Families Go Hiking ORGAN

Like many of us, my first memories M of hiking were less than positive. AVE Something about that trail above But Why? , D

Ross Dam was just too steep, and IEKEMA D

my father was so darn cheery even OUG though it was hot and we didn’t 10 great things about hiking , D

have much water. Here were all AULSON

The smell of fir trees Cooling your feet P these amazing mountains of the ON

North Cascades before us and all I Hiking is a way to experience the On a hot day in August, there’s : D sights, sounds and nothing like dipping your could think about was getting back OTTOM smells of the out- toes in an ice-cold B TO to the car and the grape sodas in doors. And whether stream. OP the cooler. , T it’s the taste of alpine

But despite that early stumble, I HOTOS or the smell of P stuck with hiking and camping, Douglas fir, hiking is Yodeling and now it’s an important part of a treat for all the Hey, when you’re high my life, and my own family’s. I first senses! above a valley, there’s took my daughter on a trail when nothing like letting out a she was an infant and now at 2 big yell or a yodel to hear she’s starting to lead the way. You M & Ms the echoes. Or try just go much slower than you did Okay, we’ll admit singing something when you were 22 and trying to get it—the main from the “Sound to the summit of Granite Mountain reason we like of Music.” in record time. It’s an excuse to trail mix is it’s an linger, and really see a forest. She excuse to chow You picks up nearly every rock and leaf, on M & M’s. but she’s having fun. With peanuts, probably Call it “green bonding” or experi- preferably. won’t meet encing nature. Studies show, playground (including one undertaken by REI) bullies that kids who experience the Marmots They’re cute, furry, Hikers are nice outdoors early may eventually lose people. interest for a while. But when and boy can they they’re in their twenties and out of whistle. Hiking is a great opportu- the house they often retain that nity to see critters like pikas, deer Stars interest in the outdoors. No doubt and mountain goats in There are a LOT more my daughter will reach an age their environment. stars in the where she’ll complain about a wilderness than back particularly “dumb” hike. Strong legs at home. But hopefully we’ll keep other Hiking is a great way to experiences fun enough that she’ll get strong, healthy and Because it’s want to keep going back as an confident. there adult. Okay, maybe you’re not The following series of articles are Finding your way the first person to get to aimed at encouraging families to Learning to use a map and the top of Rattlesnake Ledge, but get out and hike. It’s like eating compass is a pretty cool thing— you can always pretend. All those your vegetables and ice cream at think about it: just a piece of paper great climbers had to start the same time: good for you, and if and a little compass and you can somewhere. you’re smart about it, a heck of a say, “I am here.” lot of fun, too. —Andrew Engelson

May 2005 TRAILS Families Go Hiking adventure. Every trail has some kind of adventure in it. Speculate about its first Bring the Kids! users and why they built the trail. What were they looking for? At the summit or How to take children of all ages on the trail high point, get out the map and try to identify the peaks you can see, guessing which is which. AVIS

D Look for discoveries along the way: Teach your kids to be good observers EBORAH

, D by looking for animal footprints, claw scratches on tree trunks, and insect and

ORSGAARD bird holes in dead trees. Small ponds F

ARL usually have tadpoles or frogs they can , K watch for.

LIMECKY Plan for multiple destinations and K turnaround places: If your child is RIKA

: E faltering or the weather is changing,

RIGHT look for a streamside log or boulder

where you can stop. Be ready to change FROM , the goal and to point out why this destination is a good place for lunch LOCKWISE C and a turnaround. Stress safety: Carry a first-aid kit designed with kids in mind. (Some insect repellents and sunscreens are too harsh for children’s skin.) Watch their Hiking is great fun. Just remember to feet for hot spots that can turn into keep your goals realistic, always pay blisters. Carry moleskin. Be sure the attention to safety, and turn your outing soles of boots or shoes have enough into an adventure of discovery. tread to prevent slipping. When camping, keep a sharp eye on kids By Joan Burton around any fire-related activities. If kids get wet or cold, they can easily Why would you want to take your slip into hypothermia. Watch for kids hiking with you? shivering, and be ready with a change of If you wonder why you should make warm clothes. the effort to take your kids hiking, answer these questions honestly: How Do You Hike with Kids? Would you prefer that your kids Put yourself in their boots. Their legs remember a childhood spent playing are short and some of the steps in the video games and watching TV sports? trail are high for them to reach. Or would you like to give them a Would you want them to grow up Remember their sense of time. Have childhood in which they hiked to alpine with no connection to the natural patience when they stop and ask lakes, waterfalls, ocean beaches and old world, and therefore no commitment questions. They may be seeing their growth forests ? to saving it? Or do you want to help first trilliums. Call for rest stops before Would you want them to become them build a bond to the precious and they ask for them and praise them for overweight from lack of exercise? Or fragile Northwest environment? how well they are doing. would you prefer that they hiked, What better way can you think of to Be in the moment with them. waded, swam and scrambled on trails, have uninterrupted time together with Experience the feel of the hike and talk beaches and mountains? your family, free of distracting phone about it. Remember how you felt when Would you prefer to only drive them calls, TV and video games? hiking a trail was a new adventure to to and from athletic turnouts, practices, you. and games? Or do you want to hike What Makes a Good Hike? Joke with whiners and gru)mblers, with them to places of Northwest A good hike is one that appeals to a unless they are justified. Be sympathetic beauty and wonder? child’s sense of exploration and about legitimate complaints. Make the

WASHINGTON TRAILS May 2005 Families Go Hiking hike fun by laughing and and slow down to your kids’ pace. If being positive about you are a new hiker and a new parent, ERBERT H what you are doing and the good news is that hiking with your RANK seeing. kids can be fun and that you can have a F Take siblings, neigh- great time discovering hiking together. bors, and companions Your nine-year-old not only will want along with you. Extra to reach the destination, but he or she kids are actually less will also want to compete with a trouble because they brother or companion to be the first entertain and compete and fastest. You will want him to slow with one another. down enough to see the old growth forest and the distant view of Mount Top Things to Baker. (Views aren’t as exciting to kids Remember as they are to you; so don’t be surprised You’ll learn to see things in much more detail if she doesn’t ooh and ah over it.) If you Have confidence. when hiking with toddlers and young children. Don’t be afraid, but do are backpacking, she will want her pack to seem large and imposing to others be realistic. Kids can she will see the ground, footprints, sense your fear and they will echo it. A on the trail, and once at camp, she will stones, leaves, moss, flowers and want you to give her tasks to help in storm can be a problem, but not branches up close and will want to stop something to fear. setting up the tent and making meals. to investigate them, interminably. If a The challenge to you is to make her feel Know where you’re going. Read frog jumps across the trail, plan to stop about the hike before you go and carry she contributes in important ways. Let to watch for it to do it again. her fill the water jug and carry it back to a good map. Your five-year-old will care more Be sure their boots or shoes are camp. Let her help filter the water about reaching the destination. He or before preparing the dinner.  appropriate. Some sports shoes give no she will want to play in the lake, look for ankle support and have slippery soles. pollywogs or throw stones into it for as Carry a change of dry shoes. Joan Burton is a WTA member from long as possible. You will need to adjust Seattle. She is the author of Best Hikes Carry enough food, water and first- your own thinking about this and to aid essentials for any conditions. An With Children: Western Washington compromise. If you hiked before and the Cascades (The Mountaineers extra meal you never use is good parenthood, you will need to shift gears, insurance. Extra fruit or trail mix may Books, Volumes 1 and 2, $14.95). also be invaluable. Little flashlights for kids to carry while walking in the dark Join WTA for Two Great Family Events! are worth their weight. Turn back if weather, illness or injury Families Go Hiking Clinic Guided Hike for Families changes the situation. Good judgment Wednesday May 11 Saturday May 14 is essential. Seattle REI 7 – 8 p.m. Lake Elizabeth Trail, off Hwy. 2 Kids will compete with whoever else near Index, 10 a.m. is along. Use rivalry to motivate kids to This clinic will help get your whole keep going. family outside and on the hiking Bring the kids on this easy hike Kids strive for your praise. Be trails! Learn the basics of hiking with around a small mountain lake generous with it, and they will remember kids of all ages, including planning a beneath high peaks. We’ll take your encouragement long afterward: trip, food, safety and what to bring. frequent breaks, enjoy plants and “Dad said we were so strong and fast.” We’ll learn the ten best trails for wildlife, and talk about what makes a They will have fun if you do. Let hiking with kids in Washington, plus great hike for kids. We’ll break into yourself go, have a good time whatever how to choose your own hiking trail two groups based on speed: hikers the situation, and they will want to hike suited for small children. carrying children in carriers, and with you again. Led by Joan Burton, author of Best families with and toddlers and Hikes with Children: Western children. Different Goals for Different Kids Washington and the Cascades, and Led by Joan Burton and Andrew Your two-year-old may want to be Lauren Braden, Washington Trails Engelson, editor, Washington Trails . carried most of the way and won’t care Association. RSVP required. E-mail [email protected] whether or not you get to the destina- Questions? Call (206)625-1367. or call (206)625- 1367. tion. A stop alongside a stream or small waterfall may be enough reward. He or

May 2005 WASHINGTON TRAILS Families Go Hiking Kid-Friendly Hikes

side of , with awe-

IEKEMA inspiring giants between 800 and D

OUG 1,000 years old. D

SkokomishRiver An Olympic river loop featuring enormous trees with trunks set on stiltlike roots, and river pools and rapids.

Overnight Trips

Boardman Lake A 1-mile, 200-foot-gain trail takes families to a large lake set among old-growth Alaska cedars, off the Mountain Loop highway.

Barclay Lake A 1.5- mile, 250-foot-gain trail parents, knock-your-socks-off leads to a shallow lake beneath Day Hikes views of Mount Rainier. Mount Baring, off the Stevens Pass highway. Pinnacle Saddle Sauk Mountain A short hike to a viewpoint in A little mountain summit in the Second and Third Beaches the Tatoosh Range, where heart of the North Cascades, The most accessible of the families can look north and up attained by switchbacks through “wilderness ocean” beaches close to Mount Rainier and steep flower fields. offers surf, sand, driftwood and south to Mount Adams, Mount play possibilities. St. Helens and the Goat Rocks. Troublesome Creek Hoh River Forest Boulder River Waterfall A magical loop walk along a creek off Steven Pass, with bridges on A world-famous rain forest offers A lowland old-growth forest either end. families camping near the along a river with lace-curtain resident bands of Roosevelt elk, waterfalls and a river beach on grassy terraces or sand bars. access. Excelsior Mountain The Sound of Music mountain For more information, consult Naches Peak Loop with meadows and sweeping views of Mount Baker and Mount Best Hikes with Children:Western The dream hike that gives the Shuksan. Washington and the Cascades, kids snow banks to slide in, little Volumes 1 and 2 by Joan Burton streams to splash in, shallow (The Mountaineers Books, ponds to wade in, flowery Grove of the Patriarchs $14.95). For the latest trip reports, meadows to play in, and for the An old-growth forest on the east visit www.wta.org

WASHINGTON TRAILS May 2005 Families Go Hiking Playing in the Dirt Two brothers talk about the fun of trail maintenance

J: We hike a lot, mostly in Mount Rainier National Park. I also like to mountain bike.

Do you get to work with Pulaskis and other trail tools much? What’s your favorite kind of trail work? D: Yes, I get to use pretty much all of the tools. I like making new trails and digging holes looking for mineral soil (pay dirt). J: I’ve used all the tools except the pickmatic. My favorite kind of trail work is making new trail.

Anything unusual or funny ever happen to you on a trail crew? D: Yeah, once when I was helping haul dirt and rocks for a wet clay Trail Maintenance Pros: Brothers David (age 12, left) section, I said “It really stinks here,” and and Jared (age 14, right) Schiff have each been on 15 the four men I was working with didn’t work crews. At right, they’re seen hiking a ridge in know what it was. One of them said, Mount Rainier National Park. “Admit it, we hit a sewer line.”

David and Jared Schiff know a thing What’s your favorite thing Any crew leaders that you or two about trail maintenance. about doing trail maintenance? particularly like working with? Brothers David, 12, and Jared, 14, live D: My favorite thing is being D: Yes, I really enjoy working with in Enumclaw, Washington and have outdoors. Mike Owens, even though he is late been on 15 trail work crews with J: I like to dig and be outdoors, and I with the candy now and then. Mike’s Washington Trails Association since get to meet new and interesting people. trip reports are fun to read, we always their first trips to Tiger Mountain with look for them at the end of the day. WTA in February, 2004. We thought What’s your least favorite thing J: I like to work with Mike, he’s my we’d ask them what keeps bringing about trail maintenance? favorite crew leader. Mike’s trip them back. D: Getting up early is okay, it’s the reports are well-written and funny. rain and bugs I don’t like. When did you go on your first J: I don’t like working in rain or with Do any of your friends volun- work party? How did you find out bugs, but I’ve never had a work day that teer? If you had to name one good about WTA? How many work either were really bad. thing you get out of trail crew crews have you been on? volunteering, what would it be? D: My first work party was February Outside of trail maintenance, D: None of my friends volunteer 11, 2004 on Tiger Mountain. I found do you hike much? If so, where do that I know of. If I had to name one out about WTA through my dad. I now you like to hike? What other sorts good thing I get out of trail crew have been on 15 fun work crews. of outdoor recreation are you volunteering, it would be learning new J: My first work party was on into? things and meeting new people. February 22, 2004 at Tiger Mountain, D: My family and I hike a good J: I’ve never had a friend volunteer. making new trail with Mike. My Dad amount. My favorite place is up at If I had to name one good thing I get did a work party first, said it was fun so Sunrise, hiking from Frozen Lake to out of volunteering it would be: I get to I tried it. I have been on 15 work Skyscraper Mountain. I also like to dig, shovel, excavate, haul, scrape, and  crews. mountain bike and climb. pack down dirt.

May 2005 WASHINGTON TRAILS Families Go Hiking Back to My First Backpack Trip

By David Williams a spot called Pinnacle Lake. It was off It fit the image I had: a rock or rocks the Mountain Loop Highway, which in a lake—certainly a unique sight in the I have few memories of my first was chosen because the bus could drive Northwest. I had remembered a more backpacking trip, but I know this: I down the road, drop kids off, and prominent pinnacle, but the low hated it. The trail was steep and the continue to the next trailhead. mounds would do. I looked for the spot switchbacks endless. It rained the entire With the name, I began to search in where I had set up the tent, but nothing time. Someone knocked down the line more hiking guides. I finally found a looked remotely like I remembered. We holding up our rain fly. I awoke cold, Pinnacle Lake listed in Trips and Trails remained at the little lake only long wet and crying. I didn’t poop. I, a venerable, but now defunct series of enough to take a few pictures. I am pretty sure that I went We continued around the in 1978 when I was in seventh shoreline and made two WISHER

grade. I think we set up our S startling discoveries. First, tent in the middle of a side an outhouse. Had this LIZABETH trail. I have foggy memories of E potential refuge been there rocks or piles of rocks in the in 1978? Would I have used middle of a lake, but I am not it? Some questions we exactly sure where we went. I cannot answer. Second, we vaguely remember a name, found another, larger lake, Pinnacle or Spectacle Lake, the official Pinnacle Lake. It but could not find either listed was a handsome lake but in area hiking guides we not nearly as charming as owned. my Pinnacle Lake. Despite my inauspicious After a short lunch, we beginning, I have spent much hiked around the larger lake, of my adult life working or up a drainage colloquially teaching in the outdoors, Hiking trips help foster a lifelong love of nature. Here, the known as Iodine Gulch, to including many great days and Swisher family walks Ruby Beach , Olympic National Park. Bathtub Lakes, a beautiful nights camping. I have thought plateau of clear ponds, about this first backpack trip for years. hiking guides published by The Moun- windswept trees and exposed granite. When my wife and I moved back to taineers. According to the book, the The stark beauty made me wish we had Seattle, after my absence from the trail was only 1.7 miles to the lake. It brought our camping gear and could Northwest for 15 years, the trip began did not mention any switchbacks. I have spent the night. to take hold of me. While hiking or could see why the books were out of I have often pondered why, after backpacking, I’d wonder if we were print; they shortened the distances and such a disastrous first camping trip, I where it had all begun, particularly if minimized the hazards of the trail. now love to hike and camp. My return there were switchbacks. I knew that I had to go to the lake. I to Pinnacle Lake confirmed what I have As the years passed, I kept thinking I wasn’t positive that Pinnacle was the thought for many years. I am grateful would go up to Lakeside Middle correct one, but it would do. On that I gave camping a second chance. I School, which I attended in 7th grade, September 5, 2004, eight months after treasure the beauty and solitude of the and see if they had a list of where talking with Mr. Dougall, my wife and I wild. Like many people, I am energized students went hiking. We must have drove with our dog to the trailhead. By by being outdoors, by hiking, by signed up for a particular trip and they, this time I could admit that Pinnacle sleeping out, even by being cold and of course, kept those lists for people like Lake was only 1.7 miles from the road, wet. To paraphrase Thoreau, in me. Optimism can make the most but I wasn’t sure about the switchbacks. wildness is the preservation of my boneheaded ideas seem realistic. We arrived under an overcast sky, world.  I called the school. The archivist put on our packs, and started hiking at kindly listened to my rambling story about 10 a.m. After half a mile we hit a David B. Williams is a WTA member and told me that no such records switchback. And then another. I joked from Seattle. His book, Street Smart existed. She suggested that I contact that I recognized them. We continued Naturalist, will be published by one of the teachers, a Mr. Dougall, on, eventually snaking up 14 Westwinds Press this month. He can be involved in the hiking program. He told switchbacks. We reached the lake at reached at [email protected] or visit me that in the 1970s Lakeside did go to 11:30. www.seanet.com/~wingate/.

WASHINGTON TRAILS May 2005 Families Go Hiking verge of being kicked out of the troop but there was a sweetness about him The Troop’s All Here that always won our hearts and he always came back. Who else but Memories of a less-than-perfect scout outing Quentin could have taught me how to make a whistle that would rival a YKES

S marmot’s out of an empty raisin box?

AREN Incidentally these outings took place K long before MP3 players, iPods, and BlackBerries. When cell phones were about the size of tennis shoes. Most outings involved long drives to trailheads with the boys crammed in the back seat, a Walkman glued to their ears. After a while the boys would get bored or the batteries in their Walkman would die and they’d start to kick at the seats or peel pieces off the interior roof

Trails at School WTA to build a trail at Skyview Junior High When a Junior High science Not every trip can be sunshine and happiness. One particular Boy Scout teacher has a classroom of outing in 1995 proved to be very soggy—and very memorable. students and a small forest behind the school, the only By Karen Sykes overnight. conclusion possible is to build a As for the Scouts, there was Jerry trail through the area for “out- The memories of co-leading Boy who was about the size of a wren. Jerry door” studies. Skyview Junior Scout hikes are becoming overgrown, was sweet but clumsy, so in awe of his High teachers John Schmied and like abandoned trails that disappear if surroundings that he would hike Tom Nowak approached WTA to not re-visited from time to time. Those looking at everything except his feet. layout and help build this trail outings blur together so this is a tale He’d often fall down, pick himself up behind the Bothell School. The without a beginning, middle or an end. I again and keep on hiking. He loved Earl trail has been flagged, approved don’t recall the name of that Olympic Grey tea and always carried teabags. by the Lakeshore School District, river valley where a sleeping bag There was Terry who showed up at and the first work party will be popped off Jeff’s pack without anyone’s Scout meetings in a black trench coat held Saturday, May 14. The knowledge or the name of that tributary even when it was 85 degrees outside. students and area adults will along the West Coast Trail where Wally He dreamed of becoming a writer and build two loop trails behind the had to hike back several miles to had a way with words. The boys looked school. One of the trails will retrieve a tent that hadn’t been lashed up to him as a natural leader and if they hopefully be a barrier-free trail so on well enough to withstand the could have, they would all have adopted all students will be able to journey. black trench coats. participate in the outdoor In the early 1990s I co-led several of There was Brett, a good looking studies. The trails will be used these outings with my friend John blonde kid with an edge who’d been in not for recreation, but for the Clubine, the Scoutmaster. The dates trouble with the law but when he fell science classes to have a readily blur but few scouts will ever forget asleep on the south summit of the accessible area in which to teach there was an overnight outing every Brothers he looked like an angel. biology, soil composition, and month of the year. Inclement weather There was Quentin, a Native Ameri- possibly experiments on compo- or injuries were no reason to postpone can with a quick temper who often sition. To help with this project an outing. Even when John was bullied the smaller boys. Because he please contact Matt Contorchick recovering from a climbing accident he was much larger than the other boys at [email protected]. used his ice axe as a crutch and we went he’d simply sit on them until he got to Artist Point in a blizzard for an what he wanted. He was often on the

May 2005 WASHINGTON TRAILS Families Go Hiking of the car. Scouts wanted to stay in the emergency and some of their gear. All the boys Some of the gear was marginal. The shelter rather than pitch their tent and moved into a three-person tent that had tents often leaked or were missing tent John said that was okay. It rained hard been set up full with packs. Some of the stakes or rain-flies. Keegan Hartman, a the whole night. boys were without dry sleeping bags. survivor of these outings writes, “…on When John went to check on the Keegan continues, “One image I my very first hike with the troop, John boys in the morning he found them remember is of Jerry huddled over checked out a tent to me that was standing dejectedly outside the shelter (there wasn’t room for everyone to lie missing one or two tent pole links. We in their underwear, looking like down) dressed head to toe in his yellow set it up and I slept in it. It was pretty drowned prairie dogs. There was about rain gear. I believe he slept that way the lopsided but functional as long as it a foot of water in the shelter and most whole night.” didn’t rain.” Keegan got stuck with this of their gear was floating around. The We used to wonder when the boys same tent on his second outing – in a raccoons had gotten away with most of would outgrow the Boy Scouts. downpour. their food. It was only when John Bumbershoot began to compete with Food consisted of as much junk food returned to our campsite out of their the Labor Day climb of The Brothers as the boys could carry though John earshot that he burst into laughter at and most of the boys had grown taller tried in vain to pass on his outdoor the sight of them – though bedraggled, than John. Our question was answered culinary skills. Most of the boys didn’t the boys were none the worse for wear. on a one-way beach outing from Hoh know how to cook but neither did some Keegan explains they set up the Head to Third Beach. of the adults. Another adult who dysfunctional tent next to the emer- We turned the boys loose at Hoh cooked with us had the unfortunate gency shelter but he and some of the Head, told them where to camp, left a habit of adding canned string car there and then shuttled the beans and almonds to other two cars to the Third Beach everything. Noodle Death When John went to check on the trailhead. We thought we had was a favorite of both the boys in the morning he found them time to catch up with them but adults and the boys. Noodle John had misread the tide-tables. Death was anything that standing dejectedly outside the By the time we got back to Hoh came in a box that you could shelter in their underwear, looking Head it was raining and the tide add milk or water to, even like drowned prairie dogs. was coming in, not going out. We string beans and almonds. made a valiant attempt to get Here is John’s Recipe for around Hoh Head but the tide Boy Scout Happiness: Ingredients: Mix other Scouts decided to sleep in the was coming in too fast and darkness together slippery boardwalks, plenty of shelter. Keegan writes, “when we was falling. We did the only thing rain, 3 adults, 10 Boy Scouts, and returned to the shelter the rain had responsible adults could do under such spread out along a strip of the Pacific picked up considerably and there was a circumstances. We rented rooms at a Ocean Coast. Pour ½ of the Scouts into little stream running through the shelter motel in Forks and only felt slightly wet tents and the other half into the from the leaky roof. It ran out the low guilty about staying dry. emergency shelter at Sand Point. Add side of the shelter near the front Next morning we raced to catch up darkness and wind. Wait a bit then entrance.” They moved the sleeping with them not knowing what condition flood the shelter with water and stir bags and pads out of the way as we’d find them in. We finally spotted with hungry raccoons. Wait until according to Keegan “it was still them way out ahead of us plodding morning. relatively dry in there, certainly drier along the beach, giving every indication The above recipe is the result of an than the lopsided tent that was still set they were not going to wait for us. experience that is vividly remembered up and doing a poor job of repelling the When we finally caught up to them and by Keegan. Remember that malfunc- rain.” They settled down but not for they told us they had appointed a tioning tent? This outing to Sand Point long. Before they got to sleep, “Chuck leader, made camp, built a fire, grilled took place in November about 1995 or and Jerry began complaining about steaks and planned to continue without thereabouts. We should have paid being wet as they were pretty much us. attention to the fact that there were no under the leak. So we all started to “Oh,” we said. What else was there to other cars at the Sand Point/Cape Alava move over. Soon everyone was wet. We say? Somehow when we weren’t trailhead. You know the weather is made the decision, (probably around looking they had become young men going to be terrible when there are NO midnight) to abandon our sleeping bags instead of boys in need of a guide.  other cars at that trailhead. We made it when the Therma-rests started to float to Sand Point through horizontal rain when the person rolled off of them.” Karen Sykes is a WTA member from and we adults set up camp a little During all this the raccoons raided Seattle and writes “Hike of the Week” distance from the Scouts. Some of the the shelter and made off with their food for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

WASHINGTON TRAILS May 2005