Edith Farrell has been hiking the trails of the Mountain Loop for decades. She started hiking when her kids were young as a way to improve her health.
She’s kept it up, and now she’s a passionate advocate for the Mountain Loop area. With that in mind, she has created a series of water-proof trail cards. Sixteen decks feature trails, and there is also a deck each for waterfalls, lakes and wildflowers.
For the deck featuring trails, each pack includes a card giving the basic details of the hike, distance, elevation gain and such. Then there are 11 other cards in the set that feature things you can see on that trail. Those cards are randomized, so each deck will be a bit different.
Farrell says her passion is educating hikers, and this is just one way she can do it. She got tired of beating up her trail guides by bring them on the trails. The cards were her alternative.
She says the cards can be a fun family activity. Parents could hand out cards to their kids, for example, and ask them to look for the flower or trail feature shown on the card.
The cards are for sale online, www.abouthewow.com, or at Arlington Pharmacy, Green Gable market in Robe Valley, Mountain Loop Books and Coffee and Gold Nugget Pawn, both in Darrington.
Another way Farrell is promoting hiking and education is with what she calls “flash hikes.” When the weather is looking ideal for a hike, she’ll post it online at www.facebook.com/groups/MountainLoopTourismBureau. So far this year she’s done a hike at Kelcema Lake and Big Four ice caves.
Finally, beginning on Sept. 21, Farrell will be teaching a series of hiking classes. Classes are Sundays from 1 to 3 p.m. and are $30 per couple per class.
- Sept 21: The basics
- Sept 28: Fall colors
- Oct 5: Waterfalls
- Oct 19: Fall hikes
- Nov 2: Wilderness hikes
- Nov 16: Winter fun
Classes are at the city of Arlington Public Works Administrative Building across from Haller Park. Call 360-403-3441 to register or just drop ins.
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