Photo: Hiking on the Horse Lake Reserve in the Wenatchee Foothills -- a place we will introduce you to as part of this series of classes and outings
This
introductory series of hiking classes and outings is being organized by
WenatcheeOutdoors as part of the Subaru Outdoor Series. The series
strives to ‘hook’ people (whether they are beginners, newcomers to the area, parents with kids, retirees) on the outdoor resources we have in our backyard. We want to get people of all ages over any obstacles preventing them from using and enjoying
our local hills and trails.
Held on Wednesday evenings throughout August and early September, Hiking Basics
will discuss recommended gear, map and compass use, hazard and obstacle
avoidance, and useful resources. It will get you comfortable with getting into our hills.
Photo: Group shot during a hike to the top of Twin Peaks with Wenatchee down below. We'll also visit this area on an outing.
Learn how to use
and enjoy our outdoor places; hike several of our local trails, and meet
people who could become future hiking partners. As part of this series
we will take several early evening hikes at Saddle Rock, in the Sage
Hills, and near Twin Peaks. Here’s the lowdown on the sessions:
- August 1 (5:30 to 7:30 p.m.):
Essential and Recommended Hiking Gear. Find out what essentials to
carry, why, and how to use these items. We’ll discuss some items you
might put on your wish list, but we’ll concentrate on gearing up for
hiking on the cheap. We’ll also discuss valuable information resources.
Meet in the upstairs conference room of the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust
(18 N Wenatchee Avenue , 509-663-7027).
- August 8 (5:30 to 7:30 p.m.):
Map, Compass, and Navigation. Learn how to use and navigate with
topographic maps and orienteering compasses. We’ll cover map use and
theory. We’ll also give a very brief overview of GPS units. Bring an
orienteering compass if you have one. Meet in the upstairs conference
room of the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust (18 N Wenatchee Avenue,
509-663-7027).
- August 15 (5:30 to 8:00):
Introductory Hike at Saddle Rock. Meet at the Wenatchee Racket and
Athletic Club. We’ll hike up the Jacobson Preserve trails on the north
slopes of Saddle Rock to beautiful overlooks of the Wenatchee Valley.
The hike is fairly short (3.5 miles round trip) but it climbs the entire
way, gaining a little over a 1000 vertical feet. You’ll learn more
about this trail system and we’ll discuss different hiking options
around Saddle Rock. We’ll also practice some of the navigation basics
discussed the previous week.
- August 22 (5:30 to 8):
Introductory Hike at the Horse Lake Reserve. Meet at the end of
pavement on the Horselake Road. We’ll carpool to the Horse Lake
Trailhead and walk the Lone Fir Spur, discussing different hikes you can
enjoy from this trailhead. The walk is roughly 4 miles long and is
relatively flat with a few short climbs. We’ll practice navigation
basics, identify local landmarks, identify local peaks, and work on GPS
basics.
- September 5 (5:30 – 8).
Introductory Hike in the Sage Hills. Meet at the parking area at the
intersection of Number One Canyon Road and Sage Hills Drive. We’ll
discuss parking etiquette and issues for this trail and walk into hills
along the Lester Trail. We’ll discuss the rules of the trail, issues to
be aware of at different times of the year, and what to carry on day
hikes in the foothills. We’ll also work on identifying a number of local
plants and plant families. The walk is roughly 5 miles long and you’ll
learn everything needed to repeat this hike and to take other hikes
starting here.
- September 12 (5:30 to 8:30).
Introductory hike at Twin Peaks. We’ll meet at the WRAC’s off Skyline
Drive and carpool to the start of this hike up at the top of Canyon
Number Two Road. We’ll discuss parking etiquette and different hiking
options around Twin Peaks and then walk the gated dirt road leading
toward the summit. You’ll learn about several different trails you can
explore on additional trips. We’ll discuss what gear is appropriate to
carry up here, issues you should know about, and resources that will
help you explore this area in the future. Bring a flashlight because
we’ll also discuss night walking and be returning to the car around
dusk.
The Hiking Basics
series is free but, if you find the sessions valuable, please make a
donation to WenatcheeOutdoors . You don’t need to attend all the
classes /outings – come to the sessions that fit your schedule or that
interest you most Please RSVP if you are interested in attending some
or all of the sessions. Contact us (webeditor@charter.net, 663-7027) to give us your name, phone number, and email address—we need to be able to notify you about updates.
Photo: Along the shore of Colchuck Lake. This course will prepare you to use trails adjacent to town as well as trails in our local mountains.