Hikes near Tacoma?

[kweb]

Used to live in Covington.....right off I-90.....close to lots of hikes. Now live in Tacoma......not so close to any hikes. My 60mi rt to Granite is now 100mi rt. Are there any good (hard) hikes somewhat close by?

[DownInAHole]

you might have more luck posting this on nwhikers.net

[astrov]

check out condom fishing in Wapato Lake

[Drederek]

Might be able to get some up and down out at Pt Defiance after skating out Ruston way. Haven't been there in a long time and never did hike there so I wouldn't be surprised to hear that its lame. Lots of good hard hikes in the Olympics within an hour of Olympia.

[Fairweather]

Trail Running: Fort Steilacoom Park 4.2mi perimeter loop. Point Defiance 'Square' loop = 4.1mi, 'Triangle Loop' = 3.4mi. Mount Pete/Peak Enumclaw - 1000k climb/trail run, 29mile drive to parking lot from north Tacoma. Green Mountain near Bremerton - 1100k climb/bike/run, about 21 mile drive from north Tacoma. Capitol Peak near Oly provides a 1700'gain on bike/run, but I haven't recorded the drive mileage.

 

As for actual 'mountain' adventure, the closest access east is Carbon River/Mowich Lake at MRNP - about a 55 minute drive from north Tacoma. If you want to drive west you can make it to the Cushman Lake area trailheads in about 70 minutes. Note: It is always shorter to drive across the Narrows and through Gorst/Belfair than to go through Oly/Shelton. Always.

 

Have fun.

[kweb]

Thanks guys. This, and the replies I got on NWHikers.net, was what I was looking for.

[pope]

Run over the Narrows Bridge and then to the Tides Tavern. Get tanked, run back.

[Fairweather]

Pope, is there any truth to the rumor you once free-soloed the west tower of the narrows bridge using only the rivets and while carrying your unsecured pet iguana over your left shoulder?