Washington Trail Conditions: January 05 - January 11, 2026
This week, Washington's trails felt the full force of an atmospheric river, serving up a potent cocktail of mud, persistent rain, and surprisingly, pockets of ice at higher elevations. If you headed out, you likely returned a little wetter, a lot muddier, and perhaps a bit wiser about the sheer volume of water our trails can hold.
Across the state, the story remains consistently wet. While lower elevation trails offer a reprieve from deep snow, they're often navigating rivers of their own or dealing with the aftermath of recent wind and rain. Mud is the dominant theme, making sturdy waterproof footwear and gaiters less of an option and more of a requirement. We're also seeing a fair number of blowdowns from saturated ground and strong winds, creating extra obstacles. Despite the soggy conditions, crowding remains low, which is a silver lining for those who embrace the elements. Just remember, what looks like a puddle might just be a small lake in disguise.
Where to Go
Here are a few spots that offered manageable conditions, or at least interesting ones, this past week:
- Collin Creek Trail (Puget Sound and Islands): A great pick for an easy, low-elevation walk between rain showers. Expect minimal elevation gain, an out-and-back route, and free parking in the northern Redmond Watershed area.
- Seward Park (Puget Sound and Islands): For those seeking a paved, level loop with excellent Lake Washington views, Seward Park is always a solid bet, even on a drizzly day. Plenty of walkers and runners were out, enjoying the fresh air.
- Middle Fork Snoqualmie River (Snoqualmie Region): Another reliable choice for a winter walk, offering a chance to stretch your legs without encountering significant snow or extreme elevation.
- Nook Trail, Section Line Trail & West Tiger 3 (Issaquah Alps): While you'll still encounter plenty of water, these trails offer a good workout close to the city. Be prepared for mud and possibly some slick spots.
Closures & Hazards
- Upper Dungeness River (Olympic Peninsula): Forest Road 2880 is closed just past the Dungeness Forks campground. Access via FR2870 (Taylor Cutoff/Lost Mountain roads) is possible but expect severe potholes on both roads.
From the Trail
"Surprise, Lake Serene was ice today. Not a surprise, this hike was SO wet. Last time I was here was in 2024, and boy does the trail need a lot of TLC due to recent landslides and fallen trees. Expect areas of mud, unavoidable puddles and water crossings, broken trail sections, trees to climb over or crawl under, and constant whacking in the head by vegetation due to trail overgrowth or pressure from snow. Crampons were helpful for the last half mile of trail to the lake." — View report on WTA
"I hadn't hiked on Squak Mountain since before the bomb cyclone in Nov '24, and this loop feels almost like a completely different trail now. I'm really amazed they were even able to re-open Old Griz Trail given how many trees blew down there. It's pretty wild to hike through. The plus side is there are new views that opened up in several places." — View report on WTA
Looking Ahead
For the most accurate mountain weather, check these sources before heading out:
- NWAC Mountain Weather Forecast - Best for Cascades snow and avalanche conditions
- NWS Seattle - General Seattle/Puget Sound area
- Mountain Forecast - Peak-specific forecasts
Conditions change rapidly in the mountains - always verify current conditions before your trip.