Cleaning up trails at Mount Rainier National Park is one of dozens of activities slated for the fifth annual Pierce County Trails Day on Saturday, July 31. (photo by Cheryl Landes) Get outside on the last Saturday in July at the fifth annual Pierce County Trails Day. Whether you go on a hike or participate … Continue reading Get outside at Pierce County Trails Day on July 31
Image by LUM3N from Pixabay The Washington Trails Association (WTA) has published a new free online hiking safety guide geared toward new hikers. It also provides a great refersher for hikers with more experience. "Safety Essentials: A Toolkit for Hikers" focuses on five important things you need to know for an enjoyable, safe hike: Make … Continue reading Washington Trails Association publishes new hiking safety guide
Multnomah Falls in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area east of Portland (photo by Cheryl Landes) The U.S. Forest will start requiring visitors to Multnomah Falls to purchase timed tickets online starting Tuesday, July 20, to reduce congestion at the falls and on Interstate 84, the main road to the parking lot. Tickets are … Continue reading Timed tickets required to visit Multnomah Falls starting July 20
Image by LUM3N from Pixabay Want to hike the Issaquah Alps and Mount Si in North Bend, Washington, this summer but don't want to struggle finding a parking spot? There's no need to worry, because Trailhead Direct, a transit-to-trails shuttle service provided by King County Metro, returns on Saturday, June 5. The shuttle will run … Continue reading Trailhead Direct returns June 5
Ape Cave in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest near Cougar, Washington (USDA photo by Cecilio Ricardo) Ape Cave is the third longest lava tube in North America at 2.5 miles. A 3/4-mile, paved family-friendly trail goes to the lower cave. For a bigger challenge, the 1.5-mile upper cave trail leads to a climb up an … Continue reading Ape Cave reopens via timed reservations May 18
A scene at the Leach Botanical Garden in Portland, Oregon (photo by Cheryl Landes) The upper garden at the Leach Botanical Garden has reopened for visitors with limitations due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic: Timed tickets must be purchased online.Masks must be worn in the garden.Keep a six-foot distance from people who are not in … Continue reading The upper garden now open at Leach Botanical Garden
Southwestern Washingtonians and visitors: Get outdoors this summer and you might win a prize! From May 1 until June 30, the Downtown Camas Association is hosting the Trails to Tables to Challenge. Here's how it works: On May 1, download your Trails to Tables passport here.Hike five trails and eat at five different downtown Camas … Continue reading Support Camas restaurants by taking the Trails to Tables Challenge May 1-June 30
World's End, a Trustees of Reservations property in Hingham, Massachusetts (photo by Cheryl Landes) The Trustees of Reservations has relaunched its annual hiking challenge after a one-year break because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The "Hike Trustees" program, which started in 2016, encourages people of all ages to record their hikes at the Trustees' properties in … Continue reading The Trustees of Reservations rejuvenates its annual hiking challenge in Massachusetts
The free-roaming area along Northwest Trek's Wild Drive (photo by Cheryl Landes) Before the COVID pandemic started, Northwest Trek had tram tours that took visitors through the free-roaming area, where they could see animals native to the Pacific Northwest. Now tour has transformed into a drive-through experience called the Wild Drive. At the Wild Drive, … Continue reading Go on a Wild Drive at Northwest Trek
The Leach Botanical Garden in Portland, Oregon (photo by Cheryl Landes) A forest bathing experience helps you connect deeply with the natural world and remember how all humans, plants, and creatures are interconnected. It's inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin Yoku. The forest bathing walks at the Leach Botanical Garden in Portland, Oregon, are … Continue reading Forest bathing walks at the Leach Botanical Garden in Portland
Tabby Cat's Pawprints 