My sister Peggy, brother-in-law Dale and I started out heading for a snowy summit to try out new crampons in the snow. Turns out the hike we chose had much more snow then we expected and would have called for snowshoes. So we opted for nearby choice #2.
Highland’s Sno-Park is a cross country ski trail in a delightful wooded area, with some peak-a-boo vistas of the surrounding countryside, hills, and distant mountains.
Highland Sno-Park was a nice warm up for future wintery hikes. It was wonderful to be out together in the crisp, fresh 26 degree air, listen to the wind in the tree tops, and to hear the fluffy snow crackle with each fallen foot step.
4WD is recommended for country roads during the winter
“What good is the warmth of Summer without the cold of Winter to give it sweetness” John Steinbeck
Thanks for joining Dale, Peggy, and I as we went on a snowy winter trek ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’. Stick with us like the little boy who was dared to lick the frozen flag pole bythe these means: FOLLOW, COMMENT, LIKE, and SHARE. The Menu above will give you ideas for your next outing in nature to free yourself, if only for awhile, to delight in nature, to dwell on adventure, and revel in the moment of the journey. Each Menu location is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. What do you think of the new PBTA Beanie keeping me warm? You can find it at SHOP APPAREL.
What a delightful way to spend half a day, paddling a canoe down the Okanogan River. My brother-in-law Dale Crandall was kind enough to drop me and his canoe off before he headed for work at his law practice, North Cascades Law Group. I put in at Ellisforde north of Tonasket. There was a chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon, but I would be off the water well in advance of the coming storm.
It was a nice hot day and a canoe trip on the water was just what I was looking for. In the summer the river is not running high nor hard, an easy current. Just a lazy river outing winding through this scenic country. One bend in the river and there would be rugged hillsides nearby, and another bend and it would be farm land. I passed a tree with a rope swing. The Okanogan River has that small town, country feel. Really relaxing. You could float along and let the current carry you, or paddle hard and get some exercise.
There were a couple places on the river with some very mild rapids. They were so fun that I went back and enjoyed them a couple times, as did a few kayakers that I was sharing the river with.
As I mentioned, there was some turbulent weather expected, and the wind started picking up. It wasn’t straight on the nose, but close to it so I had to paddle harder on one side then the other, to keep the canoe on course. The wind continued to increase such that it was windy enough to counter act the current. Suddenly there was no choice but to paddle hard if I wanted to get anywhere. The exercise was welcome and I dug the paddle deep making my way along the banks of the Okanogan River.
After going under the bridge leading into Tonasket, the river got very shallow, so shallow that I was bottoming out, and in one place I actually had to get out and walk the canoe through the area. It was just a short distance so it was no big deal.
Soon afterwards it was time to go ashore beaching my canoe at Chief Tonasket Park, named after the Okanogan Indian Chief that the entire town is named for.
As I mentioned in the beginning of this post, paddling the Okanogan River in a Canoe is a very delightful experience if you happen to be ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure.’
I put in at Ellisforde as you can see I have my life jacket on, two paddles, always a good idea in case you lose one in a rapid. After all you certainly do not want to find yourself in the proverbial position of “Up a Creek without a Paddle.” I have my day back with which to stay hydrated on this warm summer day, and some healthy snacks. As you can see the river is pretty calm with a gentle current, so the life jacket came off pretty quickly along with the shirt in order to catch some rays. End of Paddle takeout at Chief Tonasket Park”Have you also learned that secret from the river; that there is no such thing as time?” That the river is everywhere at the same time, at the source and at the mouth, at the waterfall, at the ferry, at the current, in the ocean and in the mountains, everywhere and that the present only exists for it, not the shadow of the past nor the shadow of the future.” -Hermann Hesse
Thanks for joining me on the Okanogan River as I was ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure” with a paddle. If you enjoyed this article then you will want to COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW, and SHARE so that you do not miss further journeys.
Activity: Canoeing, horseback riding, swimming, boating, wake-boarding, water skiing, biking, fishing, exploring and hiking
Palmer Lake in Okanogan County, near the towns of Loomis and Tonasket Washington, is a beautiful little lake surrounded by grassy hillsides, and rocky mountains. Palmer Lake sports 10 miles of shoreline. One side has houses dotted along it’s beach the other rugged mountain side.
Palmer Lake
There are plenty of activities to keep outdoor lovers enthusiastically entertained. I have enjoyed the hospitality of my sister Peggy and her husband Dale Crandall at their beautiful home over looking this postcard setting on multiple occasions and I can hardly wait to return.
We hiked up above Palmer Lake for marvelous views and enjoyed the serenity of this place. The day hike was a great way to stretch the legs and prepare for our upcoming backpacking adventure.
I love canoeing on Palmer Lake and I went out quite often during my visit. It is usually pretty still in the morning, but the breeze that comes up sometimes in the afternoon and can give you quite a workout getting back. The lily pads are a great place to catch yellow perch. Other fish in this lake are black crappie, burbot, large and small mouth bass, and sockeye salmon. Along the cliff pictured in the background of the picture above left is a great place to find some shade in the afternoon and chill. For those more adventurous there is a great place for jumping off a perch on the cliff side into the cool water.
Similkameen River flows into Palmer Lake
Lots of wildlife in the area
One day I did some exploring by bike, checking out the natural beauty as well as some weathered and rustic old buildings.
Marina models ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ Cap. Get yours at Pursuing Balance Through Adventure Shop Apparel
Good times on the lake wake-boarding.
Peggy having a delightful day on the lake slalom waterskiing.
Silhouette of Rattle Snake Wrangler Dale
2 Rattlers found at garage door
I knew that there were animals and reptiles to be wary of in the area such as black bear, cougar, coyote, and rattle snakes, but I did not think that Dale would wrangle a couple for me to checkout close up and personal like this. These two were right out the garage door. He released them up the hill a ways.
Listen to that rattling those snakes are angry.If you are lucky enough to live at the lake, your are lucky enough.
Thanks for joining sister Peggy, brother-in-law Dale, daughter Marina and I ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure Washington State Hiking’. I invite you to checkout some of my other websites for adventures in other areas of the West. If you enjoyed this post then please LIKE, COMMENT, FOLLOW, and SHARE.
-Roger Jenkins, Pursuing Balance Through Adventure
Whistler Canyon Trail near Orville Washington, part of the Pacific Northwest Trail, is actually a 14 mile trail that encompasses an elevation change of 3,776’ and is used by hikers, rock climbers, horse back riders, and just simply nature lovers. This area has all kinds of wildlife such as wild turkey, hawk, eagle, vulture, rattle snake, big horn sheep, mule deer, bear, marmot, coyote, moose, and cougar. There are sweeping vistas of the Okanogan River and Valley, the town of Orville, Osoyoos Lake, and Canadian mountains in the distance.
I bundled three trails in my day hike excursion: Part of the Whistler Canyon Trail, the Frog Pond Trail, and a portion of the Black Diamond Lake Trail.
If you only have a couple hours or so then the Frog Pond Trail might be a fun hike to do. Starting at the Whistler Canyon Trail you climb pretty quickly in elevation then off to your left you will find the sign to the Frog Pond Trail which is a delightful hike through an Ponderosa Pines wooded area with rocky cliffs on both sides. There is a great overlook that is not to be missed with super views of the Okanogan River and Valley. Finally you will arrive at the Frog Pond. When I was there in late August there was no pond only a grassy area surrounded by lovely Aspen, Birch, and Cottonwood Trees. I assume that the “pond” takes on a different look in the Spring.
After enjoying the Frog Pond I rejoined the Whistler Canyon Trail and headed up. It climbs 1000’ in the first two miles. I ventured off to the Black Diamond Lake Trail and went as far as the Overlook that once again had fantastic views, but this time wrapping around a little further north.
I really enjoyed this hike, and hopefully I will get the chance to go back and hike further into this area as the highlands above looked intriguing.
I can testify that there are rattlers in the area. I can testify that there are rattlers in the area. The morning of my hike my Brother-in-Law Dale collected 2 rattlers right outside the garage for me to see. I will post the pics in another post. Frog Pond TrailThe Frog Pond is an enjoyable little hike which is about 2 miles long, takes an hour. It brings you to a delightful little wooded area. There was no pond in August just tree trees and grasses. I am sure it is different in the Spring. From the Whistler Canyon Trail I took the Black Diamond Lake Trail to the Overlook. Not to be missed the views of the Okanogan Tiver and Valley, town, countryside, lake and mountains are great. Overlook View of Orville and Osoyoos Lake
“Leave the road, take the trails.” – Pythagoras
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Washington State Hiking Pursuing Balance Thru Adventure 