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Mazama, outdoor paradise in the North Cascades

08/08/2002

Grant enjoying Mazama's fall colors

We spent the show exploring in the North Cascades and proving that fall colors exist outside of Vermont.

We shot the show in and around Mazama, Washington, along the North Cascades Highway.

Resource Links

	Big Mountain Resort, Whitefish, Montana
	Mountain Unicycling
	Mountain Unicycling FAQs
	Hidden Valley Guest Ranch
	Freestone Inn

It's one of the best spots to watch the leaves changing colors in the fall. But what the area lacks in fiery fall colors, it makes up for in variety. While Vermont has the blazing leaves of sugar maples to boast about, the Northwest is not a one-tree show. You'll find the earthy tones of aspens, larch, vine maples… all adding their splash of color to the Cascades' autumn collage.

In addition, the mountains also have dozens and dozens of hiking trails with spectacular views.

Lightning Bill

From the tops of the Cascades mountains comes the tale of Lightning Bill and his dog Lookout Turk, who live in a lookout - but first you have to get there.

It's 7000 feet up, but that doesn't slow the word from traveling.

Lightning Bill enjoys a great 360-degree view.

"We've heard about him word of mouth from people on the trail - about the guy who recites poetry," said one hiker.

And if the hike doesn't take your breath away, the views surely will.

But Bill and Turk are more than just friendly faces, they are the guardians of Goat Peak, one of the last manned fire lookouts.

Bill has to scan the horizon for smoke and lightning strikes, but it's just another day on the top of the world for the duo.

If you hike up to visit them, first stop by the Mazama Country Store and pick up a fresh, steaming cinnamon bun for Bill and a dog biscuit for Turk - it'll guarantee you a warm reception.

Bill is up there during the summer, but he moves back to his home in Twisp during winter.

To visit Lightning Bill, drive to the Goat Peak trailhead south of Mazama (just ask a local for directions) and hike the 2-1/2-mile trail - it's well worth it. The Mazama Country Store is open year-round in downtown Mazama.

Thrill-sledding

Thrill sledding can get pretty dusty!

For more information about thrill sledding, call Guest Services Information Center at 406-862-2900. Thrill sledding is only offered at Big Mountain Resort in Whitefish, Montana.

Mountain Unicycling

To do this sport, you can't be afraid of a few scratches and bruises.

Mountain unicycling is a combination of mountain biking and unicylcing. It's bumpy and there are lots of opportunities to fall down.

For more information on the mountain unicycling competition or clubs in your area, call Alan Tepper at 425-888-2069.

Ellensburg Blue Agate

It's as blue as a clear Cascade sky, as scarce as sunshine in winter and as easy to find as a needle in a haystack.

The hidden treasure Scott Schorman is looking for is the "Ellensburg Blue" - found only in Ellensburg, Washington.

Only about 10 pounds of Blue Agate is found per year.

This rare gem - one of the rarest in the world - is valued by collectors for its magical color: cornflower blue with a hint of pink.

Scott, an iron worker by trade, is hooked on hunting for "blues" and he often walks as many as 20 miles in a day.

Geologists theorize that during the ice age, a wash of minerals flowed through Kittitas Valley, leaving behind a deposit of one-of-a-kind agates.

Scott has been successful finding them buried beneath the ground, hidden behind sagebrush and lying in the dust like a regular old rock.

Jewelers are always eager to get their hands on these agates because only about 10 pounds are found per year - compared to 16,000 pounds of diamonds!

Hidden Valley Ranch

At Hidden Valley Ranch you'll be talking country before you know it and , if you're lucky, you'll meet a real cowboy named Mike Hosker who's taken the wild out of hundreds of horses.

City slickers enjoy being cowboys for a day.

Mike and his wife Deanie can teach you to rope a cow and before long, you'll be swinging a lasso like an old ranch-hand.

Hidden Valley Ranch takes you back in history. Homesteaders carved the ranch out of the Wild West back in 1887. In the 1940s, cowboy actor Tom Whited turned it into a guest ranch - the oldest in Washington state.

Bruce Coe's family bought the ranch in the 1960s and he's been giving city folks their dream of country life ever since.

So saddle on up and ride into the ponderosas, drink in the fresh mountain air, take in the wide vistas and watch your horse along the way.

If you want to visit Hidden Valley Ranch, log on to their Web site or call 509-857-2344.

Freestone Inn

This unique getaway in the North Cascades captures the beauty of the area as well as the adventurous spirit of the West.

"Roughing it" at Freestone Inn

Seventy years ago, an enterprising cowboy had a novel idea. Jack Wilson wanted to tame the frontier and give sophisticated city folk a taste of life in the outback.

Set in the folds of the North Cascades, Early Winters Creek offered a sort of cultured camping experience and continues to do so to this day.

The Freestone Inn carries on the adventurous spirit of its founder.

For information about the Freestone Inn, log on to their Web site or call 1-800-639-3809. Tell them you saw their lodge on Northwest Backroads.