A major land conservation effort has added 2,135 acres of sagebrush steppe and Columbia River shoreline to Washington’s Big Bend Wildlife Area in Douglas County. Western Rivers Conservancy (WRC) recently transferred Big Bend Ranch—a property featuring 1.5 miles of river frontage—to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) for permanent protection and public access. Located 14 miles northwest of Grand Coulee, the ranch’s basalt cliffs, rolling hills and wetland spring habitat support a variety of wildlife, including the Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, one of Washington’s most imperiled bird species. The property also fronts Rufus Woods Lake, a 51-mile reservoir between Grand Coulee and Chief Joseph dams that retains flowing current and supports kokanee and rainbow trout. 

“Conserving these places is critical for upland game birds and other wildlife, and it gives people more opportunity to experience what remains of the Columbia Plateau’s sagebrush-steppe,” said Jessica Inwood, Washington project manager for WRC. With the addition of Big Bend Ranch, the Big Bend Wildlife Area now totals about 24,000 acres of protected public land. The expansion opens new opportunities for hunting, hiking, mountain biking and wildlife viewing on one of the Upper Columbia’s most scenic and ecologically significant stretches. 

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A steep, sketchy gully on Spokane’s South Hill just became a gateway to adventure. The new Rocket Gulch Stairs now connect neighborhood streets to the High Drive Bluff trail system, turning what was once a loose, hazardous slope into a sturdy, city-approved access point. Built by Washington Trails Association crews over the summer, the 82-step staircase (complete with retaining walls and handrails) links the end of the public right-of-way just south of 43rd Street and Hatch Road directly into the Bluff. The project was spearheaded by Friends of the Bluff, a volunteer-led nonprofit that’s spent years improving access to the 500-acre natural area above Latah Creek. 

The $65,000 project drew support from city parks, the Spokane Parks Foundation, Bartlett Tree Experts and dozens of community donors but also required about $30,000 from the group’s reserves to finish. High Drive Bluff’s 20-plus miles of trails have long been a magnet for hikers, runners and mountain bikers, yet safe neighborhood access points were limited. The new stairs change that, offering a direct, walk-in route for locals who’d rather skip the car and head straight into the pines. Friends of the Bluff plans to continue improving trail connections as funding allows. Learn more or support their work at Friendsofthebluff.org. 

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Washington Wild announced in September that longtime Spokane conservation advocate Jeff Lambert was named the 2025 recipient of the Karen M. Fant Conservation Award. The annual honor recognizes volunteers who demonstrate exceptional grassroots leadership in protecting Washington’s wild lands and waters. For more than three decades, Lambert has worked to conserve open spaces and natural areas across the Spokane region through groups such as the Spokane Mountaineers, Friends of the Bluff and Dishman Hills Conservancy.

His work has advanced roadless-area protections, watershed restoration and the safeguarding of state forest lands. Most recently, Lambert helped lead the campaign to protect the 200-acre Thorpe property in west Spokane, a Washington Department of Natural Resources parcel once slated for housing development. His coalition-building efforts—alongside nearly 100 statewide partners—helped halt the proposed sale and reopen the path to preserving the land as a future city park. “Jeff embodies the spirit of grassroots conservation leadership that the Karen M. Fant Award was created to honor,” said Washington Wild executive director Tom Uniack. 

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By Holly Weiler 

Cover photo courtesy of Lara Gricar

Outdoor Reminders 

• Winter conditions can impact access to high-elevation trailheads, so it’s time to double-check your vehicle’s emergency kit to make sure it contains helpful extras for snowy conditions (for instance, a folding snow shovel). It is also a transition time to winter parking permit season, when some high-elevation parking lots have snow removal funded through the purchase of seasonal parking passes. In Washington, Sno-Park season begins Dec. 1 and lasts through March, with over 100 Sno-Park locations across the state, including popular spots like Mount Spokane State Park and Sherman Pass. In North Idaho, a Park N’ Ski permit is required for access to seven maintained winter trailheads, including those at Priest Lake and Fourth of July Pass. Oregon maintains its own Sno-Park system as well but has a reciprocal agreement with Idaho. Purchase a permit for the state you visit the most. 

Free Outdoor-themed Entertainment 

• Chelan-Douglas Land Trust (CDLT) is hosting an outdoor clothing and gear exchange Dec. 13 from noon to 3 p.m. (location TBD; check the website). This is a free event; no registration required. Please bring clean, functional outdoor clothing and gear to swap. Those who would like to donate without attending the swap may drop off equipment at the CDLT office during the week before the event. It is not necessary to bring trade items in order to participate the day of the event; if you need outdoor gear, please attend.  

• Additionally, Chelan-Douglas Land Trust is hosting a Winter Solstice Walk at Castle Rock in Wenatchee’s Lower Castle Rock Natural Area Dec. 20 from 7 to 9 a.m. Advance registration is required to join this 2-mile round-trip hike. 

• Fee-free days at Washington State Parks are scheduled for Jan. 1 and Jan. 20. Additionally, a variety of free First Day Hikes will be offered at Washington State Parks on New Year’s Day (advance registration is required). Please note that Mount Spokane State Park does not fall under fee-free days during Sno-Park season. If you don’t have a Sno-Park permit, watch for the offerings at Riverside State Park and Columbia Plateau State Park Trail instead, where no Discover Pass will be necessary on the holiday. 

• Free Idaho Park N’ Ski Day is Jan. 3, with a chance to visit Idaho’s Nordic and snowshoeing trails without the usual parking fee. Several areas mark this event with activities, including free lessons and guided snowshoe hikes at Indian Creek State Park near Priest Lake and the Idaho Panhandle Nordic Club’s annual Best Hand Poker XC-Ski and Snowshoe fundraiser. There is a nominal fee to enter the poker competition, because it’s a fundraiser to help support grooming efforts at the Fourth of July Pass trail system; sometimes there are nearly as many raffle prizes as participants! 

• Methow Trails’ Backyard Ski Day is Jan. 30, with free winter trail access across the valley’s vast trail system. There will be free group beginner ski lessons for both classic and skate skiing, free fat bike demos and a free ski wax clinic. A few local businesses are even offering a limited number of free ski rentals for the day. 
  
  

Fundraisers, Contests and Events 

• Inland Northwest Land Conservancy will host its Common Ground annual meeting at CenterPlace Regional Event Center Dec. 9. Registration is required and space is limited. 

• Have you visited a National Recreation Trail this year? It’s time for American Trails’ annual photo contest. Photographers can submit up to 10 photos per trail under categories like trail use, trail management, trail features and artistic merit. Be sure to check the database of National Recreation Trails in our region to ensure the trail you visited qualifies. Photos are due Dec. 15, and winners will be announced in February. 

• The Backcountry Film Festival – Winter Wildlands Alliance offers several regional screenings of festival films highlighting human-powered winter recreation. Each showing serves as a fundraiser for the host organization. Catch it in Spokane Dec. 6, hosted by the Spokane Mountaineers. SOLE will host the film festival in Sandpoint Jan. 9. The University of Idaho Outdoor Program will bring the show to Moscow Jan. 28. On Feb. 3 the film festival will be shown in Whitefish, hosted by Wild Montana. Chewelah Valley Land Trust, Montana Backcountry Alliance (Missoula) and El Sendero Backcountry Ski and Snowshoe Club (Wenatchee) also plan to host the film festival this winter (check online for dates). 

• The Wenatchee River Institute will be the beneficiary of “Benevolent Night” at München House in Leavenworth Jan. 6, with 25% of sales donated to support the nonprofit. The event will run from 4 to 8 p.m.  

• Banff Mountain Film Festival returns to Spokane Jan. 9-11. Saturday night’s VIP ticket sales will benefit the nonprofit of your choice among several worthy local organizations. This event sells out every year, so don’t procrastinate! 

• Spokane Nordic will host Winterfest Jan. 18, featuring $10 Nordic ski lessons for both adults and children, plus a scavenger hunt for kids and a skijor clinic at Selkirk Lodge at Mount Spokane State Park. Additional not-to-be-missed events include the annual Langlauf Nordic ski race Jan. 25 and the BarkerBeiner Skijor Race, tentatively scheduled for Feb. 22. 

Stewardship, Conservation, and Volunteer Opportunities 

• Many of our region’s stewardship and conservation organizations take a short break during the winter season, but those looking for an opportunity to do some winter trail maintenance should watch for offerings from Washington Trails Association. Most of WTA’s winter projects are on snowshoe trails, snow depth permitting. Watch for opportunities within Mount Spokane State Park and on Spokane County Parks’ Conservation Futures properties. A limited number of snowshoes are available to borrow. Contact the crew leader if you’d like to try a project but need to borrow snowshoes. Check the WTA website for the full schedule. 

• Spokane Nordic hosts multiple events throughout the winter and is always seeking volunteer assistance to make those events run smoothly. Tasks may range from helping visitors park safely and efficiently to assisting with event check-in or serving as an on-course race marshal (typically on skis). Check out the Spokane Nordic website for opportunities. 

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Cover photo courtesy of Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce

Grant County’s only bike shop opened its doors in Moses Lake this summer, offering bike repairs, select sporting goods, and new and used bikes, including entry-level e-bikes. The shop is a welcome addition to the Central Washington community after the closing of Tri-State Outfitters following COVID. Shop co-founder Andrew Spark says he’s excited to serve all of the cyclists living in the Moses Lake area. While many cyclists travel to Wenatchee, Spokane or Beezley Hills in Ephrata to ride, having a home shop will help stoke the local cycling community by offering in-town bike maintenance and gear options. 

Sun City Cycle & Sports also carries a curated line of disc golf supplies, including beginner- to pro-level discs. Why disc golf and bikes? Because the shop owners love both sports. Spark says the disc golf course at nearby Blue Heron Park is a hidden gem in the region. Sun City is also offering consignment for used bikes that are still in good shape and plans to carry skateboards soon to support the passionate local skatepark scene. Drop by the shop in downtown Moses Lake at 312 S. Division St. 

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Some trails in the Iller Creek and Glenrose units allow traditional pedal mountain bikes. According to current Spokane County policy, both pedal-assist e-bikes and throttle e-bikes, which don’t require pedaling and are effectively electric motorcycles that can travel at a higher rate of speed, are currently prohibited on non-motorized Spokane County Conservation Area trails. Other areas, including the Dishman Hills Natural Area, which features miles of scenic hiking trails and prime urban-interface wildlife habitat, prohibit all types of bicycles and motorized vehicles on all trails.  

Motorized vehicles and e-bikes are currently prohibited for several reasons, according to the Dishman Hills Conservancy, including fire danger, high speeds that can surprise people and wildlife, and the risk of trail damage. The nonprofit conservation organization also cites trespassing as a concern, which not only violates private property rights but also risks damaging relationships with neighbors—potentially limiting future land conservation efforts. Trail users are encouraged to respect posted regulations, practice good etiquette and report violations to Crime Check or Spokane County Parks.

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Phase 1 of the work will extend Fish Lake Trail from the Milton Street Trailhead to 5th Avenue, with intersection improvements at Sunset Highway and Government Way. The trail currently runs from West Spokane toward Fish Lake near Cheney, Wash., stopping short of the lake until necessary trail improvements can be completed. Expansion plans include protected left-turn phasing, expanded crosswalks, a new paved path from Thorpe Road to the Fish Lake Trail, and upgrades to the BNSF tunnel with lighting and warning systems. 

Phase 2 of the project will continue the extension from Government Way to the Centennial Trail spur at the Sandifur Bridge over the Spokane River. This stage will add a paved segment with lighting, further enhancing trail safety and connectivity. Funding is possible from a mix of federal Transportation Alternatives Program and County Road Program grants, local arterial street funds, and impact fees.  

The post Fish Lake Trail to Centennial Trail Connection Set for 2026  appeared first on Out There Venture.

This year, Inland NW riders join the ranks of 22 other mountain bike destinations playing host to Outside Magazine’s RITUAL Mountain Bike Film Tour. The films will showcase epic adventures, legendary lines, stellar storytelling and interstellar athletes in its second year. “Guaranteed to make your fingers itch for the grips, RITUAL is poised to host this year’s hottest mix of soon-to-be-released films and recent classics never before seen on the big screen,” teases the event promo on the Bing Crosby Theater ticket page (get yours at Bingcrosbytheater.com).

The two-hour show features a dynamic mix of films ranging from 20-minute stories to short shred flicks from emerging and seasoned independent filmmakers. Launched in 2020 only to shut down during the pandemic, Ritual Mountain Bike Film Tour re-launched in Spring 2024. Visit ritualbike.com for more info or to host a film event. 

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By Brad Thiessen

Why do cancer survivors run marathons and triathlons? Why do divorcees journey to the hills of Italy? Why do grieving spouses hike the Appalachian Trail?

At least a part of the answer is that nature–being outdoors–has the power to reach deep into our souls and heal us. Another is that having a goal helps us rebuild a sense of meaning and purpose for our lives. And a third part of the answer is that the physical strength that’s developed through these efforts can lead to emotional and mental resilience. Stories have that same power to heal and inspire us. When they’re compelling, they can take us out of our own experience and give us a window into someone else’s reality. That connection can bring new paths to growth.

Put those together and you get the OutLive Film Festival. It’s an evening of short films that tell true stories of courage and healing, lived outdoors. Now in its second year, the festival will be held at 7 pm on Thursday March 20 at the Washington Cracker Company building at 304 W. Pacific Ave. downtown Spokane. Learn more and get tickets at outlivefilmfest.com.

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