Cover photo courtesy of Amy McCaffree

By Amy McCaffree  

Nothing against carrots, but spending two hours outside every day is a better way to protect children’s eyesight. With screentime at record highs, the rate of children in the U.S. developing myopia, more commonly known as nearsightedness, has increased by 25% since the 1970s, according to a Sept. 2024 NPR news story by Maria Godoy, published by NPR.  

Optometrists and myopia researchers, backed by studies, conclude that spending one to two hours outside every day significantly decreases the risk of children developing myopia. Bright outdoor light stimulates healthy eye development, and activities that don’t require close-up focus allow eyes to relax. Although myopia can be inherited, lifestyle habits like too much screentime and not enough outdoor time increase the risk. The earlier someone develops myopia, the greater the lifetime risk of macular degeneration, glaucoma, retinal detachment and other conditions.  

Outdoor recreation provides breaks from near-focus tasks and helps young, developing eyes practice distance viewing—whether it’s looking far across a lake or at a horizon view. The natural light combined with focusing on faraway distances slows down eye elongation, thereby preventing the rapid eye growth that leads to myopia. 

So, take your kids hiking this summer to destinations with horizon vistas. Because not only is it good for their eyes, but the views also reveal how big and beautiful our Inland Northwest landscape is. Here are 12 destinations, hiking trails and summits to choose from. A few are easy, but many are best suited for ages 10 and up, depending on fitness level and tolerance for hiking. 

SPOKANE COUNTY 

Dishman Hills Conservation Area 

• The Cliffs Trail (Glenrose Unit): Hike Glenrose Trail to The Cliffs Trail and continue on for overlook views of Spokane Valley, Mica Peak and Mount Spokane. 

• Blue Bunch Loop (Glenrose): 0.9-mile trail (doable for preschoolers) with overlook of Moran Prairie and downtown Spokane to the northwest.  

• Nimbus Knob Loop (Camp Caro): Ascends to rocky overlook of Spokane Valley; 3 miles roundtrip. 

• Rocks of Sharon (Iller Creek Unit): 3.3 miles roundtrip from Stevens Creek Trailhead; view of Palouse farmland and faraway Steptoe Butte. 

Antoine Peak Conservation Area: Emerald Necklace Trail is for older youth and strong hikers; 5.7 miles, 780 feet of elevation gain for views of Spokane Valley and surrounding landmarks. 

Mount Spokane State Park: During summer and fall, you can drive the North Summit Road to the historic Vista House, which is the true summit (5,853’).  

THE PALOUSE 

Steptoe Butte: At Steptoe Butte State Park Heritage Site, drive to the 3,612-foot summit and hike around.  

Kamiak Butte: Pine Ridge Trail at Kamiak Butte County Park ascends 900 feet to the 3,641-foot summit; 3.5-miles roundtrip. 

EASTERN WASHINGTON 

Steamboat Rock: Panoramic views from the butte’s 2,250-foot summit via a steep, 6-mile round-trip hike; located at Steamboat Rock State Park. 

NORTH IDAHO 

Schweitzer Mountain Resort: Ride the Great Escape quad-chairlift to the summit ridge for 360-degree views. Return to the village via a round-trip chairlift ride (or you can hike down).  

Mineral Ridge National Recreation Trail: Trailhead at Beauty Bay on Lake Coeur d’Alene’s east side; 3.3 miles roundtrip, 700 feet of elevation gain. 

Scotchman Peak Trail: For teens and adults who can endure a physical challenge, this strenuous 8-mile round-trip hike ascends 3,700 feet of elevation to the highest point in Bonner County.  

(Note: This article isn’t meant to replace medical advice from a certified optometrist or ophthalmologist. Annual pediatric eye exams are recommended to promote lifelong eye health.) 

Amy McCaffree recommends enticing kids and teens to go hiking by bringing along “fun” snacks. For young kids, this could mean motivating with candy, like Skittles or M&Ms, at each switchback—which is how she got her son, then three years old, to hike the trail to Avalanche Lake at Glacier National Park. 

The post Viewpoint Hikes for Kids  appeared first on Out There Venture.

By Bradley Bleck 

Cover photo courtesy of Bradley Bleck

One reason gravel biking is popular is because it taps into the joy many cyclists felt when they first learned to fly on two wheels. This joy can be found along the nearly 1,200 miles of unpaved roads in Spokane County. This abundance of gravel is almost too much of a good thing for the uninitiated.  

To help with that, what follows are several rides, from beginner to advanced in order of difficulty, that can either be your gateway to gravel cycling or some new routes to explore. GPS information for your phone or cycling computer is provided for all but Saltese Flats. 

Palisades Park (Spokane)  

Close to the Spokane city center and a great place for novice gravel riders is Palisades Park. The essentially flat route, found by searching “Rimrock, Houston, Grove, Mission” on Ride with GPS, is 95 percent gravel if you ride it end to end. There are minor undulations and great views of the city and beyond. Parking is available at Greenwood and Basalt Roads or at Houston and Rimrock Roads, soon to be home to a new trailhead. There are six miles of mostly Category 1 gravel, making for up to 12 miles of out-and-back riding.  

Saltese Flats Wetland (East Spokane County) 

The Saltese Flats Wetlands offers 4.5 miles of trails around the wetlands, leaving from the trailhead on S. Henry Road, adjacent to the Saltese Uplands. Depending upon the time of year, you’ll be able to spy migrating waterfowl along with other birds and critters that make the area their home. The Category 1 gravel is largely flat, with two out-and-back routes.  

Slavin Conservation Area (South Spokane County) 

A step up in terms of difficulty starts and finishes at the Slavin Conservation Area. This 26-mile route has a little over 800 feet of climbing running through the meadowed plains, terraces and Ponderosa-lined buttes and scabland near Cheney. About 40 percent is unpaved. On Ride with GPS, search “Slavin Gravel” where you will find what is described here and both shorter and longer routes.  

Green Bluff (North Spokane County) 

A significant step up in terms of the challenge is the “Rotary Gravel Flamdangle” as found on Ride with GPS. The route’s 32 miles and 3,000 feet of climbing starts and ends at Big Barn Brewing on Green Bluff. With roughly 40 percent gravel, there are steep climbs, some over 13 percent (meaning 13 feet of elevation gain for every 100 feet traveled). This route showcases wide open fields, pastureland and forested dells. The surface is mostly Category 1 gravel. The steeper climbs will challenge all riders. It’s also one of the Lilac Century route options for this Rotary Club event held in May. 

Moran Prairie (Southeast Spokane County) 

On the Moran Prairie, there are countless gravel riding possibilities. If you search “Moran Prairie Valleyford” on Ride with GPS, you will find a 31-mile loop leaving from the Safeway at Regal and South 57th. This route is roughly 57 percent gravel, where you’ll tackle grades up to 15 percent. With nearly 3,400 feet of climbing, this is mostly Category 1 and 2 gravel, meaning washboards and loose gravel likely. Highlights include the Elder Road climb through the California Creek drainage and the Wood Memorial Cemetery, the final resting spot for many of Valleyford’s early settlers. Plan on it taking close to three hours if you are fit.  

Spangle (South Spokane County) 

One of my favorite gravel rides starts and finishes at the Harvester Restaurant in Spangle. Several routes can be found by searching “Spangle Gravel” on Ride with GPS. This description is a 36-mile option with 2,400 feet of climbing that is roughly 90 percent unpaved. This tough route will take at least three hours while traversing pastureland, creek drainages and rolling wheat fields. The longest sustained climb is just over a mile-and-a-half but the persistent and steep rollers will sap your legs. This is Category 2 gravel.  

Antoine Peak  

Another popular route is the “Antoine Peak Loop” on Ride with GPS. The route has about 3,200 feet of climbing over about 26 miles and is 70 percent gravel. The ride begins in the Antoine Peak parking area and the plains surrounding Mount Spokane before climbing the mountain’s forested flanks. There are three climbs over a mile long, the longest being 2.6 miles. A few paved miles along the Newman Lake shoreline provide some respite before the climb up Antoine Peak itself, which is single and doubletrack. Nothing is overly steep, but this is a more advanced ride. The gravel is Category 1 on summer and logging roads.  

Mount Spokane 

Next on the list of gravel challenges is “The Mount Spokane Gravel Loop” as found on Ride with GPS. Beginning and ending at Mount Spokane High School, this route covers 53 miles with over 6,000 feet of climbing. The route is roughly 50 percent gravel, some of it double-track (Category 3) through the shaded slopes of the lower mountain. You can bypass nearly 1,000 feet of climbing and a handful of miles if you skip the final paved miles to the summit. But do that and you’ll miss the views and the sense of satisfaction that comes with conquering the highest point around, along with the bathrooms and water at the top.  

Once you begin exploring the nearly limitless options for riding gravel around Spokane, you’ll see new opportunities for cycling around nearly every bend in the unpaved road. Keep in mind that with many gravel rides there will be no services along the way, so bring the necessary food and drink and have someone along who has mechanical skills and the necessary tools to get everyone home.  

Bradley Bleck last wrote about professional mountain biker Hannah Otto and the improving cycling scene in Spokane in the Spring Out There. He’ll be spending the summer riding one of his bikes in the Inland Northwest and beyond.  

The post Riding the Road Less Travelled  appeared first on Out There Venture.

In September 2004, I was a relatively new teacher trying to land that elusive continuing contract at one of our local school districts. Most of my free time was spent running on local trails, but that fall I joined my first volunteer trail work crew at the urging of a friend. It’s fun to look back at that moment now, as it took a lot of convincing to get me to join that initial crew; 20 years later I’ve left the indoor classroom behind and trail building and maintenance are the main subjects I teach. I consider myself fortunate to have an insider’s view on some of the processes that lead to our region’s fantastic recreation opportunities. 

Conservation Futures Parks Expand 

One of the best recreation ideas for the Spokane area has actually been around for 30 years now, and it helps explain why some of my favorite local trail systems didn’t yet exist in 2004. It was 1994 when Spokane County voted in favor of a Conservation Futures tax and began to build the fund that would ultimately lead to some of the best close-in parks in our region. By 2004, nineteen properties had been secured through this funding source; today there have been over 50 acquisitions and park expansions, with nearly 10,000 acres protected for future generations. 

The Conservation Futures program serves multiple purposes: from protecting larger areas of open space from development, to providing wildlife habitat and migration corridors and connectivity, to creating recreational opportunities for nonmotorized activities. In the early days of the program, the “trails” a visitor might be able to expect were generally leftover from whatever the original use of the property was. Iller Creek was already public land in 2004, but the trail system at the time was a holdover from old logging operations and the bulldozer fire lines from Firestorm ’91. The majority of my personal backyard favorite, Antoine Peak, was acquired in three phases from 2007 to 2011. It took a few extra years to establish a true parking lot for both the east and west sides (with a third parking area added for Etter Ranch in 2021), and the trails consisted of logging skid and haul roads, along with the summit road for access to the communications towers. 

Most land managers don’t have staff with singletrack trail layout and design training, and even when they do, it can be a lengthy process to work through property acquisition to trail plan development, followed by acquiring necessary permits, and then final layout, design, and build. It can take a long time to transition a property from double track roads designed to skid trees to single-track trails designed for nonmotorized multi-use recreation. In the case of Iller Creek, the work was done gradually and retroactively, starting with the steepest and most heavily eroded sections. Some double track sections will likely always be a holdover on most conservation area properties, but thanks to the efforts of several local trail organizations, our trail systems have been gradually transformed to include more user-friendly and sustainable singletrack trails that have been purpose-built to minimize erosion damage while maximizing views, user safety, and fun. 

By the time Spokane County Parks acquired the Phillips Creek property in Spokane Valley’s Ponderosa neighborhood in 2018, the planning process had shifted significantly through lessons learned in earlier projects. Within the first year of ownership, and before the property was open to the public, County staff was holding public meetings to gather information, working through permitting for a new trailhead, and meeting with regional nonprofit organizations to develop a trail plan. By 2019 the trail plan was finalized, and work was able to begin in 2020; by the time the trailhead opened to the public that fall, the Flying L trail was already complete through the behind-the-scenes work of volunteers with the Dishman Hills Conservancy, Spokane Mountaineers, Washington Trails Association, and Evergreen East. 

Community Forests & Open Space Protection 

For areas that don’t have a Conservation Futures fund available to help grow conservation and recreation areas, land trusts and community forests are on the rise as a means of securing popular recreation sites close to towns in our region, through grassroots fundraising along with state and federal grant programs. What ultimately happens with the land and the types of recreation available to the public can vary from site to site and are at the discretion of the community group that manages the forest.  

Indian Creek Community Forest northwest of Newport was created in 2012 and is managed by the Kalispel Tribe of Indians. The trail development process for this site mirrored the later planning processes of Spokane Conservation Futures properties, with public meetings to gather community input, and a management plan focused on a light recreation touch and offering more education opportunities through scheduled forest health workshops. The site is open to hikers, snowshoers, and skiers, but closed to bike and equestrian use.  

Sandpoint’s Pine Street Woods was acquired in 2019 and is managed by the Kaniksu Land Trust for a wider variety of nonmotorized use. Equestrians are discouraged but not banned (due to lack of parking for horse trailers), and dogs are allowed off-leash with voice control except for a short period during the early summer to help protect young fawns.  

Gold Hill Community Forest near Chewelah was acquired by the Chewelah Valley Land Trust in 2021, and the trail system was designed with mountain biking in mind. Teanaway Community Forest near Cle Elum is the largest in Washington at over 50,000 acres, a recently completed trail plan that is in the process of being implemented, and even boasts several Department of Natural Resources-run campgrounds that are first-come/first-served with a Discover Pass. 

National Forest Trails & Access 

Our region’s National Forests are also figuring out new ways to both maintain existing trail systems and expand recreation opportunities when possible. But a common theme for most public lands, and especially for the United States Forest Service (USFS), is a lack of funding to help make trail improvements and additions a reality. According to a 2023 report on all USFS lands, trails are facing a maintenance backlog of over $237 million with an additional $62 million in deferred maintenance for trail bridges. Funding made available through the 2020 Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) has helped and will continue to do so through at least 2025 when the funding runs out unless Congress votes to continue the program.  

While GAOA funding is helping to tackle the big-ticket items in the USFS deferred maintenance backlog, it is primarily the regional nonprofits chipping away at the annual maintenance needs. Both the Idaho Panhandle National Forest and the Umatilla National Forest have staff trail maintenance crews, but the Colville National Forest (CNF) does not. If you happen to run into a trail crew in the backcountry on the CNF this summer, chances are they are with Backcountry Horsemen of Washington, Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance, Pacific Northwest Trail Association, or Washington Trails Association. Using a combination of USFS funding along with grants and private donations, and leveraging this funding through recruitment of volunteers, nonprofit partnerships have become one of the main ways annual maintenance is accomplished. For the Idaho Panhandle National Forest, Idaho Trails Association serves in a similar capacity, as does Trailkeepers of Oregon to the south. 

If you’re ready to get involved as our regional land managers begin to write the next chapter, there are many opportunities to dig into this work. Sign up for the email lists and press releases, attend the public meetings, provide public comment, write letters of support for grant applications, and become a member of your favorite regional nonprofit(s). Our region’s trails will continue to improve through the next 20 years through the help of recreationists, no major career change necessary unless you dive in a little too deeply like I did!  

Holly Weiler is a long-time recreationist who now helps build and maintain some of our region’s favorite trails through her work with Washington Trails Association. 

The post A 20-Year Evolution of Local Trails & Natural Areas  appeared first on Out There Venture.

Cover photo courtesy of Nigel Davies

Explore these tools that geologist Nigel Davies suggests to further understand the geology of your adventure while you are out recreating in our region.

• Explore the state’s geology organized by regional “cards,” further organized by geological sites of interest, at WA DNR 100: Wa100.dnr.wa.gov
• Purchase the paperback “Washington Rocks! A guide to geologic sites in the Evergreen State” from Mountain Press, which includes colored photos and instructive diagrams, from your local bookstore.
• Scroll around Rockd/Macrostrat Macrostrat.org, a platform for geological data.
• Read Spokane County geological field studies and reports on Willow Lake Natural Area, the McKenzie Conservation Area, Antoine Peak, and Saltese Uplands Conservation Area under the Research tab at Spokanecounty.org.
• Dig deeper at Earth-Science Reviews on Science Direct: O’Conner et al 2020 The Missoula and Bonneville floods—A review of ice-age megafloods in the Columbia River basin 2020 Doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2020.103181

The post Geology Resources for Outdoor Enthusiasts appeared first on Out There Venture.

– Rachel Carson

Cover photo courtesy of Bri Loveall

Yesterday, as I helped my almost five-year-old son into his snow gear before donning my own, I marveled at the fact that I even knew how to be outside. That concept, the notion of “knowing how to be outside,” might seem ridiculous, especially in a region as diverse as ours. The reality is that most of us can point to a few people (more if you were fortunate) who taught you, somewhere throughout your life, how to enjoy being outside.

When I was still an angsty teenager, I befriended a girl who would not only become my best friend, but whose family would usher me into their own. I was the tag-along kid with a chaotic and unpredictable home life who craved normalcy and didn’t know where to look for it.

I’m not sure my friend knew what she was signing up for the first weekend we went skiing together after I’d lied and said I knew how to ski. That day up on the mountain, in gear my best friends’ parents had loaned me, my friend patiently taught me how to ski. I crashed, tipped, tripped, slipped, and popped out of my skis at almost every attempted turn. By lunchtime, we had just barely completed one run. In the ski lodge I sat dejected, sure this newfound friendship was already over and that I would never be invited anywhere ever again.

Instead, my friend slid a sandwich over to me, one she and her family had made that morning, and asked me if I was having fun. I began apologizing profusely, telling her she didn’t have to stick with me after lunch, but she just shrugged and reminded me that we all start somewhere.

After that weekend, my friend and her family became a constant in my life. They often paid for my lift tickets (something my family couldn’t afford), packed my lunches, and loaned me whatever gear I needed. I learned not just how to ski, but how to have fun even when I was cold and wet and tired. Later in the year, they took me to their family’s lake cabin where we tubed at ridiculously fast paces behind their boat before it broke down and my friend and I had to swim it home. It was some of the most fun I’d ever had.  

It wasn’t that anyone went out of the way to quote me Rachel Carson or Ralph Waldo Emerson while strolling through the woods at dusk. The funny thing about learning is that we often don’t realize when it’s happening. When I look back on those early years when I was the tag along kid who always needed a ride, or sleeping bag, or extra gloves, I realize I wasn’t just learning how to ski or camp, but that nature was a constant I could rely on.

My friend’s family went out of their way to love and include me in their outdoors adventures. I might have learned to love the natural world without their help, but I doubt it. Never underestimate the power of bringing someone along for an adventure, whether it be a niece or nephew, a coworker who’s never hiked Antoine Peak before, or your own kid’s angsty teenage friend.

Now, I slide into my own snowpants, putting on my gloves before my jacket and laughing at a memory of my friend teaching me to do the same. And then my son and I head outside to play. //

Bri Loveall is spending her time reading, drinking tea, and making plans for the summer.

The post The Tag-Along Kid appeared first on Out There Venture.

It’s not often I have an opportunity to promote a trail so new that it doesn’t have a name yet, but, due to the efforts of many volunteers working with crew leaders from Washington Trails Association, the new, westside connection trail out of Etter Ranch is now ready to receive visitors!

It is possible to visit this trail from any of the three trailheads for Antoine Peak Conservation Area, but the shortest access for the new trail is located at the Trentwood Trailhead for Etter Ranch. Begin by hiking up the first portion of the Arrowleaf Trail. As Arrowleaf exits the first section of forest and enters the grasslands, watch for the junction with Lost Apple Trail. Descend Lost Apple to its namesake apple orchard and hike west, crossing an old farm road. Pick up the new trail on the hillside just opposite the orchard and begin to climb.

Unlike Arrowleaf, which stays mainly tucked in the trees, the upper reaches of this new trail spend a lot of time on the large, open grassy hillside overlooking the Spokane Valley. The trail connects to the Emerald Necklace Trail that encircles Antoine Peak, creating the opportunity to extend the hike in several ways, including adding on the summit or traveling east on the Emerald Necklace to the intersection with the top of the Arrowleaf Trail to create an excellent loop route. The trail is also lovely as a shorter out-and-back hike. This Spokane County Park is open dawn to dusk and is open to hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian use. Dogs are permitted on leash.

Map: The trail is so new it is not yet reflected in the Conservation Area map, but the rest of the trail system at Antoine Peak is available at Spokanecounty.org.

Getting There: The Trentwood Trailhead for Antoine Peak Conservation Area is located just east of the intersection of Wellesley and Flora in Spokane Valley.

Holly Weiler is a long-time contributor to Out There Venture. In between leading trailwork projects this summer, look for her lounging in a hammock with a good book somewhere along the Liberty Lake Trail.

The post Hike of the Month appeared first on Out There Venture.

1. Get your horseback trail riding fix with Spokane Trail Riding & Boarding just south of Spokane.
2. Tube, kayak, or SUP the lower Spokane River between Peaceful Valley and the TJ Meenach Bridge area. Ongoing construction will make river recreation access at the traditional take-out spot challenging, so consider alternatives, including taking out farther downstream at the wastewater treatment plant upstream from the Class III Bowl & Pitcher rapid. FLOW Adventures typically offers shuttles and tube rentals if you want to simplify all that.
3. Ride the 15-mile scenic stretch of the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes from Plummer to Harrison, Idaho. The trail is paved and elevation lowers in that direction, making it a great choice for infrequent riders and kids. The public beach in Harrison is a welcome destination with swimming. Enjoy a sweet, shady park and several restaurants and pubs. Set up your shuttle with The Cycle Haus in Harrison or double your mileage and ride back to Plummer.
4. Take a brewery tour by bike along the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, with stops at the North Idaho Mountain Brew/City Limits Pub and Wallace Brewing in Wallace, Idaho, and Radio Brewing in Kellogg. Call the Wallace Inn for shuttle information.
5. Bike with some friends to a local park and have a barbecue dinner using the grills you can find at parks like Bowl & Pitcher in Riverside State Park in Spokane. Bring foil to protect your food from any unwanted grill contaminants.

6. Run the clothing-optional Bare Buns Fun Run July 30 north of Spokane near Deer Lake. Summer is all about being free, right?
7. Enjoy a gravity-fueled ride from Lookout Pass on the mixed-surface NorPac rail trail to Mullan, Idaho, then hop on the paved Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes and roll all the way to Wallace. Call the Wallace Inn for shuttle options.
8. Start a bird list of all of the amazing avian species you can find in our area. Get a regional birding app or book to help and check out the Audubon Society website.
9. Check out the Doris Morrison Learning Center at Saltese Flats near Liberty Lake, Wash., to learn about the restored wetlands. Then take a hike or ride on the Saltese Uplands trails.
10. Take a tour of urban wild areas and historic places downtown Spokane with the local tour company Wander Spokane.
11. Hike the Whistler Canyon area near Oroville, Washington. Hike options range from a few miles to all-day epics. Keep a look out for birds and other wildlife including rattlesnakes and mountain goats.
12. Find a big, beautiful tree in a natural area near your house and lay down under it for a quiet shift in perspective.
13. Crack open rocks in search of fossils at the Stonerose Interpretive Center and Eocene Fossil Site in Republic in Northeast Washington.
14. Bike the Ferry County Rail Trail near Republic in Northeast Washington, then hit the Republic Brewing Company.
15. Bike the Columbia Plateau Trail from Cheney out to Amber or Downs Lakes to go fishing.

16. Do a local long day hike across one or more linked trail systems in the Spokane area using an STA bus as a shuttle. Creative options could include sections of trails in one or more of these areas: Riverside State Park, the Little Spokane River Natural Area, the High Drive Bluff, Dishman Hills, and Mica/Liberty Lake area.
17. Get an archery set up and start learning to shoot a bow.
18. Camp at the campground at Mount Spokane or rent one of the condos if available and bike or hike for several days. Peak berry season will soon be upon us, and you can pick your limit here.
19. Set up a shuttle and mountain bike the back roads from Mount Spokane all the way down to Spirit Lake.
20. Paddleboard a quiet bay on Lake Pend Oreille.

21. Visit a fish hatchery to learn about Inland Northwest fish, including the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife one in north Spokane.
22. Take a tour of Grand Coulee Dam or one of the other dams in the Columbia Gorge.
23. Look for the elusive bighorn sheep on Lake Roosevelt in Eastern Washington via boat, back roads, or kayak.
24. Hike or trail run your own Little Spokane River shuttle instead of driving two cars. Or use the Spokane Parks & Recreation shuttle service.
25. Find a friend with a wake surfing boat or rent one and surf your favorite lake.
26. Take an urban hike happy hour, hitting up favorite bars and breweries while sticking to back streets, alleys, and pathways as much as possible.
27. Walk or bike all of the pedestrian-friendly bridges over the Spokane River in Riverfront Park downtown Spokane, including below the falls to Sandifur Bridge.
28. Take a dog for a walk from the Humane Society or from another animal shelter.
29. Visit as many parks as you can in the great Spokane area to see some pretty cool outdoor spaces and win prizes with the Greater Spokane Parks Challenge (see the article in this issue’s Dispatches section for details).
30. Join a full moon group bike ride or create your own.
31. Did you know that swinging on a swing set can help with anxiety? Go swinging at a park you’ve never been too. Try listening to some relaxing tunes or a meditation app while you do it.
32. Sign up for a women’s writing retreat in Yellowstone National Park in September with local author and Out There writer Ammi Midstokke (Wideopenwriting.com/yellowstone-2023).

33. Hike as many of the Spokane Conservation Futures conservation areas as you can (find maps and directions at the Spokane County Conservation Futures website).
34. Hike the John C. Pointner Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary at Cougar Bay a few miles south of Coeur d’Alene on Highway 95.
35. Invite family or friends to ride the Route of the Hiawatha. The 15-mile (one way) crushed rock surface trail has a mellow grade. It includes a ride through nine long, dark train tunnels and across seven trestles with scenic mountain terrain all around. Shuttles and bike rentals are available along with trail tickets.
36. Join one of the many Dishman Hills Conservancy hikes and other outdoor events as a way to explore this urban wildland with other people.
37. Participate in Summer Parkways on June 21 on Spokane’s South Hill and join other people on bike and foot as they enjoy the full use of a road near Manito Park for the evening.
38. Take a hike on Spokane’s High Drive Bluff trails and then get ice cream at The Scoop on the South Hill.
39. Join an outdoor yoga class. There’s a free one for all abilities in the morning at the Spokatopia Festival at Camp Sekani Park in Spokane on July 8.
40. Set your TV up outside or a movie screen and invite some friends or neighbors over to watch an outdoor movie or documentary.
41. Go try out new mountain bikes and e-bikes at Spokatopia at Camp Sekani Park July 8, then listen to live bands and enjoy some adult beverages in support of Evergreen East and local mountain bike trails.
42. Go rollerblading on the Centennial Trail.
43. Go to an outdoor music festival or show, like the Festival at Sandpoint, the Spokane Pavilion at Riverfront Park, the Moscow Mountain Music Festival, the 90s Flannel Fest in Moses Lake, and many other great outdoor music festivals that have popped up since the pandemic.

44. Rent a raft from one of the university or college outdoor programs and take on the upper Spokane (Class II) or Clark Fork (Class III).
45. Catch brook trout on a fly rod at Fish Lake near downtown Spokane. Go on your own or book a guided fishing session with Fly Fish Spokane to get the lake dialed quick. Make a day of it by biking out to the lake on the Fish Lake Trail from downtown Spokane with your fly rod.
46. Find a new book from the library or local book store and bike to a park or natural area to read outside all day. Did you know you can also check out a Discover Pass from Spokane libraries?
47. Bike a section or the entire International Selkirk Loop that connects super-scenic sections of backroads in Washington, Idaho, and British Columbia.
48. Pick up a copy of the new-ish “Spokane Bouldering” guide and start exploring local climbing challenges with your crash pad.
49. Ride some of the new trails at Moscow Mountain in the Palouse.
50. If you’re not lucky enough to live in Sandpoint, plan a multi-day mountain biking trip or several weekends to finally ride the major trail systems near town: Syringa, Schweitzer, Mineral Point, Gold Hill, and Bernard Peak.
51. Bikepack all or part of the Adventure Cycling Association-mapped Idaho Hot Springs Loop bikepacking route, which consists of over 500 miles of mostly un-paved roads as well as 200+ miles of optional singletrack and 50 hot springs.
52. Ride all or part of the Palouse to Cascades Trail across Washington from North Bend to the WA/ID border.
53. Plan a trip to the Bonners Ferry area to bike some of the awesome mountain bike trails in the area, including the Enchanted Forest, Brush Lake, and many others you can find on Trailforks.
54. Explore some loop trails you’ve never hiked in the Dishman Hills in Spokane Valley. Centrally located, with mellow trails and a variety of loop distances, you can check out a new hike here one night after work every week or so all summer long!

55. Try different kayaks, paddleboards, canoes, and other water toys at Boulder Beach as part of Spokatopia on July 8.
56. Hike to some of Spokane’s best views: Rocks of Sharon in the Dishman Hills, Mount Spokane, Antoine Peak, Palisades, the summit along the Knothead Loop in the Little Spokane River Natural Area, or the Saltese Uplands.
57. Take an early summer hike to Kamiak Butte near Pullman to marvel at the wildflowers. Set up a hammock and hang out a while.
58. Take some hikes in the Zumwalt Prairie near Joseph, Ore., and enjoy the beautiful prairie meadows and frequent wildlife sightings.
59. Hike into one of Idaho’s many natural hot springs and leave it better off than when you arrived by cleaning up any trash.
60. Rent an adventure van for a hiking, mountain biking, paddling, or climbing road trip to B.C., the Cascades, Bend, Central Idaho, or Montana.
61. Paddle the Pend Oreille River Water Trail near Newport, Wash.
62. Learn how to fly-fish. Take a class from one of several regional fly shops that offer guided trips and lessons.

63. Rent a kayak or SUP from Fun Unlimited under the Division Street bridge downtown Spokane and paddle up river for Thai food at Bangkok Thai. If you live close enough, bike on the Centennial Trail to the put-in for some extra exercise.
64. Hike a section or two of the Pacific Northwest Trail that runs from the Washington Coast to Glacier National Park to get a taste of what a thru hike would be like
65. Visit the spectacular Kootenai Falls in western Montana and take the time to hike to all of the viewpoints.
66. Pedal a “RailRider” on retired railroad tracks along the Pend Oreille River near Metaline Falls, Wash.
67. Raft or kayak as many rivers within 200 miles of Spokane/CDA as you can: Lochsa, Spokane, Moyie, St. Joe, Lower Salmon, Clark Fork, Wenatchee, Methow, Salmo, Lower Selway, Grand Ronde, etc. Guided trips are offered for most of these rivers, and they are all possible on your own if you have the right gear and river rafting experience.
68. Go ziplining at Silverstreak Zip Tours, Timberline Adventures, or Mica Moon.
69. Jump out of an airplane on a tandem skydive with Skydive West Plains west of Spokane.
70. Race your mountain bike as part of the Wednesday night mountain bike races in May and June at Riverside State Park, or the “5 in July” series at Farragut State Park.

71. Mountain bike or hike the Empire Trails in Spirit Lake, Idaho.
72. Keep a wildlife log of all of the different species of wildlife you see over the summer and make trips to places where you have a better chance to encounter critters you really want to see.
73. Ride one or more of the Idaho Panhandle Gravel Series gravel rides.
74. Ride the Wallowa Lake Tramway, a 3,700’ gondola ride to the summit of Mt. Howard near Joseph, Ore.
75. Take the Wallowa County barn tour and visit 31 beautiful, historic barns in the stunning Northeast corner of Oregon.
76. Ride the Seven Summits Trail in Rossland, B.C. There are plenty of shorter but equally gnarly rides around town too.
77. Paddle or boat to one of the islands in Priest Lake—some are day-use only, and Kalispell, Bartoo, and Fourmile islands have rustic campsites.
78. Take a morning or evening drive or bike tour along the Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge auto tour loop near Cheney to spot birds and wildlife. There are several trails and wildlife viewing areas along the way.
79. Drive to the dramatic Selway Falls east of Lewiston, Idaho, then find a beach downriver and go for a swim.
80. Go kite boarding on the Columbia River near Hood River, Ore., or mountain bike the trails around town. One of our favorites is Surveyor’s Ridge Trail.  
81. Drive part of the historic Lewis & Clark Trail between Lewiston, Idaho, and Missoula, Mont., near Highway 12 and do some day hikes along the Lochsa River.
82. Give back to the hiking, biking, and running trails you love by spending a day volunteering doing trail work with Evergreen East, Washington Trails Association, Idaho Trails Association, Pend Oreille Pedalers, or Lake City Trail Alliance.
83. Take a tour of small-town museums in just about any region of the Inland Northwest. Hit up any local thrift stores while you’re at it!

84. Go whitewater rafting for a day in Riggins, Idaho’s “whitewater capital.” Stay for a few days and bring your gravel or road bike for some awesome early morning rides up the canyons.
85. Go kayaking or boating on Lake Roosevelt and picnic on one of its many sandy, primitive beaches. Try to catch a walleye.
86. Go to one of the great events Schweitzer has planned this summer and make a weekend of it hiking and biking on the mountain.
87. Bike or walk downtown Spokane’s Cork District to visit local wine tasting spots.
88. Tube the Touchet River at Lewis and Clark Trail State Park, near Dayton, Washington.
89. Explore Gardner Cave at Crawford State Park Heritage Site, near Metaline Falls, Wash., on a ranger-led tour.
90. Go swimming and play or nap in the sand at City Beach in Sandpoint.
91. Tube the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River.
92. Visit the Hobo Cedar Grove Botanical Area in North Idaho to see what Inland Northwest trees used to look like.
93. Hike or mountain bike the Sherman Peak Loop or Jungle Hill off Sherman Pass in Northeast Washington’s Kettle Range.
94. Paddle around the Moses Lake Water Trail in Moses Lake, Wash. Stop for wine refreshments at the Camas Cove Cellars dock.
95. Take a hike in active wolf country and see if you can hear the haunting sound of wolves howling on an early morning or evening hike. Leave your fur friends at home for this one.
96. Swim across a bay at your favorite lake. Have a friend on a boat, kayak, or paddleboard go with you for safety and to make sure other boaters see you. If you’re on your own, swim around a bay hugging the shoreline.
97. Take a hike along the Hells Canyon rim and score top-of-the-world views at Hat Point Overlook.
98. Bike the Sacagawea Heritage Trail, a 23-mile paved path along the Columbia River in the Tri-Cities. If you’re on the hunt for singletrack, hit up the Badger Mountain trails in the area.
99. Drive through the Palouse, alive with color this time of year, to Palouse Falls viewpoint. Bring your own snacks, as there aren’t many facilities along the way.
100. Volunteer at a local road race or trail running race. You can get in on the hype without the training and physical work. It’s super rewarding to be part of the support crew.
101. Bike or walk to any number of our local farmers’ markets and load up on the fresh produce spoils of the season. //

The post 101 Things to do this Summer in the Inland Northwest appeared first on Out There Venture.

A surprising number of intriguing and entertaining small-town museums stand along the routes to the Inland Northwest’s hiking, biking and boating destinations. These museums offer the outdoor enthusiast a new perspective on the natural areas to which they travel.

The region’s human history dates back thousands of years and is inextricably tied to the natural world. Our forests, waterways, fish and wildlife have supported indigenous communities, settlers, adventurers, towns, and industries.

As a matter of fact, it would be surprising to visit anywhere in the region that does not already have a human story attached to it. Those stories, when known, add depth, meaning, and greater connection to our favorite places.

The museums listed below are all worth a stop. Displays are arranged chronologically and in categories (think arrow heads, baskets, typewriters, household implements, and farm tools). Dioramas are packed with artifacts – sometimes to overflowing.

In addition, on the grounds of the museums below you’ll find cabins, a one-room schoolhouse, fire lookouts, sawmills, a chapel, and a full-sized 1910 house filled with original furnishings and décor.

Keep in mind that these facilities are largely operated on a shoestring budget and managed by volunteers. Small town museums typically begin with family collections and grow largely by happenstance and generosity. Exhibits and labels are crafted over decades, often by local old timers or volunteers, and reflect their own unique perspectives, interests, outlooks, and sensitivities.

Visitors may choose to view exhibits as a starting point for understanding timelines, themes, and historical figures of our region’s history, then take a deeper dive by reading some of the many well-written and researched articles and books out there.

Pend Oreille County Museum Historical Society (Newport, Wash.)

On the way from Spokane to Schweitzer, Sandpoint, Priest Lake, and Lake Pend Oreille, this museum is operated by the Pend Oreille County Historical Society.

It includes artifacts and antiques representing the region’s lifestyles and industry including needlework, household implements, typewriters, cash registers, musical instruments, tools, machinery, and vehicles. There is also an impressive and comprehensive collection of tools used for cutting and managing ice.

Don’t miss the mockups of a sawmill, cabin, fire lookout tower, schoolhouse, and chapel, all of which are walk-in and hands-on.

The museum is located in the historic I. & W.N. Depot Building at 402 S. Washington Ave. in Newport, Wash. Admission is $5 per adult (children free), and hours are Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday 1-4 p.m., and it’s open May 28 through September 5. More info at Pochsmuseum.org.

Wallace District Mining Museum (Wallace, Idaho)

This is a great stop on trips to Lookout Pass, the Route of the Hiawatha, Silver Mountain Bike Park, Fourth of July Pass, or adventures in Montana. The museum at 509 Bank Street is operated by the Wallace District Mining Museum.

Learn about mining history of the Coeur d’Alene Mining District (particularly the large silver mines), geology, methods used for mining over the past century, women and Black miners’ contributions, and the 1910 Big Burn. Cool artifacts include a mine “bicycle.”

Admission is $5 adults with discounts for families, and the museum is open daily from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. More info at Wallaceminingmuseum.com.

Spokane Valley Heritage Museum (Spokane Valley, Wash.)

Visit this museum in the Opportunity Township Hall building at E. 12114 Sprague Ave. as part of a day-trip to the Dishman Hills, Iller Creek, Saltese Uplands, or Antoine Peak trailheads.

Learn about namesakes of some of the area’s popular hiking destinations and natural areas; Hearts of Gold Cantaloupe; the pioneer towns of Opportunity and Spokane Bridge that were razed to make way for I-90; military, and telecommunications, railroads, and early-1900’s school- and home-life.

Don’t miss the 1899 mud shoes fabricated by Peter Morrison for his horses to wear to keep them from sinking into the mud while dredging canals that drained Saltese Lake.

Admission is $6 for adults (discounts for military, seniors, and children), and hours run Wednesday-Saturday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. year-round. More info: Spokanevalleymuseum.com.

Keller Heritage Center (Colville, Wash.)

Take a tour of this museum operated by the Stevens County Historical Society on your next trip to the Colville National Forest, upper Columbia River, or Canada.

Highlights include pre-inundation Kettle Falls and the first bridge crossing the falls; clothing, tools, and implements crafted and used by early indigenous people including regalia, baskets, and arrow heads; the Hudson’s Bay Company and its trapping history; military history including the early U.S. Army installation of Fort Colville; U.S. Border Patrol; regional agricultural, mining, and timber development; Colville’s early 1900’s civic, home, and town life.

Especially cool artifacts include a photo of eels hauled out on rocks of the pre-inundation Kettle Falls, a sturgeon-nosed canoe, and a Nez Perce woven corn husk bottle.

Located at 700 N. Wynne St. in Colville, Wash., admission is $5 for adults with discounts for seniors, people with disabilities, children, and groups. Hours run daily May and September from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and June through August from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday–Thursday and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Friday–Sunday. More info at Stevenscountyhistoricalsociety.org.

Lincoln County Historical Museum (Davenport, Wash.)

On the way to Lake Roosevelt and the Channeled Scablands trailheads, Davenport’s small-town museum is operated by the Lincoln County Historical Society.

It includes early Native tools and implements, mammoth fossils, Pioneer Bottling Works, the story of outlaw Harry Tracy, grain farming then and now, Fort Spokane history and early 1900’s domestic life history, and railroad and bridge building. An especially cool artifact is the humongous horse-drawn thresher used to harvest crops.

Located at 600 7^th Street in Davenport, Wash., suggested admission is $4 for adults and hours run June 7 for the summer from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and Sundays by appointment. More info: Lincolncountymuseums.org.

Originally published as “Exploring the History of the Places Where We Play” in the July-August 2022 print issue.

Tabitha Gregory is a former director of a local history museum and has written about local history topics for Out There. She’s the author of the non-fiction book “Valdez Rises: One Town’s Struggle for Survival After the Great Alaska Earthquake.”

The post Small-Town Museums of the Inland NW appeared first on Out There Venture.

The Spokane area is blessed with many great places to hike and enjoy our wide array of wildflowers. Before you go out on your wildflower quest, it’s a good idea to pick up a wildflower book.

My favorite is one I have had in my backpack for a long time: “A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers.” The book has held together really well considering all the use it has had over the years.

Another really good book to have is “Plants of Southern BC and the Inland Northwest.” This book not only has good information on wildflowers but also on trees, shrubs, ferns, and lichen. It is one of my go-to books. It is a little heavy for the backpack but is worth its weight in gold.

As the saying goes, “April showers bring May flowers.” The month of May along with June can bring an explosion of beautiful wildflowers or in some dry years a very disappointing short season.

It is the middle of March as I write this article and I don’t have a crystal ball to tell what sort of wildflower season we will have this year. It could be great or it could be a bust.

All I can do is tell you about some of my favorite places that I have enjoyed during the 40-plus years I have lived in Spokane—and hope it doesn’t get too dry too early this year. Happy wildflower hunting!

Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge (Cheney, Wash.)

This area has probably the best variety of wildflowers in the Inland Northwest. There are many different hiking trails along with a 5-mile auto loop. In addition to all the waterfowl, this 20,000-acre natural area supports a large variety of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, coyotes, beaver, and moose.

Some of the wildflowers you might see are Bitterroot (state flower of Montana), sticky geranium, yellow bells, prairie smoke, camas, and death camas, along with a lot of balsamroot just to name a few. Be sure and check for ticks before you leave the refuge. You don’t want any little hitchhikers going home with you.

Spring wildflowers along hiking trails, including bitterroot (left) and sticky geranium (right). // Photos: Rich Leon

Iller Creek Conservation Area (Spokane Valley, Wash.)

This is one place you will want to bring your camera. Iller has some very unique wildflowers not found in other areas around Spokane. One is Clarkia (a member of the evening primrose family).

Clarkia was named after William Clark of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Other wildflowers include mountain lady slippers, clematis, monkshood, and honeysuckle.

Dishman Hills Natural Area (Spokane Valley, Wash.)

The picturesque cliffs and ravines not only make this place an interesting area to explore but also a wonderful place to find a variety of wildflowers. As you roam around the many trails within Dishman Hills Natural Area, you are likely to find glacier lilies, Rocky Mountain iris, fairy bells, balsamroot, and fireweed.

Mount Spokane State Park (Mead, Wash.)

This is one of my favorite places for wildflowers. I like all the different trails at Mount Spokane State Park for a variety of reasons but especially the Nordic ski trail area because of the beargrass. The area has beargrass every year, but these plants only produce a major bloom about once every seven years.

When a big bloom happens, it is a sight to behold. On the lower part of the mountain (especially trail 100), you can find trillium, mountain bluebells, two different coralroot, bunchberry, paintbrush, and fairy slipper orchids.

Kamiak Butte (Pullman, Wash.)

This spot is about a 60-mile drive south of Spokane but well worth it. Surrounded on all sides by the wheat fields of the Palouse, this 3,650-foot-tall island of pine, fir, and larch has some amazing views.

On a good wildflower year the hillsides can be covered in a sea of yellow from the balsamroot. It is a great place to bring the kids for a self-guided nature walk on the 3.5-mile Pine Loop Trail. Don’t forget to pack a picnic lunch.

Tubbs Hill and Mineral Ridge (Coeur d’Alene, Idaho)

Both of these popular North Idaho natural areas offer some great views, and there are also plenty of wildflowers to see.

Other Notable Inland NW Wildflower Hot Spots

Other areas you might want to visit are Slavin Conservation Area (Spokane), Antoine Peak (Spokane Valley), Little Spokane River (North Spokane), Riverside State Park (Spokane), and the Liberty Lake Conservation Area (Liberty Lake, Wash.)

Please be aware that some areas in Washington require a Discover Pass such as Mount Spokane and Riverside state parks. There is an entry fee for the Turnbull Wildlife Refuge, and other areas such as the Little Spokane River do not allow dogs; all other natural areas require dogs to be on a leash at all times.

The post Best Spring Wildflower Hikes in the Inland NW appeared first on Out There Venture.

Free Park Days – Spring 2022

Washington State Parks celebrates Earth Day on April 22 with a fee-free day. The National Parks Service commemorates the first day of National Park Week with a free-entrance day on Saturday, April 16, 2022. Be aware that Washington State Park SnoPark season extends through the end of March, and fee-free days do not extend to SnoPark lots.

New Name & Closures at Palouse Falls

Designated the official state waterfall of Washington in 2014, Palouse Falls has grown in popularity as well as visitor management issues in recent years. Earlier this year, Washington State Parks Commission approved both a land classification change and a new name — Palouse Falls State Park Heritage Site. The Heritage designation recognizes the cultural, historic, and natural significance of the area.

As a result now, the public access area known as Castle Rock and the social trails leading down the cliffs and to the plunge pool are permanently closed. Overnight camping is also no longer permitted. Still allowed is public access to the upper viewing area during the park’s hours of operation.

Palouse to Cascades Trail Renovated Bridge Opening Soon

The Beverly Bridge is set to open this spring, creating a safe crossing over the Columbia River for non-motorized trail users on the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail, near Vantage, Wash. The Beverly Bridge dedication will be held Friday, April 8, at 1 p.m. Access the bridge from the Huntzinger Trailhead, with a half mile walk to the ceremony.

The old Beverly Bridge (left) and while undergoing renovation (right). // Photos by Marilyn Hedges, courtesy of Palouse to Cascades Trail Coalition.

Local Trail Projects

Spring trail projects will begin to ramp up in March! Recreation enthusiasts are asked to remember that if your favorite activity is leaving an indentation of 1″ or more in the trail surface, please wait to play until another day. Mud season is very hard on our favorite trails.

• Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance – Eastern Washington Chapter: Look for a variety of volunteer opportunities in the spring, with Evergreen East focusing spring efforts of local mountain bikers on new trails within Mica Peak Conservation Area, Liberty Lake Conservation Area, and the Mackenzie Natural Area, along with annual maintenance at Beacon Hill.
• Washington Trails Association: WTA will focus efforts on new trails for Etter Ranch at Antoine Peak and the Dishman Hills Conservancy, along with annual maintenance work at Hauser Conservation Area, Antoine Peak, Iller Creek, Stevens Creek, Liberty Lake, and Fishtrap. Find the WTA calendar of volunteer trail work parties online. The next one is on March 30 at Dishman Hills, in Spokane. WTA hosts volunteer opportunities throughout Washington State, in 11 different regions.
• Inland Northwest Land Conservancy: INLC hosts trail maintenance days as well tree thinning projects and invasive weed eradication at Waikiki Springs and Rimrock to Riverside. More details about INLC volunteer work online.

Find signup links on the Out There stewardship volunteer calendar Outthereoutdoors.com/volunteer-scheduling.    

Learn About Local Nature With Bioblitz

Join members of the iNaturalist community and have a little friendly science competition by participating in a bioblitz challenge event, April 29 to May 2, 2022.

To join the challenge, download the iNaturalist app if you don’t have it already. Then look up the Northern Rocky Mountain Challenge under “projects.” Then during the weekend of the event, collect observations from one of the participating areas, which includes Boise, Bonner County, and Boundary County in Idaho; Lincoln County and Red Lodge in Montana; and Pend Oreille County in Washington. The area that has the most participants per capita will win the challenge, plus it’s a fun way to explore the flora and fauna of our region.

For folks in Spokane County, you can also participate in a bioblitz with Inland Northwest Land Conservancy at Rimrock to Riverside on April 30 (find details and register online).

Yellowstone Turns 150

Yellowstone National Park commemorates its 150th anniversary this year! Official anniversary date was March 1st. Throughout this year, plans to host in-person and virtual events as well as park projects. A virtual video series is currently available online (free).

The post Inland NW Trail & Outdoor News: March-April appeared first on Out There Venture.