Statesman Journal from Salem, Oregon • Page D1

COASTAL KAYAKING ADVENTURE StatesmanJournal.com OurOutdoors OREGON LIFE REACH US: Heather TIERRA DEL MAR The bald head and whiskered face popped out of the water about 20 yards from our kayaks, wearing an expression that appeared deeply concerned. The wide eyes of a harbor seal followed us as we paddled across Sand Lake an estuary north of Pacific City as though watching a pack of teenagers carrying fireworks into his neighborhood. theory is that harbor seals were once hunted by Native people from kayaks, and retained the memory that kayaks mean said Joshua Uithof, a guide for Kayak Tillamook. always want to know where you are, but they never get too The wildlife including he concerned harbor seals were just one element of a unique trip that I took in late January. High tideopens Sand Lake to exploration; go out on your own or take a guided tour Zach ADVENTURES ZACH JOURNAL Joshua Uithof of Kayak Tillamook paddles through Sand Lake at high tide.

SeeADVENTURE, Page3D TROUT LAKE, Wash. got a dozen cross-country ski routes I periodically rotate through between Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams and upper Wind River in the southern Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Some are just trails, solely for nor- dic skiing and marked with blue diamonds and signs. Others are snow- covered roads, often shared with snowmobile riders.

Some are a blend of trails and roads. ut the one I like best is the Big Tree oop, a 4.9-mile partial loop out of Pines ide Sno-Park, 5 miles north of Trout ake, north of Hood River in Washing- on. I a great loop for beginners, with less than 100 feet total elevation hange. It has two gradual downhill stretches, just right for a new skier to get the feel of going downhill on cross- ountry skis, yet not so fast as to fall. even a very short diversion Big Tree, one of the largest known onderosa pines.

The snow at Mount Adams is better Big Tree Loop near Mount Adams great nordic skiing Allen Thomas Vancouver Columbian ALLEN COLUMBIAN Big Tree loop in the Mount Adams Ranger District also gets used one Saturday each year as a race location as part of Trout Cabin Fever Festival. This event was last weekend. GETTING THERE Follow state Highway 14 to the Klickitat County side of the mouth of the White Salmon iver, then turn left and follow state Highway 141for 25 miles to Trout Lake. At the Chevron Station entering town, stay right and go 1.4 iles to the junction of roads No. 82 and 23.

Stay right on No. 82 for 3.3 miles to Pineside Sno-Park. Turn right into the parking lot. Pineside is at 2,700 feet elevation, has room or 30 vehicles and has a restroom. It takes about 1hour and 45 minutes to drive here rom Vancouver.

eeLOOP, Page3D.