by On May 15th, 2015, a 16 year old was gored and trampled by a bison while walking around the geyser basin near Old Faithful, one of Yellowstone National Park’s most popular attractions. This marks the second publicized animal incident in America’s first National Park in a week, the previous being when a family of bears …
Gov. Inslee Signs Bill at Tolmie State Park and Skips Rocks
“It felt more like a celebration of the outdoors than a bill signing ceremony” On May 15th, 2015, leaders of the outdoor industry, such as REI, K2, and Outdoor Research, alongside leaders the state of politics nature met to watch Governor Jay Inslee signed an important bill. Inside the event room at Tolmie State Park, …
Big Four Ice Caves Collapsing – Stay Out!
The Big Four Ice Caves in the Mount Baker/Snoqualmie National Forest are one of the region’s major attractions, gaining more popularity in recent years thanks to social media sites like Instagram, and even being featured on patches as one of the Seven Wonders of Washington. With an easy 2.2 mile round trip trek along a …
Wolf Spotted on Trail Cam in Western Washington
Just days after the first confirmed wolf was hit by a car on Interstate 90 near North Bend in Western Washington, Snoqualmie Cattle Company released a picture from earlier in the week of the same wolf from a trail camera. On their Facebook page, the black female wolf is easily seen walking near a trail camera. …
Exploring Olympic’s Lake of the Angels
“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” ~ John Muir I hike to Lake of the Angels a lot. I hike it so much, I have every inch of the trail memorized. The eight mile roundtrip trail is why I have quads of steel, and an unquenchable wanderlust. It is the …
A Reminder: Wildlife is Wild, Keep Your Distance!
It seems like we shouldn’t have to remind people that wild animals are wild, but recent events online have prompted those interested in being good stewards of the land to make sure we remind everyone. In the past few days, the internet has been buzzing about an incident in Yellowstone National Park where a sow …
The Graffiti Virus in National Parks
Dear Wilderness Graffiti Artists, You probably won’t hear this anywhere else, but thank you. Because of your attempt at art, or self-expression, or whatever narcissistic, ego-centric bullshit you have yourself convinced it is, people are now paying attention to the wilderness areas in our country and are angry at vandalism.
Want to Date a Hiker or Kayaker? Move to the Pacific Northwest
Everyone that lives, visited, or spent time daydreaming about the Pacific Northwest knows it has endless beauty. From the stunning peaks of the Cascade Mountains in Washington and Oregon, the amazing beaches and rainforests of the Olympic Peninsula and the breathtaking wilderness in Idaho, beauty and outdoor recreation go hand in hand. Nature defines who we …
Seattle to Yellowstone: The Ultimate Road Trip
I love Yellowstone National Park for many reasons. I love it for the bears and wolves, the bison and pronghorn, the elk and the mountain goats. I love it for Old Faithful, Norris Geyser Basin and Mount Washburn. I find myself yearning for another glimpse of Tower Falls, or gazing upon the beauty of the …
The Responsibility of Hikers: A Response to “Loving Trails to Death”
In a recent post by celebrated guidebook author Craig Romano, whose books I have reviewed, he talks about how scenic areas are becoming popular, overcrowded and a destination for outdoor groups of all shapes and sizes. The article says that trails are being heavily used, and that traffic needs to be directed elsewhere. I agree to a …