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What: Alder Lake Park is a 161-acre park with play areas for kids and a campground with year-round (except Dec. 20-Jan. 1) availability. The park, run by Tacoma Power, has group camping areas as large as 20 sites. One of the park’s biggest attractions is the 330-foot Alder Dam.
Hike description: Two massive hydroelectric dams, a suspension bridge, mountains, some canyons and, of course, a lake that is much prettier than its name would suggest. All this and a trail that goes up and then down so you also go up and then down on the way out.
What: Federation Forest State Park has 619 acres of old-growth Douglas firs and 121/2 miles of hiking trails. There are picnic areas in the forest and on the White River. There is an interpretive center in the park, three interpretive trails and an amphitheater.
Hike description: The pesky storms of 2006 took out the bridge over the South Fork Stillaguamish River and cut off access to the Big Four Ice Caves. With its replacement in June, this trail is again available for a fun family outing. The ice caves are at the base of Big Four Mountain, so named because, when conditions are right, the shape of the numeral “4” is visible on a snowfield high up on the eastern face of the mountain. Unfortunately you’ll be too close to the mountain to see the number on this trip.
What: Boulder Cave is the perfect Halloween weekend getaway. Not only does the cave draw hikers, but it also is popular with bats. In fact, it draws so many bats - about 65 each winter - that the cave is closed to hikers Nov. 1 to April 1 to protect the creatures. The trail to the cave is 1.5 miles roundtrip. There also is ample camping opportunities in the area.
Hike description: This is a great outing for families with small children. If you're entertaining visiting guests who don't have the time or inclination to get deeper into Mount Rainier National Park, this trail provides a great introduction to the wonder in our backyard.
What: While the University of Washington football team is out of town playing Arizona State this weekend, there will still be plenty of activity at Husky Stadium. The stadium is site of the Dawg Dash. Run 5 or 10 kilometers or choose the 5-kilometer walk. The course winds through the UW campus.
Hike description: This popular family hike is easily accessed from the Ipsut Creek Backcountry Camp. The November 2006 storms changed the Carbon River Road into trail. The 51/2-mile trail to Ipsut Creek is a combination of the old road and new trail designed to accommodate both hikers and mountain bikers. Is it worth the effort? Yes.
What: Puyallup Parks and Recreation and the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department have developed a walking guide to Puyallup called "Walk the Valley."
Hike description: This trip has woods, water, and views. You’ll start at the Tubal Cain trailhead and hike in through second growth forest, along a scree slope, across some bridges and shallow water crossings.