|
King County offers a wide range of recreation opportunities, from kayaking to snow boarding to water skiing. The county's location (between Puget Sound and the mountains), and public parks, allow all residents many opportunities to get out into the wilderness.
Hiking and Camping
King County lies between two spectacular mountain chains. One hour to the east are the Cascade Mountains, which feature dramatic mountain ranges and rugged foothills. The Olympic Mountains lie to the west, and encompass the Olympic National Park -- a temperate rain forest. Both mountain chains are dominated by large national and state parks, featuring extensive trail systems for all hiking levels. for the more experienced climber Mount Rainier and Mount Adams are within a few hours drive.
There are a number of resources dedicated to hiking and camping in the area, including:
Water Sports
From King County, adventurers are only a short drive from the Pacific Ocean, and Puget Sound's sheltered nature encourages an unusual abundance of sea life. The scenery above and below water attracts sailors and scuba divers from around the world. The area is also scattered with numerous lakes, streams and rivers that provide an ample playground for fishermen, rafters, waterskiers.
Bicycling
Partly because its mild weather enables year-round cycling, Seattle has been named the "Best North American City" for Bicycling. The King County area has several excellent bike paths including the 12-mile Burke-Gilman Trail, the University of Washington's Arboretum, the 2.8 mile Green Lake bike path and the Sammamish River Trail along the east side of Lake Washington.
Snow Sports
King County residents are within a few hours drive of five major ski areas open from November until late spring. Although there is rarely snow in the coastal region, the mountains get an excellent skiing base. For cross country enthusiasts, there are numerous public forest lands and trails.
Public Parks
Part of King County and Seattle's "emerald" nature comes from the public parks located all over the county. Some feature special attractions like swimming and boating while others offer quiet picnicking and trails. Discovery Park is one of the largest Seattle parks, a 534-acre natural area northwest of downtown.
|
|
