I will likely be in Seattle for work on or around Nov 13th. I should be able to swing a day off to do something fun.

Should I expect the Twin Sisters to be snow-free? Any other places for long day climbs not too far from Everett with a max difficulty of 3rd class or self-arrest-able-snow? I'm pretty fit and fast, so 10 mile approaches are ok.

Oh, I have all three Volumes of the Beckey guide.

November is wet, really wet, and this fall has been wetter and colder than usual, the Twin Sisters are already covered in snow. Mt Pilchuck is a pretty popular hike with Everwett based folks and it can be done rain or shine. If the weather cooperates, something off the Mountain Loop Highway or near Darrington might be reasonable if the trail heads are not snowed in. Mt. Vesper, Monte Cristo, Del Campo, Mt Dickerman, Cadet Peak, Mt Pugh, White Horse are possibilities. All of these peaks are potential death traps if avalanche conditions are bad, which is a very likely in November.

In that case... How about BC skiing of the low-angle, meadow-skipping, no Avy danger variety? Lower slopes on Rainier or Baker? Maybe something closer to town?

If it's that snowy, just hitting the PCT or something could be lots of fun. I don't need a hardcore climb, Microspikes on trail runners can be a good time.

November might arguably be the worst month for alpine activities in Washington on average. Lots of precip but much of it may still be falling as rain at moderate elevations. I believe November is tied with January for most precip. November is a good month for home-brewing and spin class.

Having said that, if you aren't hell bent on getting into the alpine, there are some low elevation hikes that will be mostly or entirely snow free and will take you along nice river valleys. There may be blowdown across these trails, very muddy sections, questionable access due to the shutdown, and it will most likely be raining. But you could see some old growth trees, salmon spawning, and fall color (yes, washington has some of that) depending on the trail you choose.

I am not very familiar with hikes off highway 2, so I will let others chime in as far as where to find these places. I believe there is a guidebook geared specifically toward winter hikes that are mostly snow free at this time.

November is a soggy doggie. I always visited Utah/Arizona during autumn in the Pacific NW.

The further south, the better.

Steven's Pass, close to Everwett, offers back country skiing. Again, beware of avy conditions. Many very experienced skiers have died in the back country of Stevens. If avy conditions are not good, you can stay inbounds. I have not skied a lot at Steven's, so I can't recommend any safe tours, but http://www.turns-all-year.com/ is a BBS with very active back country skiers and boarders who would be able to offer recommendations.

Perhaps something in the North Bend/Snoqualmie Pass area. Easy access off of 90, pick your exit depending on conditions. Kaleetan Peak, for instance, if conditions are good. I did that in a day last month. If conditions aren't good, then something around North Bend. PM me if you want a partner for a day.

Good luck is the way to answer this question. If you are VERY LUCKY WEATHERWISE; Mount Saint Helens and Camp Muir/Muir Peak are good calls. There is always Mailbox and Mount Si if worse comes to worse. Don't plan on climbing anything Class 3 or higher above 5000 feet because you will run into either very wet, slippery or lightly snowcovered rocks. For good rock climbing Vantage is three hours away and usually has better weather than Seattle. The only issue you would have would be getting over the pass.

Weather is usually pretty sweaty during November.

Autox,

Whatever you do, to prep for your visit, stand in a cold shower with your hiking clothes on for at least 10 minutes every third day. Allow your clothes to air dry to the point that they're still damp when you put them back on for the next cold shower. Do that for two weeks straight and you'll be ready for November hiking or climbing in the PNW.

Make sure the shower water is set to 33 degrees. Or is it 32 degree rain sometimes.

Yeah, you've probably gotten the idea already, but November is just about the worst month you could chose to go out in the mountains in the PNW. It is statistically the wettest month of the year. Snowfall can be plentiful, but none of it will be consolidated, so you're looking at an avalanche death trap on prone slopes. If determined to get out anyway, go on an established trail with a lot of people around. Sunnybuns' suggestion of Mt. Si it a good one for a hike. It won't be spectacular (in the woods almost the whole way), but at least it will have a good trail bashed into the snow, which will probably occupy the final 1000 feet, and there isn't any avalanche danger. As Excitable Boy points out, even the most experienced people can get killed in an area like Stevens Pass. Just a year and a half ago, an avalanche near the ski area killed 3 very experienced skiers/mountaineers.