Podcast
The Washington State Hiking Podcast
Welcome to the The Washington State Hiking Podcast with your host, Jennie Thwing Flaming. Along with part time co-host and guidebook author Craig Romano, she provides practical and timely seasonal hiking advice for hikers, trail runners and potential hikers of all skill and ability levels that is practical, accurate, fun and inclusive. We cover hikes near Seattle and Tacoma as well as hikes all across Washington from the rain forests of the Olympic Peninsula to the Shrub Steppe of Eastern Washington.
Jennie is a middle aged, plus sized, frequently solo slow hiker and a born and raised Washingtonian and has enjoyed Washington's trails her entire life. Craig is a trail runner and ultra marathoner who also loves the mellow walk close to home. Originally from New Hampshire, he has made his home in Washington for more than 30 years. He the author of more than 20 guidebooks covering trails across Washington State and beyond.
- Episodes
- 143
- Releases
- Weekly
- Typical length
- 33 min
- On air since
- 2024
- Latest episode
- 6 days ago
Episodes
143 episodes, newest first
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33 min
Old Growth River Valley Hikes on the Olympic Peninsula for Late Fall
Episode 139
Show notes
Text us your questions to answer on a future episode
Craig shares some of his favorite lowland old growth river hikes on the Olympic Peninsula that are perfect for November.
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40 min
Winter birding for hikers in the San Juan Islands
Episode 138
Show notes
Text us your questions to answer on a future episode
Tyler Davis, bird expert from San Juan County, joins Jennie and Craig to share about the joys of winter birding for hikers.
Thank you to the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureaufor sponsoring this week's episode!
Get on Jennie’s email list for weekly seasonal hiking inspiration
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33 min
Old Growth Forest Hikes
Episode 137
Show notes
Text us your questions to answer on a future episode
Jennie and Craig discuss their favorite Old Growth Forest Hikes in Washington.
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41 min
The Most Overrated Hikes in Washington
Episode 136
Show notes
Text us your questions to answer on a future episode
Jennie and Craig discuss the hikes they each think are overrated in Washington and why - with a bit of debate! We can't wait to hear your thoughts.
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16 min
Best Larch Hikes for 2026
Episode 135
Show notes
Text us your questions to answer on a future episode
Jennie shares her top recommendations for this year's larch march.
Come to Alaska with Jennie in June 2027!
Craig's *NEW* Day hiking the Olympic Peninsula Guide
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27 min
Trees 101 for Hikers
Episode 134
Show notes
Text us your questions to answer on a future episode
Jennie and Craig discuss the primary trees in Washington's forests and how to identify them as well as find a trail with your favorite tree.
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15 min
Best Fall Hikes for 2026
Episode 133
Show notes
Text us your questions to answer on a future episode
Jennie shares her best fall hiking recommendations for 2026.
Get on Jennie’s email list for weekly seasonal hiking inspiration
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20 min
Washington's Best Lighthouse Hikes
Episode 132
Show notes
Text us your questions to answer on a future episode
Jennie and Craig discuss their favorite lighthouse hikes in Washington.
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22 min
The Ethics of Bootlegged Trails
Episode 131
Show notes
Text us your questions to answer on a future episode
Jennie and Craig discuss bootlegged trails - what they are and some of the complex issues around them.
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21 min
Navigating River Crossings on Hikes
Episode 130
Show notes
Text us your questions to answer on a future episode
Jennie and Craig talk about how to evaluate river crossings and how to ford rivers safely in Washington State.
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35 min
Mushrooms for Hikers with River Augenstein
Episode 129
Show notes
Text us your questions to answer on a future episode
Mushroom expert River Augenstein sits down with Jennie to share about the secret world of Fungi and mushrooms and how hikers can learn to identify and forage for them as well as some of his favorite mushrooms and where to find them.
Thank you to the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureaufor sponsoring this week's episode!
Get on Jennie’s email list for weekly seasonal hiking inspiration
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17 min
Fires and Smoke across Washington this summer
Episode 128
Show notes
Text us your questions to answer on a future episode
Craig shares reflections on this year's record fire season and some places that are so far less impacted for hikers.
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49 min
Color. Comfort. Connection. Community. A conversation with Denice Rochelle at the Bronze Chapter
Episode 127
Show notes
Text us your questions to answer on a future episode
Denice from the Bronze Chapter joins Jennie and Craig to share about her work teaching outdoor skills and belonging to People of Color in the North Sound and beyond.
Get on Jennie’s email list for weekly seasonal hiking inspiration
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16 min
Unurban Urban Hikes in Bellingham
Episode 126
Show notes
Text us your questions to answer on a future episode
Craig shares his favorite urban hikes in Bellingham with Jennie.
Our sponsor for the month of July is Visit Bellingham/Whatcom County- thank you!
Get on Jennie’s email list for weekly seasonal hiking inspiration
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40 min
Craig finally hiked Mailbox Peak + send us a voicemail!
Episode 125
Show notes
Text us your questions to answer on a future episode
Jennie and Craig share their favorite hikes of the summer so far and Craig shares his first time hiking Mailbox Peak!
Our sponsor for the month of July is Visit Bellingham/Whatcom County- thank you!
Get on Jennie’s email list for weekly seasonal hiking inspiration
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41 min
Hiking and Exploring the North Cascades with Christian Martin
Episode 124
Show notes
Text us your questions to answer on a future episode
Christian Martin from the North Cascades Institute sits down with Jennie and Craig to talk about the natural and cultural history of the North Cascades and he and Craig share their favorite North Cascades hikes.
Our sponsor for the month of July is Visit Bellingham/Whatcom County- thank you!
Get on Jennie’s email list for weekly seasonal hiking inspiration
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13 min
Secret Coastal Hikes in Whatcom County
Episode 123
Show notes
Text us your questions to answer on a future episode
Craig shares dreamy coastal hikes in Whatcom County that Jennie has mostly never heard of!
Our sponsor for the month of July is Visit Bellingham/Whatcom County- thank you!
Get on Jennie’s email list for weekly seasonal hiking inspiration
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41 min
Hiking with Disabilities with Coach April Katz
Episode 122
Show notes
Text us your questions to answer on a future episode
Coach April Katz joins Jennie and Craig to share resources for hikers with disabilities and how hikers without disabilities can support hikers with disabilities on the trail.
Our sponsor for the month of July is Visit Bellingham/Whatcom County- thank you!
Follow Coach April on Instagram
Get on Jennie’s email list for weekly seasonal hiking inspiration
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38 min
The Best Loop Hikes in Washington
Episode 121
Show notes
Text us your questions to answer on a future episode
Jennie and Craig discuss their favorite loop hikes for day hikes and backpacking across Washington State.
Our sponsor for the month of June is Wonderfully Wild Northeast Washington. Thank you!
Get on Jennie’s email list for weekly seasonal hiking inspiration
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39 min
Magical hikes for solitude in Northeast Washington with Holly Weiler
Episode 120
Show notes
Text us your questions to answer on a future episode
Long time WTA Trail crew leader Holly Weiler sits down with Jennie and Craig to talk about the diversity and solitude and epic hikes to do in Northeast Washington.
Our sponsor for the month of June is Wonderfully Wild Northeast Washington. Thank you!
Get on Jennie’s email list for weekly seasonal hiking inspiration
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