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feeling a bit

 Adventurous?

We've designed some local adventures for you to test out on your own.

Why? because there are plenty of you out there that want to take on a new challenge but have no idea where to start. So we are giving you some practical easy steps to follow & some great places to head out to.

Why else? because it's fun!

Backpacking trips, River floats, Adventures or maybe some Adventure racing!

    Disclaimer: Most of the Adventures listed give you a guideline and ideas of where to go, what to do and what you will need for the trip. When it comes to the actual doing of the trip... you are responsible for yourselves, all accountability falls to you the adventurer and so does any cost whether it is financially, physically, emotionally, mentally or anything of the sort. These are a few things we have had fun with, are having fun with and will do again when we get the time. Listed in order of disciplines (single or multi) then  listed in order of difficulty.

Upcoming trips: yah we don't have one yet, our next one will hopefully be posted soon.

for AR Racing click here.

Single discipline trips

Hiking Cape Alava - Washington -  SS/3 miles in 3 miles out /no significant elevation gain/Olympic Peninsula. Beautiful day hike or great backpack trip out here on the Penn. If you don't camp you will wonder why you didn't. Boardwalks lead you once again out to the beauty of the Pacific Ocean. Camping requires prior permits (see Links to take you to permit information). From camp you can hike up or down the beach to some of the most beautiful Ocean scenes available here in Washington. This area is beautiful dense deep old growth forests keep you hidden and protected for most of the trip out, then you are suddenly opened up to a most beautiful scene of peace and awe on the Pacific coast. Kids and Adults play all day and relax poking around on the beach and sleeping in the sand as the magnificent coast line keeps you wrapped in awe and appreciation of life and all its meaning. Ken, Karin, Mark, Claire 04 - part of the Lake Ozette loop, Tonya, Todd, Jeff, Belinda & kids, 05

Hiking Domke Lake - Eastern Washington, Wenatchee National Forest - SS/3 miles in 3 miles out / 1100ft gain. Our trip started out with a night spent in our trailer at the beautiful Wenatchee Wal-Mart parking lot.  It really wasn't too bad for us in the trailer but it was a little bright for our friends trying to sleep in their car next to us.  In the morning, we drove to Lake Chelan and got on the "Lady of the Lake" at the Fields Point Landing which is a bit up lake from the city of Chelan.  The two hour boat ride was smooth and beautiful.  We got off the boat at the tiny little town of Lucerne.  Everyone else that got off the boat there took a bus about 12 miles to the town of Holden.  We got our gear and headed out on our little hike from Lucerne.  It was only three miles and 1100 feet elevation gain, but I think I had the kids packs a little heavy for them and it was the hottest part of the day (somewhere around 90)   

We started climbing right away and the views back down to the lake were incredible.  In my "Hikes with Kids" book this was considered a "difficult for children" hike and there were several times I held onto Daphne (my 5 year old) to make sure we didn't lose her off the side of the mountain.  The kids were just starting to whine when we came across a couple horses on the trail.  It actually took a while to figure out how we were going to get around them.  Once we did get past them, they followed us for at least half a mile - nibbling at our packs the whole time.  During that time the girls hiked along quite happily, not complaining at all.  We finally came to one of two VERY small water sources on the trail and that's where the horses stayed.  After about a mile the girls were really needing a break from their packs so we stopped and sat down.  Unfortunately, one of us sat almost right under a bee hive and jumped up after getting stung of the forehead.  I got out my handy dandy venom extractor and sucked out the venom (you could actually see it pool up on his head).  Between that and some Stingease it stopped hurting right away.  It wasn't too long after that we came to the lake and a little cabin with a dock.  There were two guys there with their sons who had flown in by float plane and they had been waiting two hours to rent a boat from Sid (the older guy who lived there with no electricity or running water, and he owns the horses we ran into).  We decided not to wait and hiked on to camp.

It was a great little place to camp.  We even had picnic tables and the nicest pit toilet you ever saw.  Those were a totally unexpected bonus.  We used one camp site for sleeping and another for cooking and eating.  We spent the rest of the day setting up camp, swimming and relaxing.

The next morning the guys hiked back down to Sid's and rented a boat for the day.  They took Lou and me and Ruby (my dog) and dropped us off at the end of the lake (not quite two miles away) and they took the kids out fishing.  Our plan was to hike around at the end of the lake, find the creek, get back on the trail and hike back.  We got down to the creek (which ended up being more of a swamp where we were). Then, while hiking back to find the trail, I came within about three feet of stepping right on a rattle snake.  I jumped backward when I saw it and probably screamed but didn't say why so Lou thought there was a bear or something.  It didn't rattle at me until I went back for a picture.  Now that we were totally freaked out we picked up a couple long sticks and kept going hoping to run into the trail, which we didn't find.  After about a half mile or more of bushwhacking the brush got so thick we decided it would be easier to wade along the shoreline.  We did that for at least half a mile then something big jumped into the water right in front of me.  Once again I jumped back and I know I let out a scream that time.  Then I realized I was pretty much right in the middle of a beaver dam.  We climbed out of the water and made our way around it and then climbed back in.  About that time my dog was completely exhausted (we could wade, she had to actually swim the whole time) and the guys had just gone by in the boat.  We yelled and yelled for them and they finally heard us and came over.  They took Ruby and asked if we wanted a ride back but by that point we were so close I couldn't give up, I had to finish it off.  But from that point on we couldn't wade anymore.  We had to actually swim, which we did for a while.  But it didn't take long before I was frozen and almost wishing we had gotten into the boat.  We decided to try one more time to find the trail and lucky for us it was almost right off the water where we were.  That ended up being quite the little two mile hike.  Almost three hours later after the rattle snake, three separate piles of bear scat, the beaver, another non-poisonous snake, scrapes, bumps, and bruises, I realized I really like it when Karin is the one in the lead and I just get to follow along - my nerves were shot.  The guys and kids did catch three nice sized rainbow trout, which they cooked up for dinner.

There never were any other people on our side of the lake.  Just lizards, chipmunks and lots of really big frogs in the evening.  The next morning, while we were packing up, three float planes came in and took people out from the other side.  Our hike out went smooth.  Adult packs went down from 45 lbs each to only 37 each (that's actually down from my 50 lb. pack last year on my kids trip). It was fun to be with my brother on his first pack trip.  He's getting ready for a high buck hunt so he wanted a heavy pack, his pack weighed a whopping 63 lbs. (insanity!)

I had a great time, always the first one up in the morning (which is always my favorite time when backpacking).  It was quiet and peaceful and we just sat by the fire a talked for a couple hours before starting anything. As for the girls - I need to take it a little easier on them next year. Right now they're pretty much ready to never back pack again.  So next year will be a little easier and I'll pack them a little lighter and I'm sure they'll love it again. Lou, as usual, was a joy to be with and her little friend Caleb was a trooper, never a complaint.

We will definitely go back to Domke Lake. We feel like it's our little secret (until now). It was soooo peaceful and remote. It is a little tough for little kids to get to but mine somehow made it. Just expect it to take a while.

NOTE:  There is a section of trail about 1/4 mile from the lake that we were eaten alive by mosquito's so badly we looked like we had a disease when we got back. Put repellant on BEFORE GETTING THERE!

Trip and Story by Tonya Kahl - 2006

Hiking Lake Ozette - Washington - SSS/9 mile loop/200 gain/Olympic Penn out near the most North East point of USA. Ok so the Lake Ozette loop isn't really around a lake, its in old growth forest and along the ocean. However your starting and end points are at Lake Ozette. This trail is definitely by far a keeper. You travel through beautiful old growth forest along 3 miles of boardwalk to the ocean, proceed 3 miles along the beach and then back in 3 miles (also on boardwalk) on the 3rd link of the triangle. Takes a little drive time to get there because it is on the Washington Peninsula, but definitely worth the trip. the trail can be a little slick so tennys are a good option on this one. You should do it as a 2 dayer, the sunset, views and campsites are well worth the stay. Karin, Mary & crew 2/02, Ken, Karin, Markus &  Claire 8/8 - 9/04.

Trekking or Riding Washington/Oregon border - Klickitat Trail -   SSS/31miles/mild gain/spring/summer/fall/early winter possible - Columbia River Gorge. 31 miles, one-way (dirt & gravel rail-trail), slight gain. Skill level - beginner to intermediate, user density - med to low; bikers, hikers. * Hazards - trestle vertigo, snow in winter, mud, rough unmaintained trail, remote area and fire hazard in summer. Just out of Lyle off HWY 14 on the Washington side, you'll pick up this old abandon rail road line is excellent for hiking, biking and to see a bit of great nature. The total trail is 31 miles with break and access points at miles 10, 13, 16, 28.5 and future access at mile 31. Pick a section at a time or just camp on through. The trail itself starts along the river and then heads up through the Swale Canyon. Though they have proposed paving part of the trial, mile mark 12 through Swale Canyon are the most remote and less accessed. This trail will for the most part remain 'unimproved' and you will have a number of rail road trestle crossing, be prepared for a good ride or hike over some of these areas. Summer time does pose some access issues due to fire hazard in the Canyon, these will be posted or you can check the website at www.klickitat-trail.org. Part of the trail is maintained by USFS the rest is maintained by Washington State Parks and Klickitat Trail Conservancy.

Trekking Alpine Lakes wilderness - Talapus - Spirit - Defiance/Thompson - Washington  SSSS/30 miles/5040 gain/summit elevation 8440/Alpine Lakes Wilderness area - Northern Cascade mountains, Washington state. The trip is off the south-west corner of the designated Wilderness area. Take the I-90 corridor to exit 45 hang a left under the freeway (heading north) then right (northeast) up road 9030, trailhead at the end of the road.  Day 1 - to base camp near Island lake (4200), hitting Talapus (3360) and Olallie (3500ft) lakes along the way. Hike out to Rainbow lake (4300), Blazer lake (4300)and Mason lakes (4200)(apx 10 miles). Day 2 - up Mt Defiance (5584) and down to Thompson lake (3600) and back (apx 10 miles). Catching Lake Kulla Kulla (4000) on the way back. Day 3 - hike out, catching Pratt (3400) and possibly Lower Tuschohatchie lake (3400) on the way down (apx 9.3 miles). Approximately 30 miles total in 3 days. Map - Green trails Bandera # 206 or Alpine Lakes Wilderness by ALPS. Karin, Tonya, Tara, Bridgette, Shelah, Michelle, Jennifer, Lou reality we hit 10/12 lakes 6/05 Alpine lakes story and more info.

If you really want to spend some time at this take it in for at least week. Visit all the lakes and spend a night in the prime camping areas. This is the most peace and harmony you will find while you are within just miles from home. So much to see and experience here. Safe enough to do alone or with 12 of your closest friends.

Recommended Adventure route: SSSSS Have some one drop you off at the Trailhead to Talapus Lake (directions as above). From there hike in to spend a bit of time with the first section of our trip (as explained above), hit the following lakes: Talapus, Olallie, Island, Rainbow and Mason skip the rest. When heading back out from those lakes turn left on trail 1007 to Pratt lake continue this on this trail so as to hit the following areas: Pratt, Lower Tuschohatchie, Upper and lower Melakwa lakes, continue to follow trail 1014 down past Snowshoe and Keekwulee Falls ending in the Denny Creek campground where you can spend time recouping with your friends/family that is waiting for you in the end. Total trail is about 20 miles. You can do it in 2 - 3 days if you just want to make tracks... If you want to do it right, have some one drop you off on a Sunday and meet them at the Denny Creek campground sometime the following weekend.

Trekking  Kalalau Trail - Napali Coast - Kauai, Hawaii SSSSS the full 22 mile coastline starts on the Hanakapiai Falls trail/ at end of the road heading North on Kauai's main road and runs into the Kalalau Trail upon reaching the Hanakapiai Beach. (see Hanakapiai Trail SSS1  for the 8 mile short version.) Some of the most beautiful trail you will ever see. Permit is necessary to go past Hanakapiai Beach. It may take up to a year to process permits so start early and note this isn't exactly one to bring kids on. This trail is very slick and dangerous even when dry. Clay, rock and water is what you are treading along with trails that disappear. This will be the toughest 11 miles you will possibly ever do, NOT A DAY HIKE. You will have river/stream crossings, mud, cliffs and major exposure most of the time. Depending on the time of year these can be very treacherous due to monsoon rains. Please do your research before you ever attempt this trail. But if you are up for a challenge this is definitely one for you. To see more photos and an article on the Kalalau Trail click here. Ken, Karin Jan 2006, Dustin 5/23-5/24/06 pending.

Duel discipline trips

Riding/Hiking Queets river - Washington - /Olympic Peninsula. SSS Head north to the Olympic Mountains. Head west on Hwy 12 to Hoquiam, then head north again on 101 to the Queets river turn-off. Here you will turn toward the Queets campground. Here’s the catch. The road itself is about 14 miles in off 101, however at mile 7 the road is closed due to a washout just about ½ mile past the closure. You park your car where the road is closed, then you will have 7 miles to go to the abandoned camp area. This is where we camped for 3 days, 2 nights. However because of the terrain… we rode our bikes those 7 miles. That was much too much fun. We know you all have bikes… so it’s really a matter of putting your backpack on and learning how to ride 7 miles of dirt road, some ups, some downs then an easy in with weight.  

Once you get there… the camping is pretty much open ground. We camped right on the river. There is no running water so you have to filter it. Wood for fires… you have to collect it (from the woods to the river) and chop up logs (bring your hatchet). There is a pit toilet (outhouse) but no bear boxes to store food. You could hang food from the tree’s if they weren’t old growth and the limbs were closer to the ground, not 30 to 40 feet up. So we put our food in a pack and hung anything smelly on the hook inside the toilet (it’s not as bad as it sounds) Bugs… extremely low, couple of skeeters but not bad at all. There were a few biting flys down by the river when you were in the sun, we’d let them land then smack’em dead. There were otters, birds and elk but no critters that we saw (we heard a couple but that was it). Exploribility… endless. There are several trails, loops and roads that haven’t been touched for some time. The road washed out early in the spring so obviously nothing has been maintained since then. We were surprised that the toilet was unlocked, no tp though. The campground itself is a prelude to an extreme hike where beginning is having to ford the Queets river itself which... is pretty tricky. The trailhead is past the campground at the end of the road.

The best part is that it’s all free. No prior permits are needed and you pretty much have the place to yourselves. Because that road leads to the mega hike, you might run into somebody here or there, we just heard faint voices as they yelled back and forth across the river when they crossed. We talked to the gal at the ranger station up in Kalaloch and a Ranger that was on trail and never once did they think it would be a problem. You just have to make sure you burn as much trash as you can and carry out what you don’t burn. The toilets don’t work for anything but… well… a… poop… so trash isn’t a good place to put it. More info on the Queets click here.

Riding/Hiking Canada - Vancouver Island - Denman Island loop - SSS /spring/summer/fall 14 miles, loop - road ride, hills rolling, some steeps. Skill level intermediate/advanced, user density - low - bicyclists, cars. * Hazards - vehicles, sharp turns, ferry traffic. This loop takes you on a tour from beach to beach around Denman Island. Take the ferry from Buckley Bay and Start your ride up a steep hill on the main road out, at top of hill stay right. Head left on Denman Road, begin a very steep up where road is narrow for just a short bit. Then you will be heading down for awhile. If you want to camp you can do so at Fillongley Park. Turn right on McFarlane Road to continue your loop, if you wish to jump to Horby Island continue straight. Following McFarlane you will hit some more rolling hills, note: keep right. Turn right onto Lacon Road where you will hit a few more rolling hills. Turn left onto Denman road, note: stay left, head back to the ferry terminal and take back to the other side at Buckley Bay.

Riding/Hiking Canada - Vancouver Island - McCoy & Sproat Lake loop SSS /spring/summer/fall - 13.6 miles loop  - road ride, hills - rolling, some steep, mostly flat along Somass River road, Skill level - intermediate; user density - low; bicyclists and cars.  * Hazards - cars, bridges, sharp turns, logging road intersections. Watch for beautiful lake views, start from hwy 4 shortly after Somass River, turn left onto McCoy Lake Road. Turn left on Sterling Arm Drive. Stay left past Faber Road (you get onto this later), Merge left onto Faber, cross major logging road, cross hwy 4 locate dirt road on far side and follow it right downhill to Somass River (Hector) road this road will end at hwy 4. Cross McCoy Creek Bridge to McCoy Lake road. You will finish back at the start by McCoy Lake road.

Riding/Walking Bainbridge Island - Washington SSSS - this trip starts at the Seattle Ferry dock early in the morning. The ride is hilly and will take you around the island for 36 or so miles. You can take it in for a day or plan to stay on the island. We recommend to get the full "adventure you stay at least a night".

Recommended Adventure route: Take the Bainbridge Island ferry early in the morning via your bike. Just walk or ride it right on, have a friend dump you at the ferry terminal. It is much less expensive than if you drive. Ride your bike to the Cascadia Marine Trail This area can be accessed via boat or trailhead there is another place to park... but so do RV's... (for more information click on the above link). Stay here two nights. Ride your bike over the island to experience the life here. Take in the culture of the  Suquamish, the Port Gamble S'Kallam, and the Skokomish tribes of the island. Visit the Farmers market on Wednesday or Saturdays, local tribal history films, music and in August come during the Chief Seattle days. Look at the calendar of events and plan accordingly.

When you are done taking in the land... head back to the ferry terminal and ride off the island. We recommend 2 - 3 days at least to get the full essence of the island.

Riding/Hiking Canada - Vancouver Island, Qualicum Beach/Englishman Falls loop SSSS spring/summer/fall - 24.6 miles, loop - road ride, hills rolling. Skill level - intermediate/advanced, user density - medium - high in sections - bicyclists, cars. * Hazards - vehicles, several railways, several bridges. Your ride will be from the beach, through a bird sanctuary, through hiking/camp area at Englishman River falls park and end back at the beach. Start from the junction of Hwy 19 and 4A at Qualicum Beach, take 4A as Memorial Ave uphill to Qualicum Village, cross railway, turn right onto 2nd Ave, stay on Hilliers Road. Just after the 3 mile mark you will run into the bird sanctuary, cross railway tracks to enter Hilliers, turn left on highway 4 (going right will take you to Qualicum Falls). Turn right onto Pratt road, cross bridge at French Creek, turn left on Grafton, cross bridge at French Creek again then turn right on Errington Road. Cross bridge over Swane Creek, few turns, go right across wooden plank bridge going over Morison Creek your destination is Englishman falls Park. After a break head back the way you came down Errington road and follow to Hwy 4 turn right, then make a left onto Church Road. Cross railroad. Turn left onto Wembley Road, merge left onto Hwy 19, pass Lee Road and French Creek. Cross bridge on French Creek and follow Hwy to Qualicum, finish at Qualicum Beach.

Climbing/Trekking Wonderland trail - Washington Mt Rainer National Park SSSS/3300 loss & gain/elevation 2300-5600/93 total round mountain miles. This is a wonderful, beautiful, long trail. There are many stop and start points so you can do the trail in sections. Some are more treacherous during the winter than others, so be very prepared. Even Spring time conditions should be treated as though Winter were still there. Because you are dealing with a trail around a very large angry mountain you need to make sure you are very prepared for any occasion. But it is definitely a must do in your life, well worth the effort.

Climbing/Hiking Mt Adams - Washington (South)  SSSS/14miles/6676 gain/non-technical/summit elevation 12,276/Cascades, Southern Washington state. If this is your first big mountain, this is a great way to go, up that is. Big but nice and easy, this start is out of Cold Springs camp ground. You will definitely need to have your endurance up it is a long haul mainly due to the elevation changes, but it is worth it. Mt Adams is the more docile of the big Mountains, but it is a big mountain. I recommend you do it when there is still a little snow on the main trail, otherwise its a little dry and chossy, lava rock is not fun to fall against been there done that. Definitely bring crampons and your axe no matter what time of year. Karin & all girl chick crew 9/02 Ken, Karin, Tonya, Lou - 2007

Climbing/Hiking Enchantment Peaks - Washington  SSSSS/24 miles/7500gain/summit elevation 8,520/Cascades, Eastern Washington in the Enchantments. The Enchantments are also known as the place of 1,000 waterfalls, and a rock climbers paradise. Many a rock to play on in this area. However note that snow stays late in the season here, so make sure you are plenty prepared. Unless you are an absolute animal you will want to take a couple days to do this trip. You can start at the parking lot at the end of road 7601 out of Bridge Creek campground and end off the main Icicle canyon road #76. However you will need to park a car there in advance, or your hikin or hitch-hikin back. Green Trails map The Enchantments # 209S trailhead C4628 Karin, Tonya, Lou August 2006

August 19 - 21st,  2006 three of us girls attempted and did it! Spent 4 days poking around in the Enchantments area in the Stewart Range. Entrance is inside the Icicle canyon. We will be headed up Snow Creek trail #1553, which was different that what we planned. Permit limits this areas access to only 15 people per day and 5 people can be chosen in a drawing that morning of your trip, Colchuck allows 3 parties a day and 1 party on the day of the drawing. We were one of lucky ones that barely made it for the Colchuck entrance, we are going to try for the drawing... but you won't know about that until you get there. We got up early and went for the lottery to get an extra day and got it, so our route took us up a little different way.  We spent 4 days, 3 nights tackling the Enchantments via a longer route. This was painful. Needless to say I will not go that way again. Don't get me wrong, it was beautiful and it was worth every painful step, but I do think that I will risk the climb up Aasgard pass when we do it again.

I know I've said this before, but this was most impressive, must see area if you can manage the painful assent. It was like living in a Ansel Adams photograph, there was nothing like it.  Plan at least 3 days if you want to go here, if you don't... again... you will wonder why, 14 days is your limit, and that is days... not nights. Green trails map #209S is the one that will give you the information you will need as far as exact elevation and miles to follow our trip. We covered about 25 miles over the course of 4 days.

Climbing/Trekking Grand Canyon, Arizona SSSSS/23.5 - 28+ miles/canyon elevation top 7260/floor 2480/ 6,084 loss/gain/Grand Canyon Arizona. Not for the novice... kinda hot in July and cool in the winter. This trail is starting from the South Kaibab trailhead to Cottonwood then back out by way of Indian Garden to Bright Angel trailhead or something like that. We will be doing this in a 5 day route... look for details next year kinda missed it this year. Ken 6/2001, 2002, 2003 Ken & Karin 7/2006 for photos & story click here.

Our trip this year for 2006 just received it's approved permits. So our trail destinations will be 7/1 Camp on the South Rim, 7/2 Bright Angel camp via South Kaibab trailhead (6.4 miles straight down, 6860ft to 2400ft), 7/3 to Cottonwood camp (7.3, 2400ft to 4000ft), 7/4 back to Bright Angel camp via Ribbon Falls (7.3, 4000ft to 2400ft), 7/5 Indian Gardens (4.7 miles, 2400ft to 3800ft) & Plateau Point (3 miles, 3800 to 3781 and back), and out on 7/6 for one more night on the South rim (4.6 miles, 3800ft to 6860ft). For a total this trip of 33.3 miles, with constant 6,060 loss and 6,060 gain in over 100 degree heat. Wish us luck.

Riding/Hiking Canada - Victoria to Port Hardy SSSSS /spring/summer/fall - about 280miles give or take a few one-way, road ride, rolling hills with steep sections, Skill level - extremely insane, user density - low, medium in areas; bicyclists, vehicles. * Hazards - This truly is one you must be off your rocker for. You might attempt this if you are in need of some serious soul searching. If you'd like to take this on, here is a suggested route to take.

Park your car and take the ferry across to Victoria, it's much cheaper ferry ride. Then start your ride right off the ferry dock and head to Government street, turn left, look for the Hwy 1 - Trans Canadian Highway, turn left and head out... you will follow the Trans Canadian Highway pretty much your entire trip. Start looking on a map to look for the best camp areas, turn offs and road side services. If you are seriously considering this trip... you'd better be using detailed maps, plenty of training as well as bike shop, grocery and hospital research. If someone really does this... PLEASE let us know, I'd really love to do this.

Multi - discipline trips

Climbing/Riding/Hiking - Washington - My house to My Dads SSSSS summer/fall - apx 120 miles (give or take a few), one way (dirt & gravel rail-trails, paved roads), 3 days at least (one directions), rolling hills in sections. Skill level - advanced, user density - medium/high-low; cars, equestrians, bicyclists, hikers, climbers, animals or critters. *Hazards - Motorized vehicles, high trestles, fatigue, heat (in summer) and a sore butt. The start on this one is in Bothell area, or your home wherever it maybe, destination Teanaway area, this started as a ride I was planning when I lived in Bothell and my dad (still) lives in Cleum. Note: do your riding early to escape the heat during Summer and Fall. If you don't want to start in Bothell you can jump on the Iron Horse by parking in North Bend.

This bike riding/climbing fix isn't just for anyone and shouldn't be done alone - especially if you are going to climb. On this trip the bulk of your travel will be along the Iron Horse trail. This is the old railroad that runs through the Cascade mountains and out the other (much drier) side. You will spend you time riding from spot to spot via your bike and with this you have the luxury of stopping wherever you see rock and climb. There are trails off the Iron Horse that you can hike to waterfalls and mountain peaks as well as other areas for classic Cascade climbing. Right around exit 38 there are numerous area to climb. There are tent pads located along the Iron Horse trail itself, water isn't always available but usually and definitely treat it.

Other necessary information: No permit necessary, just a bike, food and gear. Unless you park at a trailhead, then you will need a Forest pass and will need to fill out a free permit just so they know where you are and what you are up to.

Climbing/Trekking/Route finding/Snowshoe Pacific Crest Trail * SSSSS over 2600 insane miles! - Mexico to Canada via California, Oregon and Washington. Remember my old climbing buddy Drew? Well he was just the guy insane enough to do the entire thing in one shot. He started alone and ended with a life time of new memories adventure and friends. To read about Drew's travels along this insane trail you can check it out on http://www.travelpod.com/members/drewjones. He will take you from the start of Mexico to the end in Canada and all the whatfores along the way. Most impressive trip and incredible photos. This is definitely a good read.

* We will list sections of the PCT trail or routes that include sections of it on this page.

River floats

These are just fun dumb stuff to do. However you must remember the rivers change day to day, so what was safe for the family one day, might not be so safe the next.

S = easy SS  = easy but good fun SSS  = hold on tight

Snoqualmie River, Fall City/Snoqualmie Washington/S-SS/ 4 average hour float time. We put in just below Snoqualmie falls (which is always a beautiful sight). Took 8 inner tubes, one 2 man raft (for food and drinks), two paddles, 4 adults and 4 kids. We all tied onto the raft and headed down stream. Sometimes we had to paddle because we were out of the current and needed a little help, other times we had to use the paddles to keep us from running into rocks, sticks or just to keep moving. This trip was a lot of fun. Easy going at times other times we had to hold on tight through a little whitewater, but whatever the ride was all the kids had a blast. Some rapids, mainly float. With our 4 year old, we put her in a tube with handles and a fabric bottom. Needless to say by the time we all got out in Fall City... we were ready!

Trask River, Tillamook Oregon/SS-SSS/ride however long you want. We would just jump in and ride the rapids in one area. Soon to be longer trip and I will report more. We had good tubes and lots of rapids. This river is fairly narrow so tying together isn't such a good idea, it could be very dangerous. Some spots were a little shallow others pretty deep. Be prepared to get wet.

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