Spring ahead in step with quirky Mother Nature at these beautiful places
The Columbian
Published: March 2, 2015, 12:00am
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In March 2002, snow fell on a Skagit Valley daffodil field in LaConner. Today, it's hard to believe it's not spring outside.
SEATTLE — It’s hard to believe it’s not spring outside. With only 5 percent of the usual snowpack in the Olympic Mountains this winter, along with light snowpack almost everywhere else, it’s tempting to head for the hills.
If you’re equipped and experienced for it, go. Enjoy. But don’t be fooled — it’s still winter on the peaks. If you’re caught unprepared, the nights are very long and very cold.
But you needn’t go high:
Garden walks
• Washington Park Arboretum: The Witt Winter Garden has its expected witch hazel and camellias in bloom among the Arboretum’s 230 acres edging Lake Washington.
“But we also have early buds of azalea and rhododendrons, and some hellebores that are early,” says facilities coordinator Bryan Pilkington. “And I also had a report of buds on the flowering cherries.” (Go soon.)
• Bellevue Botanical Garden: Roam through 53 acres of cultivated garden, restored woodlands and natural wetlands and look for early buds and uncurling ferns in this pocket of unexpected nature just east of bustling downtown Bellevue. Don’t miss the Ravine Experience, a 1∕3-mile nature trail crossing a deep ravine via a 150-foot suspension bridge. Plenty of spring birds here, too; bring your field guide. 12001 Main St., Bellevue. Free; bellevuebotanical.org
Waterfall hikes
High freezing levels means early snowmelt, and that furiously fuels waterfalls all around us.
• Wallace Falls: At the heart of a 4,735-acre state park near Gold Bar, this is one of the Puget Sound region’s waterfall medalists, with an excellent trail to get you there.
The most visible is an impressive 265-foot waterfall, but the 2.9-mile (one-way) Woody Trail passes a nine falls as the Wallace River drops 800 feet in less than a half-mile. The hike takes you through old-growth coniferous forests, and if you stop at the Lower and Middle Falls viewpoints (making for a shorter outing), the elevation gain isn’t prohibitive for the Sunday hiker. 14503 Wallace Falls Road, Gold Bar. Discover Pass required. parks.wa.gov/289/Wallace-Falls
• Franklin Falls: Usually a snowshoe trip this time of year, this is pretty much snow-free, and after several consecutive years of trail work (thank you, WTA volunteers), the trail is in very good condition, safe for young and old. It’s two miles, round-trip, with 400 feet of upward climb. Northwest Forest Pass required. 1.usa.gov/1L9Zrdy
A daffodil drive
The Skagit Valley is known for trumpeter swans that visit in winter, and you’ll likely see hundreds in area farm fields. Get a bliss fix when the big white birds stretch their long necks and wings to fly over you while serenading Mount Baker with their signature haunting honk.
And there’s an early bonus this year: the start of blooming daffodil fields. Car stop, photo op.
