At lower elevations, wildflowers are starting to put on a show, offering promise of wildflower hikes to come. The Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest shared some stunning wildflower photos with us. Take a look at the gallery, so the next time you get out on the trails you'll be able to...

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I'm nearly done with the Everett Mountaineers scrambling class that I've been taking. So I've been looking around to see what other offerings they have coming up. Here are a few that caught my eye:

Introduction to map and compass: This is a quick class, just two hours, on June 18 that gives you an overview of how to, you guessed it, use a map and...

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The Seattle-based hip-hop duo Ryan Lewis and Macklemore talk about growing up outdoors in the Northwest.

Take a look.





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"I climbed a mountain."

That's what I've been telling everyone when they asked me what I did this weekend.

It was far from the biggest mountain around these parts, but I'm still rather pleased with myself.

I spent Saturday scrambling up Guye Peak near Snoqualmie Pass. Guye is impressive, it really looks like a real mountain. It's one of those pointy peaks you can see while...

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National Trails Day is on June 1. The Department of Natural Resources is sponsoring events across the state. DNR staff and volunteers will work to build trails and perform maintenance on existing trails. The closest for Snohomish County folks is Reiter Foothills, near Gold Bar. They will be working on ATV trails.

The details, from the DNR:

When: 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

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An expo for outdoors enthusiasts is coming to Everett on June 1-2.

Gear Up will feature, of course, lots of outdoors gear for sale. But there will also be speakers, photography workshops, movies, a climbing wall and a beer and wine garden. You can also talk to providers of outdoor trips.

I'm pretty excited about some of the speakers. Jim Whittaker,...

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Time to get on your bike.

Friday is Bike to Work Day. There are stations to mark the day all over the area. At the stations you'll find a variety of goodies, such as free schwag, food and beverages. There's an excellent map here showing you where to find one.

Also, on that day, if you show up at a participating Starbucks, you can get a free 12 oz beverage if...

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After that last little bit of sunny weather lately, I've suddenly kicked my summer-planning into high gear.

On my list: Finally see an orca in the wild.

The prime season for whale watching in the San Juans starts soon. The San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau has a list of whale watch operators that's worth checking out if you'd...

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Mount Rainier National Park recently announced how the funding cuts of sequestration will affect the park.

In short, you can expect to see fewer staff in some areas, shorter seasons at some campgrounds and the Ohanapecosh visitor center will be closed this summer.

Here's the condensed version from their press release:

Ohanapecosh visitor center: The visitor...

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I spent all weekend rolling in the snow and learning to use an ice ax. In 65-degree-plus heat. I had two main goals: To not impale myself with an ice ax and to avoid a sunburn.

I did an excellent job with the ice ax. The sunburn? Well, it's small(ish) and I'm sure it won't blister.

I'm taking a scrambling course through the Everett Mountainers, and this weekend was our snow field trip. We spent Saturday and...

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The Everett Mountaineers will offer a free hiking seminar at 6:30 p.m. May 20.

The class will answer questions that a new hiker would have about how to get out on the trails. Experienced hikers will offer advice on what to put in your pack and how to dress for comfort and safety.

The instructors will discuss clothing, boots, packs, the 10 essentials you should always carry, seasonal trail hazards, where to shop for equipment and how to research trips.

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A big snowfall earlier this week, followed by surprisingly warm temperatures, means the mountain snowpack is going to be unstable.

If you're heading out to play in the mountains anytime soon, you're going to want to check out the Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center's website.

They have special alerts in affect after some areas in the Cascades received up to 2 feet of...

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Do you have an idea for an epic outdoor adventure? Then you should check out this $10,000 grant.

Last year's winner paddled a sea kayak from Minnesota to Florida.That's going to be tough to beat. But there's some challenging terrain here in the Northwest, and we bet someone can do...

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International Migratory Bird Day is Saturday, May 11. A lot of fun local events are being planned by the Pilchuck Audubon Society. All events are free and families are welcome. Information: 425-252-0926 or www.pilchuckaudubon.org.

Field trip to Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge and Mima Mounds: Meet at 8 a.m. at the rear of the Everett Mall by the Everett Transit Center and L.A.

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The Everett Mountaineers have a free hiking seminar coming up next month.

Here's what Ed Andrews, the leader, has to stay about it:

"This course is designed to answer questions that a novice hiker or new Mountaineers member may have about how to get out hiking. Learn from experienced hikers what to put in your pack and how to dress for comfort and safety. We will...

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From now until Friday, entrance to all national parks is waived as part of National Parks week. Around here, the biggies are Mount Rainier National Park and Olympic National Park. (North Cascades does not charge an entrance fee.)

The weather...

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The line between exhilarating and terrifying is very fine.

When you cross the line into terrifying, you know. Before you try something, though, it's really hard to know where exactly that line is. I spent a day over the weekend looking for that line.

I'm taking a scrambling course through the Everett Mountaineers. I call it my "Don't Die in the Mountains" class. The...

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Washington State Parks has a new app for smartphones.

The Pocket Ranger app is free and is available for Apple and Android devices. It includes information on more than 100 state parks, historic sites and campgrounds. The app includes maps, directions and information on amenities. You can search parks by location or activity.

You can save the GPS maps before you head out; cell reception can be spotty in many...

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Although the deadline has passed, the North Cascades Institute is still accepting applications for Youth Leadership Adventures this summer, especially the 8-day Outdoor Leadership and Stewardship courses for students ages 14-16. If you're interested but haven't submitted an application, do it soon. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis with priority going to applications received the earliest or by April 12.

If you have questions, call...

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Tom Hoban of Everett was kayaking near his beach house on Mission Beach with a neighbor recently. They got a treat when a pair of gray whales swam under them, and then began feeding nearby. He was lucky enough to get this great video of the whales.

Whales are active in our area right now. If you'd like to...

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Interested in a summer adventure? Applications are due soon for students who would like to attend the Youth Leadership program.

Students from ages 14 to 22 can apply to spend time in the North Cascades with the North Cascades Institute. The program offers eight-, 15- or 31-day trips focusing on outdoor leadership, service, science, communication skills and public speaking.

Most of the courses are designed for students without previous outdoors experience.

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