Katy Clark
As March draws to a close, we can look back at our trip reports and see the turning of the seasons written plainly across them. March is a month of in–between: thin snow and spring mud, sharp wind and soft blooms, one last ski and the first real push toward summer fitness. Along the I-90 corridor, we travel familiar conditioning trails in preparation for bigger objectives ahead, and elsewhere birders greet migration with delight, hikers navigate the annual Pacific Northwest baptism of mud, and naturalists pause to notice the first signs of abundance returning.
These reports also offer a good reminder that so much of what makes The Mountaineers special rests in the hands of volunteers, whose time, care, and commitment create the conditions for connection, challenge, and joy outside. We have passed the vernal equinox now, and the days are lengethning. There is more light to move through, more birdsong in the mornings, more color along the trails, and more reason to let your spring spirit reawaken.
CROSS-COUNTRY SKI - WHITE PASS NORDIC CENTER - 3/7
“An hour or two into the trip we experienced a first for all of us when a binding mounting plate sheared off a ski; as on most modern Nordic skis, the binding plate was factory-glued, not screwed, to the ski.” – Brian Collins
In a not-so-great year for snow, this group of Mountaineers made the best of it and successfully found snow at White Pass.
SEA KAYAK - COLUMBIA RIVER: FISHER, WALKER, & LORD ISLANDS - 3/7
“Lots of sea lions and swans made for a special day out on the Columbia River.” – Will Greenough
Sounds like a pretty great day to us.
ROCK CLIMB - VANTAGE (FRENCHMAN COULEE) - 3/8
“Multiple tents suffered casualties with broken poles, etc. A tent was seen flying across camp.” – Matt Davey
Loose and questionable anchor bolts at Chicken Fingers, a full toilet, and intense winds made for a type 2 kind of fun day at Vantage.
CLIMBING CONDITIONER - MOUNT SI MAIN TRAIL - 3/15
“I normally wouldn't post a trip report of Mt. Si especially since I've been up the new trail probably 10 times now, but there was a ton of new snow that had fallen two to three days prior which made for some really nice scenery and views.” – Paul Kallmann
We don't blame you, Paul. Please keep posting reports of snowy Si.
NATURALIST TRIP - MONTLAKE FILL (UNION BAY NATURAL AREA) - 3/19
“Despite muddy, rainy conditions, nine of us enjoyed 42 bird species including spring migration stars Greater Yellowlegs, a beautiful serenade by some marsh wrens, and a great blue heron. Love when people leave happy!” – Courtenay Schurman
A rainy morning birding trip to see what could be spotted of the spring migratory birds in a location that always delivers, well, everything but the beavers.
naturalist hike - COYOTE WALL - 3/22
“At the landscape level, it was difficult to see remains of the fire, but on a closer look, some of the Ponderosas and the Garry Oaks showed burn scars.” – Danielle Graham
Coyote Wall is a great place to see early wildflowers, a variety of bird species, learn about the unique geology of the area, and see the transformation of a previously burned area readily teeming with life once again.
DAY HIKE - LITTLE SI & BOULDER GARDEN LOOP - 3/23
“Between the forested paths, the unique rock formations of the Boulder Garden Loop, and the camaraderie of the group, it was one of those outings that captures exactly why volunteering and participating in these trips is so meaningful.” – Lisa Elliott
Volunteer appreciation and gratitude at its finest.
Day hike - LICORICE FERN TRAIL & FAR COUNTRY FALLS - 3/26
“The spirit of adventure the obstacles added made the hike memorable rather than frustrating.” – Lisa Oelsner
Downed trees did not stop this group of hikers from enjoying the day. Also, Lisa shares some tips & recommendations to enhance your enjoyment of this typical Pacific Northwest (muddy!) trail.
Rock climb - THE TOOTH/THE TOOTH FAIRY - 3/28
“Despite the nice weather and good snow, there were surprisingly few people in the pass, and our group of four were the only ones with plans to climb. Half our party made it up to the summit as we ran out of time to get out.” – Zachary Elkins
Spring skinning, a mostly-successful climb despite some wet rock, and some perfect snow made for a long and happy day at The Tooth.
URBAN WALK - CHESHIAHUD LAKE UNION LOOP - 3/29
"The trip was a classic Seattle gray day, but the conditions were ideal for an urban stroll. South Lake Union Park turned out to be much larger than I’d realized from only catching glimpses of it while driving past." - Gordon Klug
It's easy to overlook parks that we travel past on a regular basis. This trip report reminds us to stop, look around, and notice what we may be taking for granted.
Want to see more top trip reports? Check out our Top Trip Reports Library to get ideas for next week, next month, or next year!
