Mountaineers of Washington
The Mountaineers are a Seattle Washington based 501(c) non-profit organization founded in 1906. It is a hiking club that helps you get outside exploring new places in the Pacific Northwest. Originally a part of Mazamas from Portland The Mountaineers formed their own branch with 110 members nearly half of those members were women.
While with the Mountaineers you will not be alone in the woods. You always go with a group so long as it’s a Mountaineer sanctioned hike. You should go with a partner wether you go on a Mountaineers hike or not. It’s nice to have a group to go into the woods. The fun thing about the Mountaineers though is that you can go with other people. Meet new people along the way and make friends too. It is a low cost way to get out of the house and enjoy the Pacific Northwest with others along the way.
In the past 100 years The Mountaineers have seen their membership climb to over 10,000 members and instead of just one alpine hike now offers classes and workshops on just about every aspect of camping and hiking in the northwest including classes on snowshoeing, cross country skiing, sailing, canoeing, and scrambling which is non technical climbing. More intensive workshops that the Mountaineers offer include navigation, the basics of first aid, as well as avalanche safety.
An adjunct of the Mountaineers is their book publishing business. Mountaineer Books publishes all kinds of books. Hiking and climbing and other outdoor activities. are geared for outdoor activities across the nation . The book division publishes a series titled 100 classic hikes. This covers Utah, Washington, Oregon, New England, South Carolina, Colorado and many others locations. Many other titles cover specific animals, such as the Great Grey Owl. Their publishing arm covers so many other topics it would be difficult to cover all them here so here’s a link to their publishing resources.
Another part of The Mountaineers is their forest theater on the Kitsap peninnsula. The Kitsap Forest Theater. Fifteen minutes from the Bremerton ferry dock for all ages. A Seattle arts tradition since 1923. The Mountaineers Players provide exceptional outdoor theatrical productions and educational programs. They enrich the community, foster a lifelong enjoyment of the performing arts, and nurture an appreciation for the unique beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
- Celebrating the beauty of the out-of-doors
- Producing high quality community theater
- Bringing people of all ages together to work and play in community
- Teaching respect for the out-of-doors, each other and the craft of theater
- Supporting this unique venue and keeping the tradition alive for future generations
The outdoor amphitheater is also available for rent. And is also listed on the Washington State Historical Register.
The Mountaineers of Washington also own and manage several rustic mountain cabins. For those who want a bed to sleep on once you have spent the day in the woods.
Their Baker lodge located three hours north of Seattle. Is available for individual and group reservations puts you right in the thick of the woods for many outdoor hiking and skiing adventures. Your stay here will also include Saturday and Sunday breakfast as well as Saturday dinner, a cozy bunch and a hot shower after a long day of hiking.
The Stevens Lodge located not far from the Stevens Pass ski resort not far from the Pacific Crest Trail or PCT. It features a chance to do some chores around the cabin for upkeep, a hot shower and a wood burning fireplace. This lodge is a ski-in/ski-out hostel in the woods. In the summer it is available for a variety of hikes. Near the Grace Lakes and mountain biking along the Stevens Pass Bike Park.
Located 60 miles east of Seattle in the Wenatchee-Okanogan National Forest is the Meany Lodge. Offers a variety of activities during the summer and fall times. You can hike, bike or mushroom hunt. They also offer the chance to find a new skill as there is a lot of work around the cabin to prepare it for winter. These skills include plumbing, carpentry, wood splitting or learning to splice ropes.
The Mountaineers of Washington are a great organization that will give a new group of friends to explore the Pacific Northwest outdoors. The Mountaineers will also teach you many skills necessary to enjoy those outdoors as well as some trades and skills you can take back to your own home and use.
