The Signpost Blog
New Members Rock!
Today marks the mid-point of WTA's month long membership drive. Are we happy? Heck yes, we're happy. Some people around here are downright giddy.
The response has been fantastic! We've welcomed 442 new members already and the month's not over yet. At WTA, brand new members excite us, in a way comparable only to finding a great strain of mineral soil or the perfect stone to anchor a rock wall. (Yes, we really are that nerdy!!) We get to wonder when that new member might join his first work party, what she'll think of the magazine, and what new hikes a family might enjoy together after learning about them in Washington Trails.
New members make us happy because they show us that our work on trails is appreciated. WTA volunteers work especially hard to keep trails open and enjoyable for hikers of all interests and abilities. Our magazine looks and reads better than ever. New features like this blog you are reading (right now!) are drawing more folks to this website, a site that's become more informative and useful through recent revisions.
And, if a hiker joining WTA can make us so happy, we figure it also ought to make that hiker happy, too. On top of all the standard benefits, anyone who joins this month MIGHT EVEN WIN NEW GEAR. We're drawing new winners each week and today we send out congratulations out to Sam Ryken of University Place. He's won an Outdoor Research jacket that we hope will see many years of joyous wear and tear. More gear next week!
Join WTA Today. It will make us happy, we promise!
Asking the wrong questions?
- The Duckabush River Trail, by Teresa Trottier
How many times recently have you visited a National Forest trailhead, campground, scenic pullout or other developed facility and found overflowing trash cans, a rancid restroom or out of date information. If you're like me, and you visit National Forest Lands, probably pretty frequently. In an era of declining Forest Service budgets, the agency is attempting to respond by conduction Recreation Facility Analysis, or RFA.
RFA requires each forest to identify a recreation niche--a set of recreation users and activities to which it is uniquely suited. After deciding on a niche, the Forest goes through a process of analyzing its developed facilities and deciding which ones are managed in the same way, which ones change and which ones are slated for closure. In this way, the Forest narrows its focus, serving only a specific set of Forest users in an attempt to save money. To the outside observer, it appears to be a process of narrowing down and shrinking in. It is also fundamentally flawed, in that it is hard to see people who are accustomed to using National Forest lands for recreation stop their activities simply because they're receiving a little less service.
The Olympic, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie, and Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forests have just released RFA documents for public comment. And while they do not contain problems for hikers, by and large, they do beg a question: Why is the Forest Service not adequately funded to sustainably manage their real number of recreation users?
The answer lies in Congress. While the will exists, particularly in Washington's delegation, to pass budgets that increase Forest Service funding, the Bush Administration will not sign those increases into law. We're looking at not having a budget for Fiscal Year 09 until the FY is well underway, largely because budget writers, such as Congressman Dicks, do not want to send up a document that leaves the National Forest and Parks Services begging.
That's why we're asking you to commiserate with your favorite Forest Service line officer and District Ranger, and then to call your member of Congress, thank them for their hard work, and urge them to continue to fight for more funding for trails and recreation on National Forests. Year after year of funding shortfalls do not have to continue in perpetuity if hikers speak with one voice.
For specific talking points on Forest Service funding check out WTA's action alert on the FY09 budget from earlier this year. You can reach your member of Congress and Washington's Senators here.
Finally, I would encourage you to read the RFA documents for your favorite forests. Make sure the trailheads and campgrounds you frequent are not being decommissioned. If you have concerns, send your comments to the forest service, they want to hear from you and there is still time to change these proposed work plans.
80 Degrees? Time for a Hike!
****The entire month of May is WTA's membership drive! If you enjoy reading this blog and use our web site regularly, please help support all the great work WTA does for trails by becoming a member today! And all month long, each new member is entered in a drawing to win fabulous gear prizes!******
So by now you've probably heard the rumor: temperatures in Western Washington are supposed to climb into the 80s from Thursday through Saturday. That means it's time to find a hike!
Trouble is, we had a heavy snowfall this past winter (and spring!). At Paradise, Mount Rainier, they still have 200 inches (that's over 16 feet) of snow! As a result, many early season hikes, such as Barclay Lake off Highway 2, are still inaccessible due to deep snow on roads. Check our trip reports and call or visit ranger stations before you head out. And don't forget to buy your forest pass if it has expired.
One point that needs to be emphasized with all that snow and temperatures climbing: streams and rivers will be running high. Crossings should be taken with extreme care. Remember that it was in conditions such as this that two hikers died last year at Mount Rainier National Park. If you have any concern about a stream crossing, turn around. And remember that streams can run higher even over the course of a few hours, so plan accordingly. Talk to rangers about conditions and heed their recommendations.
Also note that warm temps and deep snows will significantly increase avalanche potential. So before you start thinking you'll snowshoe or hike on snow, consult ranger stations and the Northwest Avalanche center. Officials at WSDOT were on alert to potential avalanches on the North Cascades Highway. Check here for current conditions. [UPDATE 5/16/2008: The North Cascades Highway is CLOSED due to extreme avalanche hazard.]
So, where can you hike? Browse our our online Hike of the Week section for a selection of hikes that are open now. Also, browse our Freshest Trip Reports.
And if you do go out for a hike this weekend, please file a trip report.
This is the time of year when hikers really need to know conditions: is
there snow on trail? Are there many blowdowns? Let us know.
Okay, here are a few suggestions. You won't find solitude here, but you
will be out in wild country during balmy weather. Have fun and be
safe!
Lena Lake, eastern Olympics. Dependable early season hike. Very popular.
Umtanum Ridge, eastern Washington. Wildflowers should be in bloom. Might be hot, take plenty of water.
Greg Ball Trail, off Highway 2. Some snow, but hikeable to Wallace Lake. Great hike for kids.
Old Sauk, Mountain Loop Highway. A lovely, meandering walk along the Sauk River.
Lime Kiln, near Granite Falls. Historic remnants of mining railroad and pleasant forest walk.
Dog Mountain, Columbia River Gorge. Very popular, but wildflowers and views are spectacular.
Hanford Reach, White Bluffs, eastern Washington. A spare and beautiful landscape along a wild stretch of the Columbia River.
Oyster Dome, Chuckanut Drive south of Bellingham. Great views of Puget Sound, a bit of a workout and no snow!
Trail of the Shadows,
Longmire area of Mount Rainier National Park. Even though there's still
snow on the ground, hikers have been hiking the first mile or so of
this trail. Take care at stream crossings and check in at the Longmire
Ranger station.
Photo: Taking in the view from Oyster Dome. Photo by "Opus."
Get Those Kids on a Hike
Do you have kids and want to get out on trail? My two daughters, who are five and two, get a kick out of short hikes. They love throwing stones in creeks, looking for squirrels, and climbing on rocks. It doesn't take many miles to make a great adventure.
Do you want to get your kids out on trail, but feel like you need a little inspiration and guidance? Then you should definitely check out WTA's Families Go Hiking guided hikes. The first hike of the season kicks off next Saturday, May 24. We'll be taking kids and their families on a 3-mile stroll at Cougar Mountain near Issaquah.
Cougar is a great patch of wild, green space not far from the city. It's packed with cool stuff for the kids: old mining equipment and spooky coal mine entrances. Pretty wildflowers. A splashing waterfall. Mossy forests. It's a great way to get your family practicing for bigger adventures in the Cascades this summer.
You'll be led by Krista Dooley, WTA's youth coordinator, as she points out fascinating things to see along the way. You can find more info and sign up here. Space is limited, and sign-ups will close on Thursday, May 22, so get your reservation in soon!
WTA's Grassroots Magazine
I've been editing Washington Trails magazine for over five years now, and I'm always pleasantly surprised with the quality of writing we get from our volunteer contributors. We have a passionate and talented group of writers and photographers, and their contributions are as valuable as picking up a Pulaski or writing e-mails to legislators. Our magazine is truly a grassroots effort. Other than staff-written articles, our magazine content is created solely by volunteers.
****** And if you enjoy reading our online articles, this blog, trip reports, and all that WTA offers hikers, I highly encourage you to join WTA today. The entire month of May is WTA's membership drive! Please help support support all the great work WTA does for trails by becoming a member today! And all month long, each new member is entered in a drawing to win fabulous gear prizes!******
If you haven't had a chance to read the May 2008 issue of Washington Trails, you should. It's one of our strongest issues in some time. I especially liked Ron Fleck's article about hiking with his blind friend Bruce. This article came to me out of the blue, and I found it absolutely fascinating. That Ron would take so much time and effort to help his friend get to the summits of Granite Mountain and to Camp Muir is inspiring. The experience proved to be "eye-opening" for Ron: he'll never see a trail in quite the same way after helping a blind person navigate it.
- Washington Trails cover photo by Dave Schiefelbein.
Other highlights include Pam Roy's very practical guide to getting in shape for the hiking season. and Mike Stenger's humorous but informative "field guide" to trail structures that helps you tell the difference between a turnpike and a puncheon.
WTA's magazine is the great resource it is because of hikers like you taking time to write and share their experiences. If you'd like to write for Washington Trails magazine, send me an e-mail. Some sections that are easiest to "break in" to are: A Walk on the Wild Side (our back page essay), Northwest Explorer (features on overnight destinations in Washington) and Nature on Trail (one-page article on critters and plants you'd commonly see on trail).
If writing an article seems like too big a task, try something a little less involved. Write up a hike description for WTA's online Hiking Guide, or post a trip report on a recent hike (now that the snow is starting to melt, this is a crucial time for trip reports).
Volunteer your words, and help WTA help other hikers.
Wild Sky Wilderness Act signed by President
Introduced six years ago, the Wild Sky Wilderness Act has followed a rocky trail
- Glacier Peak from the Scorpion Mountain Trail in the proposed Wild Sky Wilderness. By Pam Roy.
to the President's desk. Finally, hikers and conservation advocates can welcome our first new Wilderness area in 24 years.
Wild Sky initially fared better in the Senate than the House. Passed unanimously by the Senate three years in a row, the legislation languished in the House. Resources Chair Congressman Richard Pombo, who was generally inclined to oppose new Wilderness, refused to allow a vote on the legislation in his committee, despite broad bipartisan support for the proposal. Congressman Pombo lost his seat in 2006, paving the way for bill passage.
Wild Sky passed the House only to be delayed in the Senate over attempts to change the Department of Interior's rules on loaded and assembled firearms in National Parks. The legislation made it out of the Senate, received a concurrence vote in the House, and was signed by the President.
Wild Sky includes a great deal of low-elevation forest lands, which are less-represented in Washington's Wilderness lands. These valley bottom lands are important providers of wildlife habitat, clean water and other ecosystem services.
Although Wild Sky is not trail-rich, it does include popular routes like West Cady Ridge and Johnson Ridge. Barclay Lake, while surrounded by Wilderness, is not included, in the interest of preserving historic use by Boy Scouts.
I plan on lacing up my hiking boots this summer and exploring more of Wild Sky. I hope you'll join us in celebrating--and visiting--this brand new Wilderness.
And the winning hiker is...
Have you checked out WTA's Gear Up Member Sweepstakes yet? Any one who joins WTA during the month of May is eligible to win. Today, we announce our first winner and each week until June 5, we will award another great hiking-friendly prize to a lucky new member!
This week's fabulous prize is a DownMat 7 Deluxe from Outdoor Research. This is the Rolls-Royce of sleeping pads, an inflatable matress with down padding for an extra-cozy and restful night in the wilderness. And the winner is... [cue the drumrolll]...Martha Scott of Seattle. Congratulations, Martha! Sleep well on that trip into the Pasayten this summer, or wherever your boots may lead you.
Beyond the chance to win gear, there are many reasons to join WTA now. If you're a regular visitor to WTA's website, you've probably turned to our hiking trip reports. Our user-generated reports are a great way to keep up on conditions, especially in spring. Is the snow melted from Snow Lake? Is it muddy at Boulder River? Getting these details ahead of time help you look like you know what you're doing out in the woods!
Do you read lots of trip reports? Hundreds? Thousands? Then you should definitely become a member of WTA, because it's thanks to contributions from hikers like you that we can offer these and other resources on our website. In addition, your membership supports all the great work WTA does for trails--from leading 80,000 hours of volunteer trail work to speaking up for trail funding in Olympia and D.C. Join today!
Next week, we will draw for an Outdoor Reseach jacket, either a Women’s Aspire or Men’s Foray jacket based on the winner. You have a better chance of winning if you become a member now, as you'll be entered in each subsequent drawing all month until you win or the contest ends.
Thanks and welcome to all our new members!
Handguns to Be Allowed in National Parks?
Last week, there was news that the federal government is considering overturning the ban on guns in national parks. A proposed new Interior rule would allow those who possess concealed gun permits to carry concealed firearms in national parks and wildlife refuges that choose to allow firearms. The rule would not change existing bans on hunting and target shooting in these areas.
WTA has not taken a position on the rule change. But it could have the potential to affect your experience on national park trails, wherever you stand on the issue. And we encourage you to make your opinion heard. How do you feel about allowing concealed weapons in national parks? Post a comment.
Written comments on the proposed rule change may be submitted by June 30, 2008 to: Public Comments Processing, Attn: 1024-AD70; Division of Policy and Directives Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 222; Arlington, VA 22203. You can read the complete proposed rule changes in the Federal Register here.
Day Hiking: Mount Rainier
The new guidebook is out. Author Dan Nelson and photographer Alan Bauer are coming together at the Mountaineers Clubhouse Wednesday night to give a grand overview of all that the mountain has to offer.
What are the best day hikes around Cayuse Pass? What lingering impacts have storm damage left on the mountain, and to Rainier hikers this summer? What's so great about Silver Falls Loop, Tipsoo Lake and Panhandle Gap?
Day Hiking: Mount Rainier, by guidebook author Dan Nelson and photographer Alan Bauer, was released by the Mountaineers Books last month. Now is your chance to meet the authors and get their picks first-hand. These seasoned daytrippers spent much of the past few summers exploring the mountain, and using stunning imagery and well-earned trail knowledge, they'll give you a grand overview of all that the mountain has to offer.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
7 p.m. - FREE!
The Mountaineers Building, 300 Third Ave W, Seattle
We were touched when we opened the Mount Rainier guidebook last month and noticed the authors dedicated it to Greg Ball and Ira Spring, "trail champions whom we proudly called colleagues, trail companions, and friends." We feel the same way exactly.
Don't forget - proceeds from the new Day Hiking guidebook series, including this book, give 1% back to the trails you love through a donation to WTA's trail maintenance work.
North Bend crew leader starts season
*******May is WTA's membership drive! If you value all the things found on WTA's website, including this blog, make sure you support all our great work by becoming a member today! And each new member can enter to win fabulous gear prizes!*********
One of the signs that the summer season is upon us here at WTA is the arrival of our seasonal district crew leaders. The first to start this year is Andy Borek from Enumclaw. Andy led his first trip a week ago to Tiger Mountain with the regular “Thursday crew.” For the remainder of the summer Andy will be the seasonal crew leader for the North Bend district on the Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest. His stomping grounds will include the I-90 corridor, Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie and the North Fork of the Snoqualmie River.
Like several other trail maintenance staff, past and present, Andy is originally from the Boston area. He spent his college years exploring New England and as a climbing guide in Maine. His favorite job since college was working as a manager at a whitewater rafting operation in Syringa, Idaho last summer. We hope that working with all the great WTA volunteers this summer will be just as rewarding an experience for Andy.
Andy is also an avid mountain biker, climber, and northwest adventure seeker. His companions on many of these activities include his girlfriend Leda and his very energetic dog Hobbes. Andy’s favorite place is Grand Teton National Park. I am hoping that some of you will be able to tell Andy about your favorite places in Washington (we have a lot to rival anything that Grand Teton has to offer!). Join a WTA work party in the I-90 corridor and give a big welcome to Andy.
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