Day trips from Seattle

[NAUdebo]

My wife and I are trying to figure out what to do for a day trip when we get into Seattle. We're spending a couple days before our cruise there, as well as a couple of days after the cruise. Post-cruise, we're staying downtown with no car and doing things in that area. Pre-cruise is what we still have to figure out. I know that on Saturday (ship leaves Sunday), we'll be spending all day in Woodinville/Bothell doing wine tours. That leaves us with Friday. Our plane lands Friday at 10:30 AM and we'll get a car at the airport.

 

Our original plan was Mt. Rainier right away, but I'm questioning whether that's a good idea. Are we going to be too tight on time? I've also heard that it's not as great as it seems. My DW and I like to be outdoors and enjoy hiking or biking. Any other day trip ideas if we don't do Rainier, or should we stick to the original plan?

 

Thanks for the advice, in advance!

[SeattleCruiselover]

My wife and I are trying to figure out what to do for a day trip when we get into Seattle. We're spending a couple days before our cruise there, as well as a couple of days after the cruise. Post-cruise, we're staying downtown with no car and doing things in that area. Pre-cruise is what we still have to figure out. I know that on Saturday (ship leaves Sunday), we'll be spending all day in Woodinville/Bothell doing wine tours. That leaves us with Friday. Our plane lands Friday at 10:30 AM and we'll get a car at the airport.

 

Our original plan was Mt. Rainier right away, but I'm questioning whether that's a good idea. Are we going to be too tight on time? I've also heard that it's not as great as it seems. My DW and I like to be outdoors and enjoy hiking or biking. Any other day trip ideas if we don't do Rainier, or should we stick to the original plan?

 

Thanks for the advice, in advance!

 

Mt Rainier is quite worth the trip, but it is no less than a 10-12 hour day, counting driving time and time to do things while you are there, such as hiking, biking and just enjoying the natural beauty. You've got time to do it, you just won't be back before dinner time, unless you cut your time short on the mountain.

[Gardyloo]

Key question for Mt. Rainier outing is when are you coming? There's a lot of snowpack in the hills (snowed again yesterday! :( ) and walking around the visitor centers at the Mountain (Paradise, Sunrise) will be extremely curtailed until probably mid-June or later. So if you're coming before that, you might be disappointed with the experience. Paradise Lodge is around 2 hours from the airport.

 

If you're coming before mid-late June, then one excursion alternative is to visit Snoqualmie Falls, around 40 min. east of the airport on I-405/I-90. The same melting snowpack feeds the Snoqualmie River, and in May-June the volume of water coming over the falls can be quite spectacular.

[Sailorgirlseattle]

Agree with Gardyloo on the timing ... which month are you coming? Another option to see something outdoorsy is to pick up your car at the airport then head south to Tacoma and take the Narrows bridge over to the Olympic Peninsula and drive the loop up the coast through Forks and Port Angeles. The Hood Canal Bridge is closed right now (until mid-June, I THINK), so you'll have to come back through Tacoma and back over the Narrows bridge to return to Seattle. If you come after the bridge reopens, you can simply cross over and take the ferry to Seattle from Bainbridge Island ... shorter and quicker. Either way, it will be a long day, but you'll get to see the wild ocean beaches, the rainforest, and the Olympic Mountains up close.

 

If you do Snoqualmie Falls, you can continue east past there on I-90, then head up north and connect to Hwy 2 ... make a stop in Leavenworth before heading back west to I-5 and Seattle. That would also make a nice day drive.

[NAUdebo]

Sorry, I forgot to say when we get into town! We'll be there on May 29th - part of why I was concerned about Rainier, given that it's early in the season.

[calikak]

I was also going to suggest either the Snoqualmie Falls area (you can hike up Mt. Si too while you're out that way) or the Olympic Peninsula. Instead of going back over the narrows bridge, you can also take the ferry back from Southworth or Bremerton. The Snoqualmie Falls/Mt. Si trip involves less driving--only about an hour on I-90 from downtown. Stop into the candy shop in Snoqualmie, they have good ice cream and sweets, and there's a good Italian restaurant in town. Or for a fancy meal, eat at the lodge at the top of the falls (but you'd better make reservations ASAP, it may already be full up for that weekend).

[rubytue]

I was going to suggest the Olympic Peninsula, too; however, 29 May is too early. Not for weather, but because the Hood Canal Bridge is out until mid-June. So you can't get to Port Townsend, Squim, or anything besides reall bambridge without driving all the way down through Olympia (so it would be a 3+ hours drive from Seattle). This causes us a major change in plans for next week, as we were going to overnight in Port Ludlow pre-cruise, but decided to just stay downtown.

[NAUdebo]

I'm liking the Snoqualmie Falls idea - given the time of year and the lack of driving distance, sounds like fun. I was looking at Mt. Si as was also suggested. Looks like a pretty good hike. How hard is it? We like something moderate to somewhat strenuous. Could we comfortably do both those things if we got to the area around noon?

[Gardyloo]

I'm liking the Snoqualmie Falls idea - given the time of year and the lack of driving distance, sounds like fun. I was looking at Mt. Si as was also suggested. Looks like a pretty good hike. How hard is it? We like something moderate to somewhat strenuous. Could we comfortably do both those things if we got to the area around noon?

http://hikingsnoqualmie.blogspot.com/search/label/Mount%20Si

 

Probably enough time; days are long. Bring water up Mt. Si, and be prepared for plenty of other people on the trail. Note too that weather this time of year can be iffy - you don't want to get caught on some mountain in wet snow or cold rain - hypothermiaville.

 

For a wet-day fallback, you can continue over Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and about 45 min. east of Snoqualmie Falls you'll be on the "dry side" of the Cascades. You might take the turnoff for State route 903 just before Cle Elum and drive up to the town of Roslyn, made famous in the 90s as Cicely Alaska in the TV show "Northern Exposure." It's a cute town, with some good walks available in the hills around, and with an excellent bar and decent cafe, both of which were featured extensively in the TV show. Its 15 minutes are now up, but it's still an enjoyable outing, and usually will be dry if the west side is wet. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roslyn,_Washington

[Elde]

If you come after the bridge reopens, you can simply cross over and take the ferry to Seattle from Bainbridge Island ... shorter and quicker.

 

Even if you come before the bridge re-opens, you can ride the Bremerton or Southworth ferries. If you're going right downtown in Seattle, the former is decidely faster than driving around.

[nna]

I haven't been up this for years--but I do know that you might want to avoid the top rock scramble on the mountain. it is a very popular trail. there are also day hikes straight from the top of snoqualmie pass and stevens pass--both are not too far from seattle.

 

the great thing about mt si is it is the classic climbers spring warm up hike. my dad was a serious climber in the 1940's and 50's--they always started the season there.

 

 

the valley between Mt Si, and little si is an earthquake fault.

[NAUdebo]

I haven't been up this for years--but I do know that you might want to avoid the top rock scramble on the mountain. it is a very popular trail. there are also day hikes straight from the top of snoqualmie pass and stevens pass--both are not too far from seattle.

 

the great thing about mt si is it is the classic climbers spring warm up hike. my dad was a serious climber in the 1940's and 50's--they always started the season there.

 

 

the valley between Mt Si, and little si is an earthquake fault.

 

Thanks!

[Sailorgirlseattle]

Even if you come before the bridge re-opens, you can ride the Bremerton or Southworth ferries. If you're going right downtown in Seattle, the former is decidely faster than driving around.

 

Yeah, but Bainbridge is a 30 minute ride and runs more often than the longer Bremerton route. :cool:

[Elde]

Yeah, but Bainbridge is a 30 minute ride and runs more often than the longer Bremerton route. :cool:

 

Yeah, but the Bainbridge terminal is 45+ minutes north of Bremerton. (So long as there are no backups in Poulsbo.)

 

If you're coming in from the south after rounding the Canal it's either a ten minute drive from the Hwy3/Kitsap Way intersection to an hour ferry ride, or a forty five minute drive from the same intersection to a half hour ferry ride. The difference in total travel time is essentially zero. (I live in West Bremerton and have to make the decision to drive around or take one of the two ferry routes quite regularly.)

 

When the bridge is open, it's a no brainer to take the faster (Bainbridge) route. But right now, I'd reccomend the longer Bremerton run because the total travel time is essentially the same but the views from Bremerton run are superior to the Bainbridge run.

[rubytue]

Here is the link on how to get around the bridge closure: http://www.nobridgenoproblem.com/maps.html

 

Personally, I think it will make the drive too long for a day trip, but thats me. Some people may have no trouble with 3+ hours each way to get to a hike.

[NAUdebo]

We're going to do the Falls and then Mt. Si. My wife liked the idea - she loves waterfalls! Thanks for the ideas. I really appreciate it!

[Gardyloo]

We're going to do the Falls and then Mt. Si. My wife liked the idea - she loves waterfalls! Thanks for the ideas. I really appreciate it!

If you find yourselves short on time, you can hike to the bottom of the falls and walk around down there - it's not super strenuous but it'll get your heart pumping.

 

Or, if you want to hike to more waterfalls (shorter than Mt. Si so another alternative if time is short) try Twin Falls, just off I-90. http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/twin-falls-state-park

[Sailorgirlseattle]

Yeah, but the Bainbridge terminal is 45+ minutes north of Bremerton. (So long as there are no backups in Poulsbo.)

 

If you're coming in from the south after rounding the Canal it's either a ten minute drive from the Hwy3/Kitsap Way intersection to an hour ferry ride, or a forty five minute drive from the same intersection to a half hour ferry ride. The difference in total travel time is essentially zero. (I live in West Bremerton and have to make the decision to drive around or take one of the two ferry routes quite regularly.)

 

When the bridge is open, it's a no brainer to take the faster (Bainbridge) route. But right now, I'd reccomend the longer Bremerton run because the total travel time is essentially the same but the views from Bremerton run are superior to the Bainbridge run.

 

Seriously, it's all so inconvenient, isn't it? ;)

[Elde]

Seriously, it's all so inconvenient, isn't it? ;)

 

Yeah. The DW wanted to go camping on the Peninsula for our anniversary, but there's no way I'm driving the RV all the way to Shelton then back up to Sequim where the club we belong to has a campground.

 

But the bridge *is* long overdue for the work it's getting. The state has been dragging it's feet for ten years now.

[Sailorgirlseattle]

Yeah, I know they've got to do the work ... and I think it's only a six-week closure. Bummer for the people who NEED it, but not bad for the rest of us who just go over there occasionally.

 

Cool that you've got a place over there! I love the peninsula, but haven't had a chance to go over in some time.

[NancyIL]

I'm glad to see the recommendations for Snoqualmie Falls, because that's what I was planning to do the day our cruise ends. :) We'll spend 2 days pre-cruise in Seattle, but wanted to get out of town after the cruise ends. Any comments about the Snoqualmie Valley Railroad excursion? I'm also thinking of stopping in Issaquah on the way to Snoqualmie.

[Casagordita]

I'm glad to see the recommendations for Snoqualmie Falls, because that's what I was planning to do the day our cruise ends. :) We'll spend 2 days pre-cruise in Seattle, but wanted to get out of town after the cruise ends. Any comments about the Snoqualmie Valley Railroad excursion? I'm also thinking of stopping in Issaquah on the way to Snoqualmie.

 

The Snoqualmie Valley Railroad makes a lovely run, very scenic. It's short but well worth it, especially if you're also doing the falls. If you're at all a rail fan, they have a railroad museum and a lot of interesting old equipment. Snoqualmie is a cute little town with a few antique shops and a great ice cream and candy store right across from the train depot.

[Sailorgirlseattle]

Issaquah has a fun chocolate factory, Boehm's, and a good regional brewpub, Rogue. Either would make for a good stop, post-falls!

[Gardyloo]

Today was nice and sunny, so I escorted my spouse and Mr. Dog on a day trip to the mountain. Decided to go via the north route and back by the south.

 

Cayuse Pass was open but not Chinook Pass; the road to Sunrise was still closed and the Stevens Canyon entrance was also closed, so we couldn't cut through the park to Paradise.

 

Roadside snowpack at Cayuse Pass (elev. 4694) was around 6 feet, and since Paradise is 800' higher, I'd imagine you're looking at 8' roadside pack, but can't confirm, since our 4-hour trip turned into 6 owing to the need to go all the way to US12 to get back to Seattle.

 

A gorgeous day nonetheless; I'll post a couple of pictures below then will make a separate post later to provide links for them on my website (for bigger images) when my web host gets over its temporary sclerosis.

[NancyIL]

The Snoqualmie Valley Railroad makes a lovely run, very scenic. It's short but well worth it, especially if you're also doing the falls. If you're at all a rail fan, they have a railroad museum and a lot of interesting old equipment. Snoqualmie is a cute little town with a few antique shops and a great ice cream and candy store right across from the train depot.

 

Issaquah has a fun chocolate factory, Boehm's, and a good regional brewpub, Rogue. Either would make for a good stop, post-falls!

 

Thanks to both of you. :)

 

One more question: I will pick-up my rental car at the airport. Should I take 405 all the way to 90, or is 900 (just north of Renton) to Issaquah a nice scenic drive?