Out & About

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.

Shop, gamble Seattle

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 bike trip

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

Hike High Rock Lookout

Nov. 19: $30. This could be the best view of Mount Rainier around. Challenge yourself on this short but steady ascent to an old wooden fire lookout perched atop a massive rock face. Lace up your boots and join us — this one shouldn’t be missed. Difficulty: moderate; distance: 3.5 miles; elevation gain: 1,400 feet; time: 4 to 5 hours. Minimum age: 12.

Visit scenic Leavenworth

Nov. 19: $45. Travel to the east side of the mountains to the beautiful Bavarian town of Leavenworth. Shop and unearth imported treasures, or sit down and enjoy wine tasting at one the city’s many wineries. Trip fee includes transportation.

Crabbing at Westport

Nov. 20: $30. Have a day of fun at Westport. Outdoor Recreation Program staffers will teach you how to catch, identify and cook crabs. Gear, transportation and bait included. You’ll need to purchase your fishing license. Family-friendly trip; reasonable accommodations can be made for persons with special needs.

Ape Cave adventure

Nov. 20: $35. Travel to Mount St. Helens to explore the largest continuous lava tube in the Western Hemisphere. Hike deep into the underside of a 2,000-year-old lava flow to scramble under and climb over volcanic formations.

The average year-round temperature is a constant 45 degrees, so dress appropriately. Difficulty: easy; distance: 3 miles; elevation gain: 250 feet. Minimum age: 12.

After-work climb

Nov. 23: $15. Head to the Edgeworks Gym for an evening climb on the indoor rock wall. Climbing gear, admission and transportation are included. No experience is necessary.

Bike rain forest trail

Nov. 26: $30. Bike through the rain forest of Mount Rainier National Park. The trail follows the Carbon River for five miles toward Carbon Glacier. Parts of Carbon River Road were washed out in the November 2006 floods, so bicyclists now share the road with pedestrians (but the road is closed to motor vehicle traffic). Difficulty: easy; distance: 9.2 miles; elevation gain: 600 feet; time: 3 hours. Minimum age: 12.

Explore Victoria, BC

Nov. 26: $85. Hop on the ferry and spend the day exploring Victoria, B.C. by foot. Downtown Victoria has everything from antique shops to artisan chocolate shops. Stop in the Royal B.C. Museum, or watch a thrilling IMAX film.

Trip fee includes walk-on round-trip ferry ticket and transportation to and from Port Angeles. Passport required. (Ages 5 to 11: $70; ages 0–4: $55) Family-friendly trip.

Sea kayak Hope Island

Nov. 27: $40. Travel from Arcadia in the Totten Inlet around Steamboat Island to Hope Island Sunday, Nov. 27. Eat lunch in the backyard of an old homestead, orchard and former vineyard on the island. Deer and other land wildlife can be seen on the island, and seals have been spotted resting in various areas of the channel.

Bridge bungee jump

Nov. 27: $125. If adrenaline is what you crave, you don’t want to miss this trip! Head to the base of Mount St. Helens to bungee jump twice off the highest bungee bridge in the country.

Join us Sunday, Nov. 27. A full 20 stories high, the private bridge is nestled in a beautiful emerald green forest above a sparkling river. Fee includes transportation, two jumps and the coveted Dangerous Sports Club T-shirt. Minimum weight: 90 pounds.

Calm, sunset paddle

Nov. 30: $30. Enjoy an evening after work paddling through calm waters close to home Nov. 30. This trip is great for beginners as well as more experienced paddlers. Fee includes equipment and guide. Paddling time: 2.5 hours. Minimum age: 12.

Register early for tours

Pre-registration is required for all trips. Schedule, fees and trip details, to include meeting times, are subject to change without notice. Register through WebTrac at https://webtrac.mwr.army.mil/webtrac/jblmrectrac.html or at the Northwest Adventure Center at Lewis North.

Trip pick up locations are the NAC and McChord Field’s Adventures Unlimited. Group rates/private trips available. For more information, call 967-6263 or visit JBLMmwr.com.