Recently, I found myself pondering the ways that our river brings us the value we have come to love and even expect. We all get the wet part of the river. Clean water supports fish to chase, cool water to jump and swim in, and rapids to paddle and play on, but the river gives […]
Beyond the Riverbank: Preserving Shoreline Trails and Community Connections Read More »
Guest Editorial By Jeff Lambert, Executive Director, Dishman Hills Conservancy The terrific Land and Water Conservation Fund lapsed due to Congress inaction. The LWCF has been successful for 50 years in funding many local parks and conservation areas using a small portion of the royalties paid to the federal government from oil and gas leases.
Guest Editorial: A Call to Action in Support of the Land & Water Conservation Fund Read More »
The Finch Arboretum is a 10-star public park on a four-star scale. No doubt, Manito Park, Riverfront Park and the Dishman Hills Conservancy are also jewels in the crown of Spokane’s public spaces. But the Finch Arboretum boasts the greatest diversity of plant life in the city and many of the most iconic trees in
Finding Fall Colors at Finch Arboretum Read More »
In his essay “Nature,” Ralph Waldo Emerson writes “Nature never wears a mean appearance.” Nowhere is this truer than in Yellowstone National Park, which is why it attracts more than 3 million visitors annually. Those who visit in the fall will find September crowds roughly half those of July, with October crowds one-eighth of July’s
Fall Brings Wild Times without the Crowds in Yellowstone Read More »
With a nice mix of both fancy and rugged activities – from wine tasting and outdoor art shows to hiking and mountain biking – I’ve never been disappointed by Leavenworth. Only a 3-hour drive from Spokane, this Bavarian village-themed town in central Washington is a great choice for a family-friendly destination or a couples-getaway. As
Hiking Leavenworth: Central Cascades Trails for All Ages Read More »
This month of transition between summer and fall is the perfect time to plan a visit to Grassy Top in the Colville National Forest (assuming there are no wildfires burning nearby). One could potentially find lingering wildflowers or enjoy a few last huckleberries, but shorter days bring cooler temperatures and changing colors to this high-country
Grassy Top Mountain (Selkirk Mountains, NE Washington) Read More »
When I look at the maps of the fires that are still burning as we go to print, vivid images of pre-fire places come to mind: small, tight-knit mountain communities; out-of-the-way trailheads and campgrounds; vast expanses of pine, sage and grassland; and green, high-country forests like those that spread for miles along the Kettle Crest.
Fire on the Mountain Read More »
Growing up in the Spokane area, it’s kind of hard to believe that I hadn’t done more than hike or drive along the edges of Lake Spokane before an Avista-inspired boat tour of the 24-mile-long lake last summer. The reservoir, which is formed by the Long Lake Dam impounded waters of the Spokane River, is
For Paddlers and Boaters, There’s a Lot to Explore at Lake Spokane Read More »
John Muir said “Going to the mountains is going home.” If you can relate, there is no shortage of places in the greater Inland Northwest that should feel like home. This is OTM’s second annual “Backcountry” issue, so a cover story highlighting a few wild, mountainous places that you can drive through, with drool-inducing views
The Mountains Are Calling Read More »
The Northwest has hundreds of lakes ranging from tiny alpine tarns to giant pools that sprawl for miles through the mountains. The region’s many diverse lakes each have their own unique feel and personality. While public land and access is limited at some, others like Priest Lake, nestled in the Selkirk Mountains, are a near
The Best of Priest Lake: Hikes, Resorts, Paddling, Fishing, and More Read More »
