Outdoor classes and activities in and around Snohomish County
Published 1:30 am Sunday, January 8, 2017
Eagle watch: See hundreds of eagles in the winter salmon runs. Weekends through Jan. 22, volunteers with the Eagle Watchers program will be posted along the upper Skagit River to help visitors learn more about the wintering bald eagle population. Volunteers will be available to answer questions about bald eagles, salmon and the Skagit watershed at Howard Miller Steelhead Park, 52804 Rockport Park Road, Rockport, and the Marblemount Fish Hatchery, 8319 Fish Hatchery Road, Marblemount, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Binoculars and spotting scopes available for visitor use. For information, go to www.fs.usda.gov/mbs.
Snowshoe with a ranger: Snoqualmie Pass, Stevens Pass, the Mountain Loop Highway and Glacier. Times and dates vary by location. All skill levels welcome. Trips for special events and school groups can also be scheduled. Reservations are required though same-day sign-ups are possible; snowshoes are provided. More at www.fs.usda.gov/mbs.
Free park-ing: State Parks free day dates for 2017 are: Jan. 15-16, March 19 (State Park’s 104th birthday), April 15, April 22, June 3, June 10, Aug. 25 (National Park Service 101st birthday), Sept. 30, Nov. 11 and Nov. 24. Discover Pass not required to visit parks on designated days by vehicle. More at www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
Winter Starlight Beach Walks: Discover the creatures that live in the beach by joining the adventure of nighttime low tide exploration under the stars with WSU Beach Watchers and the Snohomish County Marine Resources Committee. Hot beverages provided. Bring a flashlight and wear warm layers, rain gear and sturdy footwear or rubber boots. For information, contact Yolimar Rivera at yolimar.rivera@wsu.edu or call 425-357-6029. No need to RSPV. Mukilteo beach walk: 7:30 to 8:45 p.m. Tuesday. Meet in the shelter next to the restrooms of Mukilteo Lighthouse Park, 609 Front St. Parking is $2 at the park, or free for Mukilteo residents with a pass. Edmonds beach walk: 7:15 to 8:45 p.m. Feb. 7. Meet at the Olympic Beach Visitor Station, 200 Admiral Way, Edmonds. Free street parking.
Permits: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest is taking applications for long-term priority use permits for outfitting and guiding services to operate for up to 10 years. Services needed for mountaineering and climbing, skill and rescue training, backcountry skiing and snowboarding, stock trips, environmental education, hunting and snowmobiling. Priority deadline is Jan. 31 with applications accepted until Feb. 17. More at www.fs.usda.gov.
Parks open: More than 90 state parks will remain open (at least on weekends and holidays) for winter camping and day use this season. About 18 other parks will close until spring. For winter schedules online: parks.state.wa.us/158/Winter-Schedule. Even if a park is open, it might have its water shut off, fewer open restrooms and some boat launches removed. Most parks offer off-season rates. Deception Pass State Park is still taking camp reservations. Go to www.parks.state.wa.us, and follow link to “reservations.” Some parks have yurts and cabins. For more: www.parks.state.wa.us/yurts andcabins.
