EASTERN WASHINGTON WILDERNESS?

Washington State is blessed with over 4 million acres of federally protected wilderness. Definitely something to celebrate-however, almost all of those lands are in the western half of the state. The eastern half of the state has been neglected. In Washington's Colville National Forest in the state's northeastern highlands-a mere 3% of the forest's 1.1 million acres is protected as wilderness. Does this mean that there are no lands worthy of protection in the eastern half of the Evergreen State? Absolutely Not! Vast tracts of old-growth forest, pristine mountain summits, and prime wildlife habitat that supports such endangered species as grizzly, caribou, wolverine, and lynx exist here.

Now, finally after much neglect a campaign is underway to protect eastern Washington Wilderness. I am proud to be a part of this effort. I am authoring a new book to be released in the fall of 2006 which highlights the special places of this region that we seek to protect. The Kettle Mountains, Abercrombie-Hooknose Area, and the Grassy Top Roadless Area are all a part of this campaign. I'll be releasing more details over the next few months. In the meanwhile-start familiarizing yourself with the area. We're in for a political battle I'm sure. The stakes however are too grand to not be a part of this worthy endeavor. We will protect this overlooked and under appreciated part of the Northwest.

New Snohomish County Hiking Brochure

Just released: multi-color user-friendly hiking guide to "Seattle's backyard"

Any hiker who spends time on the trails of western Washington will want to pick up a copy of the brand new, Hiking Snohomish County brochure. This free 32-page guide highlights 20 classic hikes-from suburban walks to wilderness backpacks in Washington's Snohomish County. Written by guide book writer, Craig Romano and complemented with breathtaking images from professional outdoor photographers, Alan A. Bauer and Dave Schiefelbein, this brochure is meant to be a keeper. It was designed for both tourists and residents of the sprawling county just north of Seattle.

Pick up you copy at the following Snohomish County Visitor Information Centers:

Lynnwood: 19921 Poplar Way (I-5 exit 181)

Stanwood: 22625 Hwy 99 N (I-5 exit 212)

Future of Flight Museum: 8415 Paine Field Blvd (I-5 exit 189)

Thars Gold in them Thar Hills

Larches set the Kettle Mountains aglow in a golden hue

When it come to spectacular Autumn foliage, it's hard to beat the deciduous forests of the Northeast and Upper Midwest. Here in the Pacific Northwest a few vine maples and a handful of shrubs add a nice tint of red-but the dominant hardwoods-alders and big leaf maples just turn a brownish yellow. Blah! However, on the east side of the Cascade Crest, a deciduous softwood-the larch makes up for any color-challenged trees here on the wet west side. And no where in Washington are there so many larches than in the northeast corner of the state. The Kettle Mountains contain sprawling stands of them. Head out to Sherman Pass right now and hoof a few miles on the Kettle Crest Trail. Look out-especially over the Sherman Creek Valley to the east and enjoy a horizon of golden hills. Hurry though-the needles are now falling like golden snowflakes-and it won't be much longer before snow begins carpeting these hills.

Welcome fellow hikers and adventurers.

World Hiker is a new blog dedicated to you-the adventurer who prefers to see the world outside a piede. I am an outdoor writer and photographer who has spent a considerable
amount of my forty-plus years traveling the globe in pursuit of natural places with great hiking opportunities.

And while I have seen just a fraction of this planet we call home-I have seen plenty of truly magnificent places. Where are some of my favorite hiking spots? The Pacific Northwest
and New England rank high-being where I now live (the former) and where I was born (the latter). Argentina, Canada, Italy, Spain, France, and Bulgaria are all favorites too.

In the coming months I'll be spotlighting some of my favorite trails and places, and perhaps shedding some light on them. I'll share practical info as well as bring up issues that may
be surrounding them. No formula here. My agenda? To share my love for these places and to perhaps help you to become familiar with them too-so that you too, may appreciate them-
and help preserve them in our ever increasing urban world.

Happy hiking and adventuring-and welcome to World Hiker!

Craig