Northwest Stream Center: Through December, the Adopt A Stream Foundation is offering free admission to the Northwest Stream Center at McCollum Park, 600 128th St. SE, Everett. Enjoy a half-mile nature walk on an elevated trail through forest and wetlands. Featuring a Visitors Building, Trout Stream Exhibit and Nature Store. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. Call 425-316-8592 to make a reservation. More at www.streamkeeper.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.
First Day Hikes: Two free, guided hikes are planned for Jan. 1 at Wallace Falls State Park, 14503 Wallace Lake Road, Gold Bar. The first hike, a 4.2-mile round trip to Middle Falls, starts at 9:30 a.m. at the trailhead. The next is a 1-mile hike of Small Falls Loop Trail, set for noon and beginning at the “Poetry” sign about a quarter-mile down the trail. A Discover Pass is not required. Hosted by Washington State Parks. Call 360-793-0420.
Whatcom Falls hike: The Mountaineers’ Everett branch will lead a day hike through Whatcom Falls at 8:15 a.m. Jan. 1. The 5.5-mile hike will be set at a leisurely pace. Bring a camera and binoculars for a better look at the views. The hike will be canceled if there is heavy rain. Meet at Cedar and Grove Park & Ride, 1310 Grove St., Marysville. No permits required. More at www.mountaineers.org.
Snowshoe treks: The U.S. Forest Service will lead interpetive snowshoe walks Jan. 3 through March 29 at Stevens Pass, Snoqualmie Pass and the Big Four Picnic Area near Granite Falls. The Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Snowshoe Program is for all ages and experience levels. Snowshoes are provided. Call 425-783-6050. More at www.fs.usda.gov/mbs.
Winter walk: Join the Camano Wildlife Habitat Project on a walk through Camano Island State Park at 9:50 a.m. Jan. 4. The 2.6-mile hike includes a slight elevation gain, views of Saratoga Passage and Elger Bay and a walk through a fern grotto. The pace is moderate and the walk takes place rain or shine. Wear warm clothing and sturdy shoes or boots. The state park is at 2269 Lowell Point Road. More at www.camanowildlifehabitat.org.
Snowshoe avalanche awareness: Learn basic skills to recognize avalanche danger while snowshoeing at 6 p.m. Jan. 9 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.
Green Everett: The next Green Everett Partnership work party is from 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 11 at South Everett Forest Preserve, 1018 109th St. SE, 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.
Adventure Speaker Series: Tom “Nelly” Nelson will give a presentation from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 14, Marysville Opera House, 1225 Third St., Marysville. Nelson, an avid outdoorsman and fisherman, is co-host of the “The Outdoor Line” on KIRO 710 AM radio. Doors open at 6 p.m. Entry is $5 at the door. Call 360-363-8400 or go to www.marysvillewa.gov for more.
Snowshoeing basics: Get a rundown on snowshoeing at a free workshop at 6 p.m. Jan. 16 at Alderwood REI, 3000 184th St. SW, Suite 952, Lynnwood. REI staff will go over gear selection and where to go to get started. Space is limited. More at www.rei.com/events.
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.
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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