Recreation

Battling the currents of an Olympic Peninsula river is a chilly, extreme, but rewarding sport for Union, Washington musician Robert Poole. Watch Robert climb into a few pools of his own, as well as educate local law enforcement in the nuances of this very Zen, very mystical and very spectacular activity in the Olympic Mountains.
 

Kayakers enjoy an evening paddle at Cypress Island, one of the many areas where campgrounds and other DNR recreation facilities closed over the winter will reopen on Tuesday, May 1, for the 2012 season. Photo: Jason Goldstein.
Come out, come out wherever you are! Many recreation sites are opening for spring.
Spring is here (believe it or not), and DNR is getting ready to open many areas that have been closed for the winter season. Listed below are popular recreation areas that are reopening over the next few weeks.
Capitol State Forest
Trails and trailheads in Capitol State Forest will open for off-road vehicle (ORV) and equestrian use beginning  May 1. All campgrounds—except Porter Creek—will also open  May 1. 
Porter Creek Campground, which has beenclosed since 2010, will reopen on May 23.
Here’s a list of what will be open on Tuesday:     

• Capitol Forest Motorized Trails
• Capitol Forest Non-Motorized Trails
• Fall Creek Campground
• Margaret McKenny Campground and Trailhead
• Middle Waddell Campground and Trailhead
• Mima Falls Campground
• North Creek Campground
• Rock Candy Trailhead
• Sherman Valley Campground

Capitol State Forest has a number of trees down and loose branches due to the ice storm in January. Please use caution when visiting these areas.
Cypress Island Natural Area Resources Conservation Area (NRCA)
Kayakers, get ready! Pelican Beach and Cypress Head campgrounds will open May 25. Remember that Strawberry Island is open for day use only all year round. Camping is not allowed on this island.
Map of Cypress Island
Yacolt Burn State Forest
For those of you who enjoy using the ORV trails in Yacolt Burn State Forest, you will be happy to hear that the Jones Creek Trail System and Trailhead in Southwest Washington opens May 1.  
Merrill Lake
Into fly fishing? Merrill Lake campground is now open. Don’t forget that gas-powered engines are not allowed on the lake.
Check out the DNR Recreation information page year round to ensure that trails, picnic areas, campsites, and trailheads are open before you head out. This handy page is organized by region, county, and recreation area.
And don’t forget your Discover Pass–your ticket to millions of acres of recreation opportunities on Washington state-managed recreation lands. The Discover Pass is now transferable between two vehicles.
Source:  Ear To The Ground

State fishery managers have approved a razor clam dig at Twin Harbors May 5-7 after marine toxin tests confirmed that the clams on the beach are safe to eat.
 
All other coastal beaches in Washington will be closed to razor clam digging until a new season is announced in fall, said Dan Ayres, coastal shellfish manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).
 
“This is the last chance to dig fresh razor clams until this fall,” Ayres said.
 
Twin Harbors beach extends from the mouth of Willapa Bay north to the south jetty at the mouth of Grays Harbor. The proposed opening is scheduled on morning tides; no digging will be allowed after noon.
 
Morning low tides will be as follows:
 

• May 5, Saturday, 6:32 a.m., -1.5 feet
• May 6, Sunday, 7:19 a.m., -2.1 feet
• May 7, Monday, 8:07 a.m., -2.3 feet

 
For best results, Ayres recommends that diggers arrive at the beach an hour or two before low tide.
 
“With digging restricted to one beach, I’d recommend arriving early and getting your clams before it gets too crowded,” he said.
 
Ayres reminds diggers to avoid signed upland beach areas at Twin Harbors, which are closed to protect nesting western snowy plovers. The closed areas are located from just south of Midway Beach Road to the first beach-access trail at Grayland Beach State Park.
 
Under state law, diggers can take 15 razor clams per day, and are required to keep the first 15 they dig. Each digger's clams must be kept in a separate container.
 
Diggers need a valid 2012-13 fishing license to participate in the upcoming opening, since all 2011-12 licenses expired March 31. The exception is young people under age 15, who may fish for free.
 
Licensing options range from a three-day razor clam license to an annual combination fishing license, which can be purchased on WDFW's website (https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov) and from license vendors around the state.

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission and Keepers of the North Head Lighthouse invite the public to attend the 114^th anniversary of the North Head Lighthouse at Cape Disappointment State Park in Ilwaco.
The celebration runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 19 at the North Head Lighthouse at Cape Disappointment State Park, 244 Robert Gray Drive, Ilwaco. The event commemorates the anniversary of the historic lighthouse by offering self-guided tours of the Lighthouse Keeper’s Residence, memories shared by those who lived at or cared for the lighthouse and live music by the Ilwaco High School Jazz Band. Refreshments will be available. The North Head gift shop will be open during the event. The Discover Pass is required to attend this event.