Catch up with April’s top stories from the TNT’s new outdoors writer

The News Tribune recently hired outdoors reporter Gavin Feek, a former Yosemite National Park employee and writer for Outside Magazine and Climbing Magazine. Since joining the staff, Feek has covered everything from deadly parasites in local coyotes to owl attacks at Point Defiance Park.

Here are his introduction story and some of his top stories from April:

• Meet the reporter: Feek grew up in Seattle, worked in Yosemite National Park and has written for publications including The Seattle Times, McSweeney’s and The Intercept. He covers recreation, environmental issues, climate concerns and public lands policies for The News Tribune.

• Mount Rainier’s hidden winter lodge: Feek discovered that the National Park Inn at Longmire — Mount Rainier’s only year-round lodging — is largely overlooked in winter, with rooms starting around $130/night and rarely any snow at its 2,700-foot elevation. The general manager turned out to be someone who hired Feek for his first Yosemite job 17 years ago.

• A dangerous parasite in local coyotes: A University of Washington study found that 37 of 100 coyote carcasses tested in the Puget Sound region carried Echinococcus multilocularis, a tapeworm that can form tumor-like cysts in dogs and humans. It is the first detection of the disease in a wild animal on the West Coast.

• A controversial beach walk: Grit City Magazine editor Sierra Hartman walked over six miles from Owen Beach to Titlow Beach and drew backlash on Instagram over concerns about trespassing, railroad tracks and dangerous tides — even receiving an anonymous lawsuit threat.

• Owl dive-bombing season: Barred owls are swooping at hikers and joggers along 5 Mile Drive at Point Defiance Park during nesting season, with a park guide recommending visitors wear hats and give the owls space.

• A wildflower field guide: Feek mapped out spring wildflower spots across the region, from Point Defiance’s native plant garden and Van Lierop Park’s lupines to trails in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by local news editor Adam Lynn. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.