Northwest Montana Located just south of Libby, Montana, Leigh Lake is nestled in the shadow of Snowshoe Peak, the tallest mountain in the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness. Experienced mountaineers sometimes use the Leigh Lake trail as a jumping-off point for the class four scramble to the summit of Snowshoe Peak, elevation 8,738 feet. The trail to the […]
Hike to Leigh Lake in the Cabinet Mountains Read More »
Last year, the State of Montana took enforcement action against Hecla Mining Co. CEO, Phillips Baker, under the state’s “bad actor” law, which says mining companies and their senior executives can’t get a new permit if they’ve reneged on past clean-up obligations unless they reimburse the state for those costs. Yet, while this matter is
Plan to Mine in the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness Resurfaces Read More »
When French-Canadian fur trappers first surveyed the mountain range straddling the Idaho-Montana border, they dubbed it the Cabinet Mountains, for the shelves of rock that loomed over the rivers below. In the intervening 200 years, the hiking technology used to cross the Cabinets may have changed, but little else has. The Cabinet Mountains are commonly
5 Day Hikes in the Cabinet Mountains Read More »
The Cabinet Mountains Wilderness is home to very diverse terrain, ranging from 8,000-foot rocky peaks that are often snowcapped year-round, to huge cedars in rich, densely forested valleys. Few climbers realize that western Montana has so much untapped ice climbing potential. Most years, it’s usually guarded by long approaches and serious avalanche danger. This year,
New Ice Routes in the Cabinet Range Read More »
REI Exec nominated to head Dept. of Interior President Obama has nominated REI Chief Exec Sally Jewell as the next head of the Department of Interior. She’s the first woman named to his second-term cabinet, and a well-known name here in the Northwest. In her work at REI, she’s lead several conservation initiatives and is
REI’s Sally Jewell nominated for Obama Cabinet Read More »
89-year-old Galen Chamberlain turns the page on his final hike in Rich Landers’ classic “100 Hikes in the Inland Northwest” guidebook. By Chris Maccini Cover photo courtesy of Diane Delanoy It was 29 years ago that Galen Chamberlain first picked up a copy of Rich Landers’ classic guidebook, “100 Hikes in the Inland Northwest.” At
At 89, Spokane’s Galen Chamberlain Completes the “100 Hikes” Challenge Read More »
Cover photo courtesy of Visit Sandpoint When the heat of summer fades and cool mornings settle into the Inland Northwest, it’s prime time to make a weekend escape to beautiful Sandpoint, Idaho. Barely 90 minutes from Spokane, nestled on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille and framed by the Selkirk and Cabinet mountains, Sandpoint can
A Fall Escape to Sandpoint: Three Days of Lake, Mountain & Autumn Magic Read More »
Your ultimate Inland Northwest guide for hikes, floats, bike rides, fishing spots, history and adventure Cover photo courtesy of Jon Jonckers Long days, cool waters and mountain trails—summer in the Inland Northwest is pure magic. Whether you’re chasing adrenaline or searching for serenity, you’ll find the right outdoor adventure to match your mood in this
100+ Summer Adventures Read More »
Come springtime, the mountains, valleys, and waterways around Sandpoint, Idaho, come alive with wildflowers and wildlife, making it one of the top spring hiking destinations in the Pacific Northwest. Wildflowers burst into bloom in profuse displays, and a wide variety of wildlife is busy rearing their young. The area offers incomparably wild experiences in spring,
Best Spring Hikes Near Sandpoint, Idaho for Wildflowers and Wildlife Viewing Read More »
(Photos courtesy of CHAFE 150) For cyclists who crave both stunning scenery and a worthy challenge, the CHAFE 150 is a ride that belongs on your calendar. On Saturday June 14, 2025, this annual gran fondo rolls out from Sandpoint, Idaho, offering an unforgettable riding experience with magical mountain and lake views on your choice
The 2025 CHAFE 150: Ride the Roads, Conquer the Gravel, Support a Cause Read More »
