The Inside Passage is a roughly 1,300 mile water route from Puget Sound in Washington State, up the Pacific Coast of British Columbia, to Skagway Alaska. Every summer season a handful of sea kayakers tackles the route that takes around 80 days to complete. There are a few towns and small villages along the route where food supplies can be replenished and contact with the outside world can be made. The route is almost wholly within a rainforest so long periods of rain, mist, and low clouds are the norm. Most of the route is somewhat protected from ocean swells rolling in off the Pacific Ocean by an almost unbroken chain of large islands. There are however a couple of spots along the route that are exposed to the full force of the Pacific. Passage through these spots must be timed for periods of calm seas. Kayakers attempting this route must be experienced and able to take care of themselves in any situation as help from the outside can not be depended on in an emergency.
Trails
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Riverview Trail - Sitka National Historical Park
Guide to the Riverview Trail, walk along the Indian River in Sitka National Historical Park.
Guide to the Riverview Trail, walk along the Indian River in Sitka National Historical Park.
Easy
0.3 mi/
0.5 km
0.5 km
Totem Trail - Sitka National Historical Park
Trail Guide for the Totem Trail in Sitka National Historical Park, Sitka, AK.
Trail Guide for the Totem Trail in Sitka National Historical Park, Sitka, AK.
Easy
1.0 mi/
1.6 km
1.6 km
Forest Loop Trail - Glacier Bay National Park
Guide to the Forest Loop Trail in Bartlett Cove of Glacier Bay National Park.
Guide to the Forest Loop Trail in Bartlett Cove of Glacier Bay National Park.
Easy
1.1 mi/
1.8 km
1.8 km
Russian Memorial Loop Trail, Sitka National Historical Park
A guide to the Russian Memorial Loop Trail in Sitka National Historical Park.
A guide to the Russian Memorial Loop Trail in Sitka National Historical Park.
Easy
1.6 mi/
2.6 km
2.6 km
Steveston: Vancouver`s Off the Beaten Path Destination
A Walk Into The Past With a Touch of Today
A Walk Into The Past With a Touch of Today
Easy
1.9 mi/
3.1 km
3.1 km
Light House Park Perimeter and Core Trail
A quick loop guide to getting the most out of this small park.
A quick loop guide to getting the most out of this small park.
Moderate
3.5 mi/
5.6 km
5.6 km
Whistler, Harrison, Nahatlatch and Lilloet Loop
422 mile series of of forest serive roads and trails starting near Whistler, Canada.
422 mile series of of forest serive roads and trails starting near Whistler, Canada.
Moderate
422 mi/
679 km
679 km
Sitka Walking Tour - East to the Raptor Center
Walking tour of Sitka, Alaska, from the Docks at Crescent Harbor east to the Raptor Center.
Walking tour of Sitka, Alaska, from the Docks at Crescent Harbor east to the Raptor Center.
n/a
1.5 mi/
2.4 km
2.4 km
Olympic Wilderness
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Pacific Northwest \
A string of interconnected waterways and islands, Puget Sound provides easy access to the majestic Pacific Northwest.
A string of interconnected waterways and islands, Puget Sound provides easy access to the majestic Pacific Northwest.
Easy
Hurricane Hill - Olympic National Park
With views of the Olympic Range, Puget Sound, and Vancouver Island, this hike is one to remember.
With views of the Olympic Range, Puget Sound, and Vancouver Island, this hike is one to remember.
Easy
0.1 mi/
0.2 km
0.2 km
Kalaloch Beach #1 - Olympic National Park
Beach 1 provides a quick hike out to seastacks, driftwood logs, and a perfect lagoon for skipping stones.
Beach 1 provides a quick hike out to seastacks, driftwood logs, and a perfect lagoon for skipping stones.
Easy
1.4 mi/
2.3 km
2.3 km
Dungeness Spit
Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge provides a great place to check out waterfowl and seabirds on the coast.
Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge provides a great place to check out waterfowl and seabirds on the coast.
n/a
11.7 mi/
18.8 km
18.8 km
Mount Seymour Provincial Park
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Vancouver's Chinatown
Take a walk through one of the city's most exciting and culturally focused neighborhoods and experience the Orient.
Take a walk through one of the city's most exciting and culturally focused neighborhoods and experience the Orient.
Easy
0.6 mi/
1.0 km
1.0 km
Deep Cove Quarry Rock Trail
A great hike because you don't need to spend a whole day on the trail but there is still a nice lookout at the end.
A great hike because you don't need to spend a whole day on the trail but there is still a nice lookout at the end.
Easy
2.9 mi/
4.7 km
4.7 km
Vancouver Arts and Culture
Young, vibrant, fresh, multi-cultural, and west coast.
Young, vibrant, fresh, multi-cultural, and west coast.
Easy
11.2 mi/
18.0 km
18.0 km
The Grouse Grind
The Grind is Vancouver’s most popular hike with 2830 steps and an average 56% slope.
The Grind is Vancouver’s most popular hike with 2830 steps and an average 56% slope.
Moderate
4.7 mi/
7.6 km
7.6 km
Mount Seymour Trail
The trail traverses two peaks before arriving at Mt Seymour Summit with a spectacular panoramic view of the area.
The trail traverses two peaks before arriving at Mt Seymour Summit with a spectacular panoramic view of the area.
Moderate
5.8 mi/
9.3 km
9.3 km
Hanes Valley
A full day one way hike from Lynn Valley to the top of Grouse mountain via Hanes Valley and its treacherous scree slope
A full day one way hike from Lynn Valley to the top of Grouse mountain via Hanes Valley and its treacherous scree slope
Difficult
11.2 mi/
18.0 km
18.0 km
Puget Sound
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Pike Place Market
Explore the Food, Crafts, and History of Seattle's Pike Place Market
Explore the Food, Crafts, and History of Seattle's Pike Place Market
Easy
0.5 mi/
0.8 km
0.8 km
Washington Park Walking Tour
Miscellaneous points of interest walking the neighborhood. Great views.
Miscellaneous points of interest walking the neighborhood. Great views.
Easy
2.7 mi/
4.3 km
4.3 km
Green Lake Park
One of Seattle’s most beloved parks. This hike loops around Green Lake.
One of Seattle’s most beloved parks. This hike loops around Green Lake.
Easy
2.8 mi/
4.5 km
4.5 km
Seattle Center
Explore Seattle's Culture center or take a ride up to the top of the Space Needle for panoramic views of Puget Sound
Explore Seattle's Culture center or take a ride up to the top of the Space Needle for panoramic views of Puget Sound
n/a
1.0 mi/
1.6 km
1.6 km
Pioneer Square
Take a walk through Seattle's historic district to see where the city was born
Take a walk through Seattle's historic district to see where the city was born
n/a
0.6 mi/
1.0 km
1.0 km
Twin Falls State Park
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Twin Falls Trail - Olallie State Park
Enjoy an easy hike through the Cascade foothills to a beautiful set of waterfalls, only 30 minutes from downtown Seattle
Enjoy an easy hike through the Cascade foothills to a beautiful set of waterfalls, only 30 minutes from downtown Seattle
Easy
2.7 mi/
4.3 km
4.3 km
Alpine Lakes Wilderness
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Yodelin Ski Tour
Ski the trees and open glades near Stevens Pass just 90 minutes from Seattle.
Ski the trees and open glades near Stevens Pass just 90 minutes from Seattle.
Easy
3.0 mi/
4.8 km
4.8 km
Mt. Baldy Ski Tour
Exploring the wilds of the Chiwaukum Mountains of the Central Cascades in winter
Exploring the wilds of the Chiwaukum Mountains of the Central Cascades in winter
Moderate
7.0 mi/
11.3 km
11.3 km
Enchantments - Stuart Lake
An inviting lake beneath the fearsome north face of one of Washington's highest and most imposing peaks.
An inviting lake beneath the fearsome north face of one of Washington's highest and most imposing peaks.
Moderate
10.4 mi/
16.7 km
16.7 km
Heather Ridge Ski Tour
An easily accessible backcountry ski tour at Steven's Pass, Washington.
An easily accessible backcountry ski tour at Steven's Pass, Washington.
n/a
1.6 mi/
2.6 km
2.6 km
Mount Pilchuck State Park
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Lime Kiln Trail - Robe Canyon Historic Park
Snohomish County Park, Granite Falls, Washington
Snohomish County Park, Granite Falls, Washington
Easy
7.2 mi/
11.6 km
11.6 km
North Cascades National Park
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Artist Point Ski Tours
Skiing the Mt. Baker backcountry in deep winter powder or summer corn.
Skiing the Mt. Baker backcountry in deep winter powder or summer corn.
Moderate
1.5 mi/
2.4 km
2.4 km
Herman Saddle Ski Tour
Exploring the flanks of Mt. Herman and the basins around Table Mountain
Exploring the flanks of Mt. Herman and the basins around Table Mountain
Moderate
5.8 mi/
9.3 km
9.3 km
Table Mountain Ski Tour
Skiing the North Face of Table Mountain in the Mt. Baker Wilderness
Skiing the North Face of Table Mountain in the Mt. Baker Wilderness
Difficult
3.4 mi/
5.5 km
5.5 km
Mt. Baker Standard Summit Route
Via Coleman Glacier with optional ski descent
Via Coleman Glacier with optional ski descent
Difficult
12.1 mi/
19.5 km
19.5 km
Glacier Peak Wilderness
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Guides
Enjoy an easy hike through the Cascade foothills to a beautiful set of waterfalls, only 30 minutes from downtown Seattle
The trail traverses two peaks before arriving at Mt Seymour Summit with a spectacular panoramic view of the area.
A full day one way hike from Lynn Valley to the top of Grouse mountain via Hanes Valley and its treacherous scree slope
Explore the Food, Crafts, and History of Seattle's Pike Place Market
Take a walk through Seattle's historic district to see where the city was born
Explore Seattle's Culture center or take a ride up to the top of the Space Needle for panoramic views of Puget Sound
Young, vibrant, fresh, multi-cultural, and west coast.
A Walk Into The Past With a Touch of Today
How to learn something and have fun doing it.
Skiing the Mt. Baker backcountry in deep winter powder or summer corn.
Via Coleman Glacier with optional ski descent
A great hike because you don't need to spend a whole day on the trail but there is still a nice lookout at the end.
Community Trips
Went with friends from Venture Tonia and Lisa. The trail is a steady climb up and has steps lots of steps the last half mile. The falls are definitely worth the climb. The Mist was very relaxing on a hot day.
My fraternity brother Charles took a weekend trip to Seattle. He and I went on a fantastic beautiful day-hike to Marmot Pass in the Olympic National Forest.
Just a short day hike up Gold Mountain with some friends. Our trip took +/- 4 hours and we went around 6.3 miles. Awesome views to the West of Olympic Mountains and the Puget Sound.
Pretty easy hike up along old logging roads, then a well-marked trail. We left things a bit late to get much further along the ridge -- and ended up doing the last 40 minutes of the descent in the dark. But it was a beautiful sunny day with great views and quite a few other hikers along the route. Jan's boots didn't fit very well and she ended up losing her big...
Hike from St.Mary's place, along power lines to Baden Powel, to Dreamweaver which then turns into Mosquito Creek trail to the Grouse Road. From Grouse Road down hertiage creek trail, onto BP and back
A fantastic day spent with Jon and Jessica, what a wonderful introduction to beautiful Vancouver Island! Note: The data was recorded for the descent only. For approximate total distances and time double the values.
This is a great off season hike. The Chuckanut ridge was not crowded but the Fragrance lake was crowded and pretty noisy.
Reviews
