Exercise is a by product of hiking. You can't hike 8 miles with 3500 feet of elevation gain and not sweat. At first difficult, after a while the body adapts and strengthens. What before brought days of discomfort now is relatively easy.
History. First ascents, logging, mining, exploration are all part of Northwest hiking. McCellan's Butte is named after the general Abraham Lincoln tapped to create the army of the potomac (he also tried, but failed, to find Snoqualmie Pass). Arthur Denny hiked these woods. Doc Maynard used his knowledge of the area to re-route the Tinkham party to take a shorter, but non-intutive route to Seattle -- possibly cheating Everett out of becoming the larger city.
Nature. Ferns, moss, cedars, firs and wildflowers. The woods and mountains have it all.
Community. Hike with someone for 5 hours. You get to know them. After a while the discussion flows easily. Jokes, childhood stories, political views, music, commentary on life. A hike lubricates social interaction. I don't know how it does it, but it does.
Accomplishment. A first time hike up Rattlesnake Ledge brings out a sense of accomplishment when you get to the top of the ledge, just as getting atop McCellan's Butte or Mount Si or Bandara. Get to the top and see the view. You've worked hard for it and it's satisfying.
