One Hundred Hikes in Washington's North Cascades Glacier Peak Region
No doubt about it: from lush forests to meadows of wildflowers to jagged peaks, Washington's Glacier Peak region provides a diversity of superlative hiking opportunities. Try a calorie-burning jaunt up Mount Dickerman (gains 3,900 feet in just over four miles, affording views of Mount Forgotten, Sloan Peak, and all the Monte Cristo summits). Or take a well-graded, leisurely stroll to Goat Lake (great for kids, and you still get the views). With all these hikes to choose from, the hardest part will be deciding which to do first. As good as all this sounds to the outdoors enthusiast, though, the guide also delves into the negatives, making it abundantly clear that this jewel of a region is in peril. Whether it's logging in unprotected areas outside the designated wilderness, Forest Service budget cuts, or hikers who use the trails but don't want to pay/volunteer to maintain them, the authors pepper their trail descriptions with opinions and directed criticism. Some will find these asides a bit preachy, but consider this: it's your continued enjoyment of this region that they have in mind, and like the other books in the Mountaineers series, this one delivers on well-chosen, thorough information.