Tips, Tricks, and Tools to Consider in the PNW
- Carrie LC
- Mar 19, 2024
- 0 min read
Updated: Mar 27, 2024
Crazy Weather Alert - Washington State, Here's how to look it up.
Many parks have been affected by winter weather and storms. Sometimes we see hail when least expected. Please check out this site in advance to look up your destination hike.
Northwest Avalanche Center - Look up and info.
If you are attempting a hike in the winter, please do your research and watch for avalanche chutes. During the winter of 2022/2023, at least 5 recreationists were killed in Washington State. Before you go out, take some time to learn more about avalanches safety and rescue. Please refer to this link below for daily review prior to your hike; NWAC.
When crossing a chute in a group, it is advised to maintain a 5-10 meter separation between each individual while crossing the chute. For safety reasons, if an avalanche does occur, not everyone in the group will be hurt; allowing for someone to help rescue. When descending or ascending a slope, try to stay as far to the sides of a potential avalanche chute as possible to decrease your chances of being caught if an avalanche runs.
Check out these links for more information.
All Trails App Recommendation.
New to hiking? Consider downloading the All Trails App and here is why:
Great for finding hikes (really good filter to help identify a hike by length, difficulty level, etc.)
You can download the trail onto your phone ahead of time; which, allows you to make sure you stay on the trail while in the mountains with no cell service.
You can use it to keep statistics of all of your hikes.
These are just a few main reasons why this App is a hikers must have.
Don't know which outdoor activity you'd like to do? Check out this site for inventory and what's available.
Camping, Lookouts, and Lodging in Washington State for more adventures, check out Recreation.gov.
What pass do I need in Oregon/Washington State?
Recreational passes and permits (Oregon & Washington) Day hikes included. Learn more about “America the beautiful” passes and National Forest Day passes. Information on local vendors also selling “in person”.
Questions to include:
Are there any free days?
What type of recreational passes are available and how do I decide?
https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/r6/passes-permits/recreation
FYI, disabled veterans are eligible for a free lifetime "America the beautiful" pass.
What pass do I need in Washington State and what’s the difference Q & A.
What's the difference between the Northwest Forest Pass and the Discover Pass? Both are recreation passes that are required on public lands in Washington. The Northwest Forest Pass is for use on federal land; the Discover Pass on state land.
Can I buy one pass that will work work on all state and federal lands? Such a pass is not available at this time.
I don’t want to think about where I’m going, which passes should I get, and what will it cost me? You should purchase the America the Beautiful Interagency Pass ($80) and the Discover Pass ($30). This will get you into all federal and state lands in Washington.
I only plan to go out one or two times. What pass should I get? You should purchase day passes. A day pass for hiking on national forest lands is $5 and state lands is $10. It costs $25/car to enter Mount Rainier or Olympic National Parks, and that pass is good for a week. These passes are sometimes available at the trailhead, but you shouldn't count on it. Both the Discover Pass and Northwest Forest Pass can be purchased and printed online. Check WTA's Recreation Pass Info page for details.
Want to purchase a discover pass, follow this link: https://www.discoverpass.wa.gov/?gad=1...
Want to purchase the America the Beautiful pass, follow this link to find out how: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm
Idaho, Department of Parks & Recreation.
Want more information on camping, reserve a camp site, passes, trails, shops and more!
Don’t know what park you want to visit, check out this site.
Sunrise-to-Sunset Tool Free Tip.
Discovering this site was a one of kind! If you’re anything like me, I love to follow the sun! It’s a free online tool that allows you to plug your location into the site to discover by date, the start of twilight, sunrise, sunset, end of twilight, day length, solar noon, and the start and end of both nautical twilight and astronomical twilight.
It’s especially helpful if your adventure of choice is, photography, hikers, lovers (for that special someone), golfers, explorers, astronomers. If you’re a parent, it’s also great to share with your kids. Check it out. Continue to check out our guides for more hiking and adventure information.
Have you seen a "cairn" on the hiking trail? I'm not referring to the meme.
When you’re unsure of where to go, look for a cairn, below is a picture identifyer. In treeless areas, stacked rocks known as cairns often serve as trail markers.
Each park differs on how cairns are used but moving them can mislead visitors who are hiking on the trails. If you’re unsure where to go, look for an cairn.
I get this question often and did my research so you don’t have too. This was the absolute best websites for all our new hikers to read. Check out what marker we just saw on our last hike in the pic provided.
What to look for when a light snow dust occurs and you can’t see the trail.
Check out these links below for more information.
https://www.mapquest.com/.../understanding-hiking-trail...
https://www.greenbelly.co/.../how-to-read-hiking-trail...
Safety Hiking Guide
Check out this site regarding a safety hiking, hike smart: https://www.nps.gov/articles/hiking-safety.htm
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