 Glen Carlson writes philosophically and poetically about chance encounters ... and about crazed fathers from Wenatchee celebrating Father's Day with daughters in much the same way ... by fleeing Dodge and getting outdoors.
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 This week 6th graders from Foothills Middle School went to camp at Tall Timbers. Shelly Forster tagged along and observed that inside each one of those undersized bodies lies a brain that is habitually yearning to bump noses with death.
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 The Sage Hills have a new kid on the block. CDLT, with help from CW Evergreen and RunWenatchee, have finished the Apricot Crisp trail and connected the Homestead and the Lightning trails with 1 mile of smooth new single track.
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 The play holes and rapids upstream of Cashmere are among the most popular on the Wenatchee River. Not only are many of the play spots excellent, they are convenient for boaters living in the Lower Valley who are looking for post-work excitement. Enjoy them now, before the Wenatchee fades away for summer.
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 It’s happening earlier than normal this summer...we’re receiving word from mountain bikers riding near Lake Wenatchee and from hikers visiting the Squilchuck Basin that the vampires are emerging. How do you keep them from sipping on your red wine?
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 No, Mick Jagger isn't coming to Leavenworth. Instead, you can develop moves like Mick Cragger at the thirteenth annual Rockfest, presented June 15 by the American Alpine Club. The festival will feature climbing clinics at Peshastin Pinnacles State Park, a BBQ dinner, a slideshow by acclaimed climber John Frieh, and camping at Gibbs Farm.
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 Every day hundreds of people use the Loop to commute, exercise, relax, and enjoy time with friends. When the Rocky Reach Trail is tacked on, locals will have an additional 5 miles of waterfront trail to savor. Learn about the proposed trail through this new video from the Complete the Loop Coalition.
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 When it warms up again and you are looking for shady climbing, consider a trip up to Rattlesnake Rock in the Tumwater Canyon. The rock is clean and steep with a multitude of small edge holds that offer classic face climbing. The route is described here by Charlie Hickenbottom.
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 During National Bike-To-Work-Week Andy Dappen wrote about the ‘why’ of bike commuting (it’s good exercise, it saves money and reduces congestions, it’s good for the environment, and it gets you more in touch with the outdoors and other people) Here are some basics to help new bike commuters get going.
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 Last month we posted a slideshow quiz of the most common "trailside" birds in the Wenatchee Valley. Now, here's the companion "waterside birds" quiz with the birds you're most likely to spot during a paddle or hike along the Columbia or the Wenatchee.
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 Mountain biking out the backdoor and into our foothills is a big benefit of life in Central Washington. In minutes, and without a car, we can be riding dirt trails. All too often, however, mountain bikers are under-prepared. See my recommends ... and share what items you carry.
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 Bullsnakes and rattlesnakes are often mistaken for each other in the Foothills. However, unlike rattlesnakes, bullsnakes are non-venomous and are no more harmful to you than an ornery kitten. This article debunks some of the most common bullsnakes myths and gives tips for distinguishing them from their rattling counterparts.
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In 2012, wildfires burned over 350,000 acres in Washington. Fire suppression costs exceeded $88 million dollars. This year, wildfire experts are predicting another crispy year for the Western US. Should we rally the troops for full-on war, or let nature take her course when plausible? In this article The Nature Conservancy's Ryan Haugo explains that like the smoke it generates, the verdict on wildfire is hazy at best.
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 CDLT's easement on Horse Lake Reserve will forever protect the land from future development, but structures sprinkled across the property reveal that Horse Lake has been host to prospectors, farmers, ranchers, loggers, and bums in the not-so-distant past. Learn what life was like for Horse Lake's former homesteaders with snippets from Everett Burts' History of the Horse Lake Area.
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W hen campers long to be fully swathed in illumination, a headlamp’s harsh laser beam just isn’t going to cut it. Campers that prefer sitting in an orb of light may get their fix with the Voyager LED lantern from Black Diamond. Read on for the review.
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 Can you tell a chukar from a chickadee? A flicker from a finch? Test your bird skills with this photo quiz that features birds you might see during a hike or bike ride in the Wenatchee Valley.
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 March 25, 2013. So far the list of blooming wildflowers is short. We’re seeing salt and pepper (a type of desert parsley), lots of prairie stars (saxifrage family), and bluebells (borage family). The balsamroots are budding, but very few are flowering yet. Buttercups and yellow bells are being seen. Tell us: what have you been seeing?
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 We recognize that using the WenatcheeOutdoors website can have you feeling like you’ve wandered into an ocean of information without a rudder to steer by. We’ve created this tips page to help readers navigate the depths of data. WenatcheeOutdoors is a guide to our regional outdoor resources, and this is a guide to the guide.
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This old post lists of most of the public access points along the Wenatchee River. We've just added what we know about swimming or dipping at these accesses -- some are excellent places to cool off on a hot summer day.
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