The lazy days of Summer are a perfect time to do some paddling on Palmer Lake in North Central Washington. Hot days and deliciously cool water with sights and sounds of this beautiful remote lake. There is nothing like it.
Nick powers across Palmer Lake
A day like this one with wonderful sights of the surrounding hills and mountains and the calm water. Such a perfect way to spend an early evening on the lake.
Alec prepares for Adventure out on Palmer Lake
Pursuing Balance Through Adventure YouTube Channel Kayaking Palmer Lake CLICK THE PIC!
Memories made at the lake last forever.
Join Alec, Nick and I again for another Adventure, but first please COMMENT, LIKE, SHARE, and FOLLOW. And please if you like the caps we are wearing than check out my fine line of outdoor wearSHOP APPAREL.Outing such as this are good for the body, mind and soul. ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ is a worthy aspiration indeed.
This area is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and is a large 5,500 acre site. After making our way up a 4×4 trail we parked at Chopaka Lake one of the most famous fly fishing lakes in the lower 48. Actor Tom Skerritt, to name one celebrity, has flown in and fished here.
This hike certainly shows off the beauty of the area. Everything was so fresh and green. Along our route we enjoyed big fir trees, spring wildflowers, as well as nice lake views. The later part of the trek we made our way up some animal trails and even did a bit of bushwhacking to a favorite cliffside perch with stunning views of the valley, river and Palmer Lake.
A Big Foot Documentary was filmed in this area using infrared cameras in search of the elusive creature. They didn’t not find any proof of Sasquatch, and for that matter either did we.
If you make it up to the Similkameen River Valley Overlook mind you step as the grassy hill is deceptive as to just how steep it is and what lies just beyond that grass, which is nothing because it is a sheer cliff. The view is stunning, taking in the surrounding mountains and hills, the valley, the river and Palmer Lake. When you lookout towards the left, from that vantage point, you are looking at Canada. It is a splendid spot to sit, have a snack and enjoy one another’s company.
On the way back we stopped at the famous fly fishing Chopaka Lake and Dale cast his fly out into the lake in hopes of a trout. We saw a nice one in the shallows, but I guess he was not hungry.
Peggy sets the pace, and Marina strikes a pose.
Local Guides sister Peggy and husband Dale cliffside
Pursuing Balance Through Adventure YouTube Channel Click the Pic!In life, just like on the trail, don’t forget to slow down and take in the view.
Thanks to our local guides Dale and sister Peggy. Nick, Marina, Alec and I took a moment to take the pack off, both literally and figuratively, as we were ’Pursing Balance Through Adventure’. Stay with us for more adventures, it is easy to do so by fulfilling a couple easy steps: COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW and SHARE. PBTA travels extensively throughout the West. If you go to the menu above it may give you some ideas for an adventure of your own. Each location is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. If you are in need of adventure wear, such as that displayed in the pictures by some of our wonderful action models, then I invite you to go to SHOP APPAREL.
Winter wonderland comes to Northern Washington’s Palmer Lake. The snow flakes were flying, and Jack Frost was nipping at our nose. Palmer Lake washed out in the subdued colors of grey, black and white, made it clear winter is here. All was quiet other that the distance honk of Canadian Geese and the ripples of the lake lapping at the shore. The air was crisp and cold, bringing a rosy color to chapped cheeks. The snow crackled and crunched with each step as we gained altitude and snow depth which each step. There were tracks meandering across the trail some identifiable such as the plentiful deer, others raised an eyebrow knowing that there are predators in this area. Out of the corner of my eye I spied a coyote shadowing us up on a nearby ridge.
What a great outing with my sister, Peggy, as she introduced me to snow shoeing. So nice to be out together in nature on such a winter’s day. I loved the snow shoeing and as the snow deepened so did my appreciation of the equipment, thinking back to post holing my way up to Big Horn Peak in California last winter in snow up to my knees in my micro spikes.
The lake and surrounding mountainsides were somewhat shrouded by fog and clouds as the snow came down ever so lightly making such a lovely wintery scene.
Sister Peggy and I snow shoed to an overlook of snowy Palmer Lake
“Off all the paths you take to hike, make sure a least a few of them are snow” – Roger Jenkins
Video of Our Snow Shoeing on PBTA YouTube click pic
Thanks for joining sister Peggy and I while we were ’Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ up a snowy mountainside in snow shoes and enjoying every minute of the Winter Wonderland. I hope that you will join us for more adventures and you can do so by performing a few easy tasks: LIKE, COMMENT, FOLLOW and SHARE. If you take a look at the menu above you will see that PBTA ventures to many idyllic locations. Each location is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. If you like the beanie I am wearing in the photo I invite you to SHOP APPARELwhere you will find top quality gear with the logo and mantra. Not only will you look and feel the part of an Adventurer seeking the balance from the hectic and mundane you will be helping spread the word that Epic Encounters in Nature are one of the keys to cleansing the soul.
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.
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.
Washington State Hiking Pursuing Balance Thru Adventure 