Northwest Recreation

With spring around the corner, it is definitely time to start considering a cool place to hangout once warm weather comes around. One of the best places I had the chance to visit last year was Palouse Falls, a towering waterfall that tumbles H20 56 meters into large circular pool below. Although the spring waters are not especially clean for swimming, the top of the falls offer good swimming and beautiful scenic views, especially at dusk.

When you get to the falls, you can take two trails to the top of the falls.  The first is to the right of the parking area, down a narrow ravine, and then across a narrow trail on the edge of the canyon.  You will end coming to the falls by way of the ledge visible to the upper left of the falls.  The other way is to the left of the parking lot, down by the railroad tracks, down the side of the cliff, and then to the right of the canyon wall.  You end up coming out behind the waterfalls, where you can swim.

Some facts:

-Height: 56 meters
-Depth of Canyon: 115 meters
-River: Palouse River
-Connects With: Snake River 4 miles downstream

Overall, the trails are fairly challenging, but excellent spring or fall hiking.  It might be a little hot in the summer, so be careful to take water and maybe a swimsuit (hint hint).

Trail Stats:

• Terrain: Dirt and rock
• Difficulty: Intermediate to Advanced
• Elevation Gain/Loss:Less than 600 ft.
• Overall Rating: 9/10

If you like a little bit of ice skating, broom ball, or hockey, Walla Walla offers you a great place to do such activities.  The Ice Chalet in downtown Walla Walla is a great place to hang out at and experience some of the best skating in the area.  A small complex with a good skating rink, the Ice Chalet is in a convenient location for college students in the area, as well as to other skaters and ice sports enthusiasts.

If you are an ice skater, then you can be sure to get some great practice in here.  If you can avoid the busy times, you may even get the rink almost entirely to yourself.  If broom ball is your style, they do host some broom ball games there as well.

Whether you are looking for better form in figure skating, some action in hockey, or just some downright fun in broom ball, the Ice Chalet will help satisfy your need for icy fun.  More information can be acquired at their website:

http://www.ywcaww.org/IceChalet.html

A great park to relax at, Lyons Park in College Place, WA offers you a chance to get out and enjoy some great recreational opportunities.  Whether you enjoy a good game of baseball, like watching the docks at a pond, or just hanging with friends and enjoying a lunch, Lyons Park offers you a full barrage of things to busy yourself with when the weather is nice enough to head outside.

The park offers its visitors a wonderful open field to play Frisbee, football, tag, throw the dog’s ball, or perhaps just sprawl out for a nap.  Of course, there’s a baseball diamond to have some fun at if the formers are not in your “ball park” (no pun intended, right?).  After, you can enjoy watching the ducks and geese swim in the pond and take a walk around the water.  And finally, you can grab lunch and take it on the go to one of the picnic shelters or tables.

Either way, this park has a wide variety of recreational opportunities, and that’s why it made the Northwest Recreation’s list of “Cool Hangouts.”  Have a safe week!

A great place to kick back and relax, Rooks Park in Walla Walla, WA provides a serene setting for recreational activities.  Located off of Hwy 12 (follow the signs) to the east of Walla Walla, Rooks Park flaunts beautiful views of the surrounding terrain and landscape, while providing access to over 20 miles of trails in the Walla Walla area.  It also sits next to Mill Creek and a small dam on the river.

If it’s wildlife viewing you’re after, Rooks Park is the perfect place to come and view animals of all kinds.  A variety of ducks, squirrels, and other land animals make their home near the park, so you will have plenty of opportunity to view them.  If you like taking groups to play games, the park offers a huge field and opportunities to play soccer, football, frisbee, etc.  And if you have kids, a playground offers even the littlest members of the family something to do.

Although many would prefer the mall over an outdoor outing, winter is fast approaching, and that means limited times to get out and do fun stuff.  Take advantage of the warm weather while it is still here.  See you out there!