Winter water wonderlands

Sunset, Feb, 1996 by Bill Crosby

In the winter, snow and ice, storm surf, or cold, crisp air can give a water destination a whole new cast. Such seasonal differences often make the visit that much more memorable. Here are readers' favorite winter water spots around the West.

For Portland reader Virginia Foster, nothing comes close to Multnomah Falls in the Columbia River Gorge. "To see the green and blue ice with the frozen spray all over the rocks is a stunning sight. And because it's on Interstate 84, the road is maintained and accessibility is no problem."

Janine and Alan Platt of Danville, California, confide that their favorite spot is California's "lost coast," west of Garberville about 1 1/2 hours south of Eureka. "With ever-improving highways and fast cars, the lost coast should not be 'lost' anymore. But we are glad it still seems to be to a lot of people. Their loss is our gain in the pristine nature and remote quietness we love there. And wait till you see Shelter Cove in a storm! Spectacular 30-foot waves explode in the whitest foam on the black sand beaches. Sea lions, cormorants, and pelicans safely spread out over the many rocky outcroppings amidst the roaring, whirling waters."

Pat Yankosky of La Crescenta, California, finds winter beauty on the coast farther south, at Monterey Bay. "The crashing surf and mild-winter climate make Pacific Grove our favorite winter getaway spot. Beautiful blue-green waters and white foamy breakers crashing over the rocks make this one of the most breathtaking spots on the California coast."

Pamela Dawson of Elk Grove, California, also wrote about the coast (her favorite spot is Sea Ranch), but she couldn't leave out the mountains. "On a cold, breezy winter morning sitting at the top of Heavenly Ski Resort, the world appears perfect. The sky and Lake Tahoe reflect a deep, rich blue skirted by white, puffy clouds and a rugged white wonderland. The air is so clean, so crisp - it's cleansing. It is for this view that Heavenly is my favorite ski spot."

"My favorite winter water place is an old familiar place - Yosemite," writes Ruby Maisenbacher of nearby Groveland. "The experience of seeing Bridalveil and other waterfalls plummeting downward against a background of white is more intense than it is in the summer. Driving out of the park, following the always scenic Merced River, another fascinating sight awaits those who pass by - the dark river racing downhill, with the boulders in the river covered with fresh white snow, like giant marshmallows in a sea of blackberry juice."

In Southern California, reader Karen Kindall-Hay of La Mirada likes to head up into the San Gorgonio Wilderness, about 2 hours east of Los Angeles, specifically to the trailhead named South Fork. "If you follow the trail to Slushy Meadows [marked as South Fork Meadows], you can then take a trail to Dry Lake. After a wet season this is a beautiful spot. I can still remember seeing this frozen lake with Mount San Gorgonio behind it. A couple had hiked up with ice skates and were doing spins." For directions to the trailhead and information on permits, call Mill Creek Ranger Station at (909) 794-1123.

"My favorite winter swimming experience is at the Star Plunge in Thermopolis, Wyoming," writes Mary Ann Hall of San Diego. "I especially like sitting outside in the 104 [degrees] pool with snow all around and the Wyoming sky as dramatic as they come." The Star Plunge is one of several hot springs-fed pools in Thermopolis; for information, call (307) 864-3771.