SNOQUALMIE PASS -- From Jan. 8 through March 31, U.S. Forest Service guides are offering snowshoeing hikes at Snoqualmie Pass.

The walks are tailor-made for various skill levels and all ages.

Participants are encouraged to wear layered and insulated clothing and sturdy waterproof boots.

Ninety-minute walks for the beginner or intermediate and half day tours for those with intermediate to advanced snowshoe skills are offered.

The 90-minute walks focus on winter birding, animal tracking and general winter forest ecology.

The more advanced half day trip takes participants through the beauty of the Commonwealth Basin and expands on winter ecology, mountain weather and avalanche safety.

A donation of $10 per person is suggested. A $20 per person donation is suggested for the extended hikes.

To make a reservation before Dec. 30, call 509-852-1062. Beginning Jan. 5, call 425-434-6111.

Celebrate New Year's Day with First Day Hikes

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is sponsoring First Day Hikes on Jan. 1 at four Washington state parks.

* Deception Pass State Park in Oak Harbor: The 1 1/2-mile hike begins at 11 a.m. in the Bowman Bay parking lot. Children must be 5 years or older to participate.

* Fields Spring State Park in Anatone: Two-mile snowshoe walk begins at 1 p.m. at the Snowflake Shelter. Children must be 8 years or older to participate. Snowshoes are available with reservation at 256-3332. Participants are advised to bring day packs with food, sunglasses and warm clothing.

* Lake Sylvia State Park in Montesano: Two-mile hike begins at 1:30 p.m. at the beach kitchen shelter. Children must be 5 years or older to participate. Pets and bicycles are not allowed.

* Squilchuck State Park in Wenatchee: Two-mile hike begins at 10 a.m. at the Squilchuck Lodge. Children must be 6 years or older to participate. Snowshoes will be provided. Pets are not welcome. Dress for cold weather.

More information about First Day Hikes in Washington is available online at www.parks.wa.gov/events.

Rainier rangers ask people to not feed foxes

PARADISE -- Sure, they're cute and they've learned to beg along the roadway, but Mount Rainier National Park is appealing to visitors to stop feeding the Cascade foxes.

The park has begun a research project to assess the effect of park visitors on the rare fox species known to inhabit only Washington's Mount Rainier and Mount Adams.

Park wildlife ecologist Mason Reid hopes the research will help park workers better manage visitor use and protect the foxes.

Reid says visitors may see foxes with radio collars that will collect time and location information.