The Washington State Hiking Podcast
Welcome to the The Washington State Hiking Podcast with your host, Jennie Thwing Flaming. Along with part time co-host and guidebook author Craig Romano, she provides practical and timely seasonal hiking advice for hikers, trail runners and potential hikers of all skill and ability levels that is practical, accurate, fun and inclusive. We cover hikes near Seattle and Tacoma as well as hikes all across Washington from the rain forests of the Olympic Peninsula to the Shrub Steppe of Eastern Washington.
Jennie is a middle aged, plus sized, frequently solo slow hiker and a born and raised Washingtonian and has enjoyed Washington's trails her entire life. Craig is a trail runner and ultra marathoner who also loves the mellow walk close to home. Originally from New Hampshire, he has made his home in Washington for more than 30 years. He the author of more than 20 guidebooks covering trails across Washington State and beyond.
Episodes
76 episodes
Best swimming lakes for late summer
Jennie and Craig discuss their favorite hikes to swimming lakes in WashingtonSupport the Washington State Hiking Podcast with a t...
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Episode 75
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17:02
What parking passes do I need for Washington State hiking?
Jennie and Craig talk about the sometimes confusing system of parking passes across Washington State and how to figure out which pass you need for what hike.
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Episode 74
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18:45
The Best Alpine Wildflower hikes in Washington State
Jennie and Craig discuss their favorite alpine wildflower hikes across Washington for peak alpine wildflower season in Late July and early August.
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Episode 73
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20:15
The Best Peak Summer hikes in Washington
Jennie and Craig talk about their favorite hikes for mid summer across Washington State.Support the Washington State Hiking Podca...
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Episode 72
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14:57
Best summer hiking vacations near Washington in Oregon, Idaho and British Columbia
Jennie and Craig talk about their favorite summer hiking destinations in our neighbors - Oregon, Idaho and British Columbia.Suppo...
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Episode 71
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24:28
Going Deeper with Nature on the Trail with Matthew Kessi
Matthew Kessi joins Jennie to talk about the emotional and physical benefits of connecting with nature while hiking and strategies for doing that, especially during times of personal transition.
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Episode 70
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45:25
How to beat the crowds on the trail by finding your own hike
Jennie and Craig discuss strategies and tools for finding your own hike and getting away from crowds.Support the Washington State...
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Episode 69
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23:33
The Best Hiking Summer Vacations in Washington State
Jennie and Craig discuss their favorite places for vacations focused on hiking in Washington State - including places that are off the beaten track.
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Episode 68
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21:31
A Tribute to the Carbon River area of Mt Rainier National Park
Jennie and Craig pay tribute to the Carbon River area of Mt Rainier National Park, which is currently closed because the Fairfax Bridge to access it has been permanently closed.
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Episode 67
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23:03
Best Spokane area hikes with Emily Mandagie
Support the Washington State Hiking Podcast with a tip (no account or commitment needed)
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Episode 66
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28:36
Best hikes for Early Summer in Washington State
Jennie and Craig discuss their favorite hikes for early summer that are snow free early and feel like summer.Support t...
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Episode 65
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15:06
Hiking in Southwestern British Columbia with Taryn Eyton
Taryn Eyton joins Jennie and Craig to talk about her favorite trails on Vancouver Island and in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia as well as trail challenges to navigate on both sides of the border.
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Episode 64
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56:55
What Impact will Federal Staff and Budget Cuts have on Washington Hiking this year with Anna Roth (Part 2)
Washington Trails Association Digital Content Manager Anna Roth joins Jennie to talk about what to expect this summer on Washington Trails and how hikers can help in part 2 of this mini series.
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Episode 63
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25:57
What Impact will Federal Staff and Budget Cuts have on Washington Hiking this year with Jeff Kish (Part 1)
Jeff Kish, Executive Director of the Pacific Northwest Trail Association, joins Jennie to share what hikers can expect on forest service trails this summer during this
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Episode 62
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29:40
Best Hikes with Young Kids in Washington with Marissa Pedersen
Marissa Pedersen joins Jennie to share her top tips for hiking with young children in Washington State as well as some of her favorite hikes with young children in Washington.Our sponsor for the month of April is
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Episode 61
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18:33
More than Lake 22 - Lake, Forest and River hikes in Snohomish County
Jennie and Craig talk about their favorite lowland hikes to lakes, waterfalls and along rivers and forests in Snohomish County.Our sponsor for the month of April is ...
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Episode 60
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22:16
More than Mt Pilchuck - Alpine Hikes in Snohomish County for Solitude
Jennie and Craig discuss some alternatives to the super popular and busy hikes on the Mountain Loop Highway and along Highway 2, including some that have recently restored road access.Our sponsor for the month of Apr...
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Episode 59
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22:04
Insiders Guide to Hiking in Snohomish County with Richard Porter and Nick Shekeryk from Snohomish County Placemakers
Richard Porter and Nick Shekeryk, hosts of the Snohomish County Placemakers Podcast, join Jennie and Craig to talk about their favorite urban and backcountry trails in Snohomish County as well as some of their favorite places to eat, drink a...
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Episode 58
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39:29
Best Hikes in Vancouver, British Columbia
Jennie interviews Craig about his brand new book - Urban Hiking Vancouver BC! We talk about the many wonderful hikes that are transit accessible and provide a beautiful oasis in nature within and around the city.Our sponsor for...
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Episode 57
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27:48
Best hikes for Whale Watching in Western Washington
Jennie and Craig talk about some of their favorite hikes around the Salish Sea in Western Washington for seeing whales - resident and transient orcas as well as migrating grey and humpback whales
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Episode 56
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18:54
Best spring hikes in Washington for 2025
Jennie and Craig share their favorite hikes across Washington State in spring, updated for 2025Support the Washington State Hiking Podcast w...
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Episode 55
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18:02
Spring (and winter) Avalanche Safety with the Northwest Avalanche Center
Devon Schoos of the Northwest Avalanche Center joins Jennie to share the resources that NWAC provides to hikers for avalanche and snow safety as well as some specific considerations for avalanches in spring.
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Episode 54
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29:30
The Best Hikes in Oregon with Matt Wastradowski and Adam Sawyer
Hello neighbors! Jennie and Craig’s friends Matt Wastrodowski and Adam Sawyer, both Oregon hiking guide book authors, join Jennie to share their Top 5 hikes in Oregon.
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Episode 53
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54:45