Shelby Olson
We had a fairly frosty February, and it definitely shows in this month’s adventures. Read on, dear friends, for snowy sculptures, deer to the rescue, and well-stocked toilet paper!
Day Hike - West Tiger Mountain - 2/2
"Trail is in good condition, though there was some interesting things going on with the snow." -Will Tooker
We start off strong with an incident-free trek on West Tiger Mountain: a spike-hike where the ground was so frozen the snow literally “peeled” off the trail.
Intermediate Glacier Travel - Mount Ellinor & Mount Washington - 2/1-2
"Experienced several inches of new snow overnight and a full-on winter camping experience!" -Jerry Logan
Tune in for a successful snow camp in avalanche territory, where a car ride through pothole central proved the most harrowing leg of the journey. Campers were rewarded with deep snow, and - for those who couldn’t get enough of the cold by the end - ice cream.
Day Hike - Jim Whittaker Wilderness Peak Trailhead to Shy Bear Pass to Doughty Falls - 2/4
"Eight of us enjoyed a magical snowy hike." -Courtenay Schurman
Snowy boughs made up a wintery parkour wonderland on this trail. Several bird sightings and only one scare from a nearby tree splitting in two took this day from a trip to an adventure. And “the porta-potty was stocked with TP” - what more could you ask for?
Surf and Camping Weekend - Hobuck Beach & Neah Bay - 2/7-10
"Three days of trips and surfing on the Pacific Coast." -Tom Unger
Cowabunga! Enjoy a gorgeous, wave-filled weekend kayak, featuring snow on the beach, cave exploration, and a deer that clearly missed its audition for Bay Watch.
Day Hike - Point Defiance Park - 2/11
"We had five hikers with two leaders today, and everyone agreed that this trail system is a Tacoma gem." -Diann Sheldon
What better introduction to hiking than stunning views of Point Defiance, close quarters with a bald eagle, and the wondrous phenomenon of hair ice? Despite the cold temperature, this Welcome to Hiking trip gave participants a warm reception.
Basic Snowshoe - Gold Creek Basin - 2/12
"A beautiful trip. We had so much fun, we did it twice." -Barbara Folmer
This group didn’t let the wind-chill cancel their plans. Tune in for a quick gear shift to Gold Creek pond, where this snowshoe around the pond was filled with around-the-clock fun.
Cross-country Ski - Amabilis Mountain - 2/15
"We hit a great weather window for a ski trip up Amabilis." -Barbara Motteler
Read on for a pleasant cross-country ski on the Amabilis trail! Aside from an ungroomed trail treating one participant to the obligatory winter experience of falling in the snow, all was smooth skiing.
Cross-country Ski - White Pass Nordic Center - 2/15
"A group from Everett, Olympia, and Tacoma enjoyed a challenging day on the trails in perfect snow conditions." -Christina Black
This experienced group made some impressive loops in White Pass. Read on for excellent snow conditions, satisfying skill practice, and lots of great hills. (FYI for those who are so inclined: there is no shortage of nearby breweries).
Day Hike - CCC Trail - 2/22
"Beautiful moss and fern scenery." -Delwin Elder
When rushing snowmelt made the northeast route impassable, these intrepid hikers didn’t let it dampen their spirits. Several stream crossings down the southeast route later, the group was met with a beautiful forest. This trip report truly captures the spirit of persistence. (And I may be biased, but few things are as rewarding as some good moss and fern sightings.)
Urban Walk - Husky Stadium to Washington Park Playfield - 1/31
"This route was a good choice for a January urban walk." -Patty Ryan
As an added bonus, here is a highlight from the end of January: a delightful urban adventure filled with hanging artwork, the first blossoming of winter plants, and no small amount of feathers. Ducks and eagles and turkey tail fungus, oh my! (Yes, we’re counting that last one.)
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