Recreation
SPRING IS HERE!!
With spring arriving, and cabin fever in its final throws, many people in our area will be excitedly resuming their favorite outdoor activities. Although the prospect of having to put away the snowshoes may seem a little disheartening, boating, biking, hiking, camping and climbing will soon replace the tedious shoveling, ice scraping, and firewood splitting on every “To Do List” in the Pacific Northwest (mine included).
KEEP SAFETY IN MIND
The landscape is turning green and the days are getting longer, with that, the temptation to dust off your day pack and head outside will be (at least for me) too much to resist. However, a certain amount of caution must be taken when gearing up to rejoin nature in this freshest of seasons. Remember not to let excitement take priority over safety.
While it seems obvious to prepare properly during the winter months, more cases of hypothermia, disorientation and exhaustion actually occur in the spring and fall months. There are several reasons for this, the most obvious being that during the winter months several feet of snow is a pretty decent reminder of the potential danger involved in an outdoor excursion. In direct contrast, the clear skies and agreeable temperatures of the spring and fall months (spring more prominently) can easily distract the outdoor enthusiast from the fact that the weather can make a sudden turn for the worse (and often does in our area) and easily turn a quick afternoon hike into an unfavorable situation in a very short period of time.
AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION…
Proper preparation is essential during any season. If caution is kept in mind spring can be one of the most (if not the most) enjoyable times of year to spend in the outdoors; temperatures are mild, the Earth is renewed, signs of new life are popping up everywhere, and a sigh of relief can be heard as winter is finally comes to an end. To make sure your experience is positive and enjoyable, keep the following points in mind while outdoors this spring.
- Keep an eye on conditions; look for changing weather patterns throughout the day for any signs of danger. Checking the weather forecast is a good place to start, but should not take the place of continuous observation.
- Rain gear is a great insurance policy, its relatively light, and doesn’t take up much room in a pack. This one piece of gear can make the difference between enjoying a light afternoon rain shower during a hike, and returning home a soggy, cold, miserable mess.
- Always, always remember to dress in layers. The sun and mild temperatures can make shorts and a t-shirt seem like more than enough clothing for an outing, but weather changes quickly this time of year and even the sunniest of days can be deceptively cold.
GET OUT THERE!!!!
With the necessary precautions taken, there is no match to the entertainment and joy that spring can provide. See this season of renewal and fresh green growth for what it truly is – nature’s celebration that winter is over and summer is on the way.
Now get out there and experience all that spring has to offer!!
Continue reading about Stay Safe This Spring While Enjoying The Outdoors
February 12 was a beautiful day for a snowshoe trip. We met at the community center in the middle of Northport and headed for Flagstaff Mountain. Temperatures were in the upper 20’s as we headed up the mountain. The snow conditions were excellent with 16 inches of crusty snow.
We weren’t very far into our trip when we began to see wildlife. We saw several groups of deer, both mule deer and whitetail as well as turkeys as we progressed up the trail. A little after noon, we crowned over the saddle to enjoy a great view up the Columbia River valley. We settled into the hillside for lunch and enjoyed the view of Northport in the distance nestled against Silver Crown Mountain. After eating lunch at this vantage point and taking advantage of the photo-op, we heading back down the mountain.
On our way out we spotted some moose tracks and followed them down a different course than we had ascended. We were hoping to find some deer antlers on our way, but were unsuccessful in this endeavor. The whole trip covered about 3 miles and took about three hours. The trip was deemed a success and fun was had by all.
Continue reading about Adventure Report – Snowshoeing Was Great
On Saturday, February 12 a group of 20 or so people will be ascending the base of Flagstaff Mountain to enjoy the fresh air great views and wildlife. With any luck, the day will be filled with sunshine, fun, nature’s beauty and picturesque views of the Columbia River Valley. We will start the day at 10:00am by meeting at the Community Center in Northport across from Tony’s Market. This will give you a chance to buy any last minute snacks or all-important water for the trip. We will then carpool to the base of the mountain and begin our ascent.
The climb will be a gradual one initially, suitable even for beginners. In a mile or so the old road we shall follow will steepen to a grade more suitable to challenge someone of moderate skill. We will crown out at a saddle which should offer a great view of the river valley below so bring your camera. At this point, we will take a break, eat some snacks, maybe heat some water for hot chocolate or tea, and just enjoy the scenery. I will bring a small stove for heating your water if you will bring a cup and a tea bag or hot cocoa mix. After this, the strong of heart can proceed another mile or so to crest a small knoll, or we could turn back, returning in the tracks we made on our trip in. The trip is expected to take from 2 to 4 hours and cover 3 or 4 miles depending on the options we choose after our snacks.
Remember, this activity is limited to the first 20 people who sign-up for it on the Registration Page. You will need to provide your own snowshoes. Also remember to dress appropriately in layers. Ski poles, snacks and camera are optional. If you happen to have an extra pair of snowshoes, please bring them also, if you are willing to share them with others.
Hope to see you on February 12!
Do you remember those days from your childhood of rushing down a snowy slope on a runner sled? The air rushing past your face, the twinkle of the sun off the ice crystals on the surface of the snow, the thrill of passing someone just before you reach the bottom? Well, Jim Goodwin and his wife Karma remember it vividly, as if it was just last weekend.
In fact, it was just last weekend for them! I guess some people just never grow up, even when they are adults. But adulthood has its advantages. Today, Jim buys and rebuilds sleds so they can handle more speed and weight, and then he and Karma load the 15 sleds they own onto the back of the travelall, and fill several vehicles with local kids and head out to Johnson’s Grade, a back road south of Northport that the county no longer maintains during the winter. So Jim took over the maintenance of part of it for sledding. If you know the road, then you are aware of the two hairpin turns half way up the grade. All beginners are trained starting below these corners. They are taught how to steer the sled with their hands, but are not allowed to go above these turns until they learn how to use their whole body to turn and until they have learned the many safety rules which Jim teaches. Once these things are mastered, then they can experience the entire mile-long run.
A fire is often built at the bottom of the hill, and if the event is an all-day affair, hot dogs are brought to cook over the fire. Many a graduate from Northport High can attest to the fun times they had on Johnson’s Grade. A caution sign is placed at the bottom of the road to warn motorists who might venture up the road and the travelall always follows the sledders down. At the bottom, sleds are loaded onto a hitch-mounted hauler, snow is brushed off the sledders and they are loaded back into the travelall and hauled back to the top of the run.
Have we rekindled any childhood dreams? If so, you are welcome to join us. The sledding happens nearly every weekend in winter and is open to anyone whether you have a sled or not. If you get on the call list, Jim will let you know when he is heading out. Otherwise you could call him at 732-6175, or just look for the "Caution Sledding" sign set up near the bottom of the hill. We will be back down in a minute or so. HAPPY SLEDDING!!
[editors note: Sledding is not an official SMOS function]
Continue reading about Johnson’s Grade Sledding: Adrenaline Rush of the North.
Bicycling is a great way to get outside and experience nature; and there is no better place to bike than right here in Northport! If you are an experienced rider or just beginning, I hope that my posts will guide you with your two wheeled adventures.
The goal of my bicycle articles is to inspire riders in the area with a summary of the local mountain bike and road bike routes. If there is a demand I can also post “how to” articles on repairing and maintaining bicycles in general.
Reasons to bike
“Bicycling is for kids!” “I’m too old to bike.” “My bike is a clunker.” “Why would I ever want to bike?” I have heard many of these reasons from people over the years, and although it may seem childish, daunting, or just plain silly to ride a bike, I can think of at least 3 million reasons why YOU should go for a nice long bike ride.
- Increased fitness – Do you want a stronger, fitter, healthier you? Biking provides a low-impact alternative to running and at the same time sheds excess body fat and increases endurance and stamina!
- Great Mood – It is actually scientifically proven that biking will put you in a good mood (unless you get a flat). Hormones produced during exercise (especially during bicycling) called Endorphins are released which relieve the stress and create an overall great mood.
- Environmental Impact – When you ride your bike to the store rather than driving your car, you are no longer contributing carbon dioxide to the environment, don’t have to pay for the gas, and you are getting fitter. It’s a win-win-win!
Okay, enough propaganda for now. Time to look at one route which I consider to be the “classic” road bike ride around Northport.
Northport to Deep Lake Loop
As shown on the map above, the ride consists of a loop that includes Northport-Waneta Rd, Co Hwy 9445, and Aladdin Rd. Advanced riders should have no problem completing the approximate 35 mile loop. Intermediate riders may want to avoid the Waneta Rd section until they feel comfortable both going up large hills, and traversing windy narrow roads. An equally enjoyable alternative for beginning riders would be to simply park at Cedar Lake and ride along the flat road to Deep Lake. A road bike is recommended for the entire loop, but as long as you have a bike and determination you will do great!
Always wear a helmet and drink lots of water! Have a good one!
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