Quick tips for avoiding the crowds and enjoying the great outdoors in the PNW

Despite having hundreds of thousands of miles of trails in Washington state, finding some solitude in your local park or even out in the mountains can be easier said than done, especially during a holiday weekend like the one coming up.

Anna Roth from Washington State Trails Association shared some of her tips and tricks with Soundside's Libby Denkmann.

Look beyond the popular tourist spots

Take Rattlesnake Ledge, for example. This popular hike near North Bend is often packed with hikers on weekends. But Roth said she's noticed the crowds taper off at the ledges, leaving plenty of trail beyond without too many people.

"Even if you just go maybe a quarter mile, half a mile up the trail, if the crowds really thin out, you get a lot fewer folks," Roth said.

Don't necessarily count on having an entirely peaceful hike, but Roth said there are ways to get even a moment of peace in popular areas if you plan ahead and follow trails past their main viewpoints.

And remember to do your part for others' peace, too.

"For every person that I see ... I try to remember I'm that person's trail traffic," Roth said. "I try to approach hiking on the more popular trails with a little bit of grace and acknowledge that everybody's just trying to have a similar experience outside."

Observe good trail etiquette

This isn't as simple as wearing headphones on the trail and leaving the loud speaker in the car. Even experienced hikers may not know all the rules of the trail.

Roth said hikers can refer to the WTA's Trail Smarts resources online. There you can find everything from rules on who yields to who on trail to general communication tips.

"I always tell people, there's there's a process, there's an etiquette, but you talk to each other if somebody doesn't get it exactly right," Roth said. "It's not something to get angry about."

Check out lesser known trails

The state and the region have tons of options for a great hike.

Roth encouraged hikers to check out trip reports to see what the conditions look like, and if you're more experienced, consider venturing out to trails that may not be in perfect condition — maybe there are downed trees or snow or mud.

"If you're a person who's comfortable navigating stuff like that, you're probably not going to see many people," Roth said.

Checking WTA for closure reports will also ensure you don't head off for a trail that isn't open anyway.

"Because as everyone knows, Western Washington has three season: rain, rain, and construction. And that goes for trails, too," she quipped.

WTA also has a new tool that lets you filter for trails that haven't had a trip report for a period of time. That doesn't guarantee the trail won't be crowded, but it could be a signal for a less-populated trail. And the WTA app allows users to find trails near them. So, when you show up to a crowded parking lot, you can use that to find a less-trafficked trail.

Basically, do some research before you head out, expect crowds, and do your part to ensure everyone has a good time in the great outdoors.