Rain is a part of life in Western Washington. As much as I dislike it sometimes, I remind myself that the lush winters and vibrant summers are a result of the rain. So, I am trying to embrace it a little more. Going on hikes in the rain has allowed me to see the beauty in it. Green ferns absolutely pop against the grey sky and a little fog can make the forest feel magical and moody. I have actually enjoyed hiking in the rain more than I thought I would.
Not every hike is a good rainy day hike, however. Personally, I don’t like doing viewpoint hikes on rainy days since the view will likely be hidden by the clouds. Instead, I would rather hike to lakes or waterfalls since they are still beautiful even on rainy, cloudy days. I also don’t like doing hikes with lots of elevation gain in the rain. Getting hot and sweating in a raincoat is pretty uncomfortable. So, I try to choose more moderate hikes with the forecast calls for rain. Below, I have listed some of my favorite rainy day hikes.
1. Lower Lena Lake
Lower Lena Lake
I think Lower Lena Lake is one of my favorite hikes I have ever done. The trail is very moderate, with lots of gentle switchbacks guiding you to the lake. Moss and ferns are everywhere and there are several small waterfalls along the trail. It also has several wooden bridges over creeks and gullies, which I adore. At the top of the trail, there is a big rock which provides an expansive view of the lake. It is so beautiful with a layer of thin fog!
- Region: Olympic National Forest
- Total mileage: 6.71 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1,550 feet
(I loved this hike so much that I did a separate blog post just for it!)
2. Otter Falls
Otter Falls
The hike to Otter Falls is a very peaceful walk through the forest. Though on the longer side, this hike has almost no elevation gain so it is a great hike for a rainy day! I did this hike in early autumn, so the falling leaves added red and orange hues to the green forest. The waterfall itself is unique because the water appears to slide down the rock instead of falling over the edge of a cliff. It was so mesmerizing and I could have watched it for hours!
- Region: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
- Total Mileage: 8.66 miles
- Elevation Gain: 820 feet
3. Teneriffe Falls
Teneriffe Falls
The first time I hiked to Teneriffe Falls, my boyfriend and I didn’t actually make it to the falls. It’s not because this hike is long or hard, but because we saw a small waterfall and decided to stop and have lunch. A few months later, I started seeing photos of Teneriffe Falls and wondered why they didn’t look like mine. That’s when I realized we hadn’t made it all the way! Let me tell you, it is worth going all the way for this waterfall! A small creek spills over the top of a cliff and flows down the rock face like a bride’s veil. It is a beautiful waterfall and makes a great hike for an overcast or rainy day.
- Region: Mount Si Natural Resources Conservation Area
- Total Mileage: 6.03 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1,644 feet
4. Marymere Falls
Marymere Falls
The trail for Marymere Falls starts right next to Lake Crescent on the Olympic Peninsula. Most of the trail is wide, flat and surrounded by ferns and moss covered trees. After you cross Barnes Creek, you cross a charming wooden bridge and up some trail stairs to get to the falls. The top of the falls is narrow but widens as it hits the rocks below. Moss flourishes on the rock directly under and next to the waterfall. On your way back, be sure to walk up to the shores of Lake Crescent. The water is crystal clear and surrounded by gorgeous Olympic Peaks.
- Region: Olympic National Park
- Total Mileage: 1.75 miles
- Elevation Gain: 300 feet
(This trail is also the start of Mt. Storm King, another popular hike. While this is a great hike, I wouldn’t recommend doing it on a rainy or cloudy day. You would miss the awesome view at the top!)
5. Talus Loop Trail
Talus Loop Trail
Talus Loop Trail is a trail on the slopes of Mt. Si. In fact, half of the loop is part of the Mt. Si trail. Even if the Mt. Si trail is busy, you will be able to find solitude on the other part of the loop. Even though there are no waterfalls on this trail, it is still beautiful. At one point, the trail crosses a boulder field and you will get a glimpse of the Snoqualmie Valley to the southeast. This is a great trail if you want to get some fresh air in the forest on an overcast day. If you do this hike, be sure to get a picture under the roots of the giant downed tree on the side of the trail!
- Region: Mount Si Natural Resources Conservation Area
- Total Mileage: 4.03 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1,429 feet
6. Wallace Falls
Wallace Falls
The hike to Wallace Falls actually takes you to three waterfalls: the lower, middle, and upper falls. The trail is gentle and easy to the lower falls. There are switchbacks between the lower and middle falls, but the trail is generally free of rocks and roots. If you want to make it to the upper falls, you will find that the trail is steeper and covered in tree roots. In my opinion, the middle falls are the most impressive. After the water falls from a high cliff, it flows through a small rock canyon. It is completely gorgeous.
- Region: Wallace Falls State Park
- Total Mileage: 5.80 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1,568 feet
7. Hall of Mosses, Hoh Rainforest
Hall of Mosses
Where better to go on a rainy day than a rainforest! The Hoh Rainforest, which is on the western side of Olympic National Park, gets 140 inches of rain per year! To put that in perspective, Seattle only gets 38 inches! Because the area gets so much rain, the trees are very tall. They are also completely covered in moss. You can find moss on pretty much any low elevation hike in the Pacific Northwest, but the moss in the Hoh Rainforest is a class all its own. The moss drapes off the trees to create a moody, magic atmosphere.
- Region: Olympic National Park
- Total Mileage: 2.01 miles
- Elevation Gain: 145 feet
As long as you have a good rain jacket, hiking in the rain can be a wonderful experience! It has allowed me to see the forest in a new way and see beauty in things I overlooked before.
