Puget View Guesthouse Blog

The Pacific Crest Trail---Section by Section

2010-08-14T20:28:04Z

For several years now we've taken off on a weeklong hike. First it was the 90-mile section from Manning Park, British Columbia (the northern terminus of the Pacific Crest Trail) to Stehekin--- the tiny village at the western end of Lake Chelan. Then it was Stevens Pass to Snoqualmie Pass, followed by Mt. Adams to White Pass. This year---just a week from now---we'll be tramping the 50 miles between White Pass and Government Meadows, approximately 40 miles south of Snoqualmie Pass---looking forward to stunning views of Mt. Rainier along the way, wildflower meadows, maybe even a few early huckleberries. While we're in the mountains, we invite you to enjoy our sea-level paradise at Puget View Cottage on the south shore of Puget Sound. It's the BEST time of year here. As I write, I hear children playing on the beach, waves lapping. No one is in the hammock at the moment and, as yet, we have availability beginning August 22nd. Give us a call!

Mount Rainier---Miraculous Wildflowers

2010-08-01T16:38:15Z

Image via Wikipedia

Think Grindelwald, the Swiss Alps---think Mt. Rainier. This time of year Mt. Rainier's alpine meadows at Paradise and Sunrise are blanketed with avalanche lilies, indian paintbrush, lupine, wild heather---and so many more glorious bloomers. A cool spring puts the peak bloom at about a week or two from now---just in time for you to GET HERE! After your walk in the flower fields, treat yourself to lunch at the historic Paradise Inn. And it's all an easy day trip from Puget View Cottage on the shore of Puget Sound!

Summer in the "Other" Washington

2010-07-14T15:39:10Z

Image via Wikipedia

Finally---it's summer at Puget View Cottage. We've taken off our sweaters, reveling in al fresco BBQs on the deck and weenie roasts on the beach. As I look across the calm, high tide of the south Sound this morning, only patches of snow remain in the high reaches of the Olympic Mountains across the bay--- enough to remind me of my childhood in Alaska and how these views are in many ways similar to those of the Last Frontier.

The Hoh--or Ho-Hum on Rain Forests: Often our guests will want to explore "the rain forest" which usually means the Hoh Rain Forest of Olympic National Park. But honestly, we find our little neighborhood rain forest of Tolmie State Park (a five-minute walk down the beach) to be every bit as rewarding and so much more accessible. Several miles of trails lead through mossy groves of grand firs, cedars, hemlocks and mixed deciduous forest. Come see for yourself!