Outdoor Recreation Information Center

Waterfall Hiking

Ranger1 — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 23:45:44 +0000

November is a great month for hiking to waterfalls! Before high-country snow accumulates and the rain is falling, both access and water volume are good. Some of the best local places to view waterfalls include Boulder River off Highway 530 west of Darrington, Franklin Falls off Interstate 90 west of Snoqualmie Pass, Twin Falls near North Bend, Washington, Wallace Falls near the town of Gold Bar, WA and Snoquera Falls east of Enumclaw along State Highway 410.

Here is a You Tube video link of one of the Wallace Falls from yesterday: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIAchwvzOlg

For “Boulder River”, go to:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/recreation/activities/trails/drd_0734.htm
For “Franklin Falls”, go to:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/recreation/activities/trails/snrd_1036.htm
For “Twin Falls”, go to:
http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/twin-falls-state-park
For “Wallace Falls”, go to:
http://www.parks.wa.gov/parks/?selectedpark=Wallace%20Falls
For “Snoquera Falls”, go to:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/recreation/activities/trails/snrd_1167.htm

Modern Firearm General Deer Season Begins Today

Ranger1 — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 18:46:41 +0000

Today is the start of the general deer hunting season for much of Washington. Hunters should be expected along US Forest Service roads and trails, but not within National or State Parks. Hikers, horse riders, and mountain bikers are encouraged to wear some bright colors during this time of year.

Fall Color Hiking

Ranger1 — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 22:43:13 +0000

Now through October is a great time to get out to our public lands and enjoy some Fall color hikes, bike rides, and car touring. Some of our vine maple, mountain ash, and huckleberry have already turned to their billiant yellows, oranges, and reds. The subalpine larch have also started turning in the eastern half of the North Cascades.

For vine maple, try lower river valley areas such as north of Cle Elum or near Leavenworth. Mountain ash and huckleberry can be found in the subalpine meadows, normally in the 4,000 to 5,500-foot range on most of our area trails. Subalpine larch can be found on many trails north of Interstate 90, but well east - such as Ingalls Lake, the Enchantments, Carne Mountain, Maple Pass, and Cutthroat Pass.

The Washington Trails Association has a great write-up on Fall colors at this link.

Enjoy this special season!

Bug-free hiking - almost

Ranger1 — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 20:42:37 +0000

We have had some cooler nights in the mountains and lowlands. This makes for nearly bug-free hiking. September can be a wonderful month to explore our area parks and forests. Fewer crowds, pleasant weather, very few bugs, and by later in the month fall colors will be showing in the meadows. Enjoy your time out there!

Creeks & rivers are running high

Ranger1 — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 14:10:42 +0000

With our recent rain, on top of continued snow melt in the mountains, our creeks and rivers are running fast and high. Use caution crossing, as not all creeks have bridges along our hiking trails. This water is fast and cold. Here is a short video of from a recent hike, thankfully taken from a footlog bridge.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-XudxRh3dM

Climbing Mount St. Helens

Ranger1 — Sat, 15 May 2010 21:04:18 +0000

Today starts the limited permit season for climbing Mount St. Helens. Permits are limited to 100 per day from May 15th thru October 31st. Visit www.mshinstitute.org to view dates that still have permits available and to receive your email confirmation. Present your emailed confirmation for your actual climbing permit at the Lone Fir Resort in Cougar, WA.

Currently, climbers are using the winter route, starting from the Marble Mountain SnoPark lot. Once the Climbers Bivouac access opens, the route is much shorter.

Staircase Area at Olympic National Park opens today!

Ranger1 — Sat, 15 May 2010 00:31:51 +0000

The Staircase Road and Campground in the southeast corner of Olympic National Park opens today. Staircase closes each Fall during the park’s reduced services period. The Staircase car campground has 50 campsites, $12 per site, and is first-come-first-served. Backcounty hiking opportunities can be explored along the North Fork of the Skokomish River. Make sure to pick-up your wilderness permit for overnight backpacking at the Staircase Ranger Station before your trek.

Cayuse Pass / State Highway 123 opens at noon today!

Ranger1 — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 18:45:22 +0000

State highway 123, Cayuse Pass, opens at noon today. The winter closure between the Crystal Mountain Road and the Ohanepecosh area of Mount Rainier National Park is closed each winter due to avalanche danger.

Access to the east side of Mount Rainier National Park will be open along Highway 123, however the road into the White River Campground, Sunrise Area, and Chinook Pass remain closed due to snow. Expect these to be closed another month or more.

For more information: www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes

Northwest National Park Family Day - Sunday, May 2nd

Ranger1 — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 18:10:36 +0000

Join us at Seattle’s Seward Park in South Seattle along Lake Washington for the first “Northwest National Park Family Day” on Sunday, May 2nd from 10am - 3pm.

This event is brought to you by your area National Parks, and the National Parks and Conservation Association. Events scheduled include wildlife talks, leave-no-trace camping, a nature hike, and campfire stories.

See you there!

National Park Week - April 17-25 / Entrance Fees Waived

Ranger1 — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 20:25:32 +0000

Today marks the start of National Park Week. Entrance fees are waived at all national parks from April 17th - 25th. Locally, that includes Mount Rainier and Olympic National Parks. North Cascades National Park does not have an entrance fee.

This year’s focus for National Park Week is on fitness. From the Director of the National Park Service, “half as many kids get outside as they did 10 years ago, 60 percent of Americans do not get the recommended amount of exercise, and one-third of adults are not physically active at all.” Parks are encouraged to plan activities that promote physical well being.

Learn more at: www.nps.gov