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 »
Staying outside late into long-lit evenings is particularly enjoyable in July. Before fire season rolls around, smogging up the air and preventing outdoor burning of any kind, small backyard fires can provide the backdrop to many hours of social gatherings, family bonding, and open-air cooking of the on-stick variety. If you do not already have
How to Turn Your Backyard into a Campfire-capable Hangout Read More »
Flatwater beckons you to break its glassy surface with swimming strokes or kayak bows and paddles. Check out these 13 lake destinations for their great paddling and swimming waters.
Best Paddling & Swimming Lakes in Eastern Washington and North Idaho Read More »
At Idaho’s Round Lake State Park, “The best way to observe wildlife is to hike around the lake” on Stewardship Trail (approx. 3 miles) or Trapper’s Trail (approx. 2 miles), says Park Manager Mary McGraw. Dawn and dusk are prime times for wildlife spotting. “Animals commonly seen in the park are western painted turtles, great
Lake Critters & Junior Ranger Programs at Idaho’s Round Lake State Park Read More »
Whenever we relax and play at a lake, we connect to nature and that place where deep memories were made. Whether a lake park or remote, wild setting, our region provides abundant opportunities for those connections—for every recreation style and water sport. Maybe you’re looking for new places to launch your kayak or ski boat,
Inland NW Lake Guide 2018 Read More »
From marina restaurants, to fine dining on panoramic decks, to picnics you pack with all your favorite foods, lakeside feasting is the cardinal form of eating within or next to nature. A few years ago, I joined a bachelorette party on a friend’s boat on Lake Pend Oreille. We had snacks and drinks on the
Aperitif: The Lakeside Dining Life Read More »
When you’re not swimming or cruising in a boat, and it’s time for beach-based and flatwater, stay-dry activities, here are ways to combine physical activity and nature exploration.
Beyond Swimming: 6 Ideas for Kids Without Getting Wet Read More »
Enjoyment and support of the Inland Northwest’s abundant outdoor recreation opportunities transcends party lines and politics for the most part, yet too often elected officials in places like Eastern Washington’s 5th Congressional District devote too little time to safeguarding the trails, natural resources, and active lifestyle that so many of us of all political stripes
Lisa Brown: A Champion of Non-motorized Trails on the Path to Congress Read More »
A night is the perfect solution for long summer days, when extreme heat can take its toll on a hiker’s willingness to get outside and play.
What to Know Before Going on a Night Hike Read More »
North Idaho’s Silver Valley, a narrow, 40-mile-long valley that stretches from 4th of July Pass east of Coeur d’Alene to Lookout Pass near the Montana state line, is thriving these days as a hub for outdoor adventure. It boasts the longest gondola in North America, two big ski resorts, the Northwest’s best bike park, world-class
Idaho’s Silver Valley—From Mining Boom to Outdoor Adventure Mecca Read More »
