Outdoor Brooke

Outdoor Brooke Adventure Travel
📍Pacific Northwest
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I had a late start to backpacking season, so of course I had to make up for it by backpacking two trails back-to-back lo...
07/17/2026

I had a late start to backpacking season, so of course I had to make up for it by backpacking two trails back-to-back lol

I’ve had this trail on my list for almost five years, but weather and other circumstances kept getting in the way. I finally got to backpack it this year, and it was absolutely worth the wait.

Got any fun plans this weekend? I think I’m going to check out the farmers market and maybe go see The Odyssey 👀

📸 collab with Val | Outdoors & Travel

07/09/2026

Is Alaska worth visiting for the wildlife?

Absolutely.

Before this trip, I knew Alaska was famous for wildlife, but I don’t think I realized just how often you’d see it. It wasn’t just on tours. Wildlife was everywhereeee.

On a brown bear tour, we watched bears roaming the coastline just doing their thing (eating and playing). On our Kenai Fjords cruise, we spotted whales, sea otters, puffins, seals, sea lions, and more.

We had a porcupine casually hanging out on the trail ahead of us during a hike, bald eagles seemed to be soaring overhead everywhere we went, and we constantly found ourselves pulling over because there was another animal along the side of the road (like a bobcat).

From Seward and Homer to Denali National Park, Hatcher Pass, and Chugach State Park, every day felt like a real-life nature documentary. If you’re planning an Alaska itinerary and wondering about the best things to do in Alaska, seeing Alaska wildlife should be at the top of your list. A brown bear tour and a Kenai Fjords National Park cruise were easily two of the biggest highlights of our Alaska trip.

Have you been to Alaska? What was your favorite wildlife sighting? 🐻🦅🐋

06/24/2026

It’s so hard to leave Washington during the summer. There are so many places I still want to explore around the world, but every time I start planning a trip, Washington reminds me why it’s one of my favorite places on earth.

Between the alpine lakes, wildflower-covered hiking trails, mountains, waterfalls, and events, it feels like there’s always another weekend trip waiting. From Mount Rainier and Olympic National Park to the North Cascades, Washington summers are pure magic,and sometimes it’s hard to convince myself to go anywhere else.

06/23/2026

📍 Lewis River Falls, Gifford Pinchot National Forest

It’s been 5–6 years since my last visit, which is wild because this has always been one of my favorite waterfalls in Washington. The size of it alone is enough to make the drive worth it.

A few things I wish I’d known before going:
* You’ll need a parking reservation through Recreation.gov between June 15 and Labor Day (and a printed copy for your dashboard).
* Part of the road is unpaved, I recommend a high clearance vehicle.
* Getting down to the water can be a little sketchy in spots.
* To reach the falls, you’ll need to walk through the river, so expect to get wet before you even start swimming.
* The current can be strong, so use caution and know your limits.
* The water is COLD, which feels nice on a hot summer day, but be warned…it’s a cold plunge.

⁉️ Leave No Trace: pack out your trash, pick up after yourself, and avoid entering lakes and rivers with sunscreen, lotions, or other products on your skin whenever possible

I wait to apply sunscreen until after I’m done swimming, or I rinse off before getting into the water whenever possible

Please help keep our Washington waterfalls, alpine lakes, rivers, and swimming holes beautiful by following Leave No Trace principles, packing out trash, and being mindful of what enters our waterways.

06/18/2026

After hiking for about 20 minutes, I finally settle into my “cruise mode” where everything feels easier and my body finds its rhythm. But whenever I stop for lunch, it’s like my body gets the wrong idea and starts winding down for the day, even though I still have miles left to hike. 😅

That said, once I get moving again, I usually find my cruise mode much faster than I did at the start of the hike.

Anyone else feel like their body treats every lunch break like the finish line? lol

06/17/2026

I’ll mix in some protein, but honestly the sugar rush from the Nerds Gummy Clusters is what’s fueling me backpacking lol

06/11/2026

I’m excited for an upcoming trip this month to a destination I’ve been dreaming about visiting for quite some time. What plans are you excited for this summer?



Best hikes in Mount Rainier National Park • Things to do in Mount Rainier National Park • Mount Rainier itinerary • Mount Rainier travel guide • Mount Rainier summer hiking • Mount Rainier wildflower season • Mount Rainier photography spots • Best sunrise spots at Mount Rainier • Best sunset spots at Mount Rainier • Weekend trip from Seattle • Washington bucket list destination • National Park bucket list

🫶🏼Save this guide for your next Mount Rainier trip.Mount Rainier National Park is one of the best places in Washington f...
06/04/2026

🫶🏼Save this guide for your next Mount Rainier trip.

Mount Rainier National Park is one of the best places in Washington for wildflower hikes, alpine lakes, mountain views, sunrise photography, and summer hiking.

Whether you’re visiting for one day or planning a weekend getaway, this guide covers the best hikes, photo spots, sunrise locations, sunset viewpoints, places to stay, and common mistakes to avoid.

Highlights:
• Best hikes: Skyline Trail, Mount Fremont Lookout, Bench & Snow Lakes, Naches Peak Loop
• Best wildflower hikes: Spray Park, Berkeley Park, Summerland, Skyline Trail
• Best sunrise spots: Fremont Lookout, Dege Peak, Sunrise Point, Burroughs Mountain
• Best sunset spots: Reflection Lakes, Pinnacle Peak, Spray Park, Skyline Loop
• Best photo spots: Reflection Lakes, Tipsoo Lake, Myrtle Falls, Fremont Lookout
• Where to stay near Mount Rainier: Alta Crystal Resort, Copper Creek Inn, Stone Creek Lodge, campgrounds

A few things to know before you go:
• Most higher-elevation trails are still snow-covered until late June or early July.
• Parking fills extremely early in summer, especially at Paradise and Sunrise.
• Temperatures can change quickly, even on warm days.
• Paradise and Sunrise are on opposite sides of the park and are farther apart than many visitors expect.

When is your favorite time to visit Mount Rainier? 👀

***As always follow LNT principles



Mount Rainier National Park | Washington hiking | Washington State travel | Paradise | Sunrise | Skyline Trail | Mount Fremont Lookout | Reflection Lakes | Tipsoo Lake | Wildflower hikes | Best hikes in Washington | Pacific Northwest travel | PNW hiking | National Parks USA | Washington road trip | Things to do in Mount Rainier National Park

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Olympic National Park Visitor Center 3002 Mount Angeles Road
Port Angeles, WA
98362-6798

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