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Month: March 2016

Here Comes the Sun: Hikes to End the Gray Season in the Pacific Northwest

Long before the giant yellow orb in the sky makes its triumphant return, residents around the Pacific Northwest start to buzz with sunny anticipation. On TV news stations around the region, anchors and meteorologists exchange flirtatious banter, hinting at something great looming on the horizon. I swear, Seattle TV news anchor Dennis Bounds once even …

All Wilderness Camping in Mount Rainier National Park to Be First-Come, First Serve in 2016

Lightning destroys the summer hopes and dreams of thousands of backpackers to Mount Rainier National Park. You can blame the weather and our reliance on technology, I guess. According to rumors from park rangers, a lightning storm helped ruin the old reservation system for backcountry permits in Mount Rainier National Park. All who applied for …

Olympic Mountain Snowpack Update: March 21st, 2016

For anyone that has headed out on a hike into the elevation of the Olympics, you know that the snowpack in the mountains is quite impressive this year. Last year, when we should have been neck deep in powder on our favorite trails, we were met with snow-free summits and dry creek beds. Hikers were spoiled …

Five Examples of LaPush’s Amazing Culture and History

Everyone loves the LaPush region of the Olympic Peninsula. From amazing sea-stacks, salmon, whales and eagles, to some of the most beautiful sunsets on the planet; the remote, rugged beauty of the LaPush has been and will attract visitors for all of human existence. Most didn’t know LaPush even existed until the “Twilight Phenomenon”,  but for …

Six Olympic National Park Regions to Close Before Impending Storm

Due to ridiculously strong spring storm heading toward the Pacific Northwest, Olympic National Park officials have decided to close six of the most-popular areas of the region to ensure public safety. Winds over 60MPH are threatening to cause a havoc, and the park wants  to prevent visitors and employees from being injured or trapped by falling trees …

The Gray Outdoors: Exploring Seven of Olympic’s Best ‘Bad Weather’ Hikes

As the gray covers the Pacific Northwest, negative attitudes about the weather become as commonplace as raindrops. When the clouds and dreariness return, a collective sigh is emitted, and pictures of the summer make #tbt that much more special. It seems like years ago that we were in swimsuits (hell, even in shorts) on the beaches or lakes, …

Olympic National Park Closes Rialto Beach and Mora Campground Ahead of Storm

As of March 30th, 2016, the road to Rialto Beach is open. Be aware that there is just one-lane travel near the damaged section of the road, but it is open to vehicle traffic, once again!. Original Story from March 9th, 2016 Olympic National Park officials have announced an immediate closer of Rialto Beach and Mora Campground …

Bogachiel Rain Forest Trail Closed Until Further Notice

Yet another closure is hitting the wilderness of the Olympic Peninsula. This time, it is the Bogachiel River. This winter, a record setting rainfall has hit the region, causing rivers to flow full, eroding the sediment filled banks of rivers across the region. The rains and raging rivers washed out the road to the Elwha …

Monte Cristo Ghost Town and Trail to Reopen

Get ready to see your Instagram and Facebook feeds fill up with pictures of a ghost town in the North Cascades. The Washington Cascade’s most famous “ghost town” will soon be reopening for hikers and backpackers to explore. On March 8th, 2016, the US Forest Service announced that the trail and site of the old …