TrailBliss Blog

The Compass of Night is a reflection on what darkness restores. Beneath Washington’s dimming skies, it follows the quiet lessons of starlight—how awe reorders perspective, how stillness refines belonging. From Chaco’s November sky to alpine ridges where the Milky Way still breathes, it explores how walking into night becomes a way of remembering our place in the vastness.

Before trees or flowers, there was moss. Then came lichen—a quiet partnership shaping the world grain by grain. In Washington’s damp forests, they turn stone to soil, store water, and write time across bark. Their quiet persistence reveals how strength can live in patience and how impermanence is not loss, but renewal. To notice them is to see the planet breathing in miniature.

On the trail, there is always the pull to keep moving. Miles to cover, elevation to gain, summits to reach. Apps tally steps, watches blink heart rates, and a hidden voice whispers: faster, farther. Yet the moments that stay with us rarely happen in motion. They arrive when we stop.

Whether you're new to hiking or want to feel more confident on the trail, this post will walk you through how to build and maintain trail-specific fitness.

Let’s talk about how to eat smart on the trail, why certain snacks work better than others, and how to whip up trail mixes so tasty, you’ll wish you were hiking just to eat them.

Summer hiking can turn dangerous fast if you're not prepared for the heat. Learn how to recognize signs of heat exhaustion, prevent heat stroke, and stay safe on hot-weather hikes with these essential trail tips.

Your brain isn’t fixed—it’s adaptable, responsive, and always evolving. At the heart of this flexibility is BDNF, a powerful protein that supports learning, memory, and emotional resilience. The best part? You can boost BDNF naturally. Practices like mindfulness, yoga, movement, deep sleep, and meaningful connection have been shown to increase BDNF levels, helping you build a clearer, calmer, and more resilient mind—one simple habit at a time.

A clear winter morning led me up Mount Teneriffe; I expected a summit, some solitude, and the usual stillness. What I found instead was snow-covered disorientation, hours of silence, and a deeper kind of reckoning. This is a story of getting lost—not just on the trail, but in all the ways we forget to listen—and how the mountain met me there.

Discover how mountain hikes restore body and mind—science, stillness, and 10 trails across Washington that offer true renewal.

As we walk through the seasons, we discover how nature’s rhythms reflect our own inner journey.

There is something profoundly healing about water. It is a presence, a teacher, and a place of renewal.

There’s a particular kind of magic in the moments when the sky shifts—when day meets night or night gives way to morning.

Let’s explore the magic of hiking in Washington’s weather and celebrating the richness of each condition.

Here is a comprehensive list of winter hiking essentials that will help you stay warm, comfortable, and safe on the trails.

The alpine lakes are more than just bodies of water; they are magical realms, where time slows down and nature’s splendor takes center stage

It's essential to approach these encounters with caution, respect, and a healthy dose of awe.