I fell in love with hoodoos while camping in Bryce Canyon.
Water, ice and gravity had carved intriguing spires out of rocks of different hardness. The soft rock eroded away; the harder rock remained.
What may be the best hoodoos in the state are in Pipestone Canyon, a few miles south of Winthrop.
Of course, the competition’s not much. Hoodoo Pass, Hoodoo Peak, Hoodoo Ski Area and Hoodoo Canyon have all claimed the name, but are all pretenders when it comes to the real thing.
This is one of my favorite places in Okanogan County because of the walls that soar up to 1,500 feet above the canyon floor. The low-elevation canyon is about 2 1/2 miles long. Mountain bikers can go down and back or take longer loops.
The single-track loop is a 14-mile intermediate ride (elevation gain 2,100 feet); the dirt road loop is a 16-miler good for beginners (elevation gain 1,700 feet).
True, it’s rattlesnake country, but most outings have their challenges. Consider it motivation for constant pedaling or extra caution when you take a break; for hikers, wear boots and keep alert.
Make this trip in the spring before rattlesnake activity is in full swing; waiting until fall is an option for those who don’t want to roll the dice.
It’s an easy walk through the coulee, carved by glacial water from melting glaciers. Eventually the glaciers retreated, leaving behind nearby Campbell Lake and this canyon. According to one geologist, Pipestone is a relatively new canyon (20,000 years old).
Don’t be surprised if you see people exploring the walls. Fossils are abundant and fossil hunters are determined to find them.
Although this area wasn’t a tropical paradise, fossilized leafy plants representing the banana family and a precursor to redwoods are, among other plant species, found here.
One story about the canyon’s name is that American Indians found that some of the softer canyon rock was good for making pipes, perhaps the source of the name.
Another theory is that the hoodoos reminded someone of organ pipes. Having seen Pipestone and Bryce canyons, I’ll go with the pipe-making theory.
If you go: The Winthrop Chamber of Commerce, 888-463-8469 or www.winthropwashington.com, has a map to Pipestone Canyon.
Watershed Fun Fair: Naturalists will lead guided nature walks during the free event 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 30 at Yost Park in Edmonds. A self-guided tour is also available.
Learn about backyard wildlife habitat, recycling, energy and water conservation, marine stewardship, and other topics. Children can make nature crafts and have their faces painted.
Special guest Arnold Neal Troeh of the Tsinook Nation will sing blessings on the animals and speak about the local tribes and their connections to Puget Sound at 1 p.m.
For more information, call 425-771-0227.
Hike Mount Baker: This is a rough job, but someone has to do it. Volunteers age 18 and older with hiking and recreational skills are needed to hike trails and teach others about No Trace Left Behind ethics, safety and regulations.
Volunteers will work in three of the busiest trail systems in the Mount Baker area: Skyline Divide, Park Butte/Railroad Grade and Heather Meadows.
Olympic National Park: Hurricane Ridge Road is now open for the summer, although 80 to 90 inches of snow still covers the mountainside. The ridge is 5,242 feet above sea level.
For more information, call the hotline, 360-565-3131. The visitors center is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
Columnist Sharon Wootton can be reached at 360-468-3964 or www.songandword.com.
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