Out & About

Visit Mount St. Helens

Oct. 8: $45. Enjoy an exciting day of hiking down to Spirit Lake, which sits at the bottom of the volcano. The trees along Harmony Falls Trail lie parallel to each other like matches in a matchbook and the shoreline is still covered in a gritty ash from the 1980 explosion. Difficulty: easy; distance: two miles; elevation gain: 700 feet; time: 2.5 hours. Minimum age: 12. Meet at McChord Field’s Adventures Unlimited at 7:30 a.m. or the Northwest Adventure Center at Lewis North at 8 a.m. Family-friendly trip.

Authentic Oktoberfest

Oct. 8: $70. Spend the day with the JBLM Outdoor Recreation program at Oktoberfest in Leavenworth. Enjoy live music, German food, arts and crafts and Bavarian clothing sale. Bring the entire family. Meet at the Northwest Adventure Center at Lewis North at 9 a.m. or McChord Field’s Adventures Unlimited at 9:15 a.m. Family-friendly trip; reasonable accommodations for persons with special needs.

Rainier on horseback

Oct. 9: $80. Head to Elbe, on the outskirts of Mount Rainier National Park, for a two-hour horseback ride. Bring the entire family. No experience is necessary. Minimum age: 7. Meet at the Northwest Adventure Center at Lewis North at 9 a.m. or McChord Field’s Adventures Unlimited at 9:15 a.m. Family-friendly trip.

Soak in hot springs

Oct. 9: Take a soak at the Sol Duc Hot Springs in the Olympic National Forest. There are three mineral hot spring soaking pools and one freshwater pool. Temperatures vary between the pools allowing you to find one that is just right for you. Each mineral pool is drained and cleaned nightly to allow for the health and safety of all guests. Feel free to join your trip guide on an optional one-and-a-half-mile hike to Sol Duc Falls before you take a dip into the hot springs. Meet at the Northwest Adventure Center at Lewis North at 8 a.m. or McChord Field’s Adventures Unlimited at 8:15 a.m. Family-friendly trip; reasonable accommodations can be made for persons with special needs.

Grand Prix racing

Oct. 12: $40. Get ready for speed — fast times at the Grand Prix Raceway Track await you! Work up an appetite on more than four miles of thrilling wheel-to-wheel racing. Fee includes transportation, lap fee, kart, helmet, head sock and instruction. Minimum age: 16; minimum height: 5 feet. Meet at the Northwest Adventure Center at Lewis North at 5:30 p.m.; return by 11 p.m. Family-friendly trip.

Crabbing at Westport

Oct. 16: $30. Join us for a day of fun at Westport. Outdoor Recreation staffers will teach you how to catch, identify and cook crabs. Gear, transportation, and bait included. You will need to purchase a fishing license. (12 and younger: $15) Family-friendly trip; reasonable accommodations can be made for persons with special needs.

High tech hide & seek

Oct. 16: $30. Geocaching is often described as a game of high-tech hide and seek where you use a GPS to find caches that somebody hid. You will learn how to use a GPS to navigate your way to the caches. First learn the basics at Lewis North and spend the rest of the day finding local caches. Fee includes instruction, equipment and transportation. (Ages 12 and younger: $15 Family-friendly trip.

After work bike trip

Oct. 19: $20. Enjoy an evening of mountain biking through trails at Lewis North. Fee includes equipment and guided ride.

Hike Mount Rainier

Oct. 22: $35. This amazing nature hike boasts spectacular views of White River, as well as rugged glaciers and lush meadows. Bring your cameras and smiles. We’ll take our time and enjoy the nature that surrounds us. Minimum age: 7 (Ages 7 to 12: $15) Family-friendly trip.

NW Trek Hoot ‘n Howl

Oct. 22: $22. Enjoy the rare opportunity to see Northwest Trek at night — bring the entire family to the Hoot ‘n Howl! See the animals’ nocturnal behavior, and have lots of fun. Enter the stroller decorating contest, and try your hand at the wheel of fortune, wobbling for apples or the owl toss games. Costumes are encouraged! All ages are welcome; this is not a scary event. (Ages 4–12: $19; 3 and younger: $5) Family-friendly trip; reasonable accommodations can be made for persons with special needs.

Corn maze, pumpkins

Oct. 23: $30. If you’re looking for fun for the whole family, come to the Rutledge Corn Maze. Navigate through more than three miles of an aMAZEing Twilight Breaking Dawn design. Enjoy horse-drawn hay rides to the pumpkin patch, where you can pick out your perfect pumpkin. (Ages 4–12: $15; 3 and younger: $5. Trip cost doesn’t include the price of pumpkins.) Family-friendly trip.

Kayak Hope Island

Oct. 23: $40. Travel from Arcadia in the Totten Inlet around Steamboat Island to Hope Island where we’ll eat lunch in the backyard of an old homestead, orchard and former vineyard. Deer and other wildlife can be seen on the island, and seals have been spotted resting in various areas of the channel.

After-work climb

Oct. 26: $15. Head to Edgeworks Gym for an evening of indoor rock climbing. Climbing gear, admission and transportation are included. No experience is required. All ages welcome.

Haunted corn maze

Oct. 29: $35. Is something chasing you, gaining on you? You sense danger ahead as well but you don’t know which direction to turn! A low growl comes from behind and you swear you can feel the hot breath of something fierce at your heels. Something quickly speeds by in front of you. Will you ever find your way out? Join us for this excited night time event as you navigate the haunted corn maze by headlamp. Trip includes transportation, admission and headlamps.

Bike Tiger Mountain

Oct. 29: $35. Gain experience and push your limits. Test your skills on this 12.5-mile round trip ride as we work our way over logs, tree roots and rocks to get up and down Tiger Mountain. Distance: 12.5 miles; time: 5.5 hours; difficulty: advanced (distance and elevation gain). Minimum age: 16.

Costume bungee jumping

Oct. 30: $125. Dress up in your favorite Halloween costume and hurl your scary self off of a 200-foot high bridge — that’s nearly 20 stories! Head to the base of Mount St. Helens to bungee jump off the highest bungee bridge in the country. If adrenaline is what you crave, you won’t be disappointed. Don’t forget to dress up — best costume wins a prize! Trip fee includes transportation, two jumps and the coveted Dangerous Sports Club T-shirt. Minimum weight: 90 lbs.

Visit Seattle outlets and Tulalip Casino

Oct. 30: $35. For the serious bargain hunters, spend a full day of shopping at the Seattle Premium Outlet Mall in Marysville. Stores include Burberry, Calvin Klein, Coach and Chico’s. If you get tired of shopping, a short walk will bring you to Tulalip Resort Casino. Make the trip north Sunday, Oct. 30. Trip fee includes round-trip transportation. (Ages 12 and younger: $15)

Family-friendly trip; reasonable accommodations can be made for persons with special needs.

After-work paddle

Nov. 2: $20. Enjoy an evening after work out on the water. Go on a kayak paddle through calm waters close to home. This trip is great for beginners as well as more experienced paddlers. The fee includes all equipment and guide.

Explore Friday Harbor

Nov. 5: $60. Recharge and reconnect in the peaceful, historic seaport of Friday Harbor. This bustling harbor is the largest town in the San Juan Islands and one of the most popular destinations, but it’s hardly a metropolis. Friday Harbor, Wash., boasts a multitude of restaurants offering the finest in dining, from lovely open-air bistros to delicious ice cream parlors. Stroll through art galleries, clothing and gift shops, antique and collectible stores. Time on island: 4.5 hours. (Ages 12 and younger: $30) Family-friendly trip; reasonable accommodations can be made for persons with special needs.

Mountain bike Tayuha Ramble

Nov. 5: $35. Ride a maze of twisting single-track trails through mud, water, sand and more. Perfect for beginners who want something a little challenging, come ready to get wet and dirty by the end of the ride. Bike, gloves, helmet, transportation and guide provided. Distance: 14.3 miles; time: 3 hours; difficulty: beginner/moderate; elevation gain: 50 feet. Minimum age: 16.

Hike Mystery Waterfall

Nov. 6: $30. Explore the beautiful Pacific Northwest on a hike that will take you to one of the most spectacular waterfall views that Washington has to offer. All ages and abilities are welcome. Rain or shine. Bring your lunch, plenty of water, and dress for the weather. (Ages 12 and younger: $15) Family-friendly trip.

Seattle Aquarium/Pike Place Market

Nov. 6: $35. Visit the Seattle Aquarium and Pike Place Market. The aquarium is filled with local exhibits, a visiting Harbor Seal and many amazing things to see and touch. Pike Place Market has an assortment of unique food and shops for you to try, so join us. As always, we’ll provide the transportation; you just need to enjoy the ride! Cost includes parking, admission to the aquarium and fuel charge. (Ages 4–12: $25; 3 and younger: $5) Family-friendly trip; reasonable accommodations can be made for persons with special needs.

Grand Prix racing

Nov. 9: $40. You’re invited to a fast time on the track at the Grand Prix Raceway in Tacoma. Work up an appetite on more than 4 miles of thrilling wheel-to-wheel racing. Fee includes transportation, lap fee, kart, helmet, head sock and basic driver instruction. Minimum age: 16; minimum height: 5 feet. Family-friendly trip.

Horseback riding

Nov. 12: $80. Head to Elbe, a town located on the outskirts of Mount Rainier National Park, for a two-hour guided afternoon horseback ride. No experience is necessary for you to participate in this trip. Bring the entire family along for a great day; all children ages 7 and older are welcome. Family-friendly trip

Kayak Cutts Island

Nov. 12: $40. Don’t miss this South Sound classic! Begin in Horsehead Bay and paddle North in Carr Inlet to Cutts Island. This small island has a steep rock face on the south end, and there are many birds that make this island their home. Stop to enjoy your lunch and explore the island Minimum age: 12.

Visit Seattle outlets and Tulalip Casino

Nov. 13: $35. For the serious bargain hunters, spend a full day of shopping at the Seattle Premium Outlet Mall in Marysville. Stores include Burberry, Calvin Klein, Coach and Chico’s. If you get tired of shopping, a short walk will bring you to Tulalip Resort Casino. Make the trip north. Trip fee includes round-trip transportation. (Ages 12 and younger: $15) Family-friendly trip; reasonable accommodations can be made for persons with special needs

Geocaching adventure

Nov. 13: $30. Geocaching is often described as a game of high-tech hide and seek where you use a GPS to find caches that somebody hid. In this seminar you will learn how to use a GPS to navigate your way to the caches. The first couple of hours are spent at Lewis North learning the basics, and the rest of the day will be spent finding local caches. Fee includes instruction, equipment and transportation. (Ages 12 and younger: $15) Family-friendly trip

After-work mountain biking trip

Nov. 16: $20. Enjoy an evening of mountain biking through trails at Lewis North. Fee includes equipment and guided ride.