Online storm damage map and database launched
For many people, the start of summer heralds the start of hiking season. But the past year’s winter storms brought heavy wind and flood damage to many of the Northwest’s park and forest areas.

    To help hikers determine which areas are accessible and safe this year, Washington Trails Association (WTA) has put together a comprehensive online database comprising information about trail conditions.

    Damage to some of the Northwest’s most popular recreation areas makes advance planning essential. For example, 70 percent of the trailheads in the Mountain Loop Highway area are not accessible due to road washouts that prevent cars from reaching the trailheads. Mount Rainier sustained major damage to its trail system, including much of the Wonderland Trail.

    The database, which was funded by REI, the Stusser Endowment and the members of WTA, can be found at http://traildamage.wta.org/. The database and maps will be updated throughout the summer as conditions change. Hikers can search by region or click on specific trails to view a detailed assessment of an area’s condition.

    The WTA is leading trail repair work parties throughout the summer. People of all ages and abilities are encouraged to pitch in; no experience required. For more information on helping with trail repair, call WTA at (206) 625-1367 or sign up online at www.wta.org.

National Trails Day – June 2, 2007
The American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day, now in its 15th year, was started to increase awareness of community trails and to provide a helping hand for volunteer trail clubs that work to preserve trails all year long.

    More than 1,000 events will be held across the country to celebrate NTD. Events kick off on June 2. Planned activities include trail dedications, gear demonstrations, trail work projects and educational presentations. To find events in Oregon and Washington, go to www.americanhiking.org/events/ntd/index.html.

Dirt Series Mountain Bike Camps for Women
Rocky Mountain Bicycles’ Dirt Series puts on personalized women’s-only mountain bike camps (plus two co-ed weekends) throughout B.C., Alberta, Washington, Oregon, California and Utah.

    Whether you’re an experienced rider or new to the sport, these camps provide an opportunity to learn technical skills, increase confidence and improve mountain biking performance. Tips on bike maintenance and fit are also included.

    With a 1:6 instructor-to-participant ratio, Dirt Series camps are tailored to be fun and challenging for riders of all levels. Camps are held rain or shine. For more information, go to www.dirtseries.com.

Upcoming camp sessions:

• June 16 – 17 Bellingham, Wash.
• June 23 – 24 Hood River, Ore.
• June 30 – July 1 Bend, Ore.
• July 14 – 15 North Vancouver, B.C.
• Aug. 4 – 5 Whistler, B.C.
• Aug. 18 – 19 Fernie, B.C.

Families Go Hiking
Join Joan Burton, author of Best Hikes with Kids in Western Washington, at 6 p.m., Tuesday, June 26 at the Seattle REI for hints on hiking with kids.

    Part of the Washington Trails Association’s Families Go Hiking program, the clinic will include tips on planning, food, safety and choosing a trail. Burton will also share the top 10 trails for kids in Washington. Children are welcome to attend. The Bellingham REI will also present a Hiking with Kids clinic at 6 p.m., Tuesday, June 12.

    The Families Go Hiking program also offers guided hikes that maintain a kid-friendly pace and include fun trail activities. All guided hikes begin at 10 a.m. at the trailhead; hikes are free, but advance registration is required.

Upcoming guided hikes:

Saturday, June 23 – Bridal Veil Falls
Saturday, July 21 – Rattlesnake Lake
Saturday, Sept. 15 – Park Butte-Railroad Grade
Saturday, Oct.13 – Heather Lake
To register for guided hikes or clinics, or for more information, visit www.wta.org.

Gordon Black named new BAW ED
    Gordon Black was recently named the new Executive Director of the Bicycle Alliance of Washington. He replaces Barbara Culp who directed the organization for the past eight years.

    Black has a long association with the Bicycle Alliance while advocating for improving bike access on the Washington State Ferries. He was also a co-founder of Squeaky Wheels, the successful bike advocacy group on Bainbridge Island. Previously, Black taught history at Bainbridge Island High and worked extensively as a journalist as a news reporter on KUOW radio.

    For more information about Black or the Bicycle Alliance, log onto www.bicyclealliance.org

Raleigh award winners
Raleigh Bicycles, based in Kent, Wash., recently landed two top industry awards. The Raleigh 2007 Competition was selected by editors of Bicycling magazine as the best “Recreational Road Bike,” while the Raleigh 2007 Supercourse was named Outside magazine’s “Killer Value” in the road bike category.

    Both bikes feature a totally redesigned Raleigh ACE Evolution/Direct Connect carbon road frame – the lightest and most durable frame Raleigh has ever offered.
For more information or to find a Raleigh dealer near you, visit www.raleighusa.com.

Cycle Washington route announced
The first annual Cycle Washington Memorial Bike Ride will take place on July 21-22, 2007. Riders will begin at Marymoor Park in Redmond, Wash., and ride through Fall City, Snoqualmie, and North Bend before spending the night in Cle Elum. Sunday’s route will take riders over Blewett Pass and culminate in Wenatchee.

   The ride was conceived as a memorial for Jill Wood Spanjer, former executive director of the Wenatchee Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau, who was hit by a car while riding her bike near Wenatchee in 2004. The Cycle Washington Bike Ride was sanctioned in November, 2005 by Governor Chris Gregoire as a memorial Wood Spanjer. Riders are invited to memorialize a loved one who has been killed or injured while riding Washington State roads.

    This ride is meant not only to memorialize, but also educate all Washington residents of bicycle safety and sharing the road. Proceeds will benefit the Jill Spanjer Foundation and the Retired Volunteer Centers (RSVP) of Washington.
For more information, visit www.cyclewamemorialride.com

Big City Mountaineers seeks adult volunteers for summer 2007
Big City Mountaineers takes urban teens on wilderness adventures, partnering them with adult mentors for eight-day backpacking and paddling trips. Adult volunteers are currently being recruited for 2007 summer programs all over the U.S.

    In Seattle, Big City Mountaineers will be leading groups of five teens and five adults on backcountry trips in the Cle Elum Ranger District. A background check and skills assessment is required for all volunteer applicants. A fee of $100 per person is charged to cover food, transportation and permit costs. For more information, visit www.bigcitymountaineers.org/volunteer.

TrailsFest coming to North Bend
The Washington Trails Association presents the 14th annual TrailsFest on July 21, 2007 in North Bend, Wash. TrailsFest is a free, hands-on event for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages.
The event will include guided explorations and interactive exhibits as well as clinics on a variety of topics, such as mountain weather, hiking with kids and ultra-light trekking.
Participants will be able to try outdoor pursuits like fly fishing, climbing a rock wall and kayaking. Gear companies and outdoor recreation groups will be in attendance. For more information call (206) 625-1367 or visit www.trailsfest.org.

Tamarack Zipline
Tamarack Resort in Tamarack, Idaho, is offering visitors a birds-eye view of the area’s rugged mountain terrain. Soar over canyons, zip past treetops and fly above meadows.
Suspended up to 200 feet above the Payette River Mountains, eight ziplines whisk visitors through 4,425 feet of forests and meadows.

    Experienced guides provide narration about the area’s history and native plants and animals. Tours last 3-4 hours and cost $80 per person. No prior experience is required, but there is some stair climbing and moderate hiking involved. For more information, call (208) 325-1006 or visit www.tamarackidaho.com > Summer Adventure.

Paddle to Lummi
For centuries, Northwest coastal tribes have undertaken canoe journeys as gestures of goodwill toward neighboring villages. In honor of this history, the Lummi Nation will host five days of traditional potlatch ceremonies July 30 – Aug. 4, 2007 for Paddle to Lummi: 2007 Intertribal Canoe Journey.

    Up to 70 canoe teams made up of members of Northwest coastal tribes will paddle from as far away as Oregon and British Columbia to come together on Lummi Island. Individual canoe journeys may last from two to four weeks. Festivities will include daily dancing, singing and storytelling performances. The Lummi Nation welcomes all people to join the celebration. For details, visit www.paddletolummi.com.

TrailLink 2007 registration now open
Learn about the active transportation movement and getting your community to invest in trails, biking and walking for everyday transportation at TrailLink 2007, Aug. 8-10
in Portland, Ore. The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy will present research developments and examples of successful active transportation projects. King County Executive Ron Sims and Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) will be keynote presenters. To register, or to learn more, visit www.railstrails.org.

Mercer Island Police step up patrols
With better weather bringing more bicyclists to the roads, the Mercer Island Police Department is increasing education and enforcement in an effort to maintain safe roadways for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists on the island.

    Officers often see bicycles failing to stop for stop signs and lights and motorists passing bicyclists in an unsafe manner. When a bicycle is riding on the roads, the cyclist has all of the rights and responsibilities of a vehicle driver (RCW 46.61.755). Violations will initially be handled with warnings and education. For details on specific laws as they apply to bicyclists on the roadways, visit www.bicyclealliance.org.

Follow in Lewis & Clark’s footsteps by bicycle
Adventure Cycling Association, a nonprofit bicycle travel organization, has updated and re-released maps tracing the route explorers Lewis & Clark took at the start of the 19th century. The updated maps feature new routing, new off-road paths, and gravel road options. They also offer a guide to amenities like restaurants, hotels, and campgrounds, plus the locations of public libraries along the way.

   The Lewis & Clark Trail cycling map covers 4,675 miles from Hartford, Ill., to Seaside, Ore. To learn more, visit www.adventurecycling.org/routes/lewisandclark.cfm