Trailhead issues and concerns
Trailhead Break-in Epidemic–what can we do about it?
Here we go again. If it feels like I just wrote about this topic, it is because I did a mere year and a half ago. A rash of car break-ins, smash-and-grabs, car clouting (call it what you may, but they all mean the same thing- a big bummer to the end of a great…
Read MoreClassic Hike Threatened with Clear-cut and Trail Closure
Lake Serene and Bridal Veil Falls perched within the craggy forbidden spires of Mount Index is a hike beloved by thousands of recreationists—and it’s one of my and the late Harvey Manning and Ira Springs 100 Classic Hikes in Washington. What many hikers don’t realize however is that the beginning of this hike is on…
Read MoreRash of car break-ins on the Olympic Peninsula
Here we go again. Summer has arrived and hikers are hitting their favorite trails in full force. Unfortunately it appears that smash-and-grab car prowling low-lives are out in full force hitting their vehicles—and the Olympic Peninsula is seeing a rash of car break-ins this year. Reports have been coming in of car break-ins at Graves…
Read MoreTicked off!
Romano’s Hiking Tips No. 1 Ticks Ticks! They make my blood crawl just thinking about them crawling on me looking for blood! Just last week while hiking through a coastal forest in North Carolina, one managed to sneak into my car and another followed me back to my hotel. I once had one hitch a…
Read MorePopular Trailhead in Gorge Permanently Closed
Just what we need! As trail use continues to escalate and many of our close to the city trails become downright crowded-we have just lost access to a popular trailhead in the Columbia River Gorge. What does that mean? Two wonderful Columbia River Gorge hiking destinations—Aldrich Butte and Table Mountain just got a whole lot…
Read MoreInslee axes full funding for Blanchard– beloved Oyster Dome threatened with clear-cutting
It was nearly one year ago when I first reported to you that one of Puget Sound’s most popular hiking spots may soon succumb to clear cut logging. The Oyster Dome, the Pearl of the Chuckanut Mountains—the only place in the Cascades where the mountains meet the Salish Sea—is in very real danger of being…
Read MoreAnother Trail Fatality-Why?
It saddened me to read this morning—that yet another hiker has perished likely because of bad judgement. My thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family. I wasn’t there, so I don’t know the circumstances. But I have hiked Lava Canyon and it is indeed a place that can be quite dangerous if prudence…
Read MoreAttack of the Agitated Owl
If you hike and trail run frequently this time of year, you may feel the wrath (but hopefully not the talons) of an overly protective barred owl. Now most folks are worried about not-so-friendly encounters with bears, mountains lions, rattlesnakes and other assorted critters. Fair enough. But it’s those owls that worry me and you…
Read MoreI Love to Tell a Tale of a New Trail
I am often asked how I find trails for my guidebooks. A legitimate question. After all, folks buying my books are trying to find trails too. I try to do all the hard work for you so all you need to do is enjoy the hike. So, okay, this is how I find/research trails–incorporating any one…
Read MoreWashington’s Top Three White-knuckle Trailhead Roads
It’s nice when we can reach our favorite trailheads via nice paved roads—or at least wide, well-graded and regularly maintained gravel roads. But unfortunately that’s not usually the case—and we are often faced with the dilemma of having to drive a harrowing road to get to the trail. While some of us drive pickups and…
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