentioned it at work, and just days before we discovered REI, a phenomental outdoor gear store and the largest customer cooperative with more than 2 million members, now including the two of us. There we found a wonderful book 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Seattle, which for the last few weeks has been our resource for short weekend excursions. The Rettlesnake Ledge trail starts on a gradual climb through a forest of moss-covered trees and fern, with the occassional boulder or stump along the way. ... The well-worn trail continues to gain altitude as it leads through a series of broad switchbacks up the slope.

Considered the eastern terminus of the Issaquah Alps, the rocky ledge has a commanding view of almost 270 degrees, including the entire lower Snoqualmie Valley. Rattlesnake Lake and distnat Chester Morse Lake sparkle below Cedar Butte and Mount Washington. (60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Seattle)

This weekend we visited Cougar Mountain and hiked along the peaceful Wilderness Creek Trail, which climbs approximately 4 mile - 1100 feet to the park's summit. However, since Cougar Mountain does not have a discernible central crest but rather a broad, even middle, more like a plateau. Shortly past the trailhead there is a pretty little footbridge that crosses Wilderness Creek, which splashes down through mossy boulders and logs. The trail continues to climb along the creek with water flowing withing the earshot, eventually passing through a forest of Douglas firs, including some very large and old trees, and endless number of ferns covering the forest floor. We decided to take the steeper Wilderness Cliffs trail up to the summit then loop back via the Wilderness Peak and Wilderness Creek trail. On the way back we saw more Douglas firs, followed by huge boulders on the side of the path, some even in a flatter marshy area with wooden planks winding between them.