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.

The post Motorized Mischief Reported in the Dishman Hills  appeared first on Out There Venture.

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.

One of the most incredible things about living in the Spokane area is the diversity of public lands, trails and wildlife habitat around the city that have been preserved for the future. One of the largest and closest of those urban wild areas—the Dishman Hills—offers miles of trails and a wilderness-like escape from our busy everyday lives, just minutes from downtown Spokane and Spokane Valley. This summer, prioritize some time getting to know this special place on your own or on a group hike or other event hosted by the natural area’s local grassroots advocate, the Dishman Hills Conservancy.

Click here or scroll down for the list of upcoming DHC summer events!

A Natural Haven Within City Limits

Rising up from the valley between the South Hill and Spokane Valley, the Dishman Hills Natural Area offers forest-covered hills and mountain-top views with dramatic basalt cliffs, streams and ponds that serve as a sanctuary for diverse bird and wildlife species, and miles of serene, flowy trails. Spanning over 3,200 acres, these protected public lands are jointly managed by the Dishman Hills Conservancy (DHC), Spokane County Parks and the Washington Department of Natural Resources.

This extensive urban wild area is made up of three distinct zones of public land: Dishman Hills Natural Area, Glenrose and Iller Creek. Together they feature over 20 miles of trails and multiple trailheads with many trails open to both hikers and mountain bikers and others designated for hiking or trail running only. With options ranging from peaceful strolls to challenging climbs, the Dishman Hills offers an urban escape for everyone from Strava-tracking mountain bikers to solitary bird watchers and strolling families.

Much of the lands people refer to as “the Dishman Hills” or “Iller Creek” are protected from development and open to the public, but there are also numerous privately-owned homes and undeveloped parcels throughout the area. This means trail users need to take care to stay on designated public trails and avoid trespassing on private lands. This mix of land ownerships is also a reminder of the ongoing opportunities for future generations of hikers, mountain bikers, trail runners and rock climbers like you to not only explore and appreciate the Dishman Hills but also support the efforts of the non-profit Dishman Hills Conservancy to work with willing private land owners to protect additional properties for wildlife and future public access. Collaboration and public involvement are key to connecting and preserving enough of the Hills for wildlife and future generations.

Discover Nature’s Diversity

Dishman Hills is a local treasure trove of wildlife and natural wonder. The Iller Creek Conservation Area alone supports over 200 species of birds, insects, snakes, amphibians and mammals. This unique wildlife diversity means easy access to view a range of wildlife from porcupines, deer and raptors such as eagles and hawks to larger animals like elk, black bear and moose, a rare experience so close to a city.

The plant life is equally diverse. In the spring and early summer, wildflowers and blooming shrubs like arrowleaf balsamroot, shooting star, serviceberry and syringa paint the hillsides. This ecological richness makes the Dishman Hills both a peaceful retreat and an outdoor classroom where you can learn about native plants and ecosystems.

Protecting the Dishman Hills for Future Generations

The wild forests and trails we all benefit from today wouldn’t exist without the efforts of local residents who were passionate about protecting this unique place. Many of them joined together to create the Dishman Hills Conservancy—Washington State’s oldest land trust—which was founded in 1966 to permanently protect the Dishman Hills and connect people to nature through conservation, education and outdoor recreation. Today, that work is more relevant and important than ever as the Spokane area grows and urban development increasingly replaces once-wild natural areas and encroaches on protected areas.

Photo: Joan Rodman

Hike, Learn & Connect with the Dishman Hills Conservancy this Summer

This summer DHC is offering group hikes and other events designed to help you get to know the Dishman Hills. Outings are welcoming to newcomers, engaging for families and are an opportunity for you to deepen your connection with nature and like-minded outdoor enthusiasts. Get out for some exercise and fresh air while exploring and learning about this special place and the important conservation work of the Dishman Hills Conservancy.

Summer 2025 Dishman Hills Events & Outings:

All events and outings are open to the public but pre-registration is often required. Check out the DHC events page for current event info and to register here: Dishmanhills.org/Events

Open House in the Hills
Saturday, August 9, 9 AM-12 PM
Come learn about the Dishman Hills and the important conservation work of the Dishman Hills Conservancy while meeting other like-minded hikers and nature lovers.

Cougars, Bears, and Moose, Oh My!
Thursday, August 21, 6-7:30 PM
Join DHC at the Spokane Valley Library for a presentation from local wildlife biologist Matt Brinkman. Learn how to stay safe around wildlife like moose, cougars and bears while exploring the areas we share with them. Brinkman will show a slide presentation covering the behavior of cougars, bears, and moose and will also have some skulls, scat models and pelts to show. After the presentation, don’t miss a bear spray demonstration outside.  

Dishman Hills Conservancy Meet-up at Steady Flow Growler House
Saturday, August 23, 12-6 PM
Stop by Steady Flow Growler House in Spokane Valley to learn about the latest developments with Dishman Hills Conservancy.

Wild at Heart Fundraiser Dinner
Saturday, September 27
Save the date for the Dishman Hills Conservancy’s annual fundraiser dinner at Center Place Event Center in Spokane Valley! Enjoy a great meal, hear about the latest developments with DHC, meet other members and supports, and listen to guest speaker Rob Curley, editor of The Spokesman Review.

How to Get Involved with the Dishman Hills Conservancy

The future of the Dishman Hills and work of the Dishman Hills Conservancy depends on the next generation to get involved. There are many opportunities to to be a part of DHC’s work that includes land acquisition, trail construction and maintenance, habitat restoration and putting on educational programs like Kids in the Hills, which introduces local youth to ecology and outdoor discovery.

Getting involved is easy—and meaningful. Here’s how you can make a difference:

• Become a Member: A $50 annual donation gets you member benefits, including newsletters, special event invites and the satisfaction that you’re helping protect a cherished community natural area.

• Volunteer Your Time: Trail work, event support, and educational outreach all need helping hands. Whether it’s a one-time effort or a long-term commitment, your time goes a long way.

• Stay in the Loop: Sign up for DHC email newsletter and follow along on social media to stay informed about new trail openings, events and conservation successes.

Dishman Hills is more than just a beautiful place to hike. It’s a powerful example of how communities can come together to protect nature close to home. Lace up your boots or biking shoes and take a walk or ride in Spokane’s urban wilds. Then become a DHC member, attend an event or sign up to volunteer. The Dishman Hills Conservancy has made it easy to fall in love with this special place—and to help protect it for future generations.

The post Explore the Dishman Hills Summer 2025—Spokane’s Urban Wilds 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.

One summer day soon, you or me’ll be grinding up Beacon or Iller Creek, or maybe slipping up the pea gravel on Five Minute Hill or Trail 140, moondust pooling in streaks of sweat from overwrought body parts raw with the sandpaper sting of third-degree chafe. Over the dusty rasp of labored inhalations will come the sunny chirp of a fellow rider interrupting his offkey rendition of “Bicycle Race” to yodel “On your left!” Absent audible groaning, grunting, or popping of knees, but maybe a soft button click, with the white-noise whir of an electric motor he’ll glide by mid-verse. He may be wearing boat shoes. 

Cycling changes society. Women gained more independence from the invention of the bicycle than anything, to paraphrase Susan B. Anthony. Riding a “wheel” meant they could escape the stuffy confines of homebound man-dependence; cycling required even women riders wear pants, much to the ire of stodgy proponents of convention, men who deemed bloomers an effrontery to Victorian cultural norms. Adaptation continues rife with growing pains, in part because the pants have shrunk. 

From bloomers to Spandex, penny-farthings to carbon fiber, the cycling industry is fickle as a feather in the wind, though recent bouts of déjà vu evoke its cyclic nature. The first patent for an electric bicycle was approved in the U.S. in 1895. Batteries were cumbersome, charging nowhere, and the car, backed by Big Oil, rose handily to dominance. Forced into the backseat, electrically assisted cycles never completely disappeared, and are currently enjoying a comeback, with U.S. sales up about 270% since 2019, topping one million last year, largely due to improvements in battery technology.  

The E-Bike Boom 

Who’s buying all these bikes? According to Cycling Industry News, the vast majority are sold to those 45 and older. These are people who want to commute to work without getting too sweaty, or run errands in a more environmentally conscious way than a singly occupied car. Or they’re retired and want a fun way to get to town without packing up their RV. A husband who couldn’t keep up with his wife before buying an e-bike. A war-wounded veteran with chronic back pain. Anyone, really, who wants to ride farther, keep up with friends, or see more trails.  

Avid pedaller and peddler of e-bikes himself, Scott Willegalle, co-owner of Spokane’s North Division Bicycle Shop, says during his 38 years in the cycling industry he’s watched lower gear ratios expand access to more riders who ride more miles. But you can only spin so fast before you fall over. 

“The e-bike is the new low gear. It’s easier to climb hills. You’re going to increase your distance by a third. The amount of riding you can do volume-wise on an e-bike means you will be less fatigued than riding the same distance on a regular bike,” Willegalle touts.  

E-bike Backlash 

Speed differential while sharing trails has also stirred contention among conventional cyclists. In part, that’s because they tend to be purists by nature and nurture competitiveness. That guy in the boat shoes is riding more miles than me.  

Willegalle responds: “People who don’t have e-bikes are just jealous,” he says, while acknowledging that some people can’t afford them. “The whole thing about people being pissy about e-bikes is that they don’t have one.” 

While no doubt true for some, lack of clarity or outright flouting of rules foments indignation as well. For their part, administrators of public lands where e-bike use is permitted should provide ample clear signage, educate the riding public in posts and through outreach events, and enforce rules more strictly on public lands. Riders should know where their class of bike is allowed, and adhere to speed and use prioritization.  

Know Where You Can Ride Different Types of E-bikes 

Class 1 e-bikes are strictly pedal-assisted up to 20 mph. Class 2 e-bikes have an optional throttle-only mode, and are also restricted to 20 mph. Class 3 e-bikes utilize pedal assistance up to 28 mph, and may have throttle assistance (without pedaling) up to 20 mph. Around the Inland Northwest, there are a lot of different rules and levels of enforcement depending on where you plan to ride an e-bike. 

Currently, according to Washington State Parks, class 1 and 3 e-bikes are allowed on long-distance trails like the Columbia Plateau and Palouse to Cascades trails, as well as the Centennial Trail in Spokane. Those same classes are also allowed on roads within state parks, and on natural surface trails that allow bicycle use like the trail systems at Riverside State Park and Mount Spokane. Class 2 bikes are not permitted on trails in those state parks but are allowed on the same roads that cars can drive on.  

On Spokane Parks and Recreation trails popular with mountain bikers, such as Beacon Hill’s 50-ish miles of singletrack and trails on the High Drive Bluff and at Indian Canyon/Palisades, the situation is less clear. According to city staff, e-bike use is similar to that seen on Washington State Parks trails, although there are currently no rules regarding the use of e-bikes on city park lands. Clarifying e-bike policy for city park trails and properties, however, is reportedly in the works. 

 Spokane County conservation areas that sport popular hiking and singletrack bike trails, such as Iller Creek and Liberty Lake Regional Park, may also soon see clearer rules regarding e-bike use. While e-bikes of any kind are not currently allowed on any non-motorized Spokane County trails, the county is looking at that policy and planning is forthcoming that may make some clarifications and adjustments to existing e-bike rules. 

With the varying e-bike rules and lack of signage and enforcement on many Spokane-area trails, local trail users report widespread pedal-assist e-bike use that seems to create little to no conflict with their “acoustic” bike counterparts. Throttle e-bikes, which are effectively electric motorcycles that can speed up and down trails at high speeds without requiring pedaling, are also on the rise, and pose more of a threat of increased user conflict, injuries and liability concerns.  

Across the border on Idaho State Parks trails popular with mountain bikers, like those at Farragut State Park and pathways frequented by cyclists and walkers like the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes and North Idaho Centennial Trail, class 1 and 2 e-bikes are allowed, although speed limits are in effect on some trails. E-bike rules may vary a bit on some of the trails around Sandpoint, like the Syringa trail system, that have a dual conservation and recreation purpose, so do your research before heading out on an e-bike spin. 

On U.S. Forest Service non-motorized trails in Washington and Idaho, e-bikes of any kind are not currently allowed, although they can be ridden on any trails or roads open to motorized travel, and enforcement of restrictions are scant. E-bikes are allowed on many federal BLM lands and trails as well as on many bike-friendly National Park pathways, but check before riding. 

E-bikes Are Here to Stay  

Even as regulations change, there is no doubt the e-bike will remain an outdoor recreation fixture for the foreseeable future. “They’ve opened the Pandora’s box of e-bikes, and you aren’t going to close it,” Willegalle rightly predicts with the self-satisfied smirk of the true believer. If you want to ride more miles, keep up with your friends, and “fear no hills or headwinds,” he can make you one too. 

Justin Skay recently found out firsthand e-bikes are fun, and already has friends he can’t keep up with, so his electric revolution might be just around the next bend. 

The post Pedal Power Plus: Navigating the E-Bike Revolution  appeared first on Out There Venture.

• National Public Lands Day (NPLD) falls on September 23rd this year. It’s a fee-free day for both National Parks and Washington state lands. Discover Pass fees will additionally be waived on October 10th for World Mental Health Day.
• Spokane County Library District will be hosting a mushroom foraging for beginners class on September 20 from 6-8 p.m. in the North Spokane meeting room. Attend to learn about some of the edible mushrooms found in our region!
• Join the Methow Conservancy for a series of free events, both in person and online, during September and October. Highlights include an in-person presentation on lynx and wildfire, a field trip through the newly acquired Sunny M. Ranch property with a focus on the forest, and a Zoom presentation on bats from WDFW. (Methowconservancy.org)
• Free guided hike destinations with Inland Northwest Land Conservancy during September include Waikiki Springs, Palisades Park, and Saltese Uplands. (Inlandnwland.org)
• The Dishman Hills Conservancy’s annual dinner and auction fundraiser will be held on October 16 at CenterPlace Regional Event Center. (Dishmanhills.org)

Let Your Voice Be Heard!

The Blue Mountains region, consisting of the Umatilla, Wallowa-Whitman, and Malheur National Forests, is currently undergoing a revision of its existing Forest Plan. A series of public meetings is planned throughout September and October, including an online Zoom meeting option on October 10. Join any of these and then consider providing formal comments to help guide the process. For more information, contact Sm.fs.bluesforests@usda.gov.

Conservation & Stewardship Opportunities

• The annual Spokane River Cleanup with be held on September 16. Sign up with The Lands Council for this self-guided event, with designated trash collection sites in multiple locations along the Spokane River. (Landscouncil.org)
• Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness have several trailwork events planned through the month of September, including a NPLD project at Regal/Morris Creek on September 23. They will wrap up the trailwork season on September 30 with a project at Goat Mountain. (Scotchmanpeaks.org)
• Spokane Nordic will have several weekend days of volunteer trail maintenance in September and October in preparation for the upcoming Nordic ski season. (Spokanenordic.org)
• Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance will be offering a fall weekend’s worth of work parties in the Methow from September 29-October 1, with camping available at Upper Beaver Creek Campground and the work happening on nearby Blue Buck and Lightening Creek Trails. Food included, but advance registration required. (Evergreenmtb.org)
• Okanogan Highlands Alliance will be partnering with Pacific Northwest Trail Association on September 9 for a day of heavy restoration work on Beaver Lake Trail. PNTA will be hosting a variety of additional projects throughout September and into early October, working on the Kettle Crest and near Sullivan Lake. (Okanoganhighlands.org and pnt.org)
• Idaho Trails Association (ITA) and Washington Trails Association will be partnering on the Jackson Creek Trail in North Idaho near the Salmo-Priest Wilderness the first weekend after Labor Day. Join either crew as they work to meet in the middle at the WA/ID boundary! ITA will additionally be hosting a National Public Lands Day project at Chimney Rock in the Idaho Selkirks, while WTA will be celebrating the organization’s 30th anniversary of the trail maintenance program with a return to Iller Creek Conservation Area in Spokane Valley for annual maintenance on September 18, as well as a project at Fishtrap Recreation Area near Cheney, Wash. (Idahotrailsassociation.org and wta.org) //

The post Inland NW Trail & Outdoor News appeared first on Out There Venture.

Recently, instructor Jessica Haffner led events that began with short, invigorating hikes that culminate in a yoga and meditation class in either a secluded meadow or at a panoramic viewpoint. The recent September event started at the Dishman Hills Glenrose Trailhead and the latest October Yoga In the Wild class began with a hike from the Steven’s Creek Trailhead on the south side of the Iller Creek Conservation Area.

Eclipse Power Yoga also hosts retreats and backpacking adventures to practice yoga, meditate, hike, and explore the outdoors. The most recent trip was to the North Cascades. In July 2023, the trip will be to Stehekin, Wash., at Lake Chelan.

Upcoming events combining yoga and the outdoors can be found at Eclipsepoweryoga.com.

Eclipse “Yoga In the Wild” in Spokane County, Wash. // Photo courtesy Eclipse Power Yoga.

Find more yoga stories in the OTO archives.

The post Yoga In the Wild: Hike+Yoga In Spokane 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.”

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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.

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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).

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