Hiking program slated tonight
A free program about local group hikes will begin at 6 p.m. today at the Clark Public Utilities Electric Center, 1200 Fort Vancouver Way.
Guests will be Rod Cusic, hiking guide for Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation, and Scott Cook, author of the book “Curious Gorge.’’ Cook will give a slide presentation about Washington and Oregon hikes.
For more information, call 360-904-7086.
Gorge group offers fall hikes
Twenty-seven hikes, bike rides and other outings will be offered between Saturday and Oct. 31 in the Friends of the Columbia Gorge autumn program.
Among the trips will be a history tour of fish wheel sites of the late 1800s, a hike to the Klickitat Mineral Springs, a tour of the historic Columbia River Highway, a hike to Nestor Peak on the Washington side and a 29-mile bike ride through Wasco County hillsides east of The Dalles.
To register, go online to www.gorgefriends.org/hikes. Details will be e-mailed following registation. Most events are free and open to the public, but 12 are only for members of the Portland-based conservation group.
Hatchery open house Saturday
UNDERWOOD — Spring Creek National Fish Hatchery will have its annual open house from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, giving visitors a chance to watch the spawning of fall chinook salmon.
The hatchery is along state Highway 14 across the Columbia River from Hood River.
A new pedestrian walkway connects the hatchery and adjacent state park.
Spring Creek hatchery is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Spawning is under way and will continue through Oct. 1. Spawning usually is done for the day by 2 p.m.
The facility’s visitor center has been remodeled.
Seamanship class begins Monday
A 10-week seamanship class by the Fort Vancouver chapter of the U.S. Power Squadron will begin at 7 p.m. Monday at Cascade Presbyterian Church, 9503 N.E. 86th St.
Topics will include boat handling, emergencies, knots, nautical charts, aids to navigation, and more. This is an entry-level class and a requirement for succeeding classes.
The cost is $40 for power squadron members and $140 for non-members.
For more information, contact rolyat2@netzero.com.
Boating safety taught Sept. 25
Registration is open for a boating safety class beginning at 9 a.m. Sept. 25 at Wholesale Sports, 11505 N.E. Fourth Plain Road.
Offered by Flotilla 78 of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, the class costs $10 per person. Topics include safety skills, navigation rules, laws and regulations pertaining to boating, and more.
The class continues until 5 p.m.
To register, or for more information, call 360-256-2991 or 503-799-5250.
