It’s spring. For many students, it’s also spring break time, which is an excellent excuse for an adventure. Of course, you don’t need to be a student (or the parent of one) to go exploring. With the mild winter we’ve had, options for outdoors fun are different than they’d usually be at this time of year. Here’s a roundup of ideas from around the region.
Eastern Washington
Great horned owlettes are hatching, coyotes are denning and rattlesnakes are still groggy — all signals that it’s prime time to hike, bike or ride a horse through the sagebrush country of Eastern Washington. Even better, wildflowers are beginning to bloom.
With snow still blocking the high country, savvy pedalers are taking their mountain bikes to the prairie. They’ll find plenty of challenges in these channeled scablands.
Trails wind through public lands managed by a wide range of agencies. Some of the most inviting of these areas for spring hikes include:
Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge, south of Cheney.
Ancient Lakes in the Quincy Wildlife Area, south of Quincy.
Steamboat State Park, north of Coulee City.
The U.S. Bureau of Land management is another big player in scablands recreation with 446,000 acres in Eastern Washington.
One of the longest and most varied of these trails runs 13 miles from Odessa north to Pacific Lake. Officially known as the Odessa-Lake Creek Trail, the route runs the length of the 13,000-acre Lakeview Ranch Recreation Area.
Most people who hike or mountain bike the entire trail leave a vehicle at Odessa and arrange a shuttle 8 miles north to start at the Lakeview Ranch near Pacific Lake.
The trail markers sometimes are missing. Having a map helps. Read more.
— Rich Landers, The Spokesman-Review
Oregon
With spring break on hand, there are more things to do outdoors than ever this time around.
How much more? Well, instead of having to cross-country ski or snowshoe to Trillium Lake on the Mount Hood National Forest, you can drive to it. Same thing with Lemolo Falls trailhead at 4,500 feet on the North Umpqua River.
And Mt. Hood Skibowl has opened its Summer Adventure Park — in the middle of March!
The mild winter, when snow was in short supply in the Pacific Northwest, has made terrain accessible like in few other years.
Reservations are available at many Oregon State Park campgrounds, and there are also first-come, first-serve spots.
Whale watching often draws visitors to the Oregon coast during spring break, many of whom camp if the weather is good. Read more.
— Terry Richard, The Oregonian
Bike on the beach
It’s difficult to say this, but there’s a good chance my love of hiking Oregon Coast beaches is gone forever.
Oh sure, I’ll still enjoy watching the sun set, throwing the ball for my dog or splashing around in the surf.
But as for hiking miles on the beach? Finished.
That’s because I tried fat biking recently on the coastal beaches in Lincoln City.
On a short afternoon trip, the bikes with oversized tires that are also used on snow allowed me and my companion to cover 14 miles out-and-back in just over two hours.
It was by far the most coastal beach I’ve explored in one day, and not nearly as difficult as you’d think.
There are so many stretches of sand people don’t see due to length and access issues, and fat bikes solve those issues in a hurry. The only places you can’t ride are western snowy plover nesting sites from March to September (most sites are on the South Coast and signed.)
Along with the Lincoln City area, another good area is South Beach to Ona Beach state parks, about 7 miles one-way. Ocean Park to Long Beach on the Washington coast is another option.
Two shops rent fat bikes on the coast, Bike Newport and South Coast Bicycles in Bandon, both for $50 per day. Read more.
— Zach Urness, Statesman Journal
Sun Valley
Sun Valley is a bit of a trip, but it’s gorgeous in the spring.
Maybe you think it’s not worth the hassle of traveling, but you may want to reconsider, especially if you’re still hankering to do some skiing.
But that’s not the only thing Sun Valley has going, so let’s take a look at some reasons why you should go:
Mount Baldy: Sun Valley has something other Idaho ski areas can’t match: elevation. The lifts on Baldy top out at over 9,000 feet. Elevation helps keep the snow in good shape, and it tends to get better in the afternoon.
The vibe: Spring skiing is about relaxing and having fun. There’s no powder to race for, there’s no lift lines to wait in, and the weather is inviting, not punishing. The casual vibe extends to the lodges, decks and patios.
Dollar Mountain: For those skilled and brave, the terrain park offers a chance to show off in the Olympic-sized halfpipe. There are also jumps and features for all abilities, and outstanding local skiers and boarders make it a fun spectator sport. Dollar Mountain is a great place for kids to get their first turns on the mellow slopes.
The deals: Sun Valley isn’t a cheap place, but it’s more affordable in spring. There are deals on lift tickets and lodging, and also lift ticket and lodging packages. And check out the end-of-season sales in the shops.
The food: Sun Valley has a well-earned reputation for dining. Go ahead and splurge on a nice meal. And don’t feel like you have to go someplace fancy. There’s lots of casual dining that has outstanding food.
Multisports: Bring your bike and ride the roads and paths. Mountain bike trails in Hailey open early in the spring. Or take one of the many local hikes. Read more.
— Roger Phillips, Idaho Statesman
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