Stand on a peak in the North Cascades, and you probably can’t tell whether you’re in Northern Washington or southern British Columbia. Both sides of the Coastal Range offer prominent peaks, often highlighted by glacier and avalanche lilies in the spring, yellow arnica and crimson paintbrush at the height of summer, and an abundance of indigo-hued blueberries in the early …

At first glance, trail running and a deep appreciation for nature might not seem like an obvious combination. Trail running takes place outside, on trails, of course, but pushing oneself up hills and flying down descents, one’s breath so loud it’s audible to nearby hikers, might seem at odds with hearing the drum of a pileated woodpecker on a nearby …

Everyone remembers their first trail run. For me, the memory is steeped in the crisp air of a fall evening in Bellingham. I can smell the brine of the Salish Sea as I follow a group of runners from the smooth sidewalks of Fairhaven to the gravel of the Interurban Trail and finally, beyond, to the Chuckanuts. My steps feel …