Plan Your Trip Pacific Northwest Outdoors - Washington, Oregon and the Pacific Northwest - page 74

Plan Your Trip
Pacific Northwest Out-
doors
Armed with kayaks, crampons, fly rods, mountain bikes and full racks of
climbing gear, adventure-loving people who migrate to the Pacific Northw-
est come to experience its world-famous great outdoors. There's a huge
diversity of landscapes, and it's all reasonably accessible from the nearest
town or city; within a day you can be on a river, coast, mountain, alpine
lake, lava field, or in a high-desert canyon, rainforest or wetland.
Best Times to Go
December, February and March These months have the finest powder for skiing.
February to May Waterfalls are at their fullest after the winter rains.
November to June Whale-watchers can bark 'Thar she blows!'.
July to September The summer months are the best for hiking, camping or cycling.
Best Experiences
Hiking The West Coast Trail in Pacific Rim National Park and the forests around Mt
Rainier and Mt Hood are all super.
Skiing Whistler-Blackcomb boasts world-class facilities.
Rock climbing Smith Rock State Park is stunning, for both its routes and vistas.
Cycling For road trips, Washington's San Juan Islands are prime. Oakridge, outside
Eugene, has top-drawer mountain biking.
In this diverse landscape, you can carve fresh tracks in the champagne powder of world-
class ski resorts or cling to your kiteboard as you hurl across the water at ferocious speeds.
You can spin around 360 degrees on the summit of Mt Rainier or pedal your heart out go-
ing up and over the breathtaking Cascades. And if it's solitude you crave, set off with a
backpack into the wilds - the hardest part will be choosing where to go. The Pacific
Northwest is paradise for those who worship Mother Nature. If you're one of her follow-
ers, let the area unroll her carpet of snowy mountains, desert panoramas and wildflower
meadows - and welcome you to her world.