The Signpost Blog

Everyone is going gaga over snowy owls.

This arctic bird has made a rare foray into Washington this winter, delighting birders and non-birders from far and wide. Unlike most of its owl cousins, the snowy owl is diurnal - active during the day - and as much at home on a beach log as it is in a tree. It is big, beautiful and startlingly white, with piercing yellow eyes. What's more, this is the owl of Harry Potter, which makes it a magnet for kids.

There are many theories as to why the snowy owl has appeared in such numbers in the Lower 48 states this year. The most prevailing theory ties it to their favorite food: lemmings. These are small arctic rodents, known for their boom and bust cycles. A recent boom likely led to an exceedingly good breeding year for the snowy owl. Then the lemming population crashed, causing the owls to travel further south this winter looking for food.

Snowy owls started arriving in late fall and are expected to stick around until March. Last weekend's beautiful weather had people out in droves trying to catch a glimpse of the regal bird. Following sightings at the Skagit Wildlife Refuge by Trip Reporters "Bob and Barb" on January 27th, three WTA staffers traveled there independently last weekend. The result: bald eagles, yes; snowy owls, no.

But don't fear, the snowy owl is still around. "Hikingqueen" and "Weluv2hike" both reported sightings at Damon Point State Park on the Washington coast. Hikingqueen reported, "We saw at least 10! Tons of photographers lining the area. Get there early for a parking spot."

The current epicenter of the snowy owl, however, is Boundary Bay Regional Park, just over the Canadian border from Blaine. The owls have been there in large numbers since December, and the word is definitely out as people packed this park with their tripods and enormous telephoto lenses. Last weekend Bob and Barb Griffith saw 36 owls and 400 people in three hours. (Check out this photo of 11 owls by Ray Morris on the King5 site.)

Where will the snowy owl be this weekend? And how do we temper our excitement of seeing these amazing creatures with their need for space and peace?

The Tweeters List is a message board with sightings and excellent advice from well-versed birders. Posters recommend that people stay on the dikes or paths, remain quiet, refrain from the use of flashes and under no circumstances should anyone flush the birds.

With that in mind, enjoy your search for the snowy owl. And when you return, consider posting a Trip Report or submitting a photo to the WTA Photo Gallery.

For some hikers, the Enchantment Lakes Basin is a once in a lifetime backpacking experience. For others, its a special place to return to as often as possible. But whether hikers are able to hike in this sublime alpine wonderland this summer depends on one crucial factor: winning a coveted lottery permit.

From June 15 to October 15, all overnight visitors must obtain a quota-based permit in order to camp in the Enchantments area. Because demand far exceeds the number of permits available, it is highly recommended that hikers take part in the lottery drawing if they want to overnight this summer or fall.

This year, lottery applications for the Enchantment Permit Area will be accepted from February 22 to March 13, 2012.

Permits are required for overnight camping in the:

• Core Enchantment Lakes Zone,
• Snow Lakes Zone (includes Nada Lake)
• Colchuck Lake Zone (includes Horseshoe Lake)
• Lake Stuart Zone
• Eightmile Lakes / Caroline Lakes Zone

Like last year, the lottery process will be handled via www.recreation.gov, the same site that processes campground reservations for many U.S. Forest Service and Mount Rainier National Park campgrounds in Washington. There will be a $6 application fee, and applicants who are successful will be charged $5 per person per day.

Results of the lottery process will be sent out at midnight on March 15. Starting about 7am on March 16, unclaimed lottery allotments will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Do note that hikers who miss all of these windows may still be in luck for a walk-up permit. Twenty-five percent of the permits are held back for walk-ins, and will be available at 7:45 each morning except Sundays.

Tips for Snagging a Permit

When filling out a permit application, hikers are required to select the Enchantment Zone where they would like to camp, the number in their party and entry and exit dates. Applicants will be allowed to enter up to four possible itineraries, and flexibility will certainly improve the odds. Other tips include:

• Choosing mid-week dates, as trips starting on Thursday, Friday or Saturday fill up first.
• Selecting dates outside of the popular August - early September window, like July or late September.
• Selecting a less-visited destination outside of the Core Enchantments Zone, such as the Eightmile/Caroline Zone, or stay in the Snow Lakes Zone and day hike into the Enchantment Lakes Basin.
• Keeping party sizes small (maximum is eight).

For more information, visit the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Enchantments website or go straight to www.recreation.gov to apply beginning February 22nd. Good luck!

Registration for Washington Trails Association's backcountry work parties opens today at 10am. On the agenda for 2012 are 28 adult Volunteer Vacations, 16 Youth Vacations and 39 Backcountry Response Team (BCRT) trips.

Of the more than 100,000 hours of work performed by WTA volunteers each year, 40 percent of it comes by way of these programs. For Volunteer Vacations, hikers sign up for a week of trail maintenance with up to ten other crew members. They work on a trail project during the day and have fun in camp during their off-time, making great friends in the process.

The price of a Volunteer Vacation is $195 ($235 non-member) for the first trip and $145 for additional trips. All meals are included, and personal gear and supplies are transported to the camp for all but the backcountry trips.

Youth Vacations are similar to Volunteer Vacations but are designed specifically for high school students, ages 14-18. Many teens report that a week spent improving trails is a transformative experience and nearly half return each year for another trip. The cost of Youth Vacations are the same as Volunteer Vacations. In addition, WTA front-country trips also include tent and sleeping gear.

Backcountry Response Teams are three to eight days in length. WTA provides the tools, but otherwise they are self-supported. Most, but not all, are backpacking trips that access trail work in areas that day-trips cannot. These are offered at no cost.

WTA's backcountry work parties are extremely popular. Some fill up within minutes. But there are so many options that volunteers should be able to find an excellent trip long after registration begins.

>> 2012 Volunteer Vacation schedule
>> 2012 Youth Vacation schedule (teens 14-18)
>> 2012 Backcountry Response Team schedule
>> Full work party schedule, including day trips

Who hasn't flipped through any number of books or magazines admiring the photographs contained within? Images of far-off places, beautiful scenery and nature in all her glory inspire and excite us. As hikers and backpackers, we have a special appreciation for this kind of imagery, as it inspires and motivates us. It beckons us. Until finally, we're reaching for our maps and guidebooks, uttering, "I have to see that."

Compelling outdoor and nature photography is an art. It takes a keen eye, mixed in with creativity and awareness—and just a little luck. But it is not an art form limited to just a few people, splashed across expensive books and glossy magazines to make us all envious. It's an art form that practically anyone can achieve to some success by just following a handful of simple guidelines—and not running out to buy the most expensive cameras, lenses and accessories on the market.

This was the inspiration for creating Washington Trails new column, Snapshot. I wanted to offer all of my fellow photographers—from aspiring novice, to the most seasoned pro—a place to get simple, easy-to-understand tips, tricks and guidelines to help them improve their photography—whether shooting with a pocket camera or a full DSLR. Most importantly, I wanted it to be friendly and encouraging. 

In order to do this, I turned to several of Washington Trails' regular photo contributors, known for their outstanding work. Some are pros, some aren't, but all know how to put the magic into their photography—and are happy to share it with the rest of us. After all, the equipment only captures the photo. It's the photographer that creates the photo. And it's not rocket science.

So check out the introductory Snapshot column on Composition, written by professional photographer Dave Schiefelbein. For this all-important element of any photography, Dave offers a handful of tips and suggestions, sure to assist and inspire, and help transform flat, boring pictures into dynamic, storytelling photographs. You're sure to notice a difference in your photography the next time you head up the trail with camera in tow.

Stay tuned to Snapshot in future issues of Washington Trails, where we'll cover topics such as veiling, photo filters, using a tripod, and smartphone photo apps. And if you're interested in contributing photography to Washington Trails, send an email to editor@wta.org.

Hello from Hiker Lobby Day 2012!

About 50 intrepid hikers have assembled in the conference room of St. John's Church for our Hiker Lobby Day orientation and training. After this, we will hike to the State Capitol for our scheduled meetings with elected officials and get down to the heart of the day -- face to face lobbying!

This is my fifth Hiker Lobby Day, and as I sit here surrounded by WTA members, volunteers and others who have taken the day off work to come advocate on behalf of trails, I feel deeply appreciative of their efforts. One year ago, these hiker lobbyists were instrumental is securing passage of the Washington State Discover Pass, without which many of our DNR recreation lands and State Parks would have locked their gates. Although the Discover Pass is not performing as well as expected and State Parks regrettably just passed pink slips to dozens of park rangers, the passage of this sustainable funding source was critical. Without it, we might have NO rangers on the state parks payroll. We might not have access to Deception Pass State Park, or Mount Si.

This year, hikers are here to make the Discover Pass a better program. Two companion bills -- SB 5977 and HB 2153 -- will add space for an additional vehicle license plate number to the Discover Pass. It is widely hoped that this improvement will result in higher sales of the pass, and therefore more revenue for these cash-strapped agencies.

We'll keep you posted on our progress as the day progresses right here, and on twitter and facebook.

UPDATE 11am: Hiker lobbyist Tim Van Beek tells us why he is at Hiker Lobby Day today.

UPDATE 1pm: Two hikers, both named Sarah, talk straight on why it is so important they're down in Olympia for trails today.

Did you know that maintenance on many of your favorite trails is funded by a little known grant program in the federal transportation funding bill? The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) provides essential support for trail maintenance all over Washington state. If RTP is not reauthorized or extended by the end of March 2012, those funds will go away and likely never return.

The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is housed in the Transportation budget. The Federal Department of Transportation sends RTP money to the states, who then disburse funds to non-profits and land management agencies as grants. WTA has a long history of receiving RTP grants, and we use these dollars to do trail work. This year, we applied for and were awarded $175,000 in grants to fund our Volunteer Vacations, Backcountry Response Teams and Youth Program. Without RTP dollars, WTA would have to seriously curtail its trail maintenance work.

The re-authorization of the Surface Transportation Funding Bill has been delayed for nearly three years now. In order to keep our infrastructure working, transportation funds have been reauthorized for brief periods. The last was in September and runs out at the end of March. WTA's grants have been funded for the next year, but if RTP is not reauthorized or extended by the end of March, a huge amount of work that WTA would lead in 2013 is going to be in jeopardy.

But there is good news. The House Transportation Committee is releasing their version of the Surface Transportation Funding Bill, called the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act, or H.R. 7. The bill would extend RTP for four years, funding the program at $85 million per year, which is consistent with the last several fiscal years. That's great news, and we applaud the House effort.

Of course, there is also bad news. The Senate version of the bill does not include RTP funding, instead giving states the option of dedicating a portion of their transportation funds to enhancements programs like RTP. That lack of certainty makes it very difficult for us and our non-profit and agency partners to plan effectively.

What can you do? Call Senators Murray and Cantwell. Thank them for their support of RTP over the years and ask them to fight for a four-year fully funded reauthorization of the RTP in the Senate's Surface Transportation Funding Bill. Senator Murray's number in DC is (202) 224-2621 and Senator Cantwell's number is (202) 224-3441. Be sure to speak from your own experience as a hiker who benefits from the critically important recreation funds. Thank you!

The long-awaited moment has arrived. WTA’s coveted 2012 backcountry schedule is, at long last, public domain.

On the agenda for 2012 are 28 adult Volunteer Vacations, 16 Youth Vacations and 39 Backcountry Response Team (BCRT) trips. There is something for everyone in this line-up. We have trips for those who like to sleep in beds at night and ones that require you to carry everything you own on your back. We have trips for teens, trips for adults and even one for college-aged students. Alpine destinations and coastal locations. Remote lakeside campsites and campgrounds. State parks, national parks and national forests.

If we dare say it, this is the best backcountry schedule we've ever fielded!

Don't Worry About the FULL Signs

Starting today, you can preview the destinations on our trail work schedule. Don't be alarmed if the trip says FULL. That's because this is a preview. Sign-ups will begin Monday, February 6 at 10am, and the full signs will disappear at that time.

But don't wait long. If any of the trips look good to you, you'll want to be ready to sign up right when they go live. Popular Volunteer Vacations can fill up in a matter of a couple minutes.

Backcountry Options

Some of you may be wondering what all the hype is about. What IS a Volunteer Vacation or a BCRT? Who can go on Youth Vacations? Here's a bit of info, and there is so much more on the preview pages as well.

Volunteer Vacations - These are week-long trips with up to ten other crew members. You won’t have to worry about carrying your own food or tools, because WTA will transport all of that for you. For this week, you’ll inhabit a beautiful natural setting, working to improve trails during the day. In the afternoons and evenings, you’ll cook gourmet meals over a grill, explore your surroundings and sit around the campfire telling stories with your fellow vacationers. It's a great way to give back to the trails you love AND get to know some amazing other people. >> Preview Volunteer Vacations now.

Backcountry Response Teams (BCRTs) - For the minimalists out there who want to live in the backcountry for three to eight days surviving only on what they can carry on their backs, WTA offers BCRTs. On these trips, you bring in your own food and equipment in your backpack and carry your own tools. Crews do a fair bit of hiking, either doing the work as they go or accessing a specific trail project beyond the range of a day trip. >> Preview BCRTs now.

Youth Vacations - Summers tend to wear on forever when you’re out of school for three months, which is why WTA offers youth the same opportunity that we offer adults. If you are a teenager, age 14 to 18, spend a week of your summer making friends with other teens who enjoy the outdoors — and make a tangible contribution to the trails you love. Youth Vacations have the same week-long format as adult trips, with trips of varying levels of difficulty. This is your chance to explore a beautiful natural area, play a little Frisbee with your fellow crew members and learn how to construct various features of a trail. >> Preview Youth Vacations now.

Next week, we'll go into further detail about the destinations and unique opportunities provided by each of our backcountry trip formats. Check back for more details! And make sure you are in front of a computer to sign-up on Monday, February 6 at ten o'clock sharp. You'll be glad you did.

The Discover Pass transferability bill has passed the state Senate.

The Discover Pass was originally enacted during the 2011 legislative session. It is a $30 annual vehicle pass ($10 per day) for recreation on Washington State Parks, DNR and Fish and Wildlife lands, and it is a critical funding mechanism to keep these areas open to the public.

Washington Trails Association strongly supports this legislation. Over the course of the past year, transferability between vehicles is something we have heard our members want. Passing the Senate is a major hurdle, and we're excited to see this legislation move forward in the House. SB 5977 will be referred to the House, where it will be heard in policy and fiscal committees in coming weeks.

If you've written a letter, made a phone call or visited your legislators, pat yourself on the back! Thanks for all your hard work, and we'll keep you posted right here on the Signpost Blog as this bill moves forward.

>> To keep up on how SB 5977 and other Discover Pass legislation is progressing the state legislature, please see our Olympia legislative page.

What a week of wild weather! Snow, ice and wind have taken their toll on a number of trails throughout the state, bringing down trees and branches and messing with the tread.

Particularly hard hit were a number of parks in King County where a severe ice storm, followed by wind, did a number on the trees. WTA volunteer trail crews have been out since Saturday clearing debris and downed logs at Tiger and Taylor Mountains in the Issaquah Alps.

Sunday's Tiger Mountain crew leader Claire Hansen described their work as "leapfrogging from one branch pile to another log to the next blocked culvert, up to the crest of the trail." This is not a unique situation.

We've also gotten a few Trip Reports detailing the damage. "Rnnrgrl" has provided an account and photos of damage at Grand Ridge Park and at Cougar Mountain's Wilderness Peak trail. She reports that WTA's Grand Ridge bridge and boardwalk both took trees but fortunately suffered no unrepairable damage.

The story was grimmer at Cougar Mountain, however. "It took us 27 minutes to cover one mile, and we were running (stopping/running/crawling over trees/running/moving branches/running, you get the picture)," she posted on January 22.

What You Can Do

As you venture out hiking in the next few weeks, you can help WTA, the land managers and other hikers by posting your own Trip Report with photos about any damage to your favorite hiking trail.

These trails also need your help! Join a WTA volunteer trail work party to help clear the mess created by these storms. The more people we have to help clear the trails, the quicker the crews can get back to the projects they were working on before the storm hit.

Finally, be careful while hiking. This debris makes hiking a bit more hazardous than usual, with lots of logs to trip and poke. Also look overhead for "widow-maker" branches. And if you get a chance, throw a few of these off the trail while you hike. Those who follow will be thankful.

If you want to climb Mount St. Helens this year, get ready to apply for a permit on February 1st!

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Permits for the 2012 climbing season, from April 1 to October 31, go on sale Monday, February 1 at 9:00 a.m. and are sold online on a first-come, first-served basis through the Mount St. Helens Institute.

Permits will be sold only online. Weekends and holidays go the fastest, so check your calendars (and the Farmer's Almanac for weather predictions). The cost is $22 per permit and you are able to purchase up to twelve permits for each day.

Permits are required for climbing above 4,800 feet on the volcano. From May 15 through October 31, climbing is limited to 100 people per day. It may seem like a lot of permits, but they go quickly, especially with guides and outfitters snapping up a dozen at a time.

From November 1 - March 31, permits are free and available in person at the Lone Fir Resort on SR 503 in Cougar, WA.

Climbing Mount St. Helens is a challenging, but not a technical, climb. It boasts a relentless elevation gain, constant exposure to the elements and unstable footing, but the view from the crater rim is unrivaled and breathtaking. Everyone remembers their first climb to the rim.

>> Buy Your Permit
>> WTA Hiking Guide entry for Mount St. Helens Summit
>> More Information about Climbing Mount St. Helens