SPORT_109.qxp_Layout 1 11/19/19 9:29 AM Page 109 2020WASHINGTONGUIDE Under Construction Washington’s Sports Scene Adds New and Improved Venues Site InSpections5 of Event-Ready Destinations The Evergreen Statelives up to its nickname with these SPG A Premier Travel Media publication awesome outdoor sights www.SportsPlanningGuide.com SPORT_110.qxp_Layout 1 11/22/19 2:15 PM Page 110 Ralph L. Morton Executive Director Seattle Sports Commission Within the state of Washington, pairings of professional and amateur sports, seascape and landscape, and arenas and outdoor complexes are uniquely highlighted. Our authentic brand encapsulates an innovative, passionate, sustainable community that embraces its beautiful natural environment and provides an ideal platform for launching new franchises and hosting premiere events. Award-winning restaurants and hotels provide hospitality to the loudest, most loyal fans in the country, selling out stadiums and enticing season tickets holders. We put the environment at the forefront of our operations, embracing sustainability in our sports complexes, businesses, communities, and way of life. Our stadiums boast incredible waste diversions rates, renewable energy sources, and carbon offsets. Washington is proud to showcase the best of Pacific Northwest culture as a welcoming, inclusive place with stunning, natural beauty and ever-improving infrastructure. Washington has a rich history in collegiate athletics, celebrating extraordinary achievements on the field, in the water, and on the court, continuously raising the bar for success at the Division I, II, and III levels. We are proud to add an NHL team as Seattle’s seventh sports franchise as the city seeks its 16th national championship honor, and continue to build a legacy in professional sports. With the start of the renovation of the Seattle Center Arena, the opportunities are endless. Every level of play matters to us because we know the impact sport has on people – We believe in sports and we believe in the continued growth of our local sports communities by solidifying our status as a world-class sports region. The Seattle Sports Commission is dedicated to bringing the world to Seattle and uniting the region with sports. We embrace and celebrate our successes at both the regional and state levels, and invite you to explore how your event could succeed in the great state of Washington. Whether it be in the counties or cities of Tri-Cities, Olympia, Yakima, Snohomish, Seattle, or Bellingham, our 8,000 lakes, 50,000 miles of rivers and streams, and 3,200 miles of shoreline, Washington can provide what you need. We, the state of Washington, will be your loyal fans, sponsors, promoters, and hosts. We believe in sports and we believe in what our facilities, our community, and our culture can do for your sporting event. Sincerely, Ralph L. Morton Executive Director Seattle Sports Commission WASHINGTON 4 Off the Beaten path 6 Breaking Ground ©iStock.com/bgblue 8 Snohomish, WA 10 Olympia, WA 13 Bellingham-Whatcom County, WA 14 Tri Cities, WA 16 Yakima, WA CoverSI Photo Courtesy of Whatcom Events 2 Sports Planning Guide @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG SPORT_111.qxp_Layout 1 11/17/19 10:57 PM Page 111 DEDICATION. It’s how we do things. Play PNW Sports. Find a great selection of sports venues minutes north of Seattle. Contact Tammy Dunn, CSEE At 888-338-0976, Ext. 102 Made possible in part by assistance from the Snohomish County TPA Fund SnoCoSports.org SPORT_112-115.qxp_Layout 1 11/18/19 9:32 PM Page 112 Off The BeatenWashington’s natural Path landscape features many hidden gems he fabled beauty of Washington is legendary, where a diverse array of landscapes adorns a state with two distinctly contrasting climates bisected by the TCascade Mountain Range. The entire Pacific Northwest region is an outdoor adventure lover’s paradise, with plenty of well-documented hikes and trails awaiting your next trip. From the Mediterranean-like wet west side of the state to the semiarid steppe lands of the east side, Washington has some amazing locales that will serve as backdrops for your next tournament. We’ve compiled a few of the lesser known but equally beautiful places to visit so you can plan your next excursion while you’re there. CAPE FLATTERY As the furthest northwest tip of the contiguous United States, Cape Flattery is much more than a fun trivia answer. Managed by the Makah Tribe, this surprisingly easy hike is mainly accessible via boardwalk as you traverse coastal cliffs through a mist-drenched forest of Sitka spruce. Three quarters of a mile into the 1.2-mile hike stands a viewing platform, perfect for watching the sunset as you look beyond the light- house located on Tatoosh Island. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a glimpse of the whales in the distance, while other common wildlife includes puffins, guillemots, murres and sea otters. John Westrock 4 Sports Planning Guide @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG SPORT_112-115.qxp_Layout 1 11/18/19 9:35 PM Page 113 DIABLO LAKE TRAIL Even in a state constantly surrounded by natural beauty, the refreshingly vibrant blues of Diablo Lake are simply breathtaking. The Diablo Lake Trail, located in the North Cascades about 124 miles northeast of Seattle, begins at the flanks of Sourdough Mountain. As you hike along the path you’ll find excellent views from overlooks of Pyramid, Snowfield, Davis and Colonial Peaks before coming to a mesmerizing gorge featuring 700 foot high waterfalls. Continuing on you’ll find an overlook of the Ross Lake Dam, perfect for taking in the immense Cascades surrounding you while still providing great views of Diablo Lake itself. ENCHANTED VALLEY TRAIL Located along the Quinault River in the southwest corridor of Olympic National Park, the Enchanted Valley Trail lives up to its name as you weave through sheer cliff faces and hundreds of waterfalls. Walk through time amongst three species of old growth trees as the trail leads you Timothy Meinberg Timothy through a dense forest before reaching the Quinault River Bridge. The stunning valley yields views of Chimney Peak, Mount Anderson and MOUNT SKUKSAN White Mountain, and continuing on the path through the valley lays the Located in the North Cascades National Park, Mount Shuksan is largest recorded western hemlock. just east of Mount Baker and is nearly 12 miles south of the Canada- U.S. border. The mountain’s highest point, known as Summit Pyramid, THE ENCHANTMENTS TRAIL has an elevation of 9,131 feet. Five waterfalls, including Sulphide Creek Not to be mistaken for the Enchanted Valley Trail, The Enchantments Falls—one of the tallest waterfalls in North America—tumble off the Trail is a 23.6 mile point to point trek best suited for experienced mountain as well as neighboring Jagged Ridge and Seahpo Peak. adventurers, who will wind through the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. This trail is mainly used for hiking, rock climbing, camping and NISQUALLY VISTA LOOP backpacking. The hike will take you through soft tundra meadows, Beautiful wildflowers and stunning views of Mount Rainier in every glacial-cirque lakes, impossible granite formations and crystal clear season make the Nisqually Vista Loop trail one you need to see. A streams, and you can enter from either the Snow Lake or Colchuck moderately easy, flat trail sees hikers gain 400 feet of elevation during Lake side. this 2.2 mile long loop. Seasons of late-melting snow yield different types of wildflowers in each season, with avalanche and glacier lilies, GRANITE MOUNTAIN Western pasqueflowers and rosy spirea in abundance. A popular summer route, Granite Mountain is a challenging hike that richly rewards those who reach its summit with stunning views Mount PALOUSE HILLS Rainier, Kaleetan Peak, Crystal Lake and the skyline to the south. As one of the seven wonders of Washington state, the Palouse Located within the Snoqualmie Pass, the Granite Mountain Trail is an Region is serene, pastoral, and very much unlike the topography of its 8.1 mile long out-and-back trail where you gain 3,730 feet of elevation on western counterparts. Gentle rolling hills covered with wheat fields have the way up to the lookout cabin. formed semiarid steppe in the southwest, seen from the summit of the 3,612 foot high Steptoe Butte. Vineyards are popular in this region, HALL OF MOSSES TRAIL IN THE HOH RAINFOREST which has the same latitude as the Bordeaux wine growing region of The magic of the Hoh Rainforest is palpable as soon as you venture France. SPG down the path on this trail, which winds its way through Olympic National Park. This trail offers an excellent chance to see some of the Palouse Hills Park’s wildlife, including Roosevelt elk and banana slugs, while being a great hike for all age groups after coming in at less than one mile roundtrip. Everything in the rainforest is covered in moss, which makes it a great spot for dreamlike photos that look like something out of a science fiction novel. MARMOT AND JADE LAKES This pair of alpine lakes feature gorgeous azure waters caused by runoff from Lynch Glacier into Jade Lake, though the views here come with a cost thanks to the long distance required to traverse; the out-and- back trail is around 20 miles round-trip. Off-trail hiking, steep inclines and multiple river crossings await you after a relatively moderate stroll through the woodlands, but those who stick it out with have some incredible photo opportunities. Caleb Riston SportsPlanningGuide.com Sports Planning Guide 5 SPORT_112-115.qxp_Layout 1 11/18/19 9:41 PM Page 114 Breaking Ground The tremendous growth within the Pacific Northwest has spurred renovations and new construction of sports facilities throughout Washington. If you build it, they will come.