🧗Rattlesnake Ledge Hike

THRIVE Outdoor Adventure: Hiking and Family

We recently took a family trip to Seattle, Washington for a wedding and spent a week exploring the area. My wife and I lived in Seattle for nine years, and both of our kids were born there. We moved back to Atlanta when they were young, and this trip was the first time we have been back together as a family. Naturally, we had to revisit a couple of classic hikes that we used to do before the kids were born (scroll down for a link to the hike on Alltrails.com).

The weather was unusually mild for May with only a couple of rainy days. This particular day was absolutely perfect for a hike. Temperatures were in the 70s with sunny, clear blue skies. The trail itself is a steep but moderate 5.6-mile out-and-back with an elevation gain of 1,466 feet. It features well-marked paths and good surface conditions, ending with amazing views at the top of the Cascade mountains in the distance and a stellar overhead view of Rattlesnake Lake.

🫁 The Behind-the-Scenes Prep

We don’t just put the work in at the gym to stare at ourselves in the mirror, we do it to preserve real-world independence and capability as we age. For me, a consistent, long-term practice of CrossFit helps drive the metabolic engine and leg strength to tackle a 1,400-foot vertical climb pretty easily. For my wife, a dedicated routine of Peloton rides, yoga, strength training and swimming gives her the high-capacity cardiovascular endurance to breeze through elevation changes.

Because of that consistent baseline preparation, our bodies didn’t skip a beat. We didn’t have to constantly stop, gasping for air, or dragging our feet. We just cruised.

As for the young’uns - they were both Scouts and have hiked more miles and spend more nights sleeping outdoors than me so of course they beat us both to the top with no problem. Young legs, knees and lungs at work!

⚡ The High-Thrive Moment

Sitting on the rocks at the summit, enjoying the beautiful weather and taking in the panoramic views with my family. It felt great to be outdoors and hiking together, totally confident that we were up to the physical task. It was a beautiful, real-world example of why movement and exercise matter: they directly enable unforgettable life moments.

💬 Where is your fitness showing up for you outside the gym this week? Have you taken a spontaneous trip or tackled a trail that used to intimidate you? Drop your wins in the comments below! Lou and I love reading through them and shouting out our community on the next episode of the podcast.

Alltrails link: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/rattlesnake-ledge

Keith | Thrive A/F Team