by To love the Pacific Northwest Coast is to be human. You can love mountains, and forests, revel in the beauty of waterfalls and glaciers, even rejoice in the arches and canyons, but to try to deny the addicting and soul soothing beauty of the wild beaches of Washington and Oregon is as pointless as trying …
How Public Lands Have Changed for Me Over the Past 15 Years
2003. What a year. Some will recall it as the start of the decline of post-September 11th patriotism. A few will remember it was the year the Florida Marlins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Jersey Devils and San Antonia Spurs won their sporting championships. A handful will relive the explosion of space shuttle Columbia as it …
Summer Vacations Were Meant For Public Lands
I have been told that I am very observant, but that isn’t true. I usually don’t notice people’s new haircuts. I rarely pick up on small changes, like new pictures in room. I gloss over details so much that doubt I could describe a family member in detail for a police sketch artist. I forget …
Runs With Bison: SingleTrack Adventures in Yellowstone National Park
I was stuck in a rut. Pun intended. I had been running on city streets for too long and my body was craving new terrain. The constant pounding of pavement had me longing for a long, singletrack trail which would allow me to bask in wilderness for miles at a time. I needed a trail …
Where I Usually Introduce People to Public Lands
There are few moments as rewarding as experiencing a National Park with someone who has never been there. As they gaze upon your favorite places, overcome with wonder and feeling awestruck at the splendor of nature, I become filled a true happiness. For many of us, when we get to share our happy places with …
Stumbling Upon a Sunrise at Ooh Aah Point. #NatureWritingChallenge
I am not a morning person. Everyone who knows me is aware of this, thanks largely to my inability to do much before sunrise. Or, more realistically, even before 10am. For me, mornings are when I hold onto the warmth from my bed or sleeping bag for as long as I can until the sun’s …
#NatureWritingChallenge is Back for Season Two!!
It is with much excitement that The Outdoor Society announces Season Two of #NatureWritingChallenge! We took a break for the summer months, but now that signs of fall are all around us, it is time to pick back up this awesome writing exercise. With a whole new layout and new topics, those who love writing …
Lena Lake, Other Hamma Hamma Area Trails and Roads Closed Due to Forest Fire
The Maple Fire, burning on the eastern side of the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State, has doubled in size over the past two days and shows no sign of dying down. The Maple Fire has now burned 810 acres and is still just 5 percent contained. The good news is that the crews and equipment …
Fire Comes to the Olympic Peninsula: Hamma Hamma’s Maple Fire
A forest fire is burning near the Hamma Hamma River in Olympic National Forest and shows no sign of slowing down. Growing almost 300+ acres in 24 hours, the Maple Fire has so far burned 350 acres as of August 7th, 2018 and has closed access to trails and roads on the eastern side of …
Campfire Restrictions Begin August 8 for Olympic National Park and Forest
Beginning August 8, Olympic National Park, Olympic National Forest, and Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest will restrict campfires to developed campgrounds, picnic areas, and rental cabins with cement or metal fire rings only until further notice. This includes the coastal areas of Olympic National Park.