Photo contest: The Adopt A Stream Foundation’s All The Fall Feels photo contest ends Dec. 1. Cast your vote for the best photo taken at the Northwest Stream Center in Everett this year at www.pollunit.com/en/polls/alrqugyevvc9eeasbhftrq. The winner will be announced Dec. 2. More at www.streamkeeper.org.
Wallace Falls State Park: Washington State Parks recently installed a parking lot camera at the popular state park near Gold Bar off U.S. 2. The parking lot often exceeds capacity during high volumes of traffic at certain times of the year. View the camera at www.parks.state.wa.us/289/Wallace-Falls.
Boot Fitting Basics: Learn how to take care of your feet on hikes at a “Boot Fitting Basics” class at 6 p.m. Dec. 5 at Alderwood REI, 3000 184th St. SW, Lynnwood. Wearing boots that fit is crucial to an enjoyable outdoors experience. This class teaches how to choose the right pair that matches your hiking ambitions. Fewer than 10 spots left. Cost is $5 for REI members and $10 for non-members. Sign up at www.rei.com.
Winter walk: Join the Camano Wildlife Habitat Project on a walk through Elger Bay Preserve at 9:50 a.m. Dec. 7. The 2.3-mile hike includes a slight elevation gain, a beaver marsh and a nature trail. The pace is moderate and the walk takes place rain or shine. Wear warm clothing and sturdy shoes or boots. Meet at the junction of Elger Bay Road and Dry Lake Road, just north of Elger Bay Elementary School and Elger Bay Store. More at www.camanowildlifehabitat.org.
Green Everett: The next Green Everett Partnership work party is from 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 7 at Forest Park, 205 Park Road, Everett. Help improve Everett’s forested parks and natural areas by removing invasive species, planting trees and maintaining plants. The Green Everett Partnership is a collaboration between the city of Everett’s parks department and Forterra, formerly the Cascade Land Conservancy. Call 425-238-0065 or go to www.greeneverett.org.
Avalanche Awareness: Learn basic skills to recognize avalanche danger at 6 p.m. Dec. 12 at Alderwood REI, 3000 184th St. SW, Lynnwood. The free workshop will cover where and why avalanches occur and how to manage risk in the backcountry. Space is limited. Sign up at www.rei.com.
Day hike: The Mountaineers’ Everett branch will lead a day hike through Langus Riverfront Park and around Spencer Island at 9 a.m. Dec. 14. The 5-mile hike will be at leisurely pace with views of Mount Rainier and Mount Pilchuck, depending on the weather. The hike will be cancelled if there is heavy rain. Meet at Langus Riverfront Park, 400 Smith Island Road, Everett. No permits required. More at www.mountaineers.org.
Free park-ing: The first day to visit Washington state parks in 2020 without an entrance fee is Jan. 1 (New Year’s Day). Other free dates are Jan. 20 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day), March 19 (State Park’s 107th birthday), April 11 (Spring Day), April 22 (Earth Day), June 6 (National Trails Day), June 7 (Fishing Day), June 13 (National Get Outdoors Day), Aug. 25 (National Park Service’s 104th birthday), Sept. 26 (National Public Lands Day), Nov. 11 (Veterans Day) and Nov. 27 (Autumn Day). More at www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
Big Four Ice Caves Trail: The U.S. Forest Service has closed the popular 3.2-mile hiking trail for the season. Erosion damage to a footbridge crossing the South Fork Stillaguamish River led rangers to remove a section of the bridge on the trail. The Big Four Picnic Area and elevated boardwalks may still be used at this time, but the seasonal winter closure will close vehicle access to the trailhead in the near future. More at www.fs.usda.gov.
Find your favorite park: The Washington State Parks Foundation has launched a new website designed as a starting point for outdoor adventures. The website features an interactive map of Washington’s 124 state parks, along with virtual tours, park information and trip reports. Virtual tours provide a 360-degree view with navigational tools and a walk-through of state parks, trails, campgrounds, retreat centers, interpretive centers and vacation houses. More at www.waparks.org.
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