Winter

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Winter

Keystone Point

Guidebook
Attractions: If you’re looking for an early-season hiking opportunity and don’t mind exploring sagebrush country without a trail, this hike usually offers snow-free walking by late February and terrific views. Flowers often start in early March, with the showcase balsamroot... Read More...

Skin Tips for Climbing Skins

GearThings to know
Skin Tips for Climbing Skins by Andy Dappen Following are some questions that inquiring minds have asked me, over the years, about climbing skins for backcountry skiing. Q: Should Nordic skiers, not just backcountry skiers, carry skins? A: Depends. On... Read More...

Shaser Creek-Middle Fork

Guidebook
ATTRACTIONS: Quickly accessed snow zone with relatively light snowmobile traffic.  This trip is a pleasant, solitary mosey up logging roads below about 4000 feet.  Above that there are some wonderful subalpine meadows and ridge tops with great gentle terrain and... Read More...

Columbia-Turtle Rock

Guidebook
Skill: 1 (beginner) Fitness: 1 (easy) Attractions: The island is a wildlife protected area and has a fish hatchery on the island.  Deer, eagles, heron, osprey, salmon and other wildlife may be seen depending on season and weather.  The foundations... Read More...

Old Blewett Pass Options

Guidebook
On drives over to or back from Seattle, it’s nice to stretch the legs, get some fresh air, and bag some nice views. Here’s a ridge run up a peaklet bordering Old Blewett Pass accomplishing all that. Throw some boots... Read More...

Avalanche Probes

GearThings to know
Editor’s note:  This post originally ran January 11, 2008 but we find the information to still be valid and we aren’t finding any newer greater developments out there. Rather than technological improvements, a big development would simply be getting everyone to consider... Read More...

Entiat River Road

Guidebook
ATTRACTIONS. You’ll travel up a beautiful mountain valley alongside the Entiat River with rock cliffs and deep woods on either side. The area feels remote — except for the occasional snowmobile that will pass you.Generally you will see / hear... Read More...

Van Creek to Sugarloaf

Guidebook
ATTRACTIONS. Nordic/cross-country skiers who choose to undertake this route near Leavenworth on snowed-over, groomed roads will do so because they love climbing. And because they love the fruits of climbing, which include 360-degree views of the Cascades and a wind-in-your-face descent. TRIP... Read More...

Sun Lakes Dry Falls Loop

Guidebook
Sun Lakes – Dry Falls Loop Hike by Fred Stanley In early January minimal snow cover offered excellent hiking east of the Columbia.  On bare, dry ground, Lori Contratto, Fred Dunham, and I explored a portion of Sun Lakes –... Read More...

Righting a Wrong

Adventure
Righting a Wrong by Andy Dappen The hour is late. First the uninspiring cloudy weather kept me at home working, ‘You’re not going to see anything,’ the naysaying sightseeing side of me protested. By mid-afternoon it’s late enough (and warm... Read More...

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