Jen Sotolongo | The Seattle Times

Schmitz hikes along the 2.1 mile Padilla Bay Trail near Mt. Vernon that is teeming with sea life and birds, thanks to the 8,000-acre eelgrass meadow and intertidal bay.

May 13, 2022 at 6:00 am

9 great hikes in WA for people with wheelchairs, canes, crutches or strollers VIEW

In Washington, outdoor enthusiasts have many hikes to choose from. But if you use a wheelchair or other assistive devices, finding accessible trails can be...

The hosts of Model Minority Moms, fromleft to right: Susan Lieu, Kate Wang and Jeanette Park.

May 5, 2022 at 6:00 am

Harvard classmates, Seattle moms team up for ‘Model Minority Moms’ podcast

Harvard classmates and moms Susan Lieu, Jeanette Park and Kate Wang host the “Model Minority Moms” podcast, where they talk race, work, parenting and more.

Mount Baker rises in the distance beyond the wildflower fields on a springtime hike at Yellow Aster Butte.

March 29, 2022 at 6:00 am

5 gorgeous Washington wildflower hikes

Warmer weather is on the way in Washington, and wildflowers will soon bloom around the region. From the Olympics to the Cascades, consider these spring...

Eduardo Mendonca’s show Brazil Productions has been putting on a Brazilian Carnaval celebration in Seattle for more than two decades. It has been derailed by COVID. 219590

February 24, 2022 at 6:00 am

Held online last year, a long-running Seattle Carnaval celebration skips a beat in 2022

The Show Brazil! Carnaval has been kicking off Lent with Brazilian music, dancing and culture for two decades, but this year's party was nixed due...

Kati Leigh, race director for Northwest Trail Runs and Brooks Running accountant, runs at Lincoln Park Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022. Leigh regularly runs at the West Seattle park. 219537

February 9, 2022 at 6:00 am

Falling in love with that elusive 'runner's high'

Does the concept of actually gaining energy through exercise — aka, getting a runner’s high — mystify you? Here’s what you should know about the...

Scott White and his lead dog Zacharia have mushed many a mile together. Although the 9-1/2 year old dog is now retired, White is not, and intends to race in Idaho in February. 219390

January 28, 2022 at 6:00 am

Snohomish musher Scott White represents Washington in Idaho Sled Dog Challenge

Scott White moved to Seattle in 1989 to live in the mountains. Neck surgery forced White to adopt two malamutes to help carry gear on...

Amber Chang makes her first ski descent of Mount Baker after climbing the beloved Washington peak. She’s come a long way from hopping on skis for the first time less than a decade ago.

January 20, 2022 at 6:00 am

Not everyone grew up on the slopes. Here’s what you should know to learn to ski as an adult

Skiing and snowboarding are not known as particularly cheap, accessible or inclusive sports. But it is possible to get into the sport and onto the...

Alison Mariella Désir jogs up the hill at Gas Works Park in Seattle on Dec. 22, 2021.

Désir, a New York native who moved to Seattle in January 2021, is a competitive runner and mental health professional. She is the founder of “Meaning Thru Movement” a series of conversations about fitness and mental health. She says the program talks about issues such as intergenerational trauma or racism on the effects of mental health.

She describes that movement is scientifically proven to help mental health. “Running provides a deep sense of freedom. Running can be really, really difficult but there are these moments that you live for where it feels like you are in the zone and like you are flying.” She says that running allows her to have an internal focus.

January 5, 2022 at 6:00 am

New Year’s resolutioners, consider physical activity as a way to enhance mental health

Seattle-based community organizer, mental health coach and endurance athlete Alison Désir says running helped her manage her symptoms of depression and anxiety, and wants to...

Quinn Mason won the US National Climbing Championships this fall, and is training to make it to the Olympics in 2024. She knows her next moves on the wall and usually trains every two days then off one.

REF to more photos online.

Friday Dec. 3, 2021

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December 27, 2021 at 6:00 am

Fresh off a national title, this Seattle climber is aiming for the Olympics

After a 2020 hiatus due to the pandemic, 18-year-old professional climber Quinn Mason kicked off 2021 with a return to climbing competitions. With new resolve,...

Crystal Mountain has six self-guided snowshoe trails of varying difficulty levels. Oh, and feel free to bring your dog.

December 9, 2021 at 6:00 am

Not into skiing? Here are other activities to do in the mountains this winter

Even if skiing isn't your thing, there are other ways to have fun in the snow around Western Washington's ski areas. From tubing to snowshoeing,...