Push Play
Seattle may have a rainy reputation, but that doesn't keep its citizens from jogging, hiking, and biking rain or shine. And once that glorious orb is freely shining down the on the folks of Rain City, there's only one thing to do: Get outside! Luckily the Pacific Northwest is chock-full of outdoorsy opportunities.
Get on your bikes and ride!
The Burke Gilman Trail is a perfect way to see the city via bike. Start your journey at nearby Golden Gardens and grab some Cuban sandwiches from Paseo for lunch — both lethally messy and delicious. On the trail, you'll pass the Lake Washington Ship Canal, the SPU campus, Gasworks Park (where you can take in views of the city), the University of Washington campus, and the quiet neighborhoods east of the university. End your 13-mile journey at Matthew's Beach on Lake Washington, where swimming access is available, perfect for cooling off after your trek.
Rock on!
If you're looking for a vertical thrill, head over to Stone Gardens in Ballard, which boasts 16,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor rock climbing surface. They have intro classes if you're new to the sport. Another great place to learn how to climb is Warren G. Magnuson Park's outdoor climbing wall. The climbs are from 15 to 30 feet high, and very safe. Best of all, it's free!
Walk the line!
Slacklining is a balance sport that uses nylon webbing stretched tightly between two anchor points (say, a couple obliging tree trunks?). Slackliners walk across the nylon webbing, or "line," and show off their balancing skills. Golden Gardens, Cal Anderson Park, Green Lake, Gasworks Park, and our very own campus are all popular places to try slacklining. And don't be bashful. Slackliners are often willing to let newbies give it a try.
Camp it out!
While the Holiday Inn may boast such amenities as fresh towels and continental breakfast, the great outdoors offers items that are a little more exciting: open sky, woodland creatures, fresh air. All you need are a few pieces of camping equipment, and you're set! Thank goodness SPU is now offering rentable goodies like tents, sleeping bags, first aid kits, day packs, headlamps, snow shoes, and more (prices range from $3 to $16 depending on the item and how long you rent them). There are three national parks in Washington to choose from: Mount Rainier, Olympic, and North Cascades, and each terrain is vastly different: from lush rainforests, to lakes and rivers, and high peaks.
The Top Five Pacific Northwest Hikes
(as chosen by SPU's most trail-savvy professor)
Professor of English Luke Reinsma doesn't just teach students advanced grammar; he also takes them on hiking adventures. Here are his top five favorite Pacific Northwest hikes, and his thoughts on why you should take them:
Granite Mountain
"Awesome views that are worth the
steep climb."
Distance from SPU: 1 hour east
Length: 8 miles roundtrip
Difficulty: Strenuous
Mount Dickerman
"Feast on wild blueberries while you hike up to the 5,723-foot summit."
Distance from SPU: 1 hour
45 minutes northeast
Length: 8.6 miles roundtrip
Difficulty: Strenuous
Mount Si
"This trail travels through several
ecosystems before reaching the
4,167-foot summit."
Distance from SPU: 1 hour east
Length: 8.2 miles roundtrip
Difficulty: Moderate
Twin Falls
"A rambling hike that boasts two
year-round waterfalls."
Distance from SPU: 50 minutes east
Length: 3 miles roundtrip
Difficulty: Easy
Rattlesnake Ridge
"Lots of blooming wildflowers and
views of Rattlesnake Lake."
Distance from SPU: 1 hour east
Length: 4 miles roundtrip
Difficulty: Easy
Find directions to all of these hikes and more at the Washington Trails Association's website.
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