GET OUT
Guided snowshoe hikes: Washington State Parks is offering guided snowshoe hikes this winter at Lake Easton Park, a camping park 17 miles east of Snoqualmie Summit. Family-friendly hikes are scheduled for Feb. 10, 23 and 24. Bring snowshoes, poles and water, and wear layered clothing and boots for 3 miles of hiking on moderate terrain. Guides will talk about the area’s natural history, teach snowshoeing basics and share safety tips. Meet at 12:30 p.m. at the Lake Easton State Park day-use area at 150 Lake State Park Road, Easton. Call 509-925-1943.
Work party: Help repair the Pratt River Trail in exchange for a Northwest Forest Pass from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Feb. 16 near the Middle Fork trailhead. The work will consist of moving soil and rock and cutting vegetation and logs on the side of the trail. Wear boots, long pants, work gloves, a long-sleeved shirt and eye protection. Bring lunch, water, rain jacket, a pack and extra warm clothing. Call 206-625-1367. Directions and more information at www.wta.org.
Free park-ing: The next day to visit Washington State Parks without an entrance fee is on March 19, Washington State Parks’ birthday. Other free days are April 20 (Spring Day), April 22 (Earth Day), June 1 (National Trails Day), June 8 (National Get Outdoors Day), June 9 (Fishing Day), Aug. 25 (National Park Service’s birthday), Nov. 11 (Veterans Day) and Nov. 29 (Autumn free day). More at www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
Sno-Park permits: Attention snow enthusiasts: Washington State Parks Winter Recreation Program’s Sno-Park permits are available for purchase online and at various vendors statewide through April 30. The permits allow visitors to park in cleared, designated parking lots with access to areas around the state for skiing, skijoring, snowmobiling, dog sledding, snowshoeing, tubing and other winter fun. More at www.parks.state.wa.us/winter.
STAY IN
The Paddle Pilgrim: Marysville’s Outdoor Adventure Speaker Series continues at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 12 with Dave Ellingson’s presentation on “Kayaking the Fjords of Norway” at the Marysville Opera House, 1225 Third St., Marysville. Ellingson’s monthlong kayak expedition to his ancestral Sogne and Hardanger Fjords in Norway included 24-hour daylight, battling big waves bouncing off 1,500-foot cliffs and terror when a rudder broke and ice water filled his kayak. Entry is $5 at the door. Call 360-363-8400.
Fly fishing show: The seventh annual Lynnwood Fly Fishing Show is Feb. 16-17 at the Lynnwood Convention Center, 3711 19th St. SW, Lynnwood. The show will include fly-fishing films, classes, seminars, demonstrations, vendors and door prizes. Tickets are $25 for both days or $15 for one day for adults, $10 for military and $5 for children 6-12. Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts in uniform and children 5 and younger get in free. Call 814-443-3638. More at www.flyfishingshow.com.
Orca talk: Howard Garrett, co-founder of the Orca Network, will talk about the status of the endangered Salish Sea resident population at a free program at 2 p.m. Feb. 23 at the Everett Public Library, 2702 Hoyt Ave., Everett. Garrett, who has worked with the Southern Resident orcas for more than 30 years, also will also cover the current environmental issues affecting orcas, Gov. Jay Inslee’s Orca Recovery Executive Order and provide an update on whether Lolita — the L pod orca captured in Penn Cove in 1970 — will return to her native waters. Call 425-257-8000. More at www.epls.org/reads.
