Guided snowshoe walks at Stevens Pass

Once the weather settles down enough to get into the mountains, families can learn about winter ecology and local history at Stevens Pass on guided snow show walks offered by Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest on Saturdays and Sundays starting Jan. 3 through the end of March.

December 23, 2008 3:23 pm
Children from age six and up are invited to join special guided snowshoe walks offered by Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest in Stevens Pass on Saturdays from Jan. 3 through the end of March.
Children from age six and up are invited to join special guided snowshoe walks offered by Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest in Stevens Pass on Saturdays from Jan. 3 through the end of March.

Once the weather settles down enough to get into the mountains, families can learn about winter ecology and local history at Stevens Pass on guided snow show walks offered by Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest on Saturdays and Sundays starting Jan. 3 through the end of March.

Participants will snowshoe through some spectacular scenery in a two-hour program for beginner snowshoers. For ages 6 and up, the walks starts at noon with an indoor slide show at the USFS Guard Station at Stevens Pass, giving visitors an introduction to the area’s history, including the 1910 Wellington avalanche disaster. Visitors then begin a one-mile round-trip snowshoe walk on the Pacific Crest Trail.

Group size is limited to 12 people. Reservations can be made the Wednesday through Friday before the date of the outing. Snowshoers are encouraged to wear layered and insulated clothing, hats and gloves. Sturdy, waterproof boots are needed to wear in the snowshoes. Snowshoes are provided.

Stevens Pass offers a shuttle from Mountain View Chevron in Sultan to the resort at the highway summit. Check www.stevenspass.com for fees and schedules.

For more information about the snowshoe program, call the Skykomish Ranger Station District at 360-677-2414, Wednesday to Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. To offset the costs of the program, a donation of $10 per person is suggested.

Another outing

The Adopt a Stream Foundation and Northwest Stream Keepers are offering a chance to see eagles from a boat, with the Skagit River Eagle Raft Trip, offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3.

This 8-mile rafting adventure is offered during the time of year when the largest concentration of wintering Bald Eagles found anywhere within the lower 48 states visit the Skagit River. You can expect to see 20 to 200 eagles in their natural habitat. David Button of the Pacific Northwest Float Trips and his team of experienced naturalist guides are adept at spotting wildlife and will share information about bald eagles and the history and ecology of the Skagit River. For ages 6 to adult, no experience necessary. Kids should bring parents. Tickets are $60 per person. Driving directions to rafting site will be provided upon payment. To reserve your space, call 425-316-8592 or e-mail aasf@streamkeeper.org.