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.
Free park-ing: State Parks free day dates for 2017 are: Jan. 1, 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.
Cama Beach walk: Friends of Camano Island Parks guided community walk through Cama Beach State Park, Jan. 7. Meet at 9:50 a.m. at Ivy Road and Dry Lake Road junction. Access Dry Lake Road from Elger Bay Road north of Elger Bay Elementary School. Parking is on the Ivy Road cul-de-sac. Walk from the northeast section of Cama down hill to the Cut Off Trail and then walk the Marine View Loop Trail, followed by the Bluff Trail and Old Entrance Trail — 2.7 miles total. Shuttles will be available for those wanting a ride back to Ivy Road. The the option of walking back to Ivy will make the total walk 3.9 miles total. A state park pass is not required. The two-hour walk takes place rain or shine. Wear appropriate clothes and sturdy shoes or boots. For safety reasons, no dogs are allowed on guided walks. Trail booklets and maps available for a suggested $1 donation. More at www.friendsofcamanoislandparks.org.
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. Jan. 10. 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.
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/yurtsandcabins.
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