Western Washington’s Mountains-to-Sea Wonderland
If your idea of a perfect vacation spans the bottom of the sea to the top of the mountains, you’ll find that and more in Snohomish County, Washington. Over an area larger than Delaware, the sandy beaches lining the Salish Sea on Snohomish County’s western border yield to rolling foothills, milky glacial rivers, dense stands of old-growth forest, and, finally, the ragged skyline of the Cascade Range on the county’s eastern edge.
Snohomish County begins less than 15 miles north of Seattle, but visitors can avoid the SeaTac hustle entirely by flying directly into Paine Field, which sits within stabbing distance of the urban hubs of Edmonds, Everett, and Mukilteo. (Tip: Before you get swept up in the county’s many natural escapes, grab coffee in Everett at Narrative Coffee, and consider a tour of the Boeing facility, where you can see how the 400-seat 777 gets off the ground in the world’s largest factory by volume. And don’t miss the Future of Flight Museum next door.)
Here’s what you’ll find on a trip to this multisport paradise.
Salish Sea
Whether you’re a longtime fan of coastal adventure or dipping your toe in for the first time, you’re in for a treat in Snohomish County. Divers and snorkelers can get up close with lingcod, crabs, sea slugs, and maybe even a giant Pacific octopus at Edmonds’ beginner-friendly Underwater Park, where a rope grid helps you keep your bearings, or Mukilteo’s T Dock. Rent wetsuits and diving gear at Evergreen Dive Service. Or explore above the surface instead of under it on a paddling adventure (kayaks and standup paddleboards available to rent at the Port of Everett and Edgewater Beach in Mukilteo). Rather stay dry? Catch a ferry (they run every 30 minutes) to the farms and windswept beaches of nearby Whidbey Island from Mukilteo’s ferry terminal. Or get a taste of the sea on a crabbing trip to Kayak Point on Warm Beach; nab crabbing gear from West Marine or Sportsman’s Warehouse, then find a spot at the end of the 300-foot pier during high tide, when the water can get as deep as 50 feet. Fall crabbing season is open every day from October 1 to December 31. Summer season is usually restricted to July and August on specific days of the week; visit wdfw.wa.gov for details.
Waterfalls and Glaciers
Dry off and head inland to explore one of the Pacific Northwest’s hallmarks: gorgeous waterfalls. Hundreds of trails splinter off Highway 2 and the storied Mountain Loop Highway (closed during the winter; check all road conditions before traveling), but the season-proof Boulder River Trail is a must: The steep black walls of this mossy gorge host multiple waterfalls spidering down in white capillaries. In wet weather, they grow in size and power, so don’t let a little rain dissuade you. In good weather, head to Darrington to gawk at the glaciers hanging on Whitehorse Mountain 6,000 feet above while warming up with a coffee and snack at Moe’s.
Mountains
No visit to Snohomish County would be complete without a trip to the mountains. There are many to choose from, but a good starting point is Mount Pilchuck. The trail to the summit lookout is just over five miles round-trip and rewards hikers with views of Mount Rainier, Mount Baker, and the Olympics. Or explore glittering alpine pools like Lake Valhalla, Surprise Lake, and Barclay Lake. Come November, skiers will be wowed by the legendary powder and steeps of Stevens Pass. Those who prefer serene, snowy woods to downhill speed can opt to cross-country ski at Stevens’ Nordic Ski Center or take the Mountain Loop Highway to the gate closure at Deer Park and snowshoe the wide, snowy road as far as they please. After a day in the snow, unwind at the Foggy Goggle at the resort or the Whistling Post in Skykomish. Or even better, pull up in front of a warm fire at the upscale treehouse A-frames at Index Cabins in Index.
Glacier Peak
If Snohomish County had a mascot, it would be 10,541-foot Glacier Peak—a hulking, remote stratovolcano often nicknamed “the Hidden Volcano” because it doesn’t reveal itself easily on the horizon like the showboats Rainier and Baker. You can’t photograph Glacier Peak with the city-park throngs or catch it through your window while driving. Seeing it requires winding down twisty forest roads and getting dirty on fir-scented trails until its panoramic profile smacks you in the face at treeline. If you want easy, intoxicating views, try a hike up Scorpion Mountain via Johnson Ridge, or trek up West Cady Ridge and pitch a tent.
Either way, you’ll learn that, like Snohomish County itself, getting a glimpse of Glacier is an adventure just waiting for discovery.
A 2,000-square-mile outdoor lover’s paradise, Snohomish County’s boundaries stretch from the snowy peaks of the Cascade Range to the shores of the Salish Sea. Less than 15 miles from Seattle, Snohomish County feels a world away and is authentically PNW in every way. For more information, visit discoversnohomish.com.
