Epic Hikes of Washington State - Zach's Lookout

 

Zach's Lookout

Date Hiked: August 16th, 2025

Trail Hiked: Zach's Lookout, U1100 and Dickerson Falls Loop

Distance Hiked: 9.70 miles

Elevation Gain: 1191 ft. 

Duration: 3h 1m

It's a good thing Zach made a lookout, because otherwise this would be a mildly difficult hill in the Kitsap area without much of a payoff. I mean, other than the stats and gains, but usually the reward of a good climb is the view from the top, so say "yo Zach, what's up, thanks for the lookout" or whatever the kids say these days, because it's the only one you're going to get on this hike. 

The visibility was grand this day, the exact opposite of when I reached the top of Mount Walker and was lucky I could even see my own hand holding the camera when I was taking photographs. This was another one of the days where I wanted a good hike, a decent climb, and a pleasant distraction from the soul-sucking void deep within the Sickness that permeated the essence of my being at the time, but I also didn't feel like traveling very far. Fortunately, in Washington state, only driving five minutes can result in a gorgeous view for "only" an 1200 ft. climb on a Friday with perfect weather. In the Twin Cities, five minutes away for a hike usually means Greenways, traffic noise, and wondering if the scowling dude walking toward you just disappeared your neighbor with impunity. Oh, 2026, what the hell even are you? 

The most notable thing to happen on this particular hike wasn't even the trek itself though. This trail climbs up a hillside before it does a little loop atop the Zach-flavored lookout point. While on that hilltop loop, I found a set of keys with a Seahawks emblem on the chain. Oh good, that would only narrow down the owner of the missing go-go sticks by absolutely nobody, how fortunate for me. 

Luckily, the next two lovely ladies I encountered were the winners of the Showcase Keysdown, so Zach must've been looking out for them too, since the eponymous view was where we briefly met. They didn't have to call a locksmith to a parking lot, I got a momentary reprieve from the maelstrom of self-loathing and regret that wouldn't lift until the Sickness went away a short time later. Everybody got a little shot of dopamine unexpectedly that day is what I'm saying. 

This hike is perfectly fine, by Washington state standards anyway. In most other places, it'd be flooded every weekend with Zach fans and their fancy eyeglasses peering over the single spot where one could see beyond the treeline. There'd still be the straight couple who held up the line by taking 38 indistinguishable selfies (there's always one), but otherwise it'd get a solid 4.5/5 most likely. But, since it is in Washington state, I'd mostly recommend it only if you're near Bremerton, you don't want or need to travel longer than an episode of Zack Morris is Trash, and you want a hike that's good for the moment but you'll forget about it before you get back to the car.

Epic Hikes of Washington State - Green Mountain

Green Mountain

Date Hiked: August 9th, 2025

Trail Hiked: Green Mountain via Gold Creek and Wildcat Trails, Green Mountain Lookout via Gold Creek Trail, Green mountain via Davis and Gold Creek Trail, 

Distance Hiked: 9.87 miles

Elevation Gain: 1414 ft. 

Duration: 3h 26m

Green Mountain is one of those hikes that would be the highlight of an entire region in most states.

But in Washington, it's more of a "hey, it's close!" 

That is not to disparage the hike whatsoever, it was a lot of fun. The gains were intense but not exhausting, the mix of terrain and sights were pretty decent, and coming out to the overlook was pretty sweet once the forest cleared way. But, again, it's Washington, so the best views are of mountain hikes that would probably be significantly more awesome and intense, so it's an odd mix of feeling accomplished and... I don't know... like settling for a somewhat moderate hike when a quest would've been attainable? 

It doesn't make sense, but even in the thumbnail above, I crave the gains and views that would've been better than this one. 

Then I also have to remind myself that hikes like this are necessary to get to hikes like the ones in the distance, and I have to say "shut up with your facts and logic, Brain. I want to do the bigger mountains!" Easier to say a year later with strong mental health and another year's worth of experience, strength, conditioning, and progress, but alas.

The summer of 2025 in Washington had been the exact opposite of the stereotypical expectations. When one pictures Washington state, there's normally a lot of misty rain, fog, and other conditions that implore folx to find those Vitamin D supplements and have them at the ready. Instead, it was unexpectedly dry, sunny, and clear, leading to skylines and horizons such as this one, with infinitely better visibility than, say, my Mt. Walker hike where the view was non-existent. 

Without the gaping void in my soul and the constant pit in my stomach, I think I would've appreciated this one a lot more than I did at the time. Hiking was an escape from a spirit-crushing depression (soon rectified by the correct medication and life alterations), and I don't think I appreciated a hike like this for much more than the squiggly circle on the app and the cumulative stats that followed the conclusion. It makes me want to go back for another chance to appreciate it more, but with the aforementioned experience and conditioning, I simultaneously want to pursue the harder ones I avoided at the time. It's admittedly a privileged position to be in, but those views call to me more than they did at the time, understandably. 

I sound like I'm trashing the hike, and I don't mean to. It's a decent hike with a lovely view, but I remember next to nothing about it, and that's on me, not the hike itself. I was just in such a bad place at the time that even something like "not doing a more difficult hike" felt like a personal failure for which I should've felt guilty. Such a weird thing to say. 

What a difference taking care of one's mental health makes!