• Fire Lookouts
    • Visiting all of Washington’s Historic Lookouts
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    Sit back, relax, and read some good stories of adventure.

    Setting Sun Mountain Lookout Site

    Traversing the Golden Stairway: Starvation to Old Baldy

    Muckamuck Mountain Lookout Site

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Nature and Wildlife

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Nature and Wildlife

The Incredible Northern Lights: February 26-27, 2023

March 1, 20230 740
The most vibrant, colorful, long-lasting northern lights show I've ever seen happened on February 26-27, 2023 here over the skies of the Methow Valley. It was quite a sight to behold!
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Nature and Wildlife

Viewing the Northern Lights

February 16, 20230 863
I'm blessed to live in the Methow Valley of North Central Washington, one of the darkest areas in the state. As we head into a period of solar maximum, here are tips for seeing and photographing the elusive northern lights.
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Nature and WildlifeThe Off-Grid Life

For the Birds

April 15, 20210 119
I am so excited to have completed my first landowner nature project with the installation of several beautiful bird nest boxes made by Valley local Patrick Hannigan from Nice Nests!
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Nature and Wildlife

Snow Tracking with the Conservation Northwest Citizen Wildlife Monitoring Project

May 24, 20190 533
Spending my winter as a volunteer snow tracker for Conservation Northwest was an amazing experience. I not only learned basic animal tracking skills, but I also learned how to see wildlife and our wild spaces from a whole new perspective.
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Hi, I’m Chris, aka TrailChick

Despite rheumatoid arthritis I've spent over 20 years exploring the Washington State backcountry and I believe our connection with nature—its land, water, sky, and wildlife—makes us whole. A huge fire lookout geek, I've visited every historic fire lookout in Washington, staff the Goat Peak fire lookout near my home in the Methow Valley, and help to research and preserve these historic structures. I live off-grid in Twisp, Washington with my Mustang Pippin and my Cattle Dog Hudson. Join me as I share my love of the PNW and beyond, especially the beautiful Valley I'm lucky to call home!

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  • Fire Lookouts
    • Visiting all of Washington’s Historic Lookouts
    • Standing Fire Lookouts of Washington
    • Former Lookout Sites of Washington
    • Staffed Fire Lookouts of Washington State
    • Washington Lookouts Open for Overnight Stays
    • Lookout Maps
  • Staffing Goat Peak
    • 2022 Fire Season
    • 2021 Fire Season
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    • Fire Lookouts
    • Former Lookout Sites
    • Peakbagging
    • Backpacking
    • Historical Sites
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    • Essays
    • Airstream Life
    • Off-Grid Life
    • Nature and Wildlife
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    • Campervan’ing
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    • Snow Sports
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