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Most importantly, though, be safe and enjoy the trails in this book. We can use them and protect them at the same time if we’re careful with our actions and forthright in demanding that our state and federal representatives continue to protect our wild lands. Throughout the last century, wilderness lovers helped secure protection for many of the lands we enjoy today. President Theodore Roosevelt was visionary in establishing the national forest system and in greatly expanding our public lands. President Franklin Roosevelt was ingenious in stimulating infrastructure on our public lands and also in expanding our parks and preserves.

Democrats, Republicans, Independents, city dwellers, country folks—Americans of all walks of life have helped establish and protect our open spaces and wilderness areas. We must see to it that those protections continue and that the last bits of wild lands are also preserved for the enjoyment of future generations.

A NOTE ABOUT SAFETY

Safety is an important concern in all outdoor activities. No guidebook can alert you to every hazard or anticipate the limitations of every reader. Therefore, the descriptions of roads, trails, routes, and natural features in this book are not representations that a particular place or excursion will be safe for your party. When you follow any of the routes described in this book, you assume responsibility for your own safety. Under normal conditions, such excursions require the usual attention to traffic, road and trail conditions, weather, terrain, the capabilities of your party, and other factors. Keeping informed on current conditions and exercising common sense are the keys to a safe, enjoyable outing.

—Mountaineers Books

If you enjoy these trails, get involved! Your involvement can be as simple as picking up trash, attending a work party, joining a trail advocacy group, educating fellow citizens, or writing Congress or your state representatives a letter. All of these small acts can make a big difference. Introduce children to our trails. We need to continue a legacy of good trail stewardship. At the end of this book you’ll find a list of organizations working on behalf of our trails and wild lands in Washington. Consider getting involved with a few of them. Happy hiking!