[int_19h]

The area around Seattle is actually the same exact thing playing out at a smaller scale. There are several (granted, more like a couple dozen) very popular trails and locations, like, say, Rattlesnake and Pilchuk. And then there are hundreds of great trails - some of which, yes, are hidden behind miles of forest roads, but still a lot of readily accessible ones - that don't see much traffic, but offer pretty views and/or great workouts.

And in many cases, both kinds are within spitting distance of each other - e.g. Si is always packed, but Mt Washington, right across it in the valley, and two freeway exits away to the trailhead, with similar difficulty, and just as nice views at the end, is pretty quiet.