by In the mountains of the Olympic Range, much like the mountain ranges across the west coast of the United States, signs of a low snowpack and climate change are all anyone seems to be talking about. Whether on the snow free trails on Hurricane Ridge, summiting classic Olympic Mountains like Mount Ellinor, or experiencing the …
Mountain Goats, Mount Ellinor and Rules for Everywhere.
I hike Mount Ellinor more than I should. In fact, I am probably addicted. Every four weeks or so, I take the 90 minute drive from Olympia to the upper parking lot. I have the drive, the trail, and the views memorized, yet I keep returning, again and again. On May 18th, 2015, I returned yet again …
Ask A National Park Ranger: Ranger Hayley Edmonston
Park rangers are some of the hardest working people you will ever meet. Day in and day out, these stewards of the land ensure that experiences in America’s protected lands are incredible, informative and inspiring. Over my travels to 30+ National parks in the US, I have had the pleasure of chatting with hundreds of …
16 Year Old Gets Gored by Bison in Yellowstone, but…
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.