Northwest Hiking

Specifically, day hiking first-aid kits are going to change from region to region if you like to customize and change things to better suit your liking and environment.  In general, there are a few things that should remain constant from one kit to another, however.  These are the essentials that will let you treat injuries that may be inflicted from short hikes.  Kits like this should be able to be improvised to treat both minor and moderately serious injuries, such as fractures.  Below is the contents of a kit that I acquired a number of years ago from the product’s web page that can be improvised to suit almost any minor first-aid situation:

REI Hiker First Aid Kit:

• Zippered nylon case corrals contents, with hang loops for easy carrying or storage
• Comes with ”The Wilderness First Aid Manual” by Dr. William Forgey for quick reference while on the trail
• Wound materials: five 0.75 x 3 inch adhesive bandages, five 1 x 3 inch adhesive bandages, five knuckle elastic bandages, five fingertip elastic
• Two 2 x 2 inch gauze pads, 5 x 9 inch abdominal/pressure pad, six butterfly closure strips
• Two 4 x 4 inch gauze pads, two 2 x 3 inch non-adherent pads, 2 inch x 4.1 yards stretch gauze roll
• Sanidex wipe, four antibacterial wipes, three triple-antibiotic ointment packets, two pvp iodine wipes, three Soothe A Sting wipes
• For sprains and blisters: 2-inch elastic bandage, two 3 x 4 inch moleskin, 1 inch x 10 yards porous tape
• Medications: four Cetafen Extra®, four Nutralox®, four Proprinal®, two antihistamine, plus two pill vials and two labels
• Equipment: 4.5-inch stainless-steel bandage scissors, 3.5-inch splinter forceps, NeoPro latex-free gloves, 3 safety pins, accident report form, pencil

This kind of kit will let you treat most injuries without too much of a problem, and still be comprehensive enough to improvise for more serious ones.  On that note, be safe and have fun hiking!

As part of a two part series, the first of which is general information on the area itself, the focus will be on the White Bluffs area near the Hanford Reach region.  This area is located just outside of Richland, WA.  Although about 35 miles from the city, 10 of which are on gravel roads, the hiking is fantastic and the views are amazing!

With both hiking and phenomenal mountain biking, the White Bluff areas offer outdoor enthusiasts a unique way to get out and enjoy nature.  With the trails being moderate to most strenuous, you’ll want to be pretty serious before trekking the several hundred feet vertical in just over a couple hundred feet on some of the trails before tackling those bad boys.  Nonetheless, there is something for everyone to enjoy, whether it is a stroll along the river, or a brisk hike to the top.

 To be continued. . .

A good trail if you want a nice stroll with nothing too hard involved, this is a good trail for you.  Beginning hikers, joggers, road bikers, and walkers will all find this a fun and easy way to enjoy some scenery.  The trail is paved for a good distance, and has good access for handicapped wheelchairs.  The trail runs from Rooks Park to the east of Walla Walla, into town at Walla Walla.  The path is not accessible at that point for all people, particularly disabled, since the paved section is only just over a mile long.  It does offer a nice view and a relaxing hike/run if you like easy terrain, though.  Here are some stats:

Terrain:  Paved until 1.2 miles from Rooks Park, then dirt and gravel.
Distance:  Connects with 20 miles of trails, so you choose!
Time:  Again, depends on how many trails you go off on, but in general, you can sight-see in under an hour.
Difficulty:  Easy

Directions:  Follow Hwy 12 east and turn right on Mill Creek Road, then follow signs for Rooks Park.

Although many mountain waterfalls are located out of the reach of many hikers, there are but a few that remain easy to access.  If you want an easy and fun hike with plenty of opportunity for some wading and possibly swimming, Little Mashel Falls will provide you with outstanding views and spectacular vantage points to view amazing waterfalls.

The Little Mashel Falls are located just outside of Eatonville, WA.  Access can be easily gained through the Pack Experimental Forest where directions and trail maps are available to help you get to the falls.  You may also choose to get to the falls on highway 161 just out of Eatonville (pull off the road to your right after you cross the trestle just out of Eatonville), but this is discouraged to prevent environmental damage.

The falls themselves are a series, ranging from a few small 6-15 foot waterfalls, to a thunderous 30+ foot waterfall that you can actually go under against the rocks and look out through the water to the outside world.  It is truly a spectacular sight, one that I was very appreciative to see.  Here are some stats and to finish it off, a picture:

Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Trail:  Hard-pack and loose dirt (very loose footing at times)
Elevation gain/loss: About 200 feet, depending on route
Total time: 1 1/2 hours round trip to hike just the waterfall area
Rating:  4.5/5

Definitely a trail to consider if you live in the area!  Happy hiking!

Although extreme distance hiking can be a great challenge to conquer and experience, not everyone has the motivation (or the stamina) to take on such rigorous conditions.  Sometimes, it’s nice to be able to take a short stroll and call it good for a day.  The Greenline #6 trail, located in Capitol Forest, WA, offers one such opportunity.  The trail from the Falls Creek campground to the Falls Creek Trailhead is a short hike that can be completed in under an hour, making it the perfect lazy walk for a crisp autumn day.

Length: Under 1.5 miles one way
Elevation +/-: Under 150 feet
Terrain:  Hardpack dirt single track
Environment: Primarily forests with diversity of age
Total hiking time:  1 hour, 45 minutes max

Directions:
From Tacoma, head south on I-5 and take the Littlerock exit.  Head West through Littlerock and at the T, turn right onto Waddel Creek Rd. SW.  Continue until you reach another T, and turn left onto Sherman Valley Rd.  Follow the signs to the C-Line roads.  Once on the main C-Line road, turn left onto C-6000.  At the Y, go right, and at then take the next right to the Falls Creek campground.  The trail is located to your left and once on it, turn left at the T to go the the Falls Creek Trailhead/day use area.

NOTE:  Non-motorized recreation on the Greenline trails, please!

For the hardcore hiker, there is nothing like conquering a serious trail to enjoy the best views around.  Crystal Mountain, WA offers just that.  As winter closes in, this will be one of the last hikes presented on Northwest Hiking until spring.  The trail offers spectacular views of Mt. Rainier and surrounding areas while offering challenging terrain for even the toughest hikers.  If you want an amazing hike and are in good shape, then you better head out before the end of September.  Here are some trail stats:

Location:  Crystal Mountain, WA
Distance:  A 9 mile loop
Elevation gain: 3000 feet
Views: Mount Rainier, surrounding areas, and Crystal Mountain Ski Resort
Terrain:  Hard pack dirt single track
Difficulty: Moderately difficult

The trail, although fairly good in most places, is steep and hard to follow in many areas.  When in doubt, follow the more obvious trail and DEFINITELY take a map.  You’ll end up in the wrong place otherwise.  Overall, this is a hike for more advanced hikers and outdoors people.  The views are definitely worth it, however, and I highly suggest it for anyone who wants a long hike with rewarding views!

More info:
Maps and Directions

In most cases, hiking provides a way to connect with nature on a new level and experience all it has to offer.  Rarely, however, does this experience include views that one can truly call magical.  Eagle Cliff, a short hike from Mowich Lake, WA, offers one such view.  The privilege to hike this trail is one that can be called an honor for those who view hiking as a look into the deepest recesses of what the world has to offer.

The trail, although hard to hike in some portions, is relatively short.  It starts out at Mowich Lake and continues about 1.5 miles up to the viewpoint.  The overlook area is perched on the side of a cliff (hence, Eagle Cliff) and offers stunning, if not spectacular views of Mt. Rainier, part of Spray Park, and the mountains surrounding Mt. Rainier.  It is a hike I would highly suggest to those who enjoy amazing views.

Trail difficulty: Moderate
Terrain: Hard-pack dirt
Habitat: Old growth forest

Picture:

For those who love a good hike that’s not going to completely wear you out, Tiger Mountain offers you a great trail to start on.  It’s called the Iverson Railroad Trail, and it’s suitable for most people of all hiking levels.  Nestled along the side of Tiger Mountain, it’s the perfect hike if you are only looking for a half day hike.

As far as difficulty is concerned, the trail has a total of about 400 feet of elevation gain with rolling hills interspersed between sections of long downhill parts.  The trail is about 4 miles long and will take you through some old growth and clearcut forest areas.  The trail is well constructed and easy to walk, made primarily of compacted dirt and some gravel.  I would definitely suggest this hike for anyone who is a beginner to advanced hiker.

Starting the hike, you’ll begin at the parking lot and take the road to the left.  At about 1/4 of a mile, you’ll come to a gate.  Continue around the gate for another 1.5 miles and the trail head will be on the right  After 4 miles, you’ll be back at the upper parking lot near the gate.  Happy trails!

Directions to Tiger Mountain here.

Nestled in the mountains of nearby Big Sky, Montana, hiking enthusiasts can enjoy a new challenge that only Montana can offer.  Lone Peak is an 11,166 foot mountain that is lacking trees and vegetation at the top.  Thus, views from the top are spectacular and the trails are fun to hike.

As far as skill level goes, the Summit Climb is going to be the hard.  2.8 miles round trip and extreme exposure are going to make this a hike for advanced hikers only.  The base elevation is 7500 feet at the Mountain Village.  Depending on where you start the hike from, you are looking at a potential 4000 foot elevation gain.

For those who are looking for an amazing climb, this is definitely a hike for you.  The views from the top and the beauty of the Big Sky area are phenomenal and offer you an unforgetable experience.  Happy hiking!

Trail map and more info:
Map
Info

Although day hikes are an awesome way to experience a region, there is nothing like having a base camp to work out of.  Day hikes out of a campground are often a fun and exciting way to cover an area without coming back several times, saving you gas and time in the process.  Ponderosa State Park offers its visitors a good base camp to hang out and “chill” during multiple small hikes.

Located on Payette Lake in McCall, ID, this park covers 1000 acres of peninsula that juts into the lake.  For hikes, there are multiple trails which you can hike and mountain bike on that are suitable for all experience levels.  At the end of the peninsula is a lookout area with spectacular views of the lake.  You can drive to the top, but for hikers, there will be nothing more satisfying than hiking to the top and staring out over Payette Lake.  I personally suggest hiking it in the morning when you can watch the sunrise from the top.

This is definitely a place any hiker could enjoy.  All experience levels will be able to hike this, but advanced hikers may get bored with less elevation gain and loss.  One thing is for sure, coming back to a camp to roast marshmallows and relax is a rewarding thing for any hiker.  Happy trails!