On July 4, we took a hike with Alkimaya at the Paradise Valley Conservation Area. This is an underexplored area for us but pretty near to us. We should definitely go more often! Hiking with a dog is an unforgettable experience. The trails come alive with wagging tails and boundless energy. Together, we explored the PVCA, and Alkimaya’s infectious enthusiasm reminds us to savor the simple joys of the great outdoors.

This beautiful 793-acre park offers a rich environment with abundant forest areas, wetlands, streams, and more than 13 miles of designated multi-use trails for hikers, bikers, and equestrian riders (motor vehicles are prohibited). Paradise Valley provides refuge for bears, cougar, deer, and other wildlife and the park protects the headwaters of Bear Creek, an important salmon-rearing stream. A majority of the site is wooded with several large wetland areas.

https://snohomishcountywa.gov/facilities/facility/details/paradise-valley-conservation-area-pvca-66

Snohomish County is near our county! Every time we go to the PVCA, there seems to be a plethora of new trails. We go probably a couple times per year. The trails intertwine with one another so you could probably create endless variety in hiking choices.

As always, the forests in the Pacific Northwest are beautiful. This area reminds me a bit of Jurassic Park with the giant ferns, tall cedars, and giant leaves. I do recommend getting off of the main trail to get out of the mountain bikers’ way!

This was a much better way to spend July 4 rather than prepping for and shooting off bunches of fireworks. Alkimaya gets so anxious with the sounds! We were hoping the hike would wear her out a bit so she’d be able to sleep through it.

Thanks for reading to the end! If you want to see all the photos, they’re over at flickr linked below.

Peace,

Terri

//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js