If you’d like some active fun on New Year’s Day, here are a couple local options:
1. Meet at Spring Canyon at noon for a polar bear plunge into Lake Roosevelt or join a few crazy kayakers braving the cold. They’re both happening at noon.
Spring Canyon, the National Park Service’s closest campground in the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area to Grand Coulee, isn’t open with full service now, so plan on taking any trash with you when you leave. And be sure to bring a thermos of something hot to drink when you get cold, plus a way to dry off and warm up.
We understand some folks will also make their way to a local bar to help in that effort, if that’s your thing.
2. Take a hike at Dry Falls with the Washington State Park’s “Adventure Awaits” event, “New Year’s Day — Tracks & Impressions — Dry Falls Hike.”
Starting at the Dry Falls Visitor Center on highway 17, you’ll walk the western rim of the Lower Grand Coulee. (If you drive there from the city Grand Coulee, you will have driven the length of the Upper Grand Coulee along Banks Lake.)
The 2.5-mile hike, judged to be of “moderate” difficulty starts at 10:30 a.m. and lists no minumum age on the adventurewaits.com website. But note that the trail is NOT stroller or ADA accessible.
Dogs will be allowed on a leash.
Hikers should be prepared for winter conditions, of course, but also note that you’re hiking the rim, so prepare for wind. You should also bring a day pack with water and snacks, winter boots and hiking poles.
Park Interpretive Specialist David McWalter is organizing it: david.mcwalter@parks.wa.gov. , 509-632-5214.
