I’m on a “SLAYcation” road trip around the West Kootenay region of British Columbia visiting the newest mountain bike trails and breweries.

Along with photographer Peter Moynes, the Sprinter van we’re driving is state-of-the-art, complete with a solar-powered beer fridge and in-board air compressor for our bike tires. With it, we’re driving back in time. Not just the age before COVID, but a pre-iPhone time when people actually spoke in person.

Our roadtrip starts on the East Shore, which, as we discover immediately after disembarking the ferry, is like driving back to 2005, because we can’t see anyone on their smartphone.

“The East Shore” is a local term that refers to the area on the east shoreline of Kootenay Lake encompassing Riondel, Crawford Bay, Gray Creek and a few other tiny communities. It can be accessed via Highway 3A from Creston or the Kootenay ferry, the longest free scenic ferry in the world.

At its eastern terminal is the quaint Ladybug Coffee stand, which serves the heartiest breakfast sandwich in the province, and it’s here we realize we can ditch the Trailforks app and just chat up the locals for beta on where to ride, kind of like we all used to do at the turn of the century.

East Shore of Kootenay Lake

The East Shore is a place where social media and texting holds little sway as proven by our immediate connection with a random dude named Evan who we meet at the Ladybug. He asks us what we’re up to, and we say we’re looking for good mountain biking trails. He replies, “Oh, you definitely have to talk with Farley then. He’s responsible for a lot of the new trails here. I was just hanging out with him yesterday. Here’s his phone number.”

We call Farley and he tells us he’s a director of the East Shore Trail and Bike Association (ESTBA), knows all the sanctioned trails intimately, and lists his favorites. He then recommends we speak to Luke, who owns the broom company in Crawford Bay.

Another face-to-face visit, this time with Luke, garners us a list of trails to hit up as well as a recommendation to call Sandy Oates, the president of ESTBA, for more. “Here’s his number,” says Luke. 

We decide to hit a sanctioned network on the peninsula between Crawford Bay and Pilot Bay. It includes the beautiful Height of Land trail that offers a unique experience: viewing the Kokanee Glacier from the warmth of a Ponderosa pine forest. Whenever we stopped to take in the stellar views, I was overwhelmed by the cozy smell of the trees, reminiscent of hot-buttered movie theatre popcorn.

ESTBA oversees over 30 kilometers of trails around these parts and we highly recommend visiting—not just for the riding, but for the experience of meeting locals who’d rather spend time talking to you than staring at their phones.

No trip to the East Shore would be complete without a stop at the Gray Creek Store, our favorite purveyor of everything from wood stoves and cutlery to candy bars and fishing tackle. Talk about taking a step back in time. We wish there were more places like this in the world.

Kaslo and Ainsworth

The trip to the East Shore built up our appetites, so after returning across the ferry we immediately hit Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort for a bite. The hot springs have historical significance to the Ktunaxa people, who refer to them as “nupika wu’u” or “Spirit Water.”

Ainsworth is, indeed, an amazing place to rejuvenate your spirits, especially since undergoing many renovations after being sold to the Lower Kootenay Band of Creston in 2015.

All we had time for was a restoration of our energy with food and beer, but we enjoyed the redesigned restaurant, which offers beauty views of the surrounding mountains and Kootenay Lake.

We were in a race against the light, so booked it north where we’d heard of a new art installation tucked amongst the trees of the Kaslo River Trail. We parked at the northern trailhead, crossed the covered bridge, and it wasn’t long before we spotted the statues peeking out behind moss-covered boulders.

Designed by the Koots Artist Collective, a group of three artists from the community of Argenta, these life-sized figures are popping up all around North Kootenay Lake. The largest concentration of them are alongside this three-kilometer loop trail in Kaslo, which is appropriate, as the woods here are the perfect environs for pixies, fairies, and other whimsical creatures. The kids will love this one.

When it was too dark, Peter and I drove the five minutes into downtown Kaslo, doffed the bike gear, and hit the Angry Hen Brewery for a flight. Brewmaster Shirley Warne established this craft brew pub in 2017 and she was there holding court with a number of other locals when we arrived. We enjoyed plenty of tasty brews with such names as Kluckin Kölsch, Tough Old Bird, and Roostertail (my favorite) before Peter insisted we stagger around the sidewalks snapping photos.

Eventually we walked up Front Street to the Kaslo Hotel where we enjoyed more beer and at some point went to our room, which I’m told by Peter was very stylish, comfortable, and had a beautiful view of Kootenay Lake. I liked the pillows.

Nelson

The following day was spent recovering in our hometown of Nelson. Normally we’d be excited about visiting the various breweries here on assignment, but, given the superfluous swilling in Kaslo the night before, we can only share with you our list of the best breweries and trails here based on decades of drinking and riding.

The craft brew establishments include Nelson Brewing Company, Backroads, and Torchlight. Visit them all. Like Kaslo, Nelson is small enough that the breweries are within walking distance of one another. But I recommend drinking more responsibly than we did to avoid a hangover.

For family-friendly riding, check out Fairly High Trail off Giveout Creek Road. For perfectly buff downhill, visit the Morning Mountain trails. As for old-school fun, hit the Mountain Station network. Info for all these can be found through the Nelson Cycling Club.

Originally published as “Bikes, Beer, and One Big Lake in Canada” in the July-August 2022 print issue.

Vince Hempsall lives in Nelson, BC, where he spends his time rock climbing, backcountry skiing, and mountain biking (when not working). He is the editor of “Kootenay Mountain Culture Magazine.”

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Historic 6k Volksmarch Sunday, July 24 (9-11 a.m.)

Stretch your legs and explore the historic town of Colfax on this 6-kilometer, guided walking tour. The route is on paved surfaces, sidewalks, and rail beds through the historical downtown of Colfax, Washington.  The walk does contain one set of cement steps to reach the trail on the levee along the Palouse River.

After the guided walk, there will be lunch for sale by friends of the library back at the starting point at The Center at the Whitman County Library.

Cycle Colfax, Sunday, July 24 (11 a.m. – 2 p.m.)

Bring your bike and start at the Historic Perkins House to pick up your Pedal Passport, then pedal through history with this self-guided, family-friendly bike tour of Colfax, hitting a few historic landmarks along the way. Collect stamps at each station and then return the passport to the Perkins House for a vintage selfie and discounts from local retailers. The tour takes approximately 45 minutes with easy to moderate routes available. End back at the Perkins House for music (12-1 p.m.) and tours of the house. Bring your own lunch. Check out the bike routes here.

Disc Golf Course Demonstration Sunday, July 24 (9-11 a.m.)

Visit Schmuck Park in Colfax to enjoy this beautiful gathering place and check out a disc golf demonstration to show off the newly installed disc golf course. The course is still in process, but meet the course proponents for an introduction of the newest activity in Colfax.

Click here for more information about all of the activities planned in celebration of this historic community or email colfaxchamber@gmail.com. Come to Colfax and help celebrate 150 years of history, farming, community, and outdoor recreation! 

(Sponsored Article)

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Spokane, Wash.

One of the best known and most widely used access points to the Spokane River for recreational floaters is about to undergo a massive remodel. Beginning this spring or summer, the T.J. Meenach access, just downstream from the bridge of the same name, will undergo a complete redesign as part of the bigger City of Spokane stormwater runoff project designed to keep pollutants out of the river.

“The city is working to restore T.J. for public use while meeting our needs for a clean river is a great example of leveraging resources to meet multiple needs,” said Andy Dunau, Executive Director of the Spokane River Forum.

Construction, which includes repaving and installation of utilities between Northwest Boulevard down T.J. Meenach to the bridge will take place throughout the summer and into fall. Work on the river access is not slated until fall, after the prime floating season.

The area, which currently serves both commercial and recreational floaters, will be upgraded with an entirely new configuration. Access will be flipped to eliminate an awkward turn and allow entrance off an exit to Downriver Drive from T.J. Meenach.

Once inside, traffic will move one-way toward parking that will accommodate over 30 vehicles, plus spaces for users with rafting trailers. A new designated launch area for rafts will be constructed at the end of the park—an area that now serves as the entrance. There will also be a turnaround to ease traffic flow.            

Between the parking lot and the river will be a swale that will help handle the stormwater. A new trail will form a border along the river and help the shoreline riparian environment.

Currently about 5,000 acres of stormwater from northwest Spokane flows untreated to the Spokane River at end of the T.J. Meenach bridge. To address this situation, the city has already begun a series of six projects that will divert the initial flush of stormwater to about six acres of grassy swales for treatment.

Five of those six acres will be at the disc golf course located just west of Downriver Golf Course. The disc golf course will also be rebuilt and upgraded as part of the swale construction project.

Find more news and stories about the Spokane River in the OTO archives.

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Citywave USA, the new stationary wave at Lakeside Surf in Chelan, which happens to be the largest of its kind in the world, opens May 1, 2021. The newest attraction at Chelan’s Slidewaters Waterpark, citywave USA is 54-foot wide, deep-water stationary wave up to six feet tall that allows surfers to ride across the wave as the water rushes by.

Surfers can use regular short boards and full-size fins that make aggressive wave carving, tricks, and aerials possible. For safety reasons, however, all first-time citywave USA surfers are required to use Lakeside Surf’s boards until they get staff approval based on a surfer’s ability to handle the wave. The wave can be set up for a wide range of ability levels too, from beginners to expert surfers, and guests with passes can also watch from some great viewing areas.

There are a variety of surf session options, ranging from 45-minute sessions with a max of 12 surfers in the line-up (surfers are asked to limit each wave ride to 30 seconds), to private sessions, party bookings, and dawn patrol time slots. All sessions must be booked in advance online. Lakeside Surf is a complete surf facility with food and beverage service, a retail surf shop, sand volleyball, a surfer hot tub, and is a part of the larger Slidewaters Waterpark.

This year’s season will run from May through October. More info at Lakesidesurf.com.

To learn more about recreation activities in and around the city of Chelan, visit the OTO archives.

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“We have a whole bunch of Spokane-area students who missed their disc golf sessions in schools and have been sitting around for months and need to get out of the house,” says Erin Johnson with the Spokane-based US Youth Disc Golf Association (US/YDGA). “Families need kids to get outside with a challenge and reward, and since schools were shut down, we are trying to serve our community with what we know best and that’s disc golf.” It’s something anyone can do, Johnson explains, and the game can be played safely during the ongoing pandemic right at home with a portable disc golf basket, homemade targets, or as a family or in small groups at one of the Inland Northwest’s many Jr. courses and full sized courses. Sanctioned courses are listed at www.usydga.com. 

The US/YDGA engages students who are often not involved in other school sports in developing a love for the active, easy-to-learn sport of disc golf. Being a major disc golf promoter, Johnson’s organization has also been installing Jr. Disc Golf Courses near schools and communities to create beginner and family-friendly practice zones and courses for nearly a decade. US/YDGA also typically partners with school districts to put on disc golf programs for students around the regions as well as disc golf summer camps in partnership with Spokane Parks and Recreation.  

With those school programs and camps put on hold due to COVID-19, US/YDGA has responded by offering free disc golf instructional videos for beginners along with more advanced tutorial videos on its website (www.usydga.com). Once Spokane County moves to Phase 3, Johnson says his organization will be putting on small group, full-week disc golf camps at a cost of $120 per student, with scholarships available. The camps, billed as a “Corona Relief” events for parents and cooped up kids, will take place at several Jr. courses, including Ben Burr, Cliff Cannon, Friendship, Loma Vista, and Hays parks. US/YDGA is also putting on a major disc golf event in August that includes a qualifier event open to kids of all abilities followed by a final disc golf tournament with some pretty impressive prizes. 

Johnson says the free tournament and qualifier event is open to all Inland Northwest students and will be put on with safety as a top priority, with an emphasis on physical distancing and sanitizing discs and baskets on the outdoor courses. Kids from all grades can register for a tee-time spot at www.usydga.com for the 2-hour qualifier event on August 15 that will be held on the junior course at the North Spokane YMCA. No experience is necessary to participate, and free loaner discs will be provided. 120 students will continue on from the qualifier event to the final tournament to be held over two days at Spokane’s Camp Sekani Park disc golf course August 22 (K-6) and August 23 (7-12 grades).  

US/YDGA has pulled together an impressive list of sponsors that will be providing prizes for the tournament in addition to gold, silver, and bronze medals. Prizes include stamped discs for the top three finishers in each category and 10 longboards (one for first place in each category, with five female and five male categories) provided by Lithia of Spokane, ACE Hillyard, Spokane Hyundai, Retro Donuts, and Froyo Earth, as well as a family getaway to SilverStar Mountain Resort in British Columbia. Lithia Fiat of Spokane will also be offering up a Fiat 500 or $20,000 toward college tuition for any one final tournament player who hits a hole-in-one on a mobile basket set at 301 feet at hole 17 at Camp Sekani during the final event. Johnson adds that Spokane’s General Store is a major sponsor of the event and is also offering a buy-two-get-one-free disc deal to anyone who comes into the store and mentions this article. (Johnson suggests asking for Big Mike).

Find all the tournament details at Usydga.com/corona-relief-events.

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Try Different Outdoor Activities at an Adventure Clinic
Festivalgoers can try out many different outdoor recreation activities, all in the Camp Sekani/Boulder Beach area. Activities include stand up paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing, geocaching, and other fun outdoor sports. Prices range from $10-20 per person depending on the clinic and include equipment and instruction. Find more info for all of these adventure clinics, including times, location, other requirements, and registration info at: Spokatopia.com/excursions. Space is limited, and all of the clinics sold out last year, so don’t wait to sign up!

Intro to Rock Climbing: Learn rock climbing basics on mellow routes in the crags behind the festival grounds in a friendly, encouraging atmosphere, sponsored by Mountain Gear. Learn rock climbing techniques to reach the top of a rock face. All the gear and equipment is provided for this exciting and challenging sport. Multiple sessions.

Voyageur 8 Person Canoe Tour: Take a voyage with Spokane’s Canoe & Kayak Club in this historic 22-foot voyageur canoe that will hold up to eight people. This adventure clinic will be guided by experienced canoeists from the Spokane Canoe & Kayak Club. Rides will leave Boulder Beach for several 30-45 minute long tours. All necessary equipment will be provided and no experience is necessary. Cost: $10 per person.

Stand Up Paddleboard Lesson: Join Spokane Parks and Recreation for a morning or afternoon stand up paddleboard tour. Stand up paddleboarding, or SUP, is a great workout and balance tuner, not to mention a fun way to share the summer sun and water with others. No experience is necessary and all equipment will be provided. Multiple sessions. Cost: $15 per person.

Tandem Kayak Tour: The best way to experience the Spokane River is with a paddle in your hands and sun on your skin. No experience is necessary, only the desire to paddle. All equipment will be provided. The 60-minute excursions will begin with a 10-minute warm up and instruction. Multiple sessions. Cost: $15 per person.

Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) Yoga: Kick off your Spokatopia experience with a tranquil SUP yoga sequence with SUP Spokane. This amazing cross-training sport is low impact on the joints and is used to improve balance and core strength. Multiple sessions. Cost: $15 per person.

Inflatable Whitewater Kayaking: Join FLOW Adventures on an inflatable kayak adventure down the Spokane River. Inflatable kayak trips make a terrific alternative to hard-shell kayak tours for those wanting to try something new. They are incredibly fun and easy to paddle and maneuver. Individual and tandem kayak options are available. Multiple sessions. Cost: $15 per person.

Disc Golf Intro Lesson: Team up with an experienced player from Disc Golf Uprising for a 1-hour lesson.  Learn about different types of discs and how they fly, proper stance and grip, disc golf terms, and more! Cost: $15 per person.

Intro to Geocaching: Come and experience this high-tech scavenger hunt. Cache-Advance instructors will teach you the tricks of the trade in the geocaching world as well as sharing new strategies for locating skillfully-hidden caches and basic GPS skill and equipment tips. Cost: $15 per person.

The Biggest Bike Demo and Sales Event of the Year

Local bike shops, including Wheel Sport, North Division Bicycle Shop, This Bike Life, The Bike Hub, Velofix, and Cool Water Bikes will be set up at Spokatopia offering demos and selling bikes from Specialized, Pivot, Yeti, Trek, Norco, Ellsworth, Santa Cruz and other brands. Come check out full suspension, front suspension, hardtail, and downhill mountain bikes; fat bikes; hybrids; 29ers; and road and commuter bikes. This will be the biggest bike demo and sales event in the Inland Northwest this year, so don’t miss out if you’re thinking about buying a new bike or want to see what’s out there for the future. Demo bikes can be checked out and ridden on Camp Sekani singletrack, forest roads or on Centennial Trail pavement right there at the festival (bring your ID and riding clothes/helmet). Look for a full list of demo bikes that will be on hand at Spokatopia.com.

Stand Up Paddleboard and Water Sports Demos

If you’ve been thinking about buying a stand up paddleboard, this is your chance to try Stillwater Outdoors inflatable SUPs and paddles with Fun Unlimited at Boulder Beach below the central festival grounds on the Spokane River. This Bike Life, a local NRS dealer, will be showing off NRS paddleboards and Switchblade paddles (a SUP/kayak/canoe combo paddle) will also be for sale. Mountain Gear will have their demo fleet of kayaks and canoes on hand to try as well.

Free Sekani Downhill Mountain Bike Shuttles

For one day only, you can ride your choice of Sekani trails without having to pedal or push your bike to the top in the July heat – that is unless you want to! Bring your own mountain bike or take a demo bike for a spin down your choice of Camp Sekani trails, from easy, intermediate to expert or insane. And then catch a ride back to the top in the Evergreen East sponsored shuttle vehicle and do it again! Evergreen East members will be on hand with maps to help you navigate the trail system.

Mountain Bike Jump Jam

Watch talented local riders fly through the air on bikes, pulling off tricks and launching off huge gapped jumps that few mountain bikers can execute and land. Follow the signs to the Camp Sekani bike park through the trees a few hundred yards to the east of the main festival grounds. This free event promises to be an awesome experience for spectators. The show runs from 1-2 p.m., but show up early to watch riders practice from the Jump Jam beer garden.

5K & 1.5 Mile Up Chuck Challenge Trail Run

The 2nd annual Up Chuck Challenge trail run starts at Camp Sekani Park on the Up Chuck Trail for a fun, nearly all singletrack 5k climb to the top of Beacon Hill (1,000 feet of elevation gain). New this year, run or walk the 1.5 mile “Up Chuck Lite” course to the top of Camp Sekani. The race is timed on the up only, with another 2.3 mile run or walk back to the start for the 5k, and a half mile walk/run back down for the Up Chuck Lite 1.5 miler. Pick up your race bandana back at the start at the Spokatopia festival and hit the beer garden. The 5k starts at 9:30 a.m. and the 1.5 mile run/walk starts at 10. More info at Spokatopia.com.

Beer Garden, Music & Food

Enjoy craft beers from the Inland Northwest and beyond in the pine-shaded beer garden located in the central festival grounds while watching live music and grooving to KPND 95.3 FM in between sets. Proceeds from the beer garden and the festival benefit Evergreen East Mountain Bike Alliance – drink up and support your local mountain bike club! Food vendors will also be on hand to fill your belly after a day of spinning pedals, paddleboarding, slacklining, trail running and checking out other festival activities.

Festival Parking

Additional festival parking in designated areas along E. Upriver Drive will be available this year, and you can also park at nearby Pasadena Elementary (1-mile east on Upriver Drive) or Shields Park (aka Minnehaha, around 1-mile west of Sekani on E. Upriver Drive) and catch a van shuttle or walk/bike to Camp Sekani from those locations (a free bike corral will be available at the festival). The other more fun options is parking at Avista Utilities (1411 E. Mission Ave.) and riding your bike 4.6 miles on the Centennial Trail to the festival.

Ride Your Bike to Spokatopia: Avista Sponsored “Park and Bike Area” and a Secure Bike Corral Make it Easy

The most fun and easy way to get to the festival is to ride the Centennial Trail from your neighborhood or from one of the festival parking areas (Pasadena Elementary 1-mile east on Upriver Drive and at the Avista Utilities building 4.6 miles to the west on Mission Ave.). Vehicle parking at the festival grounds will be limited, but there will be a big, guarded and fenced bike corral at the festival at Camp Sekani Park to keep your ride safe while you try different outdoor sports and demo bikes and paddleboards. Details at Spokatopia.com.

Finding the Festival at Camp Sekani Park

Camp Sekani Park is located between downtown Spokane and Spokane Valley on E. Upriver Drive. For more details, visit Spokatopia.com and follow the festival on Facebook. //

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Our small group meets at High Bridge Park, a forested little city park along the bank of Latah Creek, which features a public disc golf course. There’s no snow yet, but I can imagine how pretty a couple of inches would be here. Lambert guides us through the course, patiently showing us the basic throws, and even more patiently waiting as we throw way over par in pursuit of that gratifying chain jingle as our discs drop into the basket.

“Winter might be my favorite time to play,” says Lambert, “because it’s so calm and peaceful and quiet.” And like runners who drill screws into their winter trail shoes and cyclists who swap out their full-suspension mountain bikes for fat bikes, dedicated disc golfers adapt to cold weather with appropriate gear, clothes and technique.

Disc golf has exploded in the past 10 years in the Inland Northwest. “Stimpi” Steve Simmons, owner of Stimpi Ridge Disc Golf Course and Pro Shop, welcomes the boom. “It’s a sport that can be played any time, any season. You can’t say that about many other sports,” he says. Simmons golfs nearly every day of the year, and he has played in blizzards, rain, snow, wind, and blazing sun – everything but lightning, which he’d just as soon avoid.

Winter disc golf should be focused on fun and exercise, not skills improvement. “Trying to work on your game is useless,” Simmons states. “The footing, grip, and flight of the discs are different. You can’t unload on a shot or you’ll be in danger of flying head over heels in the air.” He also suggests avoiding big run-ups and skidding follow-throughs. “Slow down and concentrate on your standing technique or a one-step approach,” he advises. “Those shots are just as important, and we tend not to practice them in good conditions.” Simmons recommends avoiding disc golf courses on steep hillsides or cliff areas during slick winter conditions too.

Regional disc golf clubs remain active throughout the winter, and most clubs facilitate an Ice Bowl, which is a charity tournament that raises money for local food shelters. Pro disc golfers Tara and Christopher Ré have special memories of golfing in Spokane’s Ice Bowl, which is where they first met in 2003. Christopher is an arborist, and he golfs more during the winter when his work hours allow more play time. He’s in the middle of describing the slippery winter footing when Tara interrupts: “But you play barefoot, babe!” He smiles and shrugs, “That’s just for summer play.”

The Rés explain that it’s harder to handle discs in winter months because the discs are usually wet and cold, and so are the players’ hands. The colder, denser air means the discs don’t fly as far. And of course, discs can disappear without a trace in fallen leaves or snow drifts. Disc golfers often attach a two-foot length of colored curling ribbon to their discs, which makes them easier to spot but more difficult to fly.

Common sense cold-weather adjustments apply to winter disc golfing: “Warm socks, waterproof boots, gators to keep the snow out, and cleats if it’s icy,” says Stimpi Steve. He advises dressing in layers, with thicker layers at the core to keep the torso warm and the arms free to move. “I also wear gloves with hand warmers inside, and remove the right one only when I throw.”

Back at High Bridge Park, our lesson draws to a close as another group of golfers inevitably catches up to us. I apologize for our slow pace, and they assure me that they’re here as much for the good company and fresh air as they are for the play. “That’s a pretty typical exchange,” says Lambert as we walk back to our cars. “Disc golfers are almost always friendly and laid-back.” He implies that those who play traditional golf (or “ball golf,” as disc golfers often phrase it) aren’t always so relaxed about their game.

Disc golf in the winter months may require a few tweaks to your summer play, “but the fun value doesn’t decrease,” promises Stimpi Steve. “You’re still outdoors, wandering around your favorite park, chasing plastic. It’s what we like to do.” //

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Try Different Outdoor Recreation Activities

Festival goers can try out many different outdoor recreation activities, all in the Camp Sekani/Boulder Beach area. Prices range from $8-20 per person and include admission to the rest of the festival. Find more info for all of these excursions, including times, location, other requirements, and registration info here. Space is limited, so don’t wait to sign up!

Intro to Rock Climbing: Take adventure to new heights rock climbing with Peak 7 Adventures. Learn basic rock climbing techniques to reach the top of a rock face. All the gear and equipment is provided for this exciting and challenging sport. Multiple sessions. Cost: $5.

Whitewater Rafting: Join Wiley E Waters for an exhilarating river rafting trip down the Spokane River. Professional certified guides will provide you with equipment on this fun-filled paddle experience. Trips run from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1-3. Cost: $20

Voyageur 8 Person Canoe Tour: Take a voyage with Spokane’s Canoe & Kayak Club in this historic 22-foot voyageur canoe that will hold up to eight people. This excursion will be guided by experienced canoeists from the Spokane Canoe & Kayak Club. Rides will leave Boulder Beach for several 30-45 minute long tours. All necessary equipment will be provided and no experience is necessary. Cost: $8

Stand Up Paddleboard Lesson: Join Spokane Parks and Recreation and Mountain Gear for a morning or afternoon stand up paddleboard tour. Stand up paddleboarding is a great workout and balance tuner, not to mention a fun way to share the summer sun with others. No experience is necessary and all equipment will be provided. Multiple sessions. Cost: $15

Tandem Kayak Tour: The best way to experience the Spokane River is with a paddle in your hands and sun on your skin. No experience is necessary, only the desire to paddle. All equipment will be provided. The 60 minute excursions will begin with a 10-minute warm up and instruction. Multiple sessions. Cost: $15

Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) Yoga: Kick off your Spokatopia Festival experience with a tranquil SUP yoga sequence with SUP Spokane. This amazing cross-training sport, guided by SUP Spokane, is low impact on the joints and is used to improve balance and core strength. 9-10 and 10:15-11:15 a.m. sessions. Cost: $15

Inflatable Whitewater Kayaking: Join FLOW Adventures on an inflatable kayak adventure down the Spokane River. Inflatable kayak trips make a terrific alternative to hard-shell kayak tours for those wanting to try something new. They are incredibly fun and easy to paddle and maneuver. Individual and tandem kayak options are available. Multiple sessions. Cost: $15

Disc Golf Intro Lesson: Team up with an experienced player from Disc Golf Uprising to learn about different types of discs and how they fly, proper stance and grip, disc golf terms, and throwing techniques. 11 a.m.-12 p.m. and 12:30-1:30. Cost: $15

Intro to Geocaching: Come and experience this high-tech scavenger hunt that is sweeping the nation. Cache-Advance instructors will teach you the tricks of the trade in the geocaching world. Cache-Advance will help you learn new strategies for locating the skillfully hidden caches, teach you basic GPS skills and discuss the equipment needed to successfully find caches around the world. Cost: $15

Festival Details

Camp Sekani is located between downtown Spokane and Spokane Valley on Upriver Drive. For more details, visit Spokatopia.com and follow the festival on Facebook. Spokatopia is presented by Out There Monthly, City of Spokane Parks & Recreation, and Evergreen East Mountain Bike Alliance. Proceeds benefit Evergreen East.

Three Reasons to Ride Your Bike to Spokatopia

The best way to get to the festival is to ride the Centennial Trail from your neighborhood or from one of the festival parking areas (Pasadena Elementary 1-mile east on Upriver Drive and at the Avista building several miles to the west on Upriver Drive—details at Spokatopia.com). Need more convincing? Here are three reasons why you should pedal your way to Camp Sekani on July 11:

1. It’s THE cool, fun and sustainable way to get to an outdoor adventure festival.
2. Parking at the festival grounds will be super slim pickings and Spokatopia will have a massive, guarded and fenced bike corral to keep your bike safe.
3. A considerable amount of free outdoor gear and prizes from Mountain Gear and other local businesses will be given away randomly to people who show up with a bike and a helmet at the corral.

Up Chuck Challenge Trail Run (July 11, 9:30 a.m.)

The first annual Up Chuck Challenge trail run starts at Camp Sekani Park on the Up Chuck Trail for a fun, winding, nearly all singletrack climb to the top of Beacon Hill. The 5k course gains nearly 1,000 feet of total elevation, with a few dips, grunts, twists and turns to keep the mostly mellow and meandering racecourse interesting. The race is timed on the up only, with another 2.3 mile run or walk back to the start at Sekani Meadows where the 1^st annual Spokatopia Outdoor Adventure Festival will be underway (beer garden opens at 10:30 a.m.). There will be no vehicle parking at the race start but parking and shuttles will be available 1-mile to the east at Pasadena Elementary and there will be a bike corral at Sekani, so you can bike to the race start on the Centennial Trail. $20 registration ($25 after July 8). More info here.

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