Help us keep going...

Help us keep our little blog going by voting for us in the 2012 Bloggie awards.

This is a very respected award for blogs and we know we have a number of fans who use weekendhike.com for researching local hikes.

Please vote for us in the Sports Category 

Thanks for your support - looking forward more new hikes in 2012!

Mark your Calendars - WTA Hiker Lobby Day (Feb 1)

Without proper funding many of the trails Washington hikers love will be closed or neglected - make your voice heard on this important issue.

When: Feb 01, 2012 - from 08:30 AM to 04:00 PM
Where: Olympia, WA
Contact Name: Kindra Ramos 206-965-8563 

Sign-up and more info, click here

On February 1 outdoor enthusiasts from across the state will come together in Olympia and urge legislators to protect funding for recreation and public lands. We hope you can join us at Hiker Lobby Day.

Washington Trails Association works to advance the interests of hikers. But we can’t do it alone. Elected officials need to know that their constituents - you - care about preserving wildlands, accessing trails and having adequate funding for maintenance.

In 2011, WTA brought 75 hikers from across the state together in Olympia to speak out for trails. After the event, legislators and constituents alike commented on how fun and influential the Hiker Lobby Day was.

 Photo by Ryan Ojerio (Source: WTA)

We hope to make this the largest Hiker Lobby Day yet. Please join WTA on February 1, 2012 in Olympia and speak out for trails.

Not able to attend? How about supporting the WTA by joining, volunteering or contributing? (click here)

WTA Open House in Seattle

Join us in celebrating a year in our new location.

We have finally hung the pictures on the wall and put away all the boxes, so come check out our downtown digs. Meet WTA’s new Executive Director, Karen Daubert. Talk with the staff and board; learn what we have planned for the year ahead.  Light hors d'oeuvres and beverages will be served. We hope to see you there!

Please RSVP here

When: Thursday  Jan 26, 2012 - 5pm to 7pm
Where:     705 2nd Ave #300 Seattle
Phone:     206-625-1367


View Larger Map

Vashon - Fisher Pond Preserve

This is a very easy loop hike around historic Fisher Pond (previously named Fishermans Pond - Google Maps still calls it by this name).

In 1998, Bill Fisher donated this 90 acre property to the island to preserve forever in its natural state. Additionally, he established a fund to purchase other surrounding properties. Thus far, the Fisher Fund has been used to purchase adjacent land that brings the preserve to its current 150 acres. This unique area hosts the pond and the easy loop trail around it - as well as several other hiking trails.

There are two entry points to the loop hiking trail off of SW Bank Road, both are right off the side of Bank Road. Be sure to park off the pavement on small parking strip on the northside of the road. We chose to start hiking on the trail toward the West (clock-wise around the pond).

During the Winter the first section of the trail can be muddy (or slightly flooded if there were heavy rains), but despite the mud - this part of the trail gets you the closest to pond for viewing birds and other critters. Note - this section of the loop doesnt show on this map - but its there and well used.

During the late fall//winter its easy to see the pond as most of the vegetation has lost its leaves. You can hear some road noise as you are pretty close to Bank Road, but soon you will turn into the forest and the noise diminishes quickly.

As you round the westside of the pond, keep to the right at the first intersection where the trail becomes a bit wider.

The next intersection leads to the another trailhead off SW Bank Road, but keep to the right to continue around the pond.

Soon you will reach a small shelter (built by local Eagle Scouts) with a picnic table and great viewing of Fisher Pond.

The remaining hike continues around the pond, but a bit further away from the water. The area is pleasant and makes for a relaxing hike (very little road noise on this side of the hike). Soon you will reach another intersection that leads to a longer hike to the Northeast trailhead off Cove Road. Keep right on the main loop trail to reach the starting point off Bank Road.

A great Vashon Island hike for those wanting a quick hike with no elevation up or down. Its easy to get to and good for those who have already done beach hikes on Vashon or Maury Island.

Fisher Pond - Vashon Island at EveryTrail
EveryTrail - Find the best Hiking near Tacoma, Washington

Basics:
Area - Fisher Pond Preserve (Vashon Island)
Trails - Main Loop Trail (Map - but doesnt show southside of the trail)
Length - 1 miles loop - Easy Hike
Duration: 20-30 minutes
Trail - Dirt trails - can be muddy in spots
Bikes - No bikes allowed
View - Of Fisher Pond, mostly on the southside of the hike
Getting There - From Seattle take the West Seattle Fauntleroy–Vashon ferry. Head south toward Vashon town. At the red light, turn right on SW Bank Road. After passing 115th Ave, look for small turnouts on the right. Limited parking, but usually not an issue.
Fee- None, free parking
Weather - Almost all Shade
Other Info - Low-impact pedestrian use only - No Dogs, Bikes, vehicles are allowed.

REI Clearence sale on NOW!

Yep - its that time again. REI is having their after the holidays big sale.

Camping and Hiking Deals

All other REI Products

Dont forget sign up for REI Gearmail and save 15% on selected items!




Bestselling Clearance items:

Petzl Tikka XP 2 LED Headlamp Don't let the small size fool you! The Petzl Tikka XP 2 headlamp packs a punch, with a powerful and adjustable beam, tilt head and battery-status indicator. Single high-output LED provides even, white lighting throughout your field of vision with no blank spots in the beam; advanced optics optimize the reach of the beam to 60m. Spring-assisted, flip-up diffuser lens changes beam shape from spotlight to area light for different conditions. Red LED positioned to the side of the white LED lets you preserve your night vision or use the headlamp as a blinking light to increase your visibility in urban environments. Push-button switch easily changes between 3 white lighting modes (high, low and flashing) so you can choose the appropriate light level for the task at hand. Also change between 2 red lighting modes (continuous and blinking). White light on low level provides up to 160 hrs. of use and high level up to 80 hrs.; red continous provides up to 100 hrs. Hold down the on/off switch to change between red and white lighting modes. Battery charge indicator light comes on when the beam distance diminishes to 5m and when there is only 50% battery life remaining for proximity lighting. Provides IPX4 water resistance for reliability in inclement weather. Headlamp tilts to point light where you need it; adjustable elastic headband holds the light securely in place. Compatible with the Petzl Adapt Tikka 2 system (not included), which allows you to quickly and easily attach the light in a variety of places. Battery compartment is hinged to allow simple access; compartment closes easily and securely. Runs on 3 AAA alkaline batteries, included; Tikka XP 2 is compatible with lithium batteries, which are lighter than alkaline batteries and perform well in cold temperatures.

Motion - The best hiking (related) TV show

Updated Jan 2012

For those in the Bay Area there is a great local outdoor/hiking show called Motion on the digital channel LiveWell - Channel 7.2, and on Comcast channel 715.

For those outside of the Bay Area, now you can also see show full episodes online at the LiveWellHD site.

The show has amazing video of great views, waterfalls and vistas from a number of Western US locations - including the Olympic Peninsula, Big Island of Hawaii and Kenai Fjords Glacier.

Unlike most outdoor shows on TV, Motion does a really great job of showing the hiking route as well as providing some tips on accessing the trail. While other shows can gloss over the details the host, Greg Aiello does a nice job of providing some really useful hiking information.

This is the best hiking show on TV in my book.

A scene from Yosemite Falls - Over the Edge




The show also focuses on camping, kayaking, geocaching and mountain biking. Its a very well done outdoors tv show - Kudos to Greg and his team for keeping it going!

Mauna Ulu Eruption Trail - Splatter Rampart

We did this hike in the Hawai'i Volcanos National Park as part of a very cool Volcano tour. There are plenty of trails in this area for longer treks. This hike is a nice stop on the way to the Holei Sea Arch (and end of the Chain of Craters Road).

After doing this hike, I discovered a great episode of Motion TV on the same area - Greg even walks around this same area. Check out the video below



The hike starts of the side of the Chain of Craters Road with Mauna Ulu in the far distance. There is a one car parking spot on the west side of the road, simply cross the road and been treking toward Mauna Ulu, there is no trailhead or marked trail. For navigation, feel free to use this EveryTrail Map.

Since there is no dedicated trail, you are free to find your way along the 1969 Eruption Fissue (some spots can be deep). The trail surface is mostly cinder and Pele's Tears - we didnt see may strains of Pele's Hair - but there are plenty of cool things to look at along the trail.

Upon meeting a fairly obvious lava flow (from 1974) turn to the left (Northwest) toward the Start of the Napau trailhead.

Soon you will reach the end of the old Chain of Craters road which was taken over by lava in 1974. This is the main trailhead for the trails toward Mauna Ulu, Makaopuhi Crater, Napau, and Pu'u O'o. 

There is a pit toilet here at the trailhead, but no water. Our tour guide meet us with our vehicle so it was a one-way trip, but you can return back to the parking spot on the Chain of Craters Road by retracing your steps. Or you can start your Splatter Rampart trip from this trailhead parking area.

A very fun area to trek around on the Splatter area (much easier than walking on old lava flows). To be honest, unless you have been here before, I would highly recommend doing the Viator Twilight Volcano tour -- its a small-group tour and very well run. Its the best run tour to the Volcano and gives you a great understanding of the area, so on your next visit you can do it on your own.

Basics:
Area - Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (Big Island, Hawaii)
Trails - Splatter Rampart Trail (unmarked, not mapped)
Length - 1 miles oneway - Easy Hike
Duration: 45mins to 1 hour
Trail - Loose cinders (sounds like walking on Capn Crunch cereal)
Bikes - none
View - Great views of Mauan Ulu on sunny days
Getting There - EveryTrail or book online with Viator.  
Fee- No extra fees on the tour, water and food provided
Weather- Can be sunny or rainy, trek is out in the open on the lava fields
Other Trails - Napau Trail, Naulu Trail, Kalapana Trail (unmaintained), Escape Road (map). A great book for hiking on the Big Island: Hiking the Hawaiian Islands

Mauna Ulu Eruption Splatter Trail at EveryTrail
EveryTrail - Find the best Hiking on Big Island, Hawaii