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Here's your plan for a moderate hike to scenic Lake Valhalla with forest trails and alpine views. Watch the video 👇

About 2 hours from Seattle (near-ish Leavenworth), lies Lake Valhalla. Let’s hike the PCT trail north of Steven’s pass to get there!

⛰️🥾Day hike to an alpine gem 🥾⛰️

Start your scenic hike to Lake Valhalla from Smithbrook Trailhead—enjoy forested trails, swimming, and picnic spots at this easy-to-moderate alpine adventure near Leavenworth.

Trailhead Arrival

✅ Before you go
• Always check trail conditions/driving conditions — you can often find recent trail reviews on Washington Trails Association!
• In summer, there are two ways to access Lake Valhalla, either via the Smithbrook Trail #1590, or from Stevens Pass using a section of the PCT. However, the Stevens Pass route is longer, while the Smithbrook route is more accessible to more casual hikers like me.  • You don’t need any sort of pass to hike to Lake Valhalla (no NW forest pass, Discover, America The Beautiful, etc). 
• The drive from Seattle to the trailhead is about two hours. I drove from Leavenworth, so it was about a 45 minute drive. 
• The road to the trailhead is unpaved, but I made it just fine in my Prius!
• The trail to Lake Valhalla from Smithbrook trailhead is about 7 miles long and 1500 elevation. I would gauge this as pretty moderate/easier hike. If you’ve hiked to Snow Lake, Heather Lake or Lake 22, you’ll be just fine! 

💪 Pro tips
• I went on a Monday at about 8:40 AM — the trail was super quiet! Only passed maybe 4 people, but there were a few PCT hikers hanging out by the meadow near the Lake Access sign. 
• Safety comes first, especially if you’re a solo hiker like me! I always let people know where I’m hiking, send them the WTA link as well, and share my location. I also let someone know when I start my hike and when I’m back at my car. 
• I recommend doing this hike completely unplugged! I didn’t bring airpods, didn’t listen to music, etc. I did, however, bring a book with me to read at the lake! 
•  Here is everything I brought: 
• essentials: hiking backpack (this really makes a difference), hiking shoes, water. 
• 2 PBJs to eat at the lake
• My book
• Turkish towel
• Swimsuit (but I just jumped in without it 👀👀👀👀)
• Little hiking knife for emergencies
• Long sleeve in case it got cold
• Sunglasses
• Hat

Arrive at Smithbrook Trailhead

Just a couple hours away from Seattle is Lake Valhalla,

You're gonna start at Smith Brook Trailhead,

I checked in at this register box before starting my hike.

Lake Valhall is a pretty standard PNW hike,

meaning there's gonna be lots of forests,

Eventually you're gonna hit a fork in the road,

which means that you've officially hit the Pacific Crest Trail,

and you're gonna want to go to the left side,

You'll know you're going the right way when you see this little sign.

You'll start your descent and eventually hit this little meadow clearing,

and you're gonna wanna watch out for the sign that says lake access.

I felt so lucky to enjoy these incredible

views while eating some peanut butter jelly sandwiches.

And after about an hour and a half of jumping off the rock,

Here's your plan for diving with sharks up close at Point Defiance Zoo's underwater tank. Watch the video 👇

Get a deep sea experience right in your own backyard! This is the Eye-To-Eye Shark Dive at the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium in Tacoma! 🤿

SCUBA DIVE WITH SHARKS! 🦈🤿

Dive eye-to-eye with sharks at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma—no scuba experience needed! Safe, thrilling, and unforgettable underwater adventure for small groups.

Shark tank diving

✅ Before you go
• You absolutely need a reservation for this: https://www.pdza.org/discover/shark-dives/ 🦈
• This is for small groups, up to 4 people! 🤿🤿🤿🤿
• YOU DO NOT NEED ANY SCUBA EXPERIENCE TO DO THIS! The instructors give you step-by-step instructions on how to participate! 💧
• It’s not scary… it’s AMAZING! I felt safe the entire time! 🫶
• There are huge metal bars and a diver from the aquarium in the water with you, constantly checking on you. 🦈
• Make sure you arrive early! You need enough time to make your way through the zoo and to the aquarium by the time your booking starts!⏰
• You will absolutely need a change of clothes! We wore sweatpants and a sweatshirt to the zoo (no hoods!). You’re given a dry suit to wear over that, but water seeped through mine, and I was pretty damp by the end. 😩
• The hardest part for me was getting used to the oxygen line. Once it’s time to go, the staff help you get in quickly, so you can enjoy the most amount of time in the water. I ended up popping back up for a moment and taking a few breaths above the surface to get used to breathing through the line before going under. 😮‍💨
• The water isn’t bad at all! If you get cold easily, consider one more layer! 💦
• You’re underwater for about 20 minutes! The entire experience is about an hour, including a briefing before and after! 🐠🐟
• The experience costs about $130 per person! 💰

💪 Pro tips
• Your ticket includes a ticket to the zoo as well! We stayed at the zoo for a few hours after and checked out the other animals! 🐯🐼🐻

Head underwater! 🤿

Get a deep sea experience right in your own backyard.

This is the eye to eye shark dive at the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium in Tacoma.

You submerge right into a shark tank and get

up close and personal with these incredible creatures.

I had zero scuba experience before doing this.

You're given step by step instructions and information about the

types of sharks and other fish in the tank with you

before you suit up and head under the water.

so you're underwater for about 20 minutes of that.

The sharks will come within inches of the bars if you stay still.

There's a diver from the aquarium in the water with you,

and there are giant bars to keep you separated.

I really recommend it for anyone interested in getting over their fear of jaws.

Here's your plan for tasting Korean rice wines paired with savory comfort food in Woodinville. Watch the video 👇

Explore varieties of Korean rice wines in this tasting room experience, pairing with traditional savory comfort food.

Rice Wine Tasting

Taste authentic Korean rice wines at Rainbrew in Woodinville—sample flights, try savory Korean comfort fare, and explore seasonal brews on weekends only.

✅ Before you go
• Double check which days they open - currently they only open on Fri, Sat and Sun.
• They have plenty of parking spots.
• If you want to book a tour or brewing class, check their website first.

💪 Pro tips
• I recommend ask what’s their current seasonal drop and give it a try.

Head to Rainbrew

They are crafting authentic Korean rice wines, from creamy Makgeolli to bold Takju.

grab a flight to taste their core line up and don't miss their latest seasonal drops.

You can't have rice wine without comfort food.

Try their instant ramen and seafood pancake for the perfect salty-

they also have a cocktail menu all built on a rice wine base.

Take a bottle home or book a tour or brewing class to learn the craft.

Here's your plan for a peaceful riverside hike with forest views and a charming waterfall stop. Watch the video 👇

Do a meandering hike through the quiet woods on the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Trail. 

River and Woods Hike

Enjoy a peaceful hike along the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Trail, weaving through lush forests and scenic river spots—choose your adventure distance!

Forest River Hike

✅ Before you go
• Familiarize yourself with the route and recent reviews using WTA or AllTrails (https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/middle-fork-snoqualmie-upstream) (https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/middle-fork-snoqualmie-river-trail?sh=ktpvm7&utm_medium=trail_share&utm_source=alltrails_virality)


💪 Pro tips
• The parking lot is large and has bathrooms, so no need to get there super early. 
• Although the hike isn’t up a mountain, the trail does have rolling elevation up and down, so it catches up to you!
• Always remember to leave no trace!  


Hike on the Middle Fork Trail

choose your own adventure hike along a river.

You'll park at the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Trailhead,

where you'll start the hike by crossing this picturesque suspension bridge.

you'll turn left to hike on the Middle Fork Trail.

so you can choose whatever distance suits you.

This trail is absolutely stunning and weaves in and

out of the forest with a few stream crossings.

Make sure to keep your eyes out for slugs!

we found a spot on the river to hang out and enjoy some snacks.

but we kept going another 1.5 miles to see this little waterfall.

This is the perfect hike the next time you need an escape from the city.

Here's your plan for sipping natural wine at a cozy outdoor patio in Fremont. Watch the video 👇

Spend some time sipping natural wine on an outdoor patio tucked away in Fremont. 

Hidden Natural Wine Bar in an Outdoor Garden

Sip natural wine in The Botanicale's charming Fremont patio, enjoy a wine flight, and bring your own snacks for a cozy, relaxed experience.

Wine Tasting

✅ Before you go
• Bring a snack if you want! They allow outside food. 


💪 Pro tip
• I’d highly recommend the wine flight! It’s a great way to try a bunch of different wines you may not normally reach for. 


Enjoy a drink at The Botanicale

Let's go to a cozy natural wine bar tucked away in Fremont.

The Botanicale started as a plant store but has now evolved into the cutest wine bar.

but they also allow outside food and drink,

and the group next to us even brought in a delicious looking charcuterie spread.

I'll definitely be doing that next time I go.

are super friendly and knowledgeable about their wine.

They like to know their growers and currently have met about 80% of them.

About half the wine they pour is local to Seattle and Oregon.