HIKING

Hiking is a great gateway into the Northwest.  Exercise, history, nature, community, and accomplishment.

Exercise is a by product of hiking. You can't hike 8 miles with 3500 feet of elevation gain and not sweat.  At first difficult, after a while the body adapts and strengthens.   What before brought days of discomfort now is relatively easy.  Once a week up Cable Line on Tiger sets you up for the far more difficult Mailbox peak (4000 feet of elevation in just 2.5 miles).

History.  First ascents, logging, mining, exploration are all part of Northwest hiking. McCellan's Butte is named after the general Abraham Lincoln tapped to create the army of the Potomac (he also tried, but failed, to find Snoqualmie Pass in addition to raising, but not really using, his army).  Arthur Denny hiked these woods.  Doc Maynard used his knowledge of the area to re-route the Tinkham party to take a shorter, but non-intutive route to Seattle -- possibly cheating Everett out of becoming the larger city.

Nature.  Ferns, moss, cedars, firs and wildflowers.  The woods and mountains have it all.

Community.  Hike with someone for 5 hours.  You get to know them.  After a while the discussion flows easily.  Jokes, childhood stories, political views, music, commentary on life.  A hike lubricates social interaction.  I don't know how it does it, but it does.

Accomplishment.  A first time hike up Rattlesnake Ledge brings out a sense of accomplishment when you get to the top of the ledge, just as getting atop McCellan's Butte or Mount Si or Bandara.  Get to the top and see the view.  You've worked hard for it and it's satisfying.  Go higher, longer.