Looking for the PNW’s top spots to see the region’s parched fall foliage shrivel and explode into dust before your Doc Martens, Red Wings or Hunter boots even get the chance to do it themselves? You’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re into the subtle snap of a larch needle or the powdery poof of a Big Leaf Maple leaf, these seven hikes will leave your ears ringing, throat torched, and eyes caked in ash.
1. Rattlesnake Ledge
This fave local trail holds so much more than meets the eye come autumn. If you listen closely over the din of the 75 other iPhone shutter noises going off when you reach the top, you’ll be sure to hear the exciting din of desiccated Big Leaf Maple leaves exploding into dust in the crisp 80-degree autumn air below. Don’t forget to fill a camelback with Pumpkin Spice Latte for hydration or you might explode yourself!
2. Colchuk Lake
Colchuk Lake is a must-see destination for Washington’s Larch-fiends and won’t disappoint those adventurous enough to spend $350 in gas to get there. A 4-mile hike up a gentle incline is rewarded with a stunning view of thick smoke masking bright yellow larches reflected in aquamarine alpine water. As you near the top, Douglas Firs give way to absolutely parched alpine larches with needles spontaneously combusting in the dry October heat.
3. Crystal Mountain Gondola
If you’d rather ride up to the top and just tell people you hiked, Crystal Mountain Gondola is the perfect hike for you. While the main draw may be watching what’s left of local glaciers melting off of Mount Rainier, you won’t want to miss the nearby whistle and pop of red alder leaves exploding into multi-color cinder after receiving no rain for over three months.
4. Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
If you’re itching to burn some gas and a hole in your pocket, follow the Lewis and Clark Highway along the Columbia River between Vancouver and White Salmon for a stunning show of crispy fall foliage exploding into the finest of deciduous powders. If watching leaves die an excruciating death isn’t enough, take a minute to watch salmon fishermen lined up shoulder-to-shoulder in the river to harvest a species on the brink of extinction.
5. Green Lake Park
Let’s be honest: Trees are trees. Why drive all over the state when there’s like 18 trees right in Green Lake Park? What kind of trees are they? We don’t know. But who cares! They are so dried out and desperate for water the leaves are literally bursting into flames. Before they’re all gone in a week or two, be sure to grab a blanket and a book for a relaxing afternoon reading in the falling ash.
Autumn’s dry fall leaf explosions won’t last forever! Get out there and see them before the first rain clears all the smoke and hot temperatures to finally make it feel like real fall.
