By Holly Weiler 

Cover photo courtesy of Lara Gricar

Outdoor Reminders 

• Winter conditions can impact access to high-elevation trailheads, so it’s time to double-check your vehicle’s emergency kit to make sure it contains helpful extras for snowy conditions (for instance, a folding snow shovel). It is also a transition time to winter parking permit season, when some high-elevation parking lots have snow removal funded through the purchase of seasonal parking passes. In Washington, Sno-Park season begins Dec. 1 and lasts through March, with over 100 Sno-Park locations across the state, including popular spots like Mount Spokane State Park and Sherman Pass. In North Idaho, a Park N’ Ski permit is required for access to seven maintained winter trailheads, including those at Priest Lake and Fourth of July Pass. Oregon maintains its own Sno-Park system as well but has a reciprocal agreement with Idaho. Purchase a permit for the state you visit the most. 

Free Outdoor-themed Entertainment 

• Chelan-Douglas Land Trust (CDLT) is hosting an outdoor clothing and gear exchange Dec. 13 from noon to 3 p.m. (location TBD; check the website). This is a free event; no registration required. Please bring clean, functional outdoor clothing and gear to swap. Those who would like to donate without attending the swap may drop off equipment at the CDLT office during the week before the event. It is not necessary to bring trade items in order to participate the day of the event; if you need outdoor gear, please attend.  

• Additionally, Chelan-Douglas Land Trust is hosting a Winter Solstice Walk at Castle Rock in Wenatchee’s Lower Castle Rock Natural Area Dec. 20 from 7 to 9 a.m. Advance registration is required to join this 2-mile round-trip hike. 

• Fee-free days at Washington State Parks are scheduled for Jan. 1 and Jan. 20. Additionally, a variety of free First Day Hikes will be offered at Washington State Parks on New Year’s Day (advance registration is required). Please note that Mount Spokane State Park does not fall under fee-free days during Sno-Park season. If you don’t have a Sno-Park permit, watch for the offerings at Riverside State Park and Columbia Plateau State Park Trail instead, where no Discover Pass will be necessary on the holiday. 

• Free Idaho Park N’ Ski Day is Jan. 3, with a chance to visit Idaho’s Nordic and snowshoeing trails without the usual parking fee. Several areas mark this event with activities, including free lessons and guided snowshoe hikes at Indian Creek State Park near Priest Lake and the Idaho Panhandle Nordic Club’s annual Best Hand Poker XC-Ski and Snowshoe fundraiser. There is a nominal fee to enter the poker competition, because it’s a fundraiser to help support grooming efforts at the Fourth of July Pass trail system; sometimes there are nearly as many raffle prizes as participants! 

• Methow Trails’ Backyard Ski Day is Jan. 30, with free winter trail access across the valley’s vast trail system. There will be free group beginner ski lessons for both classic and skate skiing, free fat bike demos and a free ski wax clinic. A few local businesses are even offering a limited number of free ski rentals for the day. 
  
  

Fundraisers, Contests and Events 

• Inland Northwest Land Conservancy will host its Common Ground annual meeting at CenterPlace Regional Event Center Dec. 9. Registration is required and space is limited. 

• Have you visited a National Recreation Trail this year? It’s time for American Trails’ annual photo contest. Photographers can submit up to 10 photos per trail under categories like trail use, trail management, trail features and artistic merit. Be sure to check the database of National Recreation Trails in our region to ensure the trail you visited qualifies. Photos are due Dec. 15, and winners will be announced in February. 

• The Backcountry Film Festival – Winter Wildlands Alliance offers several regional screenings of festival films highlighting human-powered winter recreation. Each showing serves as a fundraiser for the host organization. Catch it in Spokane Dec. 6, hosted by the Spokane Mountaineers. SOLE will host the film festival in Sandpoint Jan. 9. The University of Idaho Outdoor Program will bring the show to Moscow Jan. 28. On Feb. 3 the film festival will be shown in Whitefish, hosted by Wild Montana. Chewelah Valley Land Trust, Montana Backcountry Alliance (Missoula) and El Sendero Backcountry Ski and Snowshoe Club (Wenatchee) also plan to host the film festival this winter (check online for dates). 

• The Wenatchee River Institute will be the beneficiary of “Benevolent Night” at München House in Leavenworth Jan. 6, with 25% of sales donated to support the nonprofit. The event will run from 4 to 8 p.m.  

• Banff Mountain Film Festival returns to Spokane Jan. 9-11. Saturday night’s VIP ticket sales will benefit the nonprofit of your choice among several worthy local organizations. This event sells out every year, so don’t procrastinate! 

• Spokane Nordic will host Winterfest Jan. 18, featuring $10 Nordic ski lessons for both adults and children, plus a scavenger hunt for kids and a skijor clinic at Selkirk Lodge at Mount Spokane State Park. Additional not-to-be-missed events include the annual Langlauf Nordic ski race Jan. 25 and the BarkerBeiner Skijor Race, tentatively scheduled for Feb. 22. 

Stewardship, Conservation, and Volunteer Opportunities 

• Many of our region’s stewardship and conservation organizations take a short break during the winter season, but those looking for an opportunity to do some winter trail maintenance should watch for offerings from Washington Trails Association. Most of WTA’s winter projects are on snowshoe trails, snow depth permitting. Watch for opportunities within Mount Spokane State Park and on Spokane County Parks’ Conservation Futures properties. A limited number of snowshoes are available to borrow. Contact the crew leader if you’d like to try a project but need to borrow snowshoes. Check the WTA website for the full schedule. 

• Spokane Nordic hosts multiple events throughout the winter and is always seeking volunteer assistance to make those events run smoothly. Tasks may range from helping visitors park safely and efficiently to assisting with event check-in or serving as an on-course race marshal (typically on skis). Check out the Spokane Nordic website for opportunities. 

The post Winter Trail Access, Free Ski Days, Gear Swaps and Inland NW Outdoor Events appeared first on Out There Venture.

Cover photo courtesy of Holly Weiler

At the end of sixth grade, all of my middle school’s fall coaches made the classroom rounds, collecting sign-ups for the fall sports that would begin in September when school resumed. The cross-country coach seemed nice, and I had already tried cross-country skiing by borrowing my parents’ skis and exploring the backyard whenever the snow was deep enough, so I put my name down on the list. 

As I recall, my parents managed to keep a straight face as I explained what I signed up for; sixth graders don’t always have a great grasp on which weather occurs in which seasons. I had never heard about a sport dedicated to running long distances over uneven terrain, and while I loved to play outside, I was definitely not a kid who loved running. Secretly, my parents made wagers about how long it would last, with two weeks being the absolute upper limit. 

I outlasted the two weeks by the next three decades, transforming from awkward jogger into serious distance runner, running varsity through college, then continuing to coach the sport in my early adulthood. I quickly developed an aversion to running on pavement, gravitating to trails whenever I could. I spent most of my training time exploring first Riverside State Park with my college teammates and eventually Mount Spokane State Park and Spokane County Parks on my own.  

Eventually, creaky knees started to slow me down, although they didn’t stop me from exploring. My running became mostly limited to shorter outings with the high school team I coached. In my free time, I started to look for ways to stay out longer.  

As I transitioned to hiking more than running, I learned I could stay out all day, covering 20 miles or more, and still not want to go home. I started backpacking with groups of friends, and I also started volunteering on trail maintenance crews, especially those working on trails within the Salmo-Priest Wilderness in northeast Washington, but occasionally with Washington Trails Association crews working on trails closer to Spokane. 

Around 2013 I had what I jokingly refer to as my midlife crisis: I decided to leave my teaching job and enter grad school. The plan was always to return to teaching after completing my master’s degree, but in 2014 a local job with Washington Trails Association opened up. It was to be part-time and seasonal, concluding right around the time I would return to school in the fall, and I was fortunate enough to be hired for the position.  

Now over a decade later that seasonal job is a year-round, permanent position, and I’m still loving it! I help coordinate volunteer trail building and maintenance work throughout eastern Washington, and as part of my job I get to assist land managers in layout and design for both new trails and improvements to existing trails. Public lands started to change my outdoor interests from the time I was a young distance runner, but they eventually changed my complete life trajectory and career path.  

Holly Weiler is The Trailhead columnist at Out There Venture and the Eastern Washington Region Senior Coordinator for Washington Trails Association.  

The post Lands of Exploration   appeared first on Out There Venture.

Free Outdoor-Themed Entertainment 

• There are several fee-free days coming up for Washington State Parks (as well as lands managed by Washington Fish and Wildlife and Washington Department of Natural Resources): Sept. 27 marks National Public Lands Day, Oct. 10 is World Mental Health Day, and Veterans Day is Nov. 11. Visit Washington parks without a Discover Pass for each of these. 

• Chelan-Douglas Land Trust continues to host monthly guided “Hike for Health” events, with hikes planned on Sept. 13 at Cashmere Canyons Preserve and the final hike of the year on Oct. 11 at Saddle Rock Natural Area. Additionally, the group will partner with the Wenatchee Valley Astronomy Club (supplying telescopes at the event!) for a guided night hike on Sept. 23. 

• Join Inland Northwest Land Conservancy for a free guided hike at Glen Tana in the Little Spokane River Valley on Sept. 13. This recent conservation acquisition is not yet open to the public, so joining one of INLC’s guided hikes is the only way to get a sneak peek.  

Fundraisers, Contests, and Events 

• Dishman Hills Conservancy will host its annual Wild at Heart fundraiser dinner on Sept. 27 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Tickets for the event are available through the DHC website. 

• Join Wenatchee River Institute for its fourth Annual Sunset & S’mores fundraiser on Oct. 1, from 5-7:30 p.m. in Leavenworth. While the event is fee-based, the organization offers “pay what you can” pricing for those wishing to attend. Tickets include dinner, drinks, and organized activities for a family-friendly event. Advance registration required. 

• MedWAR Challenge is coming to Mount Spokane State Park on Oct. 4. Teams of four will tackle an approximately 10-mile course while solving medical scenarios, in an event that is most similar to a Spartan race meeting a wilderness first aid course. A successful team will have a member with a bit of a medical background along with a member who knows a little map and compass (no GPS allowed). Registration of $250 per team includes event t-shirts, post-race dinner, and on-site camping. 

• Washington State photographers, take note. The annual Washington Trails Association photo contest is currently open, with a deadline of Oct. 6. Photographers can submit multiple photographs in each available category for a chance to win fun prizes. There are several main categories, along with a bonus category depicting random acts of kindness captured on trail. See Wta.org for full contest rules and to submit your entries. 

• Have a photo of a National Recreation Trail? American Trails hosts an annual photo contest for photos taken on a designated National Recreation Trail. That deadline is Dec. 15, which gives photographers plenty of time to capture fantastic fall color shots from our region’s trails. 
  
  

Stewardship, Conservation, & Volunteer Opportunities 

• The Idaho chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers will be partnering with OnX for a Public Lands Packout along the lakeshore of the Pend Oreille Wildlife Management Area on Sept. 13. Hike from the Clark Fork Drift Yard Boat Launch, or bring your own boat to explore and lend a hand to clean up the shoreline. The event will start at 9 a.m. and conclude at 1 p.m., followed by a barbecue. 

• Chelan Douglas Land Trust will mark “Make a Difference Day” with a day of maintenance work at Saddle Rock on Oct. 25. 

• Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance is hosting Larch Fest on the Kettle Crest, Oct. 2-5. There are multiple days of riding and socializing, with a trail maintenance project planned for Oct. 4. 

• Friends of Palisades will host its annual fall cleanup event on Oct. 11 from 9 a.m. to noon at Palisades Park west of downtown Spokane. Plan to arrive a little early to enjoy coffee, hot cider, and cookies ahead of the event. 

• Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness will celebrate National Public Lands Day on Sept. 27 with a maintenance project on East Fork Trail #563 followed by a fun cook-out event at the trailhead. The last project of the season will occur on Oct. 1 on the Star Gulch Trail. Advance registration required. 

• Great Burn Conservation Alliance is offering a noble reason to make the trek to Weir Creek Hot Spring on Sept. 20, as they are hosting a beginner-friendly site cleanup activity to mark World Cleanup Day. The group will meet at the Lochsa Lodge to enjoy breakfast, followed by spending a couple hours devoted to the site cleanup, and then participants may choose to stick around for an optional soak in the spring. 

• Idaho Trails Association will celebrate National Public Lands Day on a project with fantastic views. Join them on Sept. 27 for maintenance work on the Chimney Rock Trail. 

• Join members of the Northeast Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society for a series of fall cleanup events. The group will start on Sept. 5 at Underhill Park in Spokane. On Sept. 13 the focus turns to Polly Judd Park, and on Sept. 19 a project is planned for the Fearn Conservation Area at Riverfront Park. The work will include a general cleanup of each park, along with a main focus of removing invasive plant species in order to replant with native plants. Advance registration is requested. 

• Spokane Nordic will be hosting a series of trail maintenance days, aimed at preparing the Mount Spokane State Park Nordic Trails for early grooming as soon as snow returns to the mountain. Lend a hand Sept. 6, 7, and 27, as well as Oct. 11 and 12. 

• Washington Trails Association will be gradually moving from the mountains toward the valley as the fall progresses, with fall projects planned at Fishtrap for National Public Lands Day on Sept. 27 along with multiple project days at Mount Spokane and Mica Peak throughout September. By October, the work will move to lower areas to provide some fall maintenance for the trails before winter. 

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

Many years in the making, Mount Spokane’s Trail 182 is ready for visitors! Initially included in Mount Spokane State Parks’ trail plan over a decade ago, and after several summer seasons of build work, the trail wrapped up construction in the late fall of 2024. However, summer is the prime time to visit this lushly forested trail on the southwest side of the park. Start from the quiet Green Bluff entrance where Day Mount Spokane Road dead ends at a park gate. Hike a short distance up the old double track road, originally a main park entrance and now a service road plus hiking trail, watching for the new trail signs for Trail 182 on the left approximately 0.2 miles beyond the gate. 

The trail ascends gradually, gaining over 900’ elevation in 3.2 miles. There are occasional peekaboo views into the distance, but the main attraction of this trail is the diverse forest. Despite the trail never crossing running water, this side of the park hosts a beautiful and lush old growth forest featuring cedars in the wettest areas, giant ponderosa pines in the drier sections, and Douglas fir and grand fir throughout. In June, the forest floor is additionally carpeted in arnica blooms with the occasional lingering calypso orchid. By July and August, watch for spiky pine drops and vivid white ghost pipes, plants that thrive in the shady forest despite having no green leaves because they are parasitic rather than relying on chlorophyll for nutrients. As the summer progresses, the understory of ninebark is among the first to begin to show hints of fall colors to come. 

At the top of the climb, Trail 182 intersects Kit Carson Loop Road about a mile west of Smith Gap. Hikers can choose to remain on singletrack by turning around and retracing the route back to the bottom, or can make a loop of it by turning right and hiking downhill on the Kit Carson Loop Road until reaching the junction with the Day Mountain Road (a park trail from the trailhead gate). Descend Day Mountain Road to return to the start, passing a picnic area and historic marker along the way. The full loop totals 6.5 miles.  

Getting There: From Green Bluff, follow Day Mount Spokane Road 4.9 miles to where it joins Big Meadows Road. Turn right and continue 1.9 miles on Day Mount Spokane to a 3-way intersection with poor signage. The middle road is the continuation of Day Mount Spokane, which becomes narrow in its last 0.5 miles to where it dead-ends at a park gate. Park well to the side and do not block the gate. 

Holly Weiler is the Eastern Washington Region senior coordinator for Washington Trails Association and will be spending most of the summer working on either Mica Peak or else deep in the Colville National Forest. 

The post SUMMER HIKE SPOTLIGHT: NEW Trail 182 at Mount Spokane State Park  appeared first on Out There Venture.

Cover photo courtesy of Holly Weiler

• Heart Lake is among the most popular hikes within the Proposed Great Burn Wilderness. Make the most of a trip here by continuing past Heart Lake to Pearl Lake, then continuing up to the Idaho/Montana Stateline Trail #738. Once on the ridge, hike north to a connector trail that returns to Heart Lake, making a loop of approximately 10.5 miles. It’s a doable day hike or a great overnight trip, with options to extend it into a backpack trip that includes nearby lakes like Dalton Lake, Trio Lakes, or Leo Lake. 
  
  

• The Hoodoo Pass Trailhead just west of Heart Lake is an excellent jumping off point for an out-and-back ridge hike on the Stateline Trail, limited only by how many days one might have to spend exploring. When the weather is clear, the views go on for miles, and there are numerous lakes just a short side trip off the main trail that offer access to water plus good camp spots. Good destinations for an out-and-back backpack would be either Goose Lake at the 6.4-mile mark, or Fish Lake at the 16-mile mark (each way). For a shorter route to Fish Lake, start at Fish Lake Trail #419 south of Hoodoo Pass for a roundtrip hike of approximately 10.8 miles. 

• Clearwater Crossing is another major trail hub into the heart of the Proposed Great Burn Wilderness. The Siamese Lakes Loop offers a fantastic one- to two-night backpack option. Hike it clockwise up trail 101 to Foley Basin, then trail 114 to Lower Siamese Lakes and several nice campsites. Continue up to Chilcoot Pass, then descend via Straight Creek Trail #99 for a loop of just over 21 miles. 
  
  

• Mud Lake has multiple access options, but Clearwater Crossing is among the best starting place for this hike. Just as for Siamese Lakes, start on trail 101, then turn off to the south on Indian Creek Trail 121. Be sure to watch for the unnamed waterfall along this lovely forested trail as it ascends toward the stateline. Mud Lake is aptly named; it’s pretty for the reflection photo opportunities, but less appealing for swimming. Nearby Cedar Log Lakes is another option. Descend via Indian Ridge Trail 104 and complete the lollipop loop on trail 101 back to Clearwater Crossing for a route of 20.5 miles.     
  
  

Holly Weiler is the Eastern Washington Regional Coordinator for Washington Trails Association and the Trailhead columnist for Out There.  

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Arguably the most unique wilderness area hike in Washington State, Juniper Dunes Wilderness consists of over 7,000 acres of designated wilderness on Bureau of Land Management property. Adjacent to the wilderness area, BLM additionally manages nearly 4,000 acres of Off Highway Vehicle(OHV)-accessible lands.  

This area contains the largest juniper forest in Washington and serves as a refuge for a wide variety of native wildlife. March through early May is also the prime wildflower season in this otherwise arid landscape. The best juniper groves are located in the northeast corner of the wilderness, but don’t miss the large sand dunes in the northwest corner, and zero in on map skills by finding the old wellhead (now dry) in the southern end of the property. There is no surface water within the wilderness, so be sure to pack enough water to last for the duration of your planned visit.  

There are two access points for Juniper Dunes Wilderness. Those planning a day hike can start at the north end of the property at Joy Road, where a small trailhead is provided as an easement through adjacent private land. Overnight parking is not permitted at this location. Those who would prefer to backpack this unique landscape should instead access the wilderness via the OHV park off the Pasco-Kahlotus Road. A portion of the access road has been paved, and those with low clearance vehicles should park at the end of the pavement near the OHV trailhead kiosk and make their way to the wilderness area on foot. Those with 4-wheel drive can opt to continue into the heart of the OHV area and drive to the Wilderness Gate, although this is not recommended without proper equipment. (Learn more at wta.org.)  

The entire wilderness area is fenced to demark the boundary between the OHV area to the south and west, as well as private lands to the north and east. Once inside the fence, there are no official trails within this shifting landscape of sand dunes and protected habitat. Instead, practice map and compass skills and set off on a cross-country journey to explore this fragment of preserved ecosystem, with the stark contrast of adjacent OHV area and agricultural land visible from the high points along the way.  

Getting there:  Take I-90 west then Highway 395 south toward Pasco. Exit 395 via US-12E, then bear northeast on Kahlotus-Pasco Road. Turn left on Peterson Road, which turns into Juniper Road and ends at the ORV park. 

Holly Weiler is the Eastern Washington Region Senior Coordinator for Washington Trails Association and loves wandering through the shrub steppe in the springtime. 

The post Hike of the Month: Juniper Dunes Wilderness  appeared first on Out There Venture.

By Holly Weiler 

Cover photo courtesy of Holly Weiler

Outdoor enthusiasts know that there is no bad weather, only inappropriate gear and clothing. There is no need to put away the camping supplies just because it’s below freezing and there’s a little snow on the ground! That choice campsite that is impossible to reserve in the summer is most likely wide open for winter, and a willingness to try winter camping leads to opportunities to recreate farther afield at a low cost. 

Gear You’ll Need 

While a four-season tent is a definite upgrade for winter camping, it is also possible to use a three-season tent for all but the most challenging winter conditions. A closed-cell foam sleeping pad helps reflect and retain heat and should be placed on top of an inflatable pad if using both for extra cushion. Check the temperature comfort rating on sleeping bags against forecasted low temperatures, but the temperature rating of a three-season bag can be improved through the use of a silk or fleece bag liner inside the sleeping bag, and with a minimalist bivy over top. If car camping, there’s no reason not to toss in some extra blankets, too! 

Where to Go 

Test your gear system by trying a night in your own backyard or at a nearby campground that’s open year-round. Many campgrounds have reduced rates for winter. Here are a few fun trip ideas: 

• For those who live in Spokane, Riverside State Park’s Bowl and Pitcher campground is a great place to test winter camping gear. A standard campsite is $25 and can be reserved in advance. Hike, snowshoe, or fatbike the trail system right out of camp. Enjoy heated bathrooms and hot showers when you return from the trail. 

• Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area maintains year-round access to Spring Canyon, Fort Spokane, and Kettle Falls campgrounds. Reservations are required, with a winter rate of $11.50. The best recreation opportunities will be a short drive away from each of these sites, although shore fishing (and beach walking) are available from camp.  

• A favorite shoestring-budget ski trip to Mission Ridge includes a night at Wenatchee Confluence State Park. A standard campsite is $25. No reservations needed, seldom full, and Mission Ridge is just 30 minutes away. Nearby Squilchuck State Park is groomed for fat bikes and has a sled hill.  

• Grant County PUD maintains several campgrounds for year-round camping access, with fees ranging from $15-20 for a standard campsite. Campgrounds are located close to the Columbia River at Sand Hollow, Rocky Coulee, Priest Rapids, and Jackson Creek Fish Camp. Fish from shore or check out nearby trail systems. 

• Steamboat Rock State Park offers standard campsites at $20, with hiking available right out of camp or at nearby Northrup Canyon. 

• Many (but not all) SnoPark locations on National Forest land allow overnight parking and camping, making for great Nordic and backcountry ski or snowshoe outings. Check regulations for your favorite SnoPark location before you go. A popular spot is Sherman Pass on Highway 20, which you will need a SnoPark permit to camp at.  

Holly Weiler is the WTA Eastern Washington Regional Coordinator and “The Trailhead” columnist for Out There.  

The post Where to Go Winter Camping Around the Inland Northwest  appeared first on Out There Venture.

Wilderness first aid is a term that applies to any injury that happens more than an hour from advanced medical care, so even a short outing from a local trailhead could result in an injury that falls under this definition. A small first aid kit can be a crucial piece of gear for any trip, from protecting minor scrapes to stabilizing a broken bone until evacuation is possible.  

If you already stock a home kit that covers the basics (alcohol towelettes, antibiotic ointment, different sized bandages, sterile dressings for cuts) it can work to take a few of each and put them in a waterproof bag to add to your pack. If you don’t already have a home supply, there are many pre-built kits available for sale, and it might be the most cost-effective choice to start with one of these and add activity-specific supplies. 

For hikers and trail runners, a package of Second Skin can address small blisters, and a roll of athletic tape can stabilize a sprained ankle. For mountain bikers and trail workers, add Quick Clot gauze to stop bleeding. A roll of vet wrap is useful for pet owners and works just as well on people. Consider adding a SAM splint and triangle bandage to help stabilize a broken wrist or arm. For longer trips, a mylar blanket can help keep an injured person warm until evacuated or prevent hypothermia on an unplanned overnight. A package of emergency water treatment tablets is a great backup to filters. Add a couple pairs of latex gloves for treating others’ injuries, and you’ll have a kit that can help save yourself or a friend in case of emergency. 

The post Wilderness First Aid   appeared first on Out There Venture.

Winter Trailhead Passes 

It’s transition season for trails! Many popular trailheads in outlying areas are not maintained for winter access, so be sure to check weather reports before planning a late-fall outing. In Idaho, Park N’ Ski passes are required at many winter-maintained trailheads beginning Nov. 15 (e.g. Chipmunk Rapids and 4^th of July Pass); in Washington, SnoPark permits are required starting Dec. 1 (e.g. Mount Spokane State Park and the Kettle Crest). Check requirements for your favorite trailhead. Be aware that the best winter access locations will likely require a special parking pass to help defray the costs associated with routine snow removal in parking lots.  

Free Outdoor-themed Entertainment 

• Washington Native Plant Society will be hosting a thought-provoking Zoom meeting on “Fire Ecology in the Shrub Steppe” on Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. Advance registration is required for this free event. 

• To mark Veterans’ Day on Nov. 11, both National Parks and Washington State Parks are waiving entrance/parking fees. Washington State Parks will additionally celebrate Autumn Day on Nov. 29 as a fee-free day. 

• The Lands Council will be hosting a Campfire Stories event at Wildland Cooperative in Greenbluff on Nov. 14 starting at 6:30 p.m. Come enjoy the cozy indoor setting while listening to excellent stories on the theme of “Lost and Found” as it relates to our region’s public lands. 

• Wenatchee Outdoors and Chelan Douglas Land Trust are teaming up for a free Ugly Sweater Stroll at Jacobson Preserve on Nov. 20 at 4 p.m. Ugly or holiday sweaters are encouraged! 

• Methow Trails will be hosting a free Methow Trails Film Festival on Dec. 5 at 5 p.m. Advance registration is required to ensure seating availability. All of the films will be locally made and related to the Methow Valley and the local trails community. A panel of judges will work with the audience to determine awards for best films! 

• While the event is actually on New Year’s Day, advance registration is required, so be sure to watch for First Day Hike offerings with Washington State Parks! The full event list will be available in mid-December. Mount Spokane State Park in partnership with its friends group will host both a beginner-friendly snowshoe hike to the Snowshoe Warming Hut and a moderately-difficult hike to the summit and Vista House. A SnoPark permit will be required for these events. Riverside State Park will host a beginner-friendly event that may be a hike or a snowshoe outing, depending on snow conditions. Jan. 1 is a fee-free day for the Discover Pass, so no parking permit is necessary. For those who don’t already own a pair of snowshoes, don’t forget to plan ahead by using your Spokane library card to check out a pair to try this winter! Snowshoes are available via the Library of Things in both Spokane and Spokane County. 

Fundraisers & Contests! 

• Methow Valley Nordic is hosting a fundraiser Nordic ski swap on Nov. 9 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Winthrop Barn. A nominal entry fee raises funds for Nordic programming. Stick around town after the ski swap for the Winter Kick-off Party at the same venue that evening. 

• American Trails sponsors an annual photography contest specific to National Recreation Trails (NRT) across the U.S., with a deadline of Dec. 15. Photos must be taken on a designated NRT (full list available via the American Trails website), and entrants can submit up to 10 photographs per trail in a wide variety of categories. A few examples of NRTs in our region include Spokane’s Centennial Trail, the Kettle Crest, Sullivan Lakeshore, Priest Lake’s Lakeshore Trail, and English Point at Hayden Lake, and there’s plenty of time to explore these or others before the contest deadline!  

Conservation, Stewardship & Volunteer Opportunities 

The season is beginning to wind down, but a few of our local nonprofits will continue to host events into the colder months! Inland Northwest Land Conservancy, Friends of Palisades Park, and Washington Trails Association will be teaming up in November to host a fall project day at the new Palisades North trail segment. WTA will also offer a handful of events on lower elevation trails within Spokane County Parks and at Indian Creek Community Forest before transitioning to snowshoe work parties in December. Please see each organization’s website for full registration information. 

Check out Holly’s Hike of the Month for Nov/Dec 2024 at the Indian Creek Community Forest in Northeast Washington!

The post The Trailhead: Inland NW Trail & Outdoor News Nov-Dec 2024 appeared first on Out There Venture.

In 2024, there are more people out enjoying our public lands trails throughout the Inland Northwest than ever before. Thankfully these and other trail improvements and new construction have given outdoor enthusiasts more miles to pedal and wander. 

• 2004: Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes established. In 2010 the 73-mile trail was named one of the top 25 trails in the nation by the Rails to Trails Conservancy.  

• 2005: The 3.5-mile Mickinnick Trail near Sandpoint opened to the public. The land was donated to the USFS by the Pleass family in 1997, and the trail was later developed through grants and local partnerships. 

• 2008: Ferry County Rail Trail Partners was formed to develop the former railroad line into a nonmotorized trail for Ferry County. The group was subsequently able to secure several grants to improve the trail surface and create trailhead access points.  

• 2010: Friends of the Bluff nonprofit was established to provide education and conservation efforts dedicated to Spokane’s South Hill Bluff property. 

• 2010: Lake City Trails Alliance was established to coordinate work on mountain bike and hiking trails in the Coeur d’Alene area. 

• 2010: Spokane’s Centennial Trail was designated a National Recreation Trail. In 2016 the trail was extended 2 miles to the west with the addition of a new section near Sontag Park for a full length of 40 miles. 

• 2012: The owners of Sherwood Forest (outside Sandpoint) partnered with Kaniksu Land Trust to protect 140 acres of forest land in a conservation easement while allowing for recreational access on a parcel that connects to Pine Street Woods. 

• 2012: The City of Colville considered declaring its Colville Mountain property surplus and available to sell for development. Due to an objection by a member of the public, the City Council passed a motion to retain the land as natural open space instead. In 2019 the city finalized a trail plan for the 256-acre property and in 2022 was additionally able to purchase an adjacent parcel to create a dedicated trailhead parking area. 

• 2014: The Mount Spokane State Park Comprehensive Trail Plan was updated to include Trail 290, the first mountain bike-specific, directional (downhill-only) trail within the park. Over the last decade, four trail bridges have been added to make tricky water crossings safer, especially for the exploding snowshoe use the park has experienced in the winter. In 2024, Mount Spokane State Park is working on an updated and revised trail plan. 

• 2015: The Empire Trails near Spirit Lake opened on private land managed by Inland Empire Paper Company. The 8-mile nonmotorized trail system requires either a daily fee or an annual pass for access. 

• 2018: The 9B Trails nonprofit was established to create and maintain nonmotorized trails in Boundary County, with subsequent trail projects on Enchanted Forest, Riverside Park, and Section 16 near Bonners Ferry. 

• 2018: Spokane Parks and Recreation secured an 884-acre addition that created a crucial connection between Liberty Lake and Mica Peak. 

• 2019: Rathdrum Mountain Park opened to the public with a nonmotorized trail system and a disc golf course. In 2024, a three-mile trail expansion via the StormKing Trails is in the process of being built through grant funding. 

• 2019: A memorandum of understanding was signed to allow the Cancourse Trails adjacent to Canfield Mountain to become a leased city park for Coeur d’Alene. The property was originally private land at risk of subdivision, but now boasts a trail system on private land connecting to adjacent USFS land.  

• 2020: The VTT (velo tout terrain) was established on 100 acres of conservation easement land adjacent to both Pine Street Woods and Sherwood Forest. Sandpoint-area nonprofits are currently in the process of developing a trail plan that will ultimately provide many additional miles of nonmotorized trails. 

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. 

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