Planning a trip the first week in August(9 days) with our kids (8 & 10) and need some tips. We love hiking and outdoors and don't mind driving. Also we always take some type of fishing trip...any fishermen with some advice? Would like to spend 2-3 days in Seattle and then go to Mr. Rainer. What else should we not miss?? Do we have enough time to go to the islands?? Orca trip sounds like fun. Thanks

ttt

You seem anxious to hear something (your ttt tipped me off - I do see that you JUST posted so give it a bit of time smom), so will put my two cents in. If you have nine days, 2-3 of which are in Seattle, likely at least 2 (?) up to Mt. Rainier, fishing on the way perhaps (we don't fish in the area, just up in B.C. so I'm no expert here ), so perhaps making it 2-4 days for Rainier including the fishing, that leaves you a couple days for the islands. Lots of folks like to do foot passenger trips out to Friday Harbor from Anacortes. The ferries get very busy in the summer for car traffic - foot passengers always get on but parking at the terminal can be an issue. You could ferry over to Clinton from Mukilteo and drive up Whidbey Island to Anacortes and La Conner. Not quite as far out in the islands but still a very nice way to see the area.

Maybe over towards the Cascades... the Methow valley, like Winthrop and Mazama? The Methow river is gorgeous and has some great camping. Sorry I don't know about fishing. We're talking about 4 hrs. drive east of Seattle.

Just an opinion but I'd pick heading that way over going out to the San Juans. Because I find the scenery more dramatic. Hopefully others can fill in details.

If you go up to the San Juans (in 9 days, you do have time for all 3 places that you listed), you could do a charter salmon fishing trip. I think there are also charter trips in Puget Sound out of the Seattle area. Fly fishing in rivers isn't big here, and though there is some great trout fishing in our alpine lakes, they generally require some pretty hard hiking (the lakes that are easy to get to have too much fishing pressure).

Yes an orca watch trip is great fun, and by kayak (there are many guided trips), a very special experience. You would be in double kayaks so your kids will be able to do it.

The North Fork of the Stillaguamish is amazing for Steelheads on a Fly rod, as is the Snohomish, and Skagit. If you've never fished for Steelies go out on a Charter for Salmon. Hiking in the Roslyn area is nice, The Olympics are challenging near Hurricane Ridge. One place where you could both hike and fish and is exremely beautiful and different is the Hoh Rainforest on the Olympic Penninsula. August is magical.

For a couple of days at Mt. Rainier, we like to stay just outside the park entrance (Longmire entrance) at Stone Creek Lodge, which has cabins scattered around a meadow:
http://www.destination-rainier.com/

It's a nice drive from there up to Paradise for hiking. Or you could stay just outside the White River entrance at Alta Crystal Resort; they have "loft" units that accomodate a family of four, and a swimming pool, etc. From there you could hike in the Sunrise area.

http://www.thenewstribune.com/front/...-5155543c.html

A long URL, but cutting to the chase, they are refurbishing the visitor center and lodge, so Paradise will be difficult for quite some time.

Yes, the historic lodge and the visitor center will be closed, but the hiking will be as fine as ever. Not sure about the parking situation, though.

Thanks for the info. We plan on going Salmon fishing!!

Our kids want to "go out of the country". How about Victoria?? What is the best way to get there and work it into our plans...Seattle 2-3days, Mr. Rainier, ONP, Victoria, kayak trip?