Cover photo courtesy of Washington Department of Natural Resources By Crystal Atamian Trails near Camp Caro look very different lately since Spokane County Parks has been thinning the forest (smaller trees less than 8 inches in diameter). The goal is to clear out the underbrush and prune lower limbs to create a more open environment […]
Dishman Hills Fuels Reduction in the Works Read More »
By Claire Thompson Cover photo courtesy of Claire Thompson I spent most of the summer of 2022 clearing trails in burned forests. The Entiat River drainage in north central Washington, where I was working for the Forest Service, had been torched by a series of fires over the past two decades: 2006’s Tin Pan, 2014’s
Fire-Season Palette Read More »
OUTDOORSY EVENTS CONSERVATION & STEWARDSHIP OPPORTUNITIES at wildfire preparedness in your own backyard with a Firewise Risk Assessment, free for Spokane County residents through the Spokane Conservation District (Spokanecd.org/departments/forestry-department/firewise/). Those located outside Spokane County should check with their area’s Department of Natural Resources or other agencies for similar opportunities.
Inland NW Trail & Outdoor News Read More »
Backcountry skiing and snowshoeing offer peace and quiet, solitude, and immersion in nature that can be a challenge to find in our busy and increasingly urban world. The serene calm of an pristine, snowy landscape. The thrill of breaking trail through a powder-filled meadow. The quiet swish of your skis along a white forest trail.
Republic and the Kettle Range—A Backcountry Skiing & Snowshoeing Shangri-La Read More »
Use these 10 travel planning tips to help you make the most of your spring and summer adventures during the COVID-19 pandemic era.
10 Travel Planning Tips for Summer 2021 Read More »
When the Grateful Dead sang, “Fire on the Mountain,” they didn’t mean forest fires. Ten years later James Hansen delivered his global warming report to Congress. Now, 30 years after that, the summer wildfire season begins earlier and ends later, and wildfire preparation is part of visiting our beloved forests, mountains, and deserts. “I am
Fire on the Mountain Read More »
UPDATE: We’re happy to report that the trash and camps referenced in this article have been cleaned up. Thank you, City of Spokane! — The Spokane River is an urban treasure that many lifetime locals are still discovering along with astounded newcomers who are blown away that there is a swimmable, floatable, and fishable river of
Trash, Camps, & Other Threats to the Spokane River Read More »
Those midsummer blood-red sunsets in Spokane carry bittersweet beauty — they’re usually a sign of high levels of fine smoke or dust particles. During those times, and throughout the summer, experts recommend checking the air quality when planning an outdoor workout. Skipping workouts during the hot summer months isn’t the answer. Poor air quality can
Getting Cardio When the Air Quality is Bad Read More »
Trail / conservation projects Current Trail Projects in the Inland Northwest Spokane Country Regional Trails Plan: What Is It? Here is an excerpt from the plan… Purpose of the Plan The purpose of the Spokane County Regional Trail Plan is to guide development and maintenance of a county-wide network of trails to serve the needs
Trail/Conservation Projects Read More »
My throat itched and I could feel a thin layer of soot building in my nose from a nearby wildfire as we wound through a smoky canyon at McClellan Conservation Area. We hiked toward a moderate crack my friend Kevin Klim was in the process of developing as a new route. He had spent hours
To Bolt or Not to Bolt: Time for a Conversation on Local Climbing Ethics? Read More »
