Head out on new adventures

Outdoor Recreation offers a variety of adventures for everyone

Spring ‘Sasquatch Search’

Come help search for Sasquatch in the Cascades near Snoqualmie Pass Saturday, April 1. We’ll use an interactive map during our search — are you up for a mystery hunt?

Ages 5 years and older are welcome to sign up (with parent or guardian supervision for minors). We provide transportation, map, interactive media, juice and snacks at the top of the hike. Wear weather-appropriate clothes and pack water, snacks, camera and necessities.

UW photo walk

The University of Washington is known for its classical architecture and beautiful landscaping. Come with us Sunday, April 2 for a photo walk among blooming flowers in the “Quad.” We’ll walk along Azalea Way, a three-quartermile path through the heart of the Arboretum lined with flowering cherry trees, azaleas and dogwoods.

All ages are welcome to sign up (with parent or guardian supervision for minors). We’ll provide transportation and instruction. Bring your camera, lenses, extra batteries and memory card and wear weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes.

Women’s sunset fire-lookout hikes

Women, join us for a series of hikes to fire lookouts and savor the sunsets! We’ll start out easy this spring and work up to hikes with rock scrambles later on.

Join us Sunday, April 2 for a short and moderately steep hike to Heybrook Lookout, where fun stairs invite you to climb up the tower.

We’ll be hiking a moderately steep, but short trail to High Rock Lookout Saturday, June 24. The lookout is dramatically higher than its surroundings, giving you breathtaking views.

Ages 18 and older are welcome to sign up. We’ll provide transportation, a guide and trekking poles as needed. Wear layers and hiking boots and bring comfy shoes for the drive. Pack a headlamp (for hiking back after the sunset), extra batteries, water and snacks.

Bike ride among tulips

Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to take a bike tour among the colorful tulips fields during the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival Saturday, April 8. No matter the weather, we’ll be enjoying the beauty and freshness of these dazzling displays.

This trip is open to age 16 and older (with parent or guardian supervision for minors). We provide transportation, bikes and guide. Bring wet-weather gear and dress in layers for biking along flat roads shared with motorists, and pack a lunch and water.

Hike to Cape Flattery

Cape Flattery is a nature sanctuary on the northwestern-most point in the continental United States, where the Strait of Juan de Fuca meets the Pacific Ocean. In this setting, you’ll see dramatic headlands, sea stacks and deep, narrow coves where seabirds, whales and sea lions congregate. On the return trip, we’ll stop at Ruby Beach with views of Destruc- tion Island.

Join us Saturday, April 8 for the drive out with a stop at the Longhouse Market in Blyn for breakfast and coffee!

All ages are invited to join us; minors must have parent or guardian supervision. Be prepared for rain and windy conditions and wear sturdy hiking shoes. Pack lunch, water and snacks for the day.

We provide round-trip transportation, an experienced guide and parking fees. We’ll be leaving early at 6:30 a.m. and arriving back about 7 p.m., so please make sure your family members are up for this very long day.

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Walk through the tulip fields

Let us drive you to the famous and beautiful Skagit Valley Tulip Festival Sundays, April 16 and 30. This month-long event is the secondlargest tulip festival in the U.S. and features tulip fields and display gardens on four tulip farms.

Ages 16 and older are invited to join us; minors must have parent or guardian supervision. We’ll provide round-trip transportation.

The fields might be muddy, and the weather might be chilly or rainy, so be prepared and dress in layers with a waterproof jacket.

Join whale-watching trip

Come with us on a whale-watching trip Sunday, April 16. We’ll be touring the inner coastline by boat where whales migrate in the spring. We’ll be on the lookout for orca, humpback, minke and gray whales.

All ages are invited to join us; minors must have parent or guardian supervision. We provide transportation, tickets and other fees. Be sure to wear warm layers with an outer rain jacket due to chilly sea conditions. Also pack water, lunch, snacks, binoculars and a camera!

Hike to Mashel Falls

Explore three waterfalls in one hike Sunday, April 23 or Friday, June 2! The Little Mashel River Waterfalls area, contained within the gorge of the river, is a gem tucked away in the forest and includes an accessible alcove behind the middle waterfall.

Ages 10 and older are welcome to register. Be aware that the trail near the falls is slippery and wet; wear proper footwear and rain gear.

Take Wilderness First Aid

If you’d like to become certified in Wilderness First Aid, take our hybrid course Sunday, April 23.

You must be enrolled by Monday, April 10 in order to complete the online portion of the course before you go on our field trip portion and complete the final assessment.

This course is open to ages 16 and older and costs $125 for the course. Once you enroll, you can immediately begin the online learning. The hands-on outdoor training is coordinated by a Base Medical Certified Instructor. The final exam must be passed with an 80% or higher score in order to become certified.

Learn fly fishing on trip

Learn fly fishing on one of two overnight trips on the Yakima River May 4–5 or May 18–19.

These guided trips are walk-and-wade or, for an extra cost, drift boat fishing.

The trip includes flies, tippets and small tackle items, fly rods and reels, a shuttle service while fishing in the Yakima Canyon and beverages.

Pack waders and boots, personal clothing, food and water and overnight camping gear (you’ll be sent a packing list). If you don’t own these items, check out renting your gear through Northwest Adventure Center.

Coffee & kayaking

Our backyard is the Puget Sound — let’s discover marine life on an early morning kayak paddle Sundays, May 7 or June 11. Bring your favorite morning beverage, water and waterproof bags for personal items and wear sunscreen.

This trip is open to ages 18 and older. We provide the kayaks, paddles and trip leader.

Explore Victoria, B.C.

Hop on the ferry and spend the day exploring Victoria, B.C. by foot Saturday, May 13.

Enjoy a bite to eat at a local restaurant or check out the local shops within walking distance of the ferry terminal, close to major Victoria attractions. Stop in the Royal B.C. Museum, take in high tea at the Empress Hotel (reservations recommended) or visit China Town.

Photography 101

Every good photo begins with the right exposure. As adept as modern cameras have become, they aren’t perfect, and they’re not good at making artistic decisions.

Elevate your picture-taking from good to great with a general understanding of the three elements of exposure: aperture, shutter speed and ISO. This hands-on course meets at Russell Landing Marina Saturday, May 20. Bring your DSL camera, lenses, extra batteries and memory card.

Explore Puget Sound

Welcome to the Pacific Northwest where it’s only 45 minutes or 40 miles to do anything you want! Come with us Saturday, May 20 for a full day of exploring what this area offers.

We’ll take a ferry ride on Puget Sound, check out the Olympics and discover gems along the way! Depending on the time, we might stop for dinner on the way back.

The trip is open to all ages (minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian). We’ll provide transportation and ferry tickets. Bring a camera, pack a lunch, water and snacks and wear layers.

Hike to scenic waterfalls

Join us for a scenic hike to Snoqualmie Falls and Franklin Falls Sunday, May 21.

We’ll take you to Snoqualmie Falls where we’ll head out on a paved trail with interpretive signs describing what you’re seeing at this historic site. The hike is short and easy with one steep stretch as you’re hiking back. The three-tiered Franklin Falls is an easy two-mile jaunt, great for beginners.

Ages 10 and older are welcome to join with parent or guardian supervision. We provide transportation and a guide. Pack lunch, snacks, water and your camera. Bring a rain jacket and wear weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes.

Kayak to Hope Island

Hope Island State Park in the South Sound is only accessible by boat. This island jewel is covered with old-growth forests and saltwater marshes.

We’ll kayak to the island Sunday, May 21 and Saturday, June 17 to spend the day exploring. The round-trip kayak is approximately four miles.

The trip is open to ages 14 and older (with parent or guardian supervision for minors). We provide transportation, guide, kayak, dry bags, safety gear and neoprene footwear (if needed).

Pack water, food, appropriate non-cotton clothing, sun-shielding hat and sunglasses (cotton is a bad insulator and will chill you if you get wet; quick-drying clothes are a must).

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