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Extreme snowfall and avalanches in January mean the Paradise area could be without a visitor center for several days this fall. Read more...

The $22.5 million work on the historic inn in Mount Rainier National Park , which closed the facility in October 2005, was necessary to strengthen the building against earthquakes, improve safety systems and help the grande dame withstand another 91 winters – so most of the construction was underground and behind walls. Read more...

State health officials are recommending more limits on consumption of some fish caught in popular Lake Roosevelt because of pollution. Read more...

Metro Parks Tacoma and the Tacoma Yacht Club are offering an introduction to sailing and sailboat ownership Saturday. Read more...

Author Dan Nelson and photographer Alan Bauer will give a presentation on their new Mount Rainier hiking guidebook on May 16. Read more...

Tacoma Wheelmen’s Bicycle Club will again host Joe Kurmaskie, “The Metal Cowboy,” at its May 20 meeting. Read more...

Friday’s fourth annual Outdoor Life Auction raised a record $25,500, said Joe Hyer, co-owner of The Alpine Experience in Olympia. Read more...

 • Information about the planning project for the Central Kitsap state parks is available online at www.parks.wa.gov/plans/centralkitsaparea. If you cannot attend Saturday’s workshop, comments can be sent by e-mail to central.kitsap.planning@parks.wa.gov or by calling 360-902-8650. The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will offer a workshop to allow public comment that will lead to land-use plans for Blake Island, Manchester, Illahee and Scenic Beach state parks. The plan also includes the Square Lake and Camp Calvinwood state properties. Read more...

Registration has begun for the first of this year’s Wildland Discovery Hikes offered by the Washington Trails Association. Each summer, the trail advocacy group offers a series of guided excursions into Washington’s scenic wild lands. Read more...

When it comes to hiking shoes, there is a bewildering array of choices. High-tops, low-tops. Day-hikers vs. backpacking boots. Leather or man-made. How much shoe do you need, really? Read more...

The Washington Brant Foundation holds its seventh annual celebration of the marine goose Saturday at the Farmhouse Inn on Highway 20 at La Conner-Whitney Road in Mount Vernon. Read more...

With last week’s opening of the North Cascades Highway, the busiest part of the year has begun at North Cascades National Park. Highway 20 closed in December because of snow. Read more...

Flotilla 35 of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary has scheduled an About Boating Safely class for May 31. The class will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and be held at Wildfun Powersport Rentals, 11111 Bridgeport Way S.W., Lakewood. Read more...

Photographers can learn from some of the best at the National Geographic Traveler Photography Workshop “Photos From the Edge: Bringing Home Great Adventures.” The one-day seminar is set for May 18 in Seattle. Read more...