Tag Archives: Sinlaheiken

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SINLAHEKIN’s Blue Lake

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SINLAHEKIN WILDLIFE AREA

OKANOGAN HIGHLANDS

LOOMIS, WASHINGTON

Date: 12-12-20

Activity: Day Hike

3.5 miles, 2 hour duration

A couple days after my adventure: ’Quiet Walk Through a Dormant Land’ in the Sinlahekin Valley I returned to the area. In stark contrast to my first outing, the weather was bright and beautiful. I savored the joys of adventure and discovery through the snowy area this time along Blue Lake with my brother-in-law Dale, an outdoor enthusiast, backpacker and lover of nature.

All of the surrounding mountains and ruggedness of the cliffs were now fully exposed, illuminated in brilliant sunshine. However, the weather did change towards the end of our hike as the low hung clouds once again returned to the valley with weather beginning to rolling in.

We navigated the snow covered back road effortlessly with 4WD, and then hiked the backside of the lake along a snow hidden trail. I was fascinated when Dale discovered bob cat tracks on our trek. Boy, would that have been something to see if I had the chance. Most of Blue Lake was frozen over, but there still was a portion where we saw ducks and geese enjoying the day in ice clear water. A spectacular outing in a beautiful pristine spot.

4WD is necessary to navigate the snow covered country road.
Nature has a way to repeatedly awaken ones senses and speak to the heart – Ray Jardine
Dale takes a snack break with snowy mountains and an icy lake view.

Thanks for joining Dale and I as we found ourselves ‘Pursing Balance Through Adventure’, at Blue Lake in the Sinlahekin. My brother in law would be the first to tell you, as a busy lawyer, nature is so important to releasing some of the stress and to balance out such a busy life. Replenishing emotional and mental wellness by balancing that connection between body and mind through the healing that nature provides is essential. ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure‘s’ prescription is simple: fresh air, a little exercise, let your mind and indeed your soul be nurtured by the stunning beauty that Mother Nature has provided. You only need to get out and open up your senses. Feel the winter breeze, smell that wonderful pine scent, spy the glint of the sun off of a icy crag, listen to the wild geese honking across the sky, breath it in, breath it out, feel the rekindling. Stay with us as we continually experience rebirth through profound experiences in nature. You can do this by these very simple tasks: LIKE, COMMENT, FOLLOW and don’t forget SHARE. If you will browse the menu you will see other special places to gain this fulfillment, neighboring Oregon, or maybe Utah, California, Nevada, Arizona and numerous place across the West. Be mindful that each location is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. At SHOP APPAREL you will find PBTA logo adventure wear. Let’s get the word out, “Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

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Quiet Walk Through a Dormant Land

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SINLAHEIKEN WILDLIFE AREA

OKANOGAN HIGHLANDS

LOOMIS, WASHINGTON

Activity: Day Hike

Date: December 10, 2020

Just 10 miles from the Canadian Boarder in the Okanogan Region lies the Sinlahekin Valley and this wild area.  The Sinlahekin Natural Area is 14,000 acres that supports a diverse population of birds including grouse and pheasant and it’s several small lakes are teeming with water fowl and rainbow trout.  The area also is home to deer and other animals.  

Those visiting Sinlahekin Natural Area can enjoy wooded areas with Ponderosa Pine, Douglas Fir, as well as various deciduous trees, rolling hills of grassland, surrounded by the steep hills and mountainsides.  There are 8 miles of trail, the Dave Brittell Memorial Trail.   

In the summer this place would have blue skies reflecting on it’s lakes with steep hills and mountains as a back drop.  In the spring it would be green and  flowering.  Fall would be delightful with many deciduous trees bringing color to the landscape, and in winter it would be a wonderland.

I walked 8 miles of this area in between seasons.  Not Autumn, as all the leaves had fallen leaving a earthy scent of damp soil and decaying leaves hanging in the air. Not winter per se, as there was only a few patches of crisp snow here and there.  The low level clouds hung over the valley fogging the appearance of all but the nearest hills or mountain sides at their foot.  

So my venture was a quiet walk through a dormant land, void of all sound other than the Sinlahekin Creek.  No animals, the lakes were frozen so no jumping fish, or flocks of geese.  I did see a bald eagle investigating a small open water section that was not frozen, obviously searching for his next meal.  Mine was a nice hike in the country, and a time for reflection, a silent time for ‘Pursing Balance Through Adventure’.

The frozen lake and the low hung clouds let you know that winter had arrive at Sinlahekin.
“I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude.” -Henry David Thoreau

One thing that is great about nature is how it whispers to you while ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’. On quiet frozen days like this everything seems asleep and at peace, and the experience really sets you at ease which is exactly what the doctor ordered to bring balance from the stress of our real lives, with do this -do that, be here- be there, rush around, work work work. It is nice to have nature heal us with a quiet walk through a dormant land. For more healing through nature and profound experiences of adventure please: COMMENT, LIKE, SHARE and FOLLOW. Please support this site by supporting yourself with a shirt, hat or a beanie that carries the important message for you and all lovers of nature: ‘Pursing Balance Through Adventure’ at SHOP APPAREL. To help you find a special place to find that inner peace checkout the menu to see all the many locations that PBTA ventures to. Keep in mind that each location is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure