Outings

 A jewel of a lake above one of the best Nordic cross-country ski areas.  6 miles RT, 1150 ft. elevation gain to Lanham Lake. Snowshoe geared to advanced beginners / intermediate level. Trek through deep old-growth forest along Lanham Creek to the lake above Stevens Pass Nordic Center. Bring high calorie lunch & 2 liters water, snowshoes, poles & boots. Dress in warm layers and bring raingear. Trip date / location may change based on weather or avalanche dangers. Meet in Monroe 9 am & Nordic Ski Center, 5 miles east of Stevens Pass. This outing is open to the public, limit of 10 participants. Sign-up deadline February 21, 2012. For trip details and to sign up, please contact leader Terese VanAssche or 253-334-2157. (MB/ CH) 

Snow Geese, Trumpeter Swans, Tundra Swans, Bald Eagles, Northern Harriers,and Red-tailed Hawks are the lure for this 5 mile river dike walk. At sunset large snow geese flocks often fly to nearby fields. Easy family trip with optional dinner in Conway.

For information about the site: wdfw.wa.gov/lands/wildlife_areas/skagit/Headquarters%20(Skagit)

Washington State Discover Pass required for parking: discoverpass.wa.gov

 Join us on National Trails Day to hike through old-growth forest to spectacular views of the San Juan Islands from Blanchard Mountain's Oyster Dome. Late spring is the perfect time to visit this gem of a hike close to Bellingham. A healthy climb along Oyster Creek will shake the rainy days out of your bones. Trail gains 1200 ft. in 2 miles; some sections are muddy with roots and rocks. Ferns are lush, big trees abundant, wildflowers poking up, and the critters are out for sighting. Blanchard Mtn. is DNR land that the Mt. Baker Group and Friends of Blanchard fought to preserve the old-growth forest on this near-urban area. Wear good hiking footwear, and bring water, lunch and recommend trekking poles and raingear. Also cameras / binoculars! Meet in Fairhaven (south Bellingham.) This outing is open to the public. Optional dinner in Edison after hike. For trip details and to sign up, please contact Terese VanAssche or 253-334-2157. (MB/ CH) 

Quetico Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada. Meet in International Falls, MN on 8-10-12 Canoeing from Pickerel Lake, Attikokan, Ontario base camp 8-11 thru 8-18.

Cost: $600 includes food, park fees, canoe, use of camping gear except for sleeping bag/tent and one night stay at lodge/base camp with dinner and hot breakfast. You are responsible for your own transportation to International Falls, MN, but we will be driving from the Seattle area and we encourage car pooling.

Quetico Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada offers truly the most unique and premier canoeing experience anywhere in the world. Paddle and portage along some of the same routes as French fur-trappers of the 1700-1800’s into the most pristine wilderness that Canada has to offer. Excellent fishing for bass, walleye and northern-pike. Spectacular scenery, plus view the ancient pictographs and petroglyphs left by the Ojibway Indians.

 Join this hike with the Sierra Club on Public Lands Day in the Wild Sky Wilderness and experience early fall colors and mushrooms. Gorgeous vistas await hiking participants. 1 mile from the trailhead we enter the wilderness; 8 miles RT to Scorpion Mtn. at 5400 ft. elevation. Wear good hiking footwear and dress for the weather. Bring lunch & water (no water available on the trail.) This outing is open to the public. For trip details and to sign up, please contact leader Terese VanAssche or 253-334-2157. (MB/ CH)