Spring Flings
Womens Sports & Fitness Magazine
Skiing the river trail near my New Hampshire home, I emerged from the cool shade of the pines into bright sunshine. I closed my eyes and turned my face towards the warm rays, smelled the brown earth where it lay exposed by the sun, where the bent, withered grasses poked through the last traces of snow. The sun was pulling the white drift back like a bedsheet, and the earth was rousing from a five-month slumber. Sniffing the soft breeze, I caught the first whiff of spring.
Spring is the season when there's almost too much to do. Should you ski on luscious corn snow or thread the needle down a boiling rapid? Chalk your hands and scale the crags, or pump up the knobby tires and hit the slickrock? If you're having trouble choosing, help is at hand. What follows is a menu of 20 spring getaways, plus insider tips on where the crowds aren't. From bouldering in Texas to mountain biking in Kauai , we think you'll find the perfect way to celebrate the coming of spring.
Sea Kayak Camping: Maine Coast / Acadia National Park
With over 3,500 miles of bays, harbors, fjords, coves, and inlets, the Maine coast seems to have been carved by nature with the sea kayaker in mind. Paddle among roughly 3,000 spruce-fringed islands, land on an island and snooze in the warm sunshine, or maybe barter your lunch from a passing lobsterman. A good place to start is Merchant Row, a cluster of islands off the village of Stonington , at the southern end of Deer Isle. Launch at the town wharf, then island-hop over to the ocean campsites on Isle au Haut, a part of Acadia National Park . Most of Acadia is on Mount Desert Island and boasts a vast network of hiking and biking trails as well as gorgeous oceanside cliffs for rock climbing. After all that activity you're sure to work up an appetite, and since Maine means lobsters, head to Eaton's Lobster Pool in Stonington . A great breakfast and lunch spot on Mount Desert Island is The Deacon Seat in downtown Southwest Harbor .
Mountain Biking: Kauai , Hawaii
Forget winter getaways to Hawaii , springtime is the season to enjoy this lush paradise. The vernal equinox marks the end of rainy season and, importantly, a lull between hordes of winter and summer tourists. The island of Kauai , with golden beaches and verdant, fluted mountains along the Na Pali Coast, is the place to go. From the town of Waimea , take Waimea Canyon Drive to the Puu O Kila Lookout in Kokee State Park . For the biker with energy to burn, this road offers over 4,000 feet of vertical gain over eighteen miles. En route, stop at the Kalalau Lookout for spectacular views of the surrounding countryside and the Pacific Ocean, then hit the trails in and around Kokee State Park . Next, head to Polihale Beach , one of the longest, sunniest, and most remote stretches of sand in the state. Enjoy the surf, but be aware of possible rip tides. Then, after all those miles of pedal pushing, take a morning off and check out brunch at the Grove Dining Room in Waimea.
Backpacking: Chiricahua Mountains , Arizona
The Chiricahua Range of southeastern Arizona is a backpacker's Eden with an ecosystem to match. Besides cool relief from the desert below, these mountains are characterized by rock towers rising above a unique mosaic of flora and fauna from North and South America . At Cave Creek, perhaps the bird watching capital of the Western Hemisphere , springtime backpackers may see northern Steller's jays, Mexican chickadees, Yellow-eyed juncos, acorn woodpeckers, and orange-crowned warblers, among other outlandish species. The truly fortunate may catch a glimpse of a trogon, a rare, colorful resident and a relative of the Central American Quetzal. Of the more than 150 miles of interconnected hiking trails, be sure to try the Crest Trail –11 miles of relatively gentle hiking from peak to peak. For information on trail conditions, wildflower blooms, and animal sightings, contact the Coronado National Forest , Douglas Ranger District. Maps, books, geology displays and current information on trail conditions can also be obtained from the Chiricahua National Monument Visitor Center, located at the north end of the range. Get your supplies at the El Dorado Trading Post one mile west of the park entrance.
Camping/ Rock Climbing: Joshua Tree, California
There is something enchanting about sleeping under the desert stars, almost within reach in the clear night air. And for the climber camped at Joshua Tree, hitting the sleeping bag after a day on the rocks, knowing there will be more than 3,000 routes to choose from at sunrise --well, that's the stuff dreams are made of. With daytime temperatures in the seventies and lows in the 30s or 40s at night, spring is the perfect time to visit this climber's Elysium of twisted granite spires. Spring is also when the desert blooms, when the Purple Mats, Rhatanies, and Pale Trumpets are in their glory. When you are tired of burning out your forearms on the rock, lace on your hiking boots, for although Joshua Tree has a well-deserved reputation as a haven for rock climbers, the park also offers a wide assortment of exhilarating high-desert hikes. For equipment and local information, stop in at Nomad Ventures in the town of Joshua Tree . Sick of Power Bars? head in to Joshua Tree and check out Jeremy's Café for brews, sandwiches, and baked goods; or try the Royal Siam for Thai food and their renowned Sunday all-you-can-eat-buffet.
Canoeing: Namekagon River , Wisconsin
This spring float your boat in the Namekagon River , part of the 252 mile-long St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. Here you'll paddle everything from tight, twisty swiftwater runs; lazy, meandering routes through glacier-sculpted forests and wetlands, and narrow passages between steep sandy banks. The trip can be split into three sections: Namekagon Dam to Hayward Landing (33 miles, navigable only during the spring runoff), Hayward Landing to Trego (29 miles), and Trego to Riverside (40 miles), below the confluence with the St. Croix River . In high water, put in at Namekagon Dam on National Forest Road 211, off County Highway M, east of Cable. Later in the season, use the Hayward Landing put-in on Wisconsin 7, outside the town of Hayward, 150 miles north of the Twin Cities via US 53. Remember that overnight camping is restricted on posted private land within the Riverway; so stick to the 66 designated sites along the river, where permits are unnecessary. The National Park Service Visitor Center in Trego is a good source for a complete listing of outfitters and services and for information on current water levels.
Canoeing: John Day River , Oregon
Looking for solitude this spring? Then launch your canoe into the John Day --a 550 mile-long free-flowing tributary of the Columbia . Though people are few here, the land is far from empty. Sharp-eyed paddlers will see golden eagles, antelope, bobcats, beavers, bighorn sheep and the occasional rattlesnake. And for those who would feel naked without rod and reel, the fishing for smallmouth bass and steelhead is superb. Catch the early-season North Fork runoff, a 41-mile stretch of whitewater between dale and Monument, in late March and early April. Another fine trip involves putting in at the Service Creek bridge where Route 19 crosses the main stem of the John Day and float the 44 miles down to Clarno. If that whets your appetite and you want more, continue for another 70 miles down to Cottonwood . Camping along the river is unrestricted, but it is good form to pitch tents along the beaches, use a fire pan, and pack out all rubbish and human waste. A complete listing of outfitters offering shuttle service for canoeists can be obtained from the Bureau of Land Management office in Prineville.
Mountain Biking: Moab , Utah
These days, Moab and mountain bikes are as inseparable as hot dogs and mustard, but it wasn't always so. The former uranium boom-and-bust town came to life again in the mid-1980s when Bill and Robin Groff ignored the skeptics and began stocking the newfangled mountain bikes at their shop. Soon locals were riding on the Slickrock Trail, originally intended in 1969 as a motorcross route, and the rest is the stuff of myth. The 12.5-mile bike trail is laid out on the sandstone plateau northeast of town. The path is marked with white painted dashes, but the black tire marks on the rock do a better job of pointing the way. For beginners, Gemini Bridges and Porcupine Rim offer scenic vistas and easier riding. After a few days in the saddle, strap on a daypack and hike to the many distinctive sandstone arches in the area, including Canyonland National Park's Delicate Arch and Mesa Arch. The best time to find yourself in Moab is from mid-March to mid-June, but beware of venturing here during college spring break, unless you're born to be wild, since erstwhile students turn the place into a prodigious mountain-biking party. For one of the most varied menus in town, serving up everything from sandwiches to seafood, try the Rio Colorado restaurant.
Hiking/Backpacking: Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park , Michigan
With 63,000 acres, four lakes, 26 miles of shoreline on Lake Superior, and a rugged range of surprisingly lofty hills affectionately called the Porkies topping out at just under 2,000 feet, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is the jewel in the crown of Michigan's state park system, and spring is a great time to be here, before the Winnebago caravans start streaming north sometime after Memorial Day. Located on the north shore of the wild and wooly Upper Peninsula, the park offers two modern campgrounds at Union Bay and Presque Isle, and that's where most people stay. But where you should pitch your tent for solitude is anywhere along the beach or off the park's 90 miles of hiking trails. The prettiest camp sites are along the 16-mile Lake Superior Trail, which follows the shoreline, skirts the forest, fords creeks, and provides magnificent views over the big, ice-cold lake. Just be sure to hang your food at night –this is black bear country and the critters are expert at relieving careless campers of their victuals.
Sea Kayaking: Prince William Sound , Alaska
Nature again reigns supreme in the sound years after the Exxon Valdez oil spill, opening a world of opportunity for those seeking high adventure in this realm of mountains, ice, and turquoise fjords. With the world's largest collection of tidewater glaciers, late spring is the time to watch the glaciers calving boxcar-sized icebergs, young sea otters at play, and eaglets testing their wings. Sea kayakers put-in at the town dock in Whittier , Alaska , at the western end of Passage Canal . Whittier is accessed by hopping on the Alaska State Rail in Portage , just west of Anchorage . Plan to camp (bring extra tarps to rig over your tent –it can rain for days here), or stay warm and dry in the USFS cabins available for public use in Prince William Sound . For pre- and post-trip food and grog Alaskan style, check out the Sportsman's Inn at the east edge of town.
Beach Camping/Hiking: Olympic National Park, Washington
Savvy campers know there is much more to Olympic National Park than Mount Olympus and the Hoh Rainforest, splendid though they are. They leave the tourists and head to the park's western segment --57 miles of fog-shrouded coastline, sculpted sea stacks, and driftwood barricades-- a wild and remote stretch of shore. And while tourists do find Ruby and South beaches, the cognoscenti slip away and head to Shi-Shi Beach at the north end of the park instead. From the Ozette ranger station, hike 13 miles west along the Cape Alava Trail and then north up the beach. Along the way, take time to explore the site of an ancient Ozette Indian fishing village. The trail includes a low-tide crossing of the Ozette River and a fixed-rope ascent of Point of the Arches, a dramatic promontory punctuated by stiletto sea stacks that march a mile out into the wild Pacific. From here, Shi-Shi Beach stretches north for nearly three miles towards the Makah Indian Reservation. Set up your tent, clamber over the driftwood, look for treasures in the flotsam, and watch for otters, eagles, and whales.
Hiking: Alpine Gardens, Mount Washington , New Hampshire
The Alpine Gardens on Mount Washington host a dazzling bloom of alpine flowers in June and early July. Among the abundant alpine flora are Diapensia, Lapland Rosebay, and Alpine Azalea. During June, the Appalachian Mountain Club offers guided tours, and naturalists are often in residence at the AMC's Lake of the Clouds hut high on Washington . The easiest route up to the Alpine Gardens is to take the Tuckerman Ravine trail from Pinkham Notch and then branch off onto the Lion's Head trail. From the gardens you'll enjoy a great view of the skiers challenging the steep slopes in Tuckerman Ravine. As the Alpine Gardens are above treeline, be sure to bring warm clothes and wind shells.
Ski Touring: Teton Crest, Wyoming
At first blush, most people would expect a ski traverse of Wyoming 's Teton Mountains to be strictly limited to the either the experienced or the insane. However, the Tetons are a false-fronted range, offering a gentle above-timberline region of perfect ski terrain behind the peaks. Spring, with its longer, warmer days and great snow conditions, is the ideal time to go. The route begins at Teton Pass off Wyoming 22 and ventures north through gentle bowls and horizontal snow shelves, and then descends Cascade Canyon on the north side of the Grand Teton . The traverse takes about 5 days. Inexperienced backcountry skiers or those unfamiliar with avalanche safety should contact the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce for a list of qualified guide services.
13 Road Biking: Vermont
It's possible there's a better place to hit the pavement with your skinny tires, but if there is, we don't know about it. With miles and miles of empty blacktop cruising through some of the most exquisite mountain scenery in America , it's no wonder that Vermont is at the top of any road biker's A list. For the best of the best, hit the Middlebury District of the Green Mountain National Forest .
Bouldering: Hueco Tanks, Texas
Just 30 minutes east of El Paso , Hueco Tanks has emerged as a world-class venue for climbers honing their bouldering skills. The rock is extra high quality and the routes are moderate to advanced in difficulty, making Hueco a perfect destination for climbers with average abilities and limited vacation time. Visit the park is in early spring, before the summer heat becomes unbearable. Camping facilities in the park are excellent, with good privacy and, importantly in the desert, running water at each site.
Alpine Skiing: Arapahoe Basin , Colorado
Springtime at Arapahoe Basin means only one thing: snow, and lots of it. Over the last decade, this unpretentious Colorado ski area has averaged 13 feet of new snow during April and May. With that much of the white stuff it's not unusual for the season spill into July and even August. With 2,100 feet of vertical drop, almost all of it above treeline, Arapahoe serves up some of the most spectacular ski terrain in Summit County . And while the ski area offers no lodging and few services, the nearby town of Keystone acts as the resort's bedroom.
Scuba Diving: St. Thomas , USVI
For many, St.Thomas and diving are synonymous, and most of the hotels and resorts have arrangements with local dive operators. Put on the mask and snorkel and check out some favorite dives, including the WIT Shoal, the Grain Wreck, and the Major General Rogers. These wrecks now host a wide range of plant and sea life, including harmless nurse sharks. But St. Thomas offers much more than diving. Be sure to sample the fantastic hiking trails and beautiful beaches. Direct flights to St. Thomas are available from most major American cities.
Boardsailing: Oahu and Maui , Hawaii
With its celebrated steady sideshore and onshore tradewinds, deep water, and fringing reef, Oahu 's Kailua Bay offers superb boardsailing in a sensational environment. Experienced boardsailors will want to head up to Hookipa Beach Park on Maui . The water here is hit by gale-force winds straight from the Gulf of Alaska and there are no fringing reefs to tame the choppy seas.
Kayaking: South Carolina Coast
The character of the Carolina coast changes from beaches to barrier islands south of Myrtle Beach and the Commercial Grand Strand, and that's good news for sea kayakers. Beginning with Pawleys Island and ending with Daufuskie Island , near the Georgia boarder, the Carolina sea islands offer kayakers miles of solitary beaches and lonesome passages to explore. Since very little camping is permitted on the islands, plan on paddling to the numerous bed and breakfasts along the way for a good night's rest.
Mountain Biking: Lake Tahoe , California
Lake Tahoe is a sapphire gem set among lofty snow-capped peaks, and as a springtime destination, there really is too much to do here, from sea kayaking Emerald Bay to sliding on silky corn snow up on Carson Pass. But if you'd rather get a view of the lake from the shore, pump up the fat tires and head out on the Flume Trail, a narrow, breathtaking cliffside path rising, at one point, to 1,500 feet above the lake.
20 Fly Fishing: Henry's Fork of the Snake River , Idaho
Sometimes you don't want to spend your vacation in a mad rush of activity but would rather take time out and contemplate the world, your life, or perhaps the trout wiggling at the end of your line. In that case, slow down, take a deep breath, and head to this pristine river near Ashton, one of the premier fly fishing streams in the West. Anglers migrate here in spring for the mayfly and stonefly hatches that drive trout into a feeding frenzy. Call the Ashton Chamber of Commerce for information about guides, food, and lodging.
