Enchantments and 40 More of Your Favorite Trails! PLUS: 170 Trails Maintained in 2012! Nov+Decc 2012
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We asked. You chose. Readers' choice 2012! A Publication of Washington Trails Association | wta.org The Nov+Dec 2012 Enchantments And 40 more of your favorite trails! PLUS: 170 trails maintained in 2012! Nov+Decc 2012 15 18 46 NW Explorer: Readers’ Choice 2012 This summer, Washington Trails surveyed readers to discover everything from your favorite state and national parks to the best wildflower, wildlife and fall color hikes. We even threw in some fun stuff like your favorite after-hike refreshments (you might be surprised!), most memorable lost-and-found experiences, and your favorite armchair hiking preferences. Starting on p.18, take a statewide tour of all the best hiking that Washington has to offer—according to you! You'll likely see many favorites, and maybe discover a few new things. And if you're new to hiking in Washington, here is your to-do list for next year: the biggest, the best and the most beautiful—right here in the Northwest! Contributors » Tami Asars, Kimberly Craig, Kelsey Donleycott, Lindsay Leffelman, Brittany Manwill, Ashley Morrison, Mike Morrison, Andy Porter, Craig Romano, Lucy Shirley, Aaron Theisen and Eli Boschetto News+Views Trail Mix Trail Talk » Tim Van Beek Gear Closet » Q&A with ranger Dan Rogers » p.7 Top gear brands, retailers and producers right here in the Northwest » p.42 Hiking News » Wildfires across Washington's trails »p.8 Holiday Gear Guide » New trail for Mailbox Peak » p.9 Check out this selection of new and trail- tested favorites. Then follow the link for the Cleaning up Monte Cristo » p.11 full list and easy holiday shopping » p.46 WTA at Work Trail Eats » Sarah Kirkconnell Prepare a winter feast in camp or on the Trail Work » Sarah Rich Where WTA worked in 2012 » p.12 trail with these tasty recipes » p.48 Youth on Trails » Krista Dooley How-To » Cheers for youth volunteers » p.15 Tips for cleaning and storing gear so it's OR's new ready for next season » p.49 StormSensor Gloves Action for Trails » Jonathan Guzzo let you operate your New wilderness proposals for Alpine Lakes, Featured 'Scape » Jeremiah Pierucci smartphone and plan Olympics and Mount Baker » p.16 Sunset view of Mount Adams » p.51 your hike without taking them off.p.42 2 Washington Trails | Nov+Dec 2012 | wta.org Mountaineers Books' publicist Emily White takes in the ridgelines of Mount Rainier and Little Tahoma Peak from her perch along the Wonderland Trail between Summerland and Indian Bar. Photo by Laura Shauger See more in the Readers' Choice section starting on page 18. What's Your Story? Cover Shot Have you taken an amazing hike in Last fall, nature photographer Washington or the greater Northwest? Paul Raymaker embarked on Captured some gorgeous photos? Perhaps the legendary trek through the had a riotous good time on a Volunteer Enchantment Lakes Basin. Capturing Vacation or BCRT? Or maybe you're an Gnome Tarn, with Prusik Peak expert on marmot behavior, wilderness first reflecting on the glassy water, was at the top of his list of photographs. aid or repairing gear on the fly? Then we The night before Paul and his group want to hear from you. set out, an early fall storm dumped Washington Trails welcomes editorial and 6 inches of fresh snow. It was a cold and blustery hike up Aasgard photographic contributions of all sorts. Pass and into the core area, but the Share with us your adventure, some history, arduous hike paid off. The snow had some know-how or some great imagery. transformed the landscape into a winter wonderland, starkly contrasted For more information on how you can by electric yellow larches, making for contribute to Washington Trails, email a picture perfect scene! [email protected]. Washington Trails | Nov+Dec 2012 | wta.org 3 WTA Highlights » A few things we wanted to share Staff Picks: What are your outdoor plans for the coming winter? Board of Directors President WENDY WHEELER JACOBS – Trail running in the mud VP, Advocacy STEPHEN TAN – Skate Skiing VP, Board Development CRAIG MCKIBBEN VP, Communications & Tech ROB SHURTLEFF VP, Finance DOUG BRECKEL VP, Fundraising CAROLE BIANQUIS – Trail work parties Secretary CAROLE BIANQUIS ANDREA BAINES, LISA BLACK – Glamping in Sudan PERRY BURKHART, JEFF CHAPMAN – Building new trails AMY CSINK, TODD DUNFIELD – Snowshoeing with kids LAURIE HARTSHORN, KEN MONDAL DAMIEN MURPHY, STEVEN PAYNE – Low-elevation hiking BILL POPE*, KATE ROGERS, ADAM RYND – Skiing in Methow Valley* Staff Executive Director KAREN DAUBERT – Backcountry skiing in Whistler Advocacy Director JONATHAN GUZZO – Skiing in Methow Valley Bookkeeper Ilona Fauver – Shaping up for next season Chief Crew Leader MIKE OWENS Communications & Outreach Director SUSAN ELDERKIN – Try geocaching Development Director REBECCA LAVIGNE – Explore a lower latitude Development Manager LISA UNSOELD-CHANG – Snowshoeing Digital Content Manager LOREN DRUMMOND – Taking avalanche safety course Editor & Art Director ELI BOSCHETTO – Snowboarding in Colorado Engagement Manager KINDRA RAMOS – Hibernating until spring Field Director ALAN CARTER MORTIMER – Skiing in Methow Valley Finance & Admin. Manager DEB HEMINGWAY – Learn to snowshoe Membership Manager KARA CHIN – Building a snow fort NW Crew Leader ARLEN BOGAARDS – Snowboarding Office Administrator JULIE CASSATA – Running & skate skiing Program Assistant SARAH RICH – Drinking hot chocolate Program Assistant LUCY SHIRLEY – Sledding down Seattle streets Project Coordinator TIM VAN BEEK – Becoming a gunkle TOP: More than 140 volunteers contributed more SW Regional Coordinator RYAN OJERIO – Sledding with daughter than 1,200 hours of maintenance service on ten trails across Washington on this year's National Trail Programs Director MICHAEL STUBBLEFIELD – Outdoor fitness Public Lands Day. Volunteer Coordinator ALYSSA KREIDER – Discovering urban hikes Youth Programs Manager KRISTA DOOLEY – Fly fishing BOTTOM: Hike-a-Thoners from near and far Youth Programs Specialist ALEXA LINDAUER – Crush some sicky gnar pow pow attended the winners party at ExOfficio in downtown Seattle. Washington Trails Volunteers Copy Editors JIM CAVIN*, REBECCA KETTWIG – Exploring lowland parks* Pre-press Proofer MITZI SUGAR – Snowshoeing in Yosemite Washington Trails Vol. 48, Issue 6 Gear Team CHERI HIGMAN, PATRICK LEAHY Owner & Publisher Regional Correspondents TAMI ASARS, NATHAN & JER BARNES WASHINGTON TRAILS ASSOCIATION KIMBERLY CRAIG, KELSIE DONLEYCOTT, DAWN ERICKSON, DAVID HAGEN CHERI HIGMAN, LINDSAY LEFFELMAN, BRITTANY MANWILL, ASHLEY MORRISON Washington Trails (ISSN 1534-6366) is published MIKE MORRISON, AARON THEISEN, HOLLY WEILER bimonthly by the Washington Trails Association, 705 Second Ave, Suite 300, Seattle, WA 98104. Annual membership dues, which include a subscription to Washington Trails magazine, are $40. Single copy Share hikes, get trail news and join the conversation. price is $4.50. Periodicals postage paid at Seattle, WA, and at additional mailing locations. facebook.com/washingtonhikers POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Washington Trails Association, 705 Second Ave., Suite 300, Seattle, twitter.com/WTA_hikers WA 98104. pinterest.com/wtahikers 4 Washington Trails | Nov+Dec 2012 | wta.org Front Desk Karen Daubert Executive Director [email protected] Year One In August, I hiked down from Paddy-Go-Easy Pass, having just delivered ice cream to a group of teens who had spent the week working in the hot sun on that steep and heavily used trail. The volunteers, who at first introduction appeared rather shy, transformed into animated trail experts as they explained their projects and techniques while gobbling Cherry Garcia treats. After I said goodbye to the grateful teens as they left to explore Sprite Lake for the rest of the day, not only was my pack lighter, but so was my spirit. I had witnessed firsthand WTA’s impact on trails, on volunteers and on hikers—and it felt great. I have experienced that same feeling many times during my first year as executive director. Having served on the board the previous year, I knew going into the job that WTA was a unique organization. Now, a year later, I realize how much I’ve learned about the generosity of its members, supporters, volunteers and hikers. And how that generosity makes all the difference in terms of WTA’s success. Our trail volunteers are truly extraordinary. In addition to the youth group, I had the pleasure of joining two other volunteer groups this past summer, a Volunteer Vacation at Bean Creek Basin in the Teanaway, and a Backcountry Response Team in the Enchantments. With aching muscles and through layers of dirt I saw why people return year after year, and even week after week. The volunteers I worked with spoke eloquently about the incredible camaraderie they share and about unplugging from technology and working with their hands on technically challenging trail work projects. This year I also became one of wta.org’s 2,000 Trip Reporters, sharing some of the 35 hikes I’ve taken since starting 13 months ago. I’ve found Trip Reports quite valuable on a professional level, turning to hikers who know Teanaway trails well to get more information on the impact of motorized recreation there, and on a personal level, to encourage me to visit trails that are new to me. And speaking of hiking, I was overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and support of our Hike-a-Thoners, who this year smashed every record in terms of numbers of miles hiked and money raised for trails. I spoke with several of the 188 Hike-a-Thoners proudly wearing their blue shirts on the trail in August and enjoyed seeing the community of participants bond by sharing their adventures on a Hike-a-Thon Facebook page. The top fundraiser even showed up to the final celebration in a gown and hiking boots, to the amazement and pleasure of us all! These are just a few of the dozens of stories I could share. I can’t thank you all enough for such a wonderful first year as WTA’s executive director, and I look forward to next year with the same sense of joy and appreciation.