We enjoyed a counterclockwise Carr Inlet loop paddle from Wauna, including Minter Creek, Cutt's Island and Raft Island.
Not far from the trailhead, I heard a sound I recognized - the call of a Northern Pygmy Owl. This speaks to the relative quiet and peace on this often very busy trail. Winter is a great time to hike this trail.
Urban Walk - Route from Water Taxi up California Ave, down Schmitz Preserve Park to Alki Trail.
Nice winter hike on the 'horse' trails. We focused on the less traveled trails.
Exceptional weather on this wild exploratory trip near the mouth of the Columbia River. A great way to end the year with strong east winds and fast ebb currents making for very lively water along the way.
Clear skies for a beautful view at Poo Poo Point.
Scenes from today's ~9 nautical mile paddle from LaConner to Craft Island and back. Great weather, smooth seas and calm winds made for a wonderful day on the water.
Our group of 10 reversed direction and did Doughty Falls first, followed by Deceiver Pass, Shy Bear Pass, and Whittaker Peak. Great conditions, 10 bird species and evidence of pileated activity everywhere. Nice way to bring in the new year.
We made a lollipop loop trail clockwise first going on the Greg Ball Trail to Wallace Lake and then to Wallace Falls and back. This ended up being a surprise winter wonderland with 2-8 inches of snow! The total trip was 10.3 miles and 1,700 feet of elevation gain in 5 hr 35 min.
A great day in the mountains on a classic winter conditioner with great access (especially so when flooding/slides trouble other venues). In spite of early morning sunshine, the afternoon summit views were not forthcoming (unless you consider the inside of clouds a view ;).
Beautiful snow, knee high for a lovely snowshoe. Cars got stuck trying to set up parking on Kachess Dam Roadf before turning on Gravel road to Th, and we started from cars at 9:30am. Snowshoed half a mile on forest road to trailhead. Turned around to make it back before dark, and found other cars stuck on the road, so had to wait to exit.
Hike along the Lower Big Quilcene trail to Bark Shanty with a short side trip on the Notch Pass trail.
Michael Cummins did a wonderful job on his mentored hike lead this morning for 9 Mountaineers - no wind, no rain, trail in decent shape, and 10 bird species. Happy holiday kickoff for sure!
Calm conditions made for a great break from the stormy weather of late! Trip stats: 8.1 kt distance. 2.5 kt average speed. 5.4 kt maximum speed surfing boat wakes.
38 species and not a single coot on this private winter solstice birding trip with my dog. Rowers were out in force so most rafts of waterfowl were elsewhere on Lake Washington.
Great ride - Fall like trail conditions but overall great day single track riding!
A very pleasant day. We had high water, sun, clouds, a rainbow and a little rain. We saw wildlife including ducks, geese, Cormants, ospreys, a river otter, a muskrat.