Statesman Journal from Salem, Oregon • Page D3

StatesmanJournal.com 3D Sand Lake, one of the most pristine estuaries on the Oregon Coast, typically have enough water for much kayaking throughout the summer. But from October to March, the winter ides make it possible to explore a variety of landscapes around the lake and Whalen Island. Kayak Tillamookoffers uided tours when the tides are high enough generally above 8 feet for 65 per person. During the high tides, the marshlands of Sand Lake get filled in and you an follow channels etched into grass like a maze or said Marcus Hinz, co-owner of Kayak Tillamook. The tour around Whalen Island takes you through so many different environments marshland, sand dunes and ery close to the The fact that the kayak tour takes place during winter mean be cold, Hinz said.

ask people to wear some non- cotton layers and an outer shell like a rainjacket, with a cap and gloves if you he said. include spray kirts. People are usually surprised how warm and dry they stay during the The tour begins at the parking area at Clay Myers State Natural Area at Whalen Island. I arrived at 9:30 a.m. and met Uithof, who set me up with a 12-foot touring kayak.

he tides were so high on my trip that we took a slightly different route than normal, beginning by exploring the southern end of the estuary. paddled below a forest of Sitka spruce where we could see a pair of bald eagles, then headed toward the pit of sand dunes that separate the estuary from the ocean. The tide was so large during my trip that we were able to surf a few waves oming into the estuary. The setting was quiet and peaceful on Sand Lake one of the most intact estuaries left on the coast but that always a given. hroughout the late 1990s and early 2 000s, the southern half of the lake was argeted for development of a destination golf course called Sand Lake Golf Links.

Featuring a clubhouse, 30-room otel and fine-dining restaurant, a embership would have cost $25,000 to 35,000 per year. The proposal faced significant opposition from community members in illamook and Tierra Del Mar, howev- and after years of acrimony, the property was sold to the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department in June 2014. The property will be turned into a new, low-impact park called Sitka Sedge State Natural Area opening in 2017 or After we paddled around the south- rn half of Sand Lake for a while and met those concerned-looking harbor seals we headed to the northern section of the lake near Whalen Island. Normally, this is the area that would be a marshland maze, but tides were so high that the grassland swayed underwater, and we navigated with ease. explored little peninsulas jutting off Whalen Island, paddled near the entrance to the ocean and, after a brief rain shower, were treated to a huge ainbow rising across the sky.

Awinter paddling trip on the Oregon Coast might sound outside the box, but i you enjoy exploring new, unique areas by boat, Sand Lake provides a great experience. Zach Urness has been an outdoors riter, photographer and videographer in Oregon for eight years. He is the author of the book Southern and can be reached at 503) 399-6801. Find him on Zach Urn ess or on Twitter. PHOTOS BY ZACH JOURNAL Joshua Uithof of Kayak Tillamook paddles toward a rainbow over Sand Lake at high tide on the Oregon Coast.

Uithof prepares to hit the water. Uithof is watched by a curious harbor seal during a paddling trip at Sand Lake. SAND LAKE KAYAK What: Kayak an ocean estuary north of Pacific City. When: October to March, at tides above 8 eet but below 10 feet Why: Explores an interesting variety of ocean- side landscape and wildlife ow: The trip begins at Clay Meyers State Natural Area at Whalen Island. Tour: Take a guided tour with Kayak Tillamookfor $65 per person.

Call (503) 8664808 or email Adventure Continued from Page 1D PIN IT AND SAVE IT This Oregon adventure and thers can be found on Pinterest.com/SJPinner SJPINNER for skiing than the concrete found at Mount St. Helens and upper Wind River. I assume this is because the temperatures are colder, thus less thawing and refreezing, which begets ice, especially under trees. The weather often is better too, with blue skies when the west side is locked in low clouds and drizzle. And the rowds are smaller.

Compared to Teacup Lake or Trillium Lake on Mount Hood, there are no crowds. getting a little more said Camden McMahon of the Mount Adams Ranger District. still never crowded. There are maybe 15 cars on a nice weekend day, one on a Here are the details of the semi-loop: The trailhead is just across road No. 82 from Pineside Sno-Park.

Ski down road No. 041for 0.7 mile. You come to a junction that is the be- inning of the actual loop. Go forward (left) on road No. 020 with its little elevation gains and losses for 1.2 miles to a junction with road No.

025. Turn right and climb on road No. 025 as it twists for 0.7 mile to a junction with road No. 8020. At the junction with road No.

8020, take a short detour to the left to Big Tree. Get back on road No. 8020 and go right (northeast) for a flat 0.7 mile to the junction with road No. 041. This junction, at 2,890 feet, is the highest levation on the route.

At the junction of roads Nos. 8020 and 041you will turn right and go down road No. 041for 1.1miles to the junction with road No. 020, where the loop began. then 0.7 miles back up No.

041 to PIneside Sno-Park. With a stop at Big Tree, this loop can be skied easily in three hours. Gifford Pinchot road No. 82 is plowed regular to Pineside. Big Tree Loop, as well as other trails out of Pine- side and SnowKing son-parks, are groomed intermittently, McMahon said.

Loop Continued from Page 1D TODAY Oregon Winter Poultry Homesteading Faire: Chickens, waterfowl, turkeys, quail, hatching eggs, rabbits and goats; animal supplies, homemade jams, pickles, vanilla, honey, sauces, jewelry and goat milk soap and lotion; products, arts and craft items, plants and seed swap, plus fiber spinning demonstration, Valentines craft table for kids, auctions and food drive for local food banks, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Polk County Fairgrounds, Main Building and Small Animal Building 520 Pacific Highway Rickreall. Free (541) 990-7501, Oregonpoultryswap.com. 157th Birthday Celebration: Costumed interpreters, period music, booths, live music, photo opportunities with Dr. John McLoughlin and the Oregon Pioneer, free birthday cake while supplies last and activities, 10 a.m.

to 2 p.m., Oregon State Capitol, 900 Court St. NE. Free (503) 986-1388, Oregonlegisla ture.gov. Zwickelmania at Santiam Brewing: Santiam is opening its doors early with brewery tours, special tappings and swag raffles, 11a.m. to 5 p.m., Santiam Brewing, 2540 19th St.

SE. Free (503) 689-1260, Santiambrewing.com. Bolai Cao: Performance will include the premiere of a new work by Oregon composer Bryan Johanson, 2:30 p.m., Salem Public Library, Loucks Audi- torium, 585 Liberty St. SE. Free (503) 588-6315, Portlandpiano.org/risingstars.

Western Mennonite A cappella benefit concert: Western Singers and several special student performances also will perform, 3 and 7 p.m., Western Mennonite School, 9045 Wallace Road NW. $10. (503) 363-2000, Westernmennoni teschool.org. Night Out at the Carousel: Unlimited Carousel rides, cookie decorating, popcorn, face painting, cupid games and prizes, door prizes and Valentine crafts, 5 to 7 p.m., Riverfront Carousel, 101Front St. NE.

free ages 2 and younger. (503) 540-0374, Salemcarousel.org. Day Cruise: Start with appetizers, a choice of garden or Caesar salad, then choice of prime rib, assorted seafood baked in a lobster sauce or roasted lamb with mint sauce, all served with Fettuccine Alfredo and sauteed seasonal vegetables, 6 to 8 p.m., Willamette Queen Sternwheeler, 200 Water St. NE. $48 per person; $26 ages 5 to 12; free ages 4 and younger.

(503) 371-1103, Willamettequeen.com. Roy Zimmerman Concert: Roy rhyme-intensive original songs, 7 to 9:30 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Salem, Sanctuary, 5090 Center St. NE. $18. (503) 364-0932, Uusalem.org/Hot-Topics.

CALENDAR WILDLIFE VIEWING JIM SPECIAL TO THE TATESMAN JOURNAL Agreat blue heron lands at Pintail Marsh at Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge in February. View our photo gallery at StatesmanJournal.com Each Saturday, a reader-submitted Wildlife Viewing photo will appear in the Life section. To ubmit pictures for consideration: Email digital photos to and include "Wildlife" in the subject line. Use the highest quality setting on your camera. Include the photographer's name.

Write what's in the photo and where and when it was aken. GET WILD!.