Outdoor classes and activities in and around Snohomish County

Published 1:30 am Sunday, October 29, 2017

Mountains of fun: The Everett Mountaineers winter course open house is 7 p.m. Nov. 1, Snohomish County PUD, 2320 California St., Everett. Representatives from the alpine scrambling, avalanche, back-country skiing, climbing, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing committees will be on hand to make presentations about their courses and field questions. More at www.mountaineers.org/about/branches-committees/everett-branch.

Stand-up star: Paddleboarder Karl Kruger is the keynote speaker at the Everett Mountaineers Banquet on Nov. 4 at Embassy Suites, 20610 44th Ave. W, Lynnwood. Kruger will share his experiences in the 2017 Race to Alaska, a 750-mile journey from Port Townsend to Ketchikan, Alaska, involving non-motorized watercraft of all kinds. He is the first to complete this race on a stand-up paddleboard. His presentation will include photographs and video footage of his adventure through gale force winds, strong currents and peaceful moments on the water as well as encounters with wildlife. A social hour begins at 5 p.m. with the program at 6 p.m. Registration ends Oct. 31. Tickets, $39, must be purchased in advance. No sales at the door. More at www.mountaineers.org.

Adventure Speaker Series: “Snowshoeing and Winter Safety” talk by Bud Hardwick, 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 28, Marysville Opera House, 1225 Third St. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Admission is a $3 suggested donation. More at www.marysvillewa.gov or 360-363-8400.

PARKS

Park input: Needed for long-term recreation plan for Wallace Falls State Park near Gold Bar. Kickoff meeting is 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15, Sultan City Hall Community Room, 319 Main St., Sultan. State parks staff will provide background on the park and the goals for the planning process. Public comment can be also be made by contacting Randy Kline, parks planner, at 360-902-8632 or randy.kline@parks.wa.gov. Submit comments online at http://parks.state.wa.us/1074/Wallace-Falls-Planning.

Free park-ing: Visit Washington State Parks for free on Nov. 11, in honor of Veterans Day. Day-use visitors will not need a Discover Pass ($30 annual, $10 day). There is one more free day this year: Nov. 24, in celebration of autumn. Free days apply only to day-use access by vehicle, not overnight stays or rented facilities. More at www.discoverpass.wa.gov.

Winter park-ing: More than 100 Washington State Parks remain open for camping or day-use activities and about 19 parks are closed until dates in March, April or May, due to weather and other circumstances. See the schedule at www.parks.state.wa.us/winterschedule.

PERMITS

More winter fun: Sno-Park permits will be available starting Nov. 1. Permits allow visitors to park in specially cleared, designated parking lots with access to areas for cross-country skiing, skijoring, snowmobiling, dog sledding, snowshoeing, tubing and more throughout the state. Available through April 30.

Daily permit is for one, two or three consecutive days; cost is $20 per day. Seasonal non-motorized permit is valid for the entire winter season at non-motorized Sno-Parks that are used for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, dog sledding; cost is $40. Special groomed sticker affixes to a seasonal Sno-Park permit and is required for use at these non-motorized Sno-Parks: Cabin Creek, Chiwawa Loop, Crystal Springs, Hyak, Lake Easton, Lake Wenatchee (including Nason Ridge) and Mount Spokane; cost is $40. All snowmobiles are required to be registered annually through the state Department of Licensing or a licensing agent. The $50 registration fee includes one Sno-Park permit, which must be affixed to the towing vehicle.

An annual Discover Pass is needed for Sno-Parks on lands managed by Washington State Parks or Washington State Department of Natural Resources. A Discover Pass is not required for those who purchase an annual Sno-Park permit. More at http://parks.state.wa.us/130/Winter-Recreation and www.discoverpass.wa.gov.

Send calendar events to abrown@heraldnet.com.