Hike Green Mountain, 8/28/22 2022 Wonderful hike up Green Mountain in perfect conditions, with a group of 11 OV members. Rough road to the trailhead, but a fairly smooth trail, if with a lot of elevation gain. Great views, especially of nearby Glacier Peak, started very early on the trail. We spend more than an hour at the lookout on the summit admiring the amazing 360 panorama and enjoying the antics of a marmot and her baby under the lookout. We all enjoyed a lot of snacks and beverages at the trailhead before the drive home.
Walking the Floor the Puget Sound 2022 On July 14, five of us met about an hour before the lowest low tide of the summer at Me-Kwa-Mooks park in West Seattle. We trudged through lots of wet rocks and seaweed for an exploration that brought out the 10-year-old in us. After some searching, we found and photographed a red rock crab, a Puget Sound Spider Crab, lots of spot prawns, sea anemones, flounder, a midshipman fish, starfish, etc. But the absolute gem of the day was a skate splashing around in a tidal pool (we thought it was a ray). And while we didn't get pics, we saw a grey harbor seal cruising by us a couple hundred feet out and just as a we were leaving, a bald eagle soared above us. Afterwards, we drove to the Pancake Chef in SeaTac and all dined on German pancakes.
2022 Memorial Day Group Camp Near Walla Walla Thirty-three Outventures (OV) members converged on Lewis and Clark Trail State Park for our 2022 Memorial Day Weekend group camp. Twenty-seven camped; others stayed in nearby hotels. A fun time, despite rainy weather.
About nine members, led by OV Board member Karen Eckert, arrived Thursday, May 26th. Some “decamped” to a tavern in the sweet, nearby town of Dayton to escape the rain. Most arrived on Friday, May 27th, and enjoyed a big fire and 8-hour happy hour that evening.
The morning of Saturday, May 28th was sunny. A group of twenty, led by long-time member Rex Himes, did a lovely hike in nearby mountains. The rain returned Saturday afternoon, providing an excellent opportunity for coffee and pineapple upside-down cake at Annie’s Café in Dayton. A clearing that evening allowed for another long happy hour around the fire.
The rain returned on Sunday, providing another opportunity for a visit to Annie’s for breakfast. Most returned home Sunday, some visiting beautiful and roaring Palouse Falls on the way. Thanks to all for your companionship and good cheer.
Tom Rowan, OV Board Member and trip coordinator
Hike Dirty Harry's Balcony April 2022 Great views and a fun group on a very pleasant spring day, followed by a nice happy hour in a nearby picnic area.
Skagit Wildlife Area 2022 The snow geese that famously return to the Skagit Valley from October to March, present an excellent opportunity to explore the Skagit Wildlife area. Because hunting season is October through January, February gives us a pleasant window.
Cowiche Canyon Geology Walk 2021 "Cowiche Canyon is a marvel of geological forces . . . flows of lava, erosion of rock, and movements of tectonic plates that have shaped Cowiche Canyon."
Day Sailing Puget Sound 2021 What a glorious day of camaraderie on the water!
We six OutVentures sailors are among the lucky to experience this perfect NW summer day on the water.
Squire Creek Pass hike 8/12/2018 Skies didn't clear for distant views but still got nice views of 3 Fingers, where trail took us within view of the lookout there.
OV at Tyrol (Whistler) 7/27 & 7/28 2018 Rex's pics of hike to Ring and Conflict Lakes on 7/27 and along High Note and Half notes trail from atop Whistler Peak on 7/28.
Johnson Creek to Medra Pass 6/23/2018 Rex led a group of 10 of us from cloudy Seattle over Snoqualmie Pass to hike Johnson Creek to Medra Pass. It was sunny with some clouds. Mt. Rainier could be seen in the far distance poking through the cloud layer.
Annette Lake 2018 What a gorgeous day for our first hike of the season. The trail was in great shape and the lake was gorgeous as the last ice was melting.
Snowshoe Hike to Kendall Peak Lakes 2018 Though only 3 members attended, we had a fun, challenging and rewarding time. Total trek was 1,954 ft elevation gain in 7.8 miles wit 2 ft of snow That required postholing the last .9 miles. Thankfully, we were joined with other hiking groups and collectively trail blazed our way to first lake. Amazing views along the way and as always even better company, dogs and other hikers along the way. A definite workout well worth it. Will feel the burn.
Snowshoe Hike Along Wenatchee Crest 2018 Beautiful hike with 7 great guys. (Unfortunately no gals attended). All had a wonderful time soaking in the beautiful views of the Stuart’s and the Enchantments. Total mileage was 9.5 with elevation gain of 1,200 ft.
Forestry Ranger Led Snowshoe @ Commonwealth Basin 01-16-18 Perfect hike led by two informative US Forestry Rangers at Snoqualmie Pass / Commonwealth Creek. 6 Mile hike with 500 feet elevation gain. Beautiful snowy scenery with views of surrounding peaks.
A Gorgeous Day Hike in the Teanaway Community Forest 2016 Twelve OutVentures members and one happy dog set out under summer skies to explore the Indian Creek watershed in the Teanaway Community Forest. Lush, green and expansive meadows greeted us as we hiked along babbling Indian Creek. Wildflowers carpeted the valley, Aspen and Cottonwood trees swayed in the breeze and the smell of warming Ponderosa Pine bark wafted in the air. We were able to witness the environmental restoration work that has occurred in Indian Creek; efforts to restore the creek and watershed to pre-logging conditions and health.
Leaving the valley floor we climbed along an old abandoned logging road (spooking a heard of cows along the way) and then set off cross-country following a game trail. Cresting the ridge, we came to a viewpoint which afforded a beautiful vista of the Teanaway Crest, Mt. Stuart and the entirety of the Indian Creek watershed. This outlook gave us a broad view of the Teanaway Community Forest, giving us a sense of just how big 50,000 acres of land really is!
As we hiked back down to the valley and through the meadows, I think we all came to the realization that this Community Forest is special and unique. It now belongs to all the people of Washington State and we look forward to further explorations - stayed tuned for the next OutVentures hike into this gorgeous landscape!
Craig Mabie
Low Tide Beachwalk June 6, 2016 Several members explored several miles of tide flats and beach during Sunday's low tide of minus 3.2 feet. We met at Richmond Beach Saltwater Park in Shoreline and head south along the beach, toward Carkeek Park in Seattle. Just short of Carkeek the tide began to turn so we stopped, ate lunch and made the return trip to Richmond Beach.
Tongue Mountain on Memorial day 2016 Tongue Mountain is a short hike with a tremendous view of three volcanos - Mt Rainier, Mt Adams, and Mt St. Helens.
Mayne Island BC Bicycling Trip 2015 Took the BC Ferry to Mayne Island and camped for two nights. Got to bike around the whole island and saw some incredible scenery.
Sailing - June 7 2015 Skipper Millie led us on a fantastic trip in the Sound. We saw cruise ships, ferries, plenty of sun, and had some exciting moments on the boat. An all around amazing day.
Sailing - June 7 -2015 - AMAZING Millie served as Captain of a crew of sailors with a 30 foot with 2 sails. 8 OutVentures members in total for a 5-6 hour cruise in pure sun and good winds. Millie taught us sailing terms, and told us great tales along the way. First Mate Doug E. helped her steer the vessel all the way past Kingston and back to Shilshole Marina. 2 NEW OV folks, Victoria, and Collin were part of the crew. I think Millie provided a great OV adventure. All she requests is you obey her orders! She smiled the entire trip because we obey the Captain. Here are a few of my photos. Other folks like Rose and Collin were taking photos too.
The weather was all sun, and steady winds, so we just enjoyed the trip and shared stories the entire trip.
Millie, Doug, Tim, Kelly, Collin, Cory, Victoria, and Rose make 8. On an 30 foot sailboat.... Eight is Enough!
Thanks a million Millie.
Opening Group Camp: Pine Needle 2015 Was a great trip with hikes to wildflower meadows, towering waterfalls, dizzying overlooks and beautiful Bumping Lake.
Whistler -- Aug 7-10 Bob's pics -- Garibaldi Lake & Wedgemount Lake group hikes, plus Todd & I at Stawamus Chief on the trip up, plus Rex, Christopher, Todd & I at Mt Seymour on the way back.
Whistler, Wedgemount Lake & the Bear! Pics from the lodge, exploring Whistler/Blackcomb via gondola, the hike to Wedgemount Lake, plus a couple shots of the bear I almost ran into on the bike trail across the lake from the lodge.
Whistler Hikes Wow what a great trip..thanks for organizing it, Tom!
The first hike was to Girabaldi Lake, a huge, glacier tinted lake fed by the snows of Mt. Girabaldi, the northernmost Cascade volcano. The next day, we hiked up a tough trail with 4000' gain to Wedgemount Lake, located in a spectacular cirque below 9400' Wedge Mountain.
I'm sure there will be many more pictures posted soon!