North Cascades National Park: Ross Lake Recreation Area, My Rating B+

 Ross Lake Recreation Area, a two-hour drive from Seattle, is within the boundary of North Cascades National Park, and is also a place where dogs are welcome to hit the trails on-leash.

Stop by Gorge Overlook (carpark is signed), walk up-hill on the well-paved the path, enjoy the view on the two lookouts, spot a waterfall on the way too.

Then walk on the bridge to see Gorge on one side of the bridge and a super tall waterfall on the other side.

 

If you walk to the end of the bridge, you'd be rewarded with another waterfall. :)

Diablo Lake is a must-see.  The parking can be quite a challenge during summer, but it is definitely worth the wait.  

On a clear day, Diablo Lake shows her turquoise at the best. 

When it is rainy and overcast, she definitely is in a different mood, 

See how many waterfalls you can spot from roadside.

Mt Rainier National Park (my rating B)

Mt. Rainier is simply majestic.

If "dog friendly" wasn't part of the equation, I'd rate Mt. Rainier National Park an A. 

Yes, it is a National Park, and yes, in general, dogs are allowed on paved paths, carparks, picnic grounds and camping grounds in a National Park.

There are three entrances into Mt Rainier National Park.  They are highlighted in yellow on the map below.

Mt Rainier is extremely popular in summer, often a super long queue at the gates.  Visiting the park with your fur baby means you won't be hiking which means you won't be frustrated to see the carparks at trailheads are over-full.  There are number of places along the road that you can safely pull over and snap a photo with your little pooch, or simply have a leisure walk and admire the view with your little one.

The best views are from White River Entrance (the sign to Sunrise) and from Stevens Canyon Entrance (the sign to Paradise), because the views of the mighty Mt Rainier are in the same direction as you drive, and pull over spots are easy to manoeuvre.  

On a typical summer day, I often try my luck to Sunrise first (follow the orange arrow and road highlighted in yellow), if I see the queue is at the "X" (map below), I turn around and go to Paradise by following the blue arrow on the map below.  You'd get an excellent Photo spot at the Smiley Face on the map below.

Tips:

• It costs to enter the National Park. You might be able to pay the fee at the entrance gate.  The fee information is linked here: Fees & Passes - Mount Rainier National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
• If you plan to visit three or more national parks in a year, "America the Beautiful" Pass offers good value.  
• If you plan to visit Mt Rainier National Park outside June-September window, it'd be safe to check the condition of the roads, it's not uncommon that some sections of the roads are closed due to the snow. I learnt this lesson a hard way.

Speelyi Beach Park in Cle Elum (my rating A)

Speelyi Beach Park is about 30 minutes drive further east of Snoqualmie Pass.

Oh, MY!  It is a paradise for people like me who seeks open area by the water yet quiet and secluded.
Or at least all items on my wish list were ticked off on that Sunday after dropping off the kids to Snoqualmie Pass ski area.

The lake is crystal blue and calm and big, the sandy beach is clean and vast, the air is crispy and fresh.

Judging by the sign post, I guess this is a popular spot for the locals in summer.

Tolt-McDonald Park in Carnation (my rating B)

Tolt-McDonald Park is a big park with ample parking spots.  The park offers camping too.

Things can be, and are busy in summer.  That's why my favourite time of the year to visit this beautiful park is Winter and Spring, when it is still a bit too chilly to camp.

The 500-foot suspension foot bridge can be a little challenging and nerve-wracking for dogs, at least Jasper thinks he has to be carried over.

Nature awaits the other side of the foot bridge.  Hiking up the hills, strolling down the meadows,  looking up close of the bushes, listening to the roars of river.  It's quite easy to spend a few hours in the park, forgetting about the time, getting lost in your own thoughts.

BUT, it is a completely different picture in summer.  Campers, Visitors, Wheelbarrows, Bicycles, Adults, Children, Dogs, Tents, the park is full of live and energy.

Here's the link to official webpage:
https://www.kingcounty.gov/services/parks-recreation/parks/parks-and-natural-lands/popular-parks/toltmacdonald.aspx

Cherry Creek Falls trail near Duvall (my rating B-)

The trail itself is a pleasant one,  tree-lined and quite well maintained, creek bubbling in the distance and birds chirping in the air.

However, there are a few things............

There is no designated carpark.  Cars are to park off the road.  There is no sign at the trailhead, the entrance is hidden in a secret path.

If the facts above give you an impression that this trail is secluded, you are wrong, very wrong.

The moment I murmured to myself "looks like it's going to be a busy hike" was when I was looking for a parking spot.  Both sides of the road were occupied by the cars, we parked the closest possible which was half mile away from the entrance.

It proved that I was right.  The trail was popular with hikers.  Not sure if it got to do with school closure, we saw a few groups of teenagers, they chatted loud, carrying portable music player and played music loud.

Well........

Duthie Hill Mountain Bike Park (my rating B+)

Duthie Hill Mountain Bike Park is undoubtedly Mountain Biker's paradise!  It has everything under the sun for bikers of all kinds of skill levels.

The park is very well planned and maintained.  The Central Picnic Area is my favourite place, for rest, for snack, and for more biking.

Because it is soooo popular, it is considered lucky to be able to find a spot during mid-day.  As we live in the area, we often come either by mid morning or after mid-afternoon so that we are more likely to find a spot.

The trails are quite busy with all these bikes, dogs must be on-leash.  Bikes often are nice, they slow down when they see a dog and when they overtake.

I'll take some photos and post here.

Paradise Valley Nature Park (my rating B+)

Paradise Valley Nature Park is about 28 miles north-east of Seattle, 40 mins drive from home.

The park itself is well known for mountain biking, but there are also a few trails that reserved for foot traffic only.

(Mountain bike structure)

And trail for foot traffic:

        

The park is pretty well loved and maintained, and this makes the park popular, therefore parking can be a problem..............