Racing meant a lot to my identity as a high schooler. I was on the track and cross-country teams at my rural high school, and I was never more nervous than the day of a meet. During that teenage time of figuring out who I was, being a runner was an identifier I held onto when other things in my social world shifted. Which was why I took it especially hard the season I sustained a fascia injury in my left calf muscle that left me limping. Nothing seemed worse than being unable to run.  

I think of that injury nearly 20 years later for a few reasons. My cross-country coach asked me to compete in the districts race at the end of the season, hoping I’d score some points for the team, even though I could barely walk. I lined up at the start because I was a high school girl used to doing what I was told. I finished almost dead last, was in a lot of pain when I did, and never told off my coach for treating me like an asset instead of a person.  

By the following season, I had healed and I had a new coach, one who ran marathons as a hobby. “Listen to your body,” she said to our team, which I heard as “you’re the authority on what you can and should do on the course.” It was the first time I’d considered it. The fact that I can still see her on the front lawn of the high school saying this to a circle of runners doing pre-practice stretches is proof of how perspective-shifting it was for me.  

“Listen to your body” reframed my idea of working with my body rather than against it while running, of entering into a partnership with it rather than seeing it as something to tamp into submission. I never ran a race when it didn’t feel right again. 

Since high school, I’ve continued running and racing for pleasure. I enjoy a challenge and I’m competitive. I’m able to run sustainably by respecting my knees when they say I haven’t done enough base training, not hitting the trail if I haven’t adequately fueled and hydrated, and saying no to races that don’t feel right, even if I’ve already paid for them.  

Establishing a good relationship with racing has allowed me to connect with all the other beautiful things that the sport can provide. I love the running community in Spokane, the gear shops and run clubs, and I still love picking up a few races each year. I’ve run through loneliness, frustration, anxiety, sadness and joy. I’ve run alone and with a stroller, on roads and on trails, near rivers and up mountains. Running has been a companion that has helped me through life, more partnership than punishment, and one good coach helped me see it that way long ago. 

In this issue of Out There Venture, we’ve rounded up our Race, Ride and Event Guide, a collection of the races in our region from March through October for runners, cyclists, walkers, triathletes, swimmers and paddlers. It’s an exciting list. I hope it sparks some inspiration to explore our region and the community that comes with racing and outdoor activities. And I hope you race for you. 

• Lisa Laughlin, managing editor  

The post Learning to Race for Good  appeared first on Out There Venture.

A steep, sketchy gully on Spokane’s South Hill just became a gateway to adventure. The new Rocket Gulch Stairs now connect neighborhood streets to the High Drive Bluff trail system, turning what was once a loose, hazardous slope into a sturdy, city-approved access point. Built by Washington Trails Association crews over the summer, the 82-step staircase (complete with retaining walls and handrails) links the end of the public right-of-way just south of 43rd Street and Hatch Road directly into the Bluff. The project was spearheaded by Friends of the Bluff, a volunteer-led nonprofit that’s spent years improving access to the 500-acre natural area above Latah Creek. 

The $65,000 project drew support from city parks, the Spokane Parks Foundation, Bartlett Tree Experts and dozens of community donors but also required about $30,000 from the group’s reserves to finish. High Drive Bluff’s 20-plus miles of trails have long been a magnet for hikers, runners and mountain bikers, yet safe neighborhood access points were limited. The new stairs change that, offering a direct, walk-in route for locals who’d rather skip the car and head straight into the pines. Friends of the Bluff plans to continue improving trail connections as funding allows. Learn more or support their work at Friendsofthebluff.org. 

The post New Rocket Gulch Stairs Expand Bluff Trails Access  appeared first on Out There Venture.

By Chris Maccini 

Cover photo courtesy of Diane Delanoy

It was 29 years ago that Galen Chamberlain first picked up a copy of Rich Landers’ classic guidebook, “100 Hikes in the Inland Northwest.” At age 60, he’d just retired from a career in construction and was enrolled in a backpack school course through the Spokane Mountaineers. At the time, Chamberlain was far from an avid hiker.  

“I did a lot of skiing and cross-country skiing, but I never walked any more than a hundred yards in my life if I could help it until their backpack school,” he says. “I remember when I got back to the trailhead after three days, I told one of the instructors, ‘I ain’t never gonna hike again.” 

But while his feet and shoulders may have ached after that first hike, there was something that drew him back to the trail. Soon, he was hooked, and he set himself a goal to hike 500 miles per year. Chamberlain has kept track of every mile of every hike for nearly three decades, a total of more than 14,500 miles. 

Over the years, Landers’ “100 Hikes” became a constant companion. Each time Chamberlain completed one of the hikes in the book, he checked it off, often making notes on the weather, trail conditions and his hiking companions. When he returned to a hike again, he added another mark. Some hikes, like nearby Mount Kit Carson in Mount Spokane State Park (Hike #21), he has done a whopping 96 times. But it wasn’t until many years of hiking that the idea occurred to Chamberlain to try to complete all 100 hikes.  “I just started knocking ’em off,” he says. “And then after I got 50 or 60, I thought, hey, why not shoot for a hundred?” 

The trails in “100 Hikes” are spread throughout Washington, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and British Columbia. In addition to being an active outdoorsman, Chamberlain was also a pilot. He owned a small airplane, which allowed him to fly in and camp at remote airstrips, giving him easier access to some of the more remote hiking areas such as the Cabinet Mountains in Montana and the Eagle Cap Wilderness in Oregon. One by one, he checked them off in his increasingly tattered copy of the guidebook. 

The 100th Hike Attempt to Mortar and Pestle Lakes 

In the summer of 2018, Chamberlain and a group of friends set out to complete the final hike in the book, number 100: Mortar-Pestle Lakes. The hike is located in British Columbia’s St. Mary’s Provincial Park, a remote wilderness area northwest of Cranbrook, BC. As Landers’ description in “100 Hikes” puts it, “This little niche of wilderness is so far off the beaten track, it doesn’t even have an official trail in its 22,650 acres.” Landers describes a steep, sparsely marked “trail” over granite boulders and alpine larch, noting that the area was previously home to a logging operation and “there’s a good chance you will have to seek out the trail to some degree.” He rates the hike “moderately difficult” in the book.   

When Chamberlain and his friends arrived in August of 2018, they knew there was wildfire activity in the area to contend with. The day before their scheduled hike, Chamberlain called BC Parks and asked about the trail’s status. They advised him to check the website in the morning to be sure the area was not restricted. Early the next day, everything looked clear. They packed up and started the drive to the trailhead under smoky skies. They’d driven less than 10 miles outside of Cranbrook when they were met with a blockade. Apparently, a new wildfire had started overnight, and no one had taken the time to update the website. There would be no hiking that day. The group turned around and headed home.  

But Chamberlain was determined to complete the hike one day. This was the final hike he needed to complete his 100-hikes goal, after all. He decided his next attempt would be earlier in the summer to avoid wildfire danger. In 2019, he once again gathered a group of fellow hiking enthusiasts and made the drive up to Cranbrook, BC. As all good outdoorsmen should, they checked the weather forecast beforehand and noted that there was a 20% chance of light rain on the day they planned to hike. Everything seemed to be lining up for a successful attempt. This time, they made the drive into the old logging roads which accessed the trailhead and spent the night at an old horse camp in the area. 

The next morning, it was indeed raining, and the road was in rough shape. But Chamberlain and his friends figured they must be close to the trailhead, according to the directions and rudimentary map in “100 Hikes.” They set out hiking to find the trailhead and complete the hike. After six hours of hiking in the pouring rain, unable to even find the beginning of the trail they were after, they decided to give up. Afterward, Chamberlain wrote across the top of the Mortar-Pestle Lakes page in his “100 Hikes” book, “FORGET IT.” He figured the final hike would elude him forever. 

One More Try 

A few years passed. Chamberlain continued to hike all over the Inland Northwest and beyond, often with friends he met through the Spokane Mountaineers, logging his 500 miles every year. Among his frequent hiking companions were Diane Delanoy and her husband, Ken, active members of the Spokane Mountaineers. Ken had been among the group of hikers turned away in 2018 due to wildfire. So they knew about Chamberlain’s goal of completing all 100 hikes, and they knew just how challenging the final hike had proved to be. When Chamberlain approached Diane and Ken about making one more attempt at the Mortar and Pestle lakes hike in 2025, Diane sprung into action. 

“I went onto Facebook and found a British Columbia hiking group and just kind of searched through their posts trying to find any mention of Mortar Lake,” Diane says. “I came up with one. This gal had been up there. So I contacted her, and she was able to send me the GPS tracking thing that got them to the trailhead.” 

With the local knowledge and GPS data loaded onto Diane’s phone, Chamberlain set out this past September with the Delanoys and another friend, Denise Beardslee, for one final attempt. Following the GPS up the old logging roads, the group was able to successfully locate the trailhead. To their surprise, it was well-marked with signage and a logbook. They camped at the trailhead that night, excited to start up the trail the next morning. When they did, they realized Landers’ trail rating of “moderately difficult” felt like an understatement.  

“Honestly, I thought it was the hardest hike I’ve ever done,” Diane says. “Even though it was less than five miles up and back, it is straight up the whole time. You just climb up, up, up, up, up till you get to a boulder field. And then you’ve got to get through that to the ridge, where we could see the two lakes.” 

The group had planned to camp in the wilderness area another night, but after the grueling hike, they drove out and spent the night at a campground. There, they celebrated Chamberlain’s accomplishment as he checked off the final hike in his weathered copy of “100 Hikes.” As he did, Chamberlain made one edit to Landers’ description: he crossed out the word “moderately” so that the trail rating read, “difficult.”

 

Looking Ahead and Inspiring Others 

Now that Chamberlain has completed all 100 hikes, he doesn’t have another major goal he’s looking to reach. “I’m still doing [the hikes],” he says. “I wouldn’t do them all [again], but there are a few I’d like to do again.” 

Some trails he would like to return to include the Tucannon River-Diamond Peak Loop in the Blue Mountains (#82), and Lookout Mountain east of Priest Lake (#37). Apart from that, he plans to keep hitting that 500-mile-per-year goal for as long as he can. 

And, of course, Chamberlain has a big milestone coming up next summer when he turns 90 years old. He doesn’t have a grand expedition planned, but says he might rent a local grange hall to celebrate with friends or maybe take a kayak trip through Priest Lake’s Thoroughfare.  

For Chamberlain’s friends and hiking companions like Diane Delanoy, Chamberlain is a constant inspiration to continue getting outdoors and having adventures no matter your age. “He really does motivate me,” Delanoy says. “If there’s a backpack or a hike and my husband will say, do you want to go? It’s like, nah, I don’t know. But if Chamberlain’s going, I want to go. Because if he can do it, I can do it. Plus, he always brings the fun.” 

As for Chamberlain’s advice to younger hikers? “Just keep going,” he says. “Do your yoga, do your daily exercises, walk every day. You never quit. You just can’t quit.” 

Chris Maccini is a writer and audio producer based in Spokane. This winter, you can find him on the ski slopes and cross-country trails of Mount Spokane. 

The post At 89, Spokane’s Galen Chamberlain Completes the “100 Hikes” Challenge appeared first on Out There Venture.

Some runners perk up when winter rolls around, energized by crisp air, fresh snow and quiet streets. Other runners go into self-preservation mode when confronted with cold temperatures and a monotone landscape. Winter urges them to take to their blankets and burrow until spring. 

Whichever camp you fall within, making a winter running bucket list can make the season more enjoyable. As you check off unique-to-winter running experiences, you’ll also build endurance that will improve your running come spring—and you might create a new running tradition you’ll look forward to year after year. 

Sunrise Run 

Many runners thrive on the rosy-hued optimism that comes from running as the sun rises. But unless you’re a natural early bird, the wake-up time can be painful: In June, the sun is up before 5 a.m.! This season, schedule a run to coincide with a winter sunrise, which happens in the 7:00 hour in January and February. You’ll feel rejuvenated; you’ll still finish with your run relatively early; and you’ll get some vitamin D at a time when your stores might be low. 

First Snowfall Run 

Have you ever watched a little kid play in untouched snow? These young explorers show pure joy in exploring a never-before-seen landscape. You can feel some of this same joy this winter! Check the forecast and plan to be the first to blaze your own trail after a snowfall.  

Winter Group Run 

When the weather is unwelcoming, community is key. Plan a run with a friend or meet up with a group like Fleet Feet’s Winter Warriors or any of the area’s many running clubs. (Check out the Bloomsday Road Runners Club calendar at Brrc.net for ideas.) Runs pass by more quickly with company, and the darkness feels far less enveloping when you’re with others. 

Winter Race 

Force yourself to stay active by signing up for a winter race. Whether it’s a half marathon in a sunny state or something local like Spokane’s Partners in Pain, putting a formal running commitment on the calendar gives you something to work toward when motivation is low. With a goal to structure your runs around, it will be easier to stay active. You might discover a new favorite race or find that your winter race PR is faster than you expected. 

Make It an Event 

Friends and family make things more fun. If you are still building your running community, see what’s on the docket with the local running groups mentioned above. They likely have fun winter events on the agenda. Or plan something with your own running buddies, like: 

• A neon night run: Gather a group, plan a safe route and run decked out in neon and glow sticks. 

• Winter trail run: Visit someplace you usually only see in warmer weather. Notice the difference in the scenery, your pace and your state of mind.  

• Family pajama run: Run in your PJs, then get hot chocolate. 

• Galentine’s Day run: In February, gather some ladies who lunch run. After your run, have brunch or a crafternoon (or a “Parks and Recreation” marathon to celebrate the original Galentine’s Day).  

• Progressive run: Kind of like a progressive dinner (appetizers at one house, main course at another, dessert at a third). Do dynamic stretches at one house; run to a second house where you stop for water, fuel and a bathroom break; then run to the final house, where you have a post-run stretch and snack. 

Whatever goes on your winter running bucket list, the season will be more fun if you explore new things, stay active and spend time in community. 

Sarah Hauge is a writer and editor who lives in Spokane with her husband and two children. She is looking forward to her first snowy run this winter and is registered for a couple of spring half marathons.  

The post Winter Running Bucket List  appeared first on Out There Venture.

Along the Centennial Trail in Riverside State Park. Photo: Derrick Knowles

Bowl and Pitcher, Riverside State Park (Spokane)

If you want a classic that feels like an actual “hike” without leaving town, start here. The Bowl and Pitcher loop is a short but scenic 2.1-mile route with river views, basalt outcroppings and the iconic footbridge over the Spokane River. A Discover Pass is required for parking. Tip for shoulder-season winter: if the trail is icy in the shade near the river, traction can make the walk immensely more safe and enjoyable. Learn more about trails around Riverside State Park here.

Dishman Hills Natural Area (Spokane Valley)

When the high country is socked in, the Dishman Hills can deliver quick forest strolls ponderosa pine forest and viewpoints that feel surprisingly wild for being on the edge of the city. Routes to destinations like Enchanted Ravine are short (2-miles round trip) and popular. Note that this natural area prioritizes wildlife and native plant preservation, and dogs must remain on a leash. This is one of the best places to catch a winter sunset on a clear day from a high point—just bring a headlamp for the hike back to your car.

When planning a winter hike, avoid muddy trails or trails transitioning between freezing and thawing when hikers can damage trails. Try hiking when trails are frozen or dry or choose trails with trails that drain better. Plan your Dishman Hills adventure here.

Saltese Uplands in late winter. Photo: Derrick Knowles

Saltese Uplands (Liberty Lake area)

Saltese is a strong winter pick when you want open views and a more “wide-sky” feel. The conservation area has more than 7 miles of trail exploring canyons and ridge tops, with views that can stretch toward Liberty Lake and Mount Spokane on clear days. Because it’s more exposed, it can dry out faster than shaded forest trails—but it can also be breezy, so layer up. Learn more about this Spokane County Conservation Futures area and trails here.

Slavin Conservation Area (southwest of Spokane)

For a mellow, low-elevation ramble with wetlands and a pine forest that attract many types of birds and waterfowl, Slavin is a great option. The Slavin Conservation Area is an expansive, rolling landscape with many trail options to create loops of varied length. It’s a nice option when you need to get out of the house in the winter and move your body in a beautiful place without committing to steep climbs and challenging trails. Find more info and a map here.

Post Falls Community Forest and Q’emiln Park (Post Falls)

Right across the Spokane River from Post Falls, this trail network offers lots of choose-your-own loops with river access, basalt rock features and a real “get out of town” feel without a long drive. This park and community forest is also a popular rock-climbing destination but come winter, hikers will generally have the trails to themselves. Find directions here.

Tubbs Hill (downtown Coeur d’Alene)

For a winter hike that pairs perfectly with coffee downtown, Tubbs Hill is hard to beat. It’s a 165-acre natural area owned and maintained by the City of Coeur d’Alene, with multiple access points and a trail around the perimeter. Enjoy views of downtown and Lake Coeur d’Alene on a loop around the hill or create your own extended hike incorporating other trails and loops. You can find a map of the trail system here.

Check out more winter hike recommendations around the region here or read up on the recommended essentials for winter hiking.

The post The Best Winter Hikes Near Spokane and Coeur d’Alene appeared first on Out There Venture.

Uncrowded and Untamed, Republic-Area Snowmobile Trails Showcase Washington’s Wild Side

Republic sits in that sweet spot for Inland Northwest snowmobiling: far enough from the I-90 corridor crowds to feel like you’ve escaped, but close enough to make a long weekend realistic out of Spokane and North Idaho. In winter, the mountains in and surrounding Ferry County in the Colville National Forest offer different riding options in every direction from town, including over 200 miles of groomed routes, rolling terrain and long tours that are well suited to families and mixed-skill groups—especially riders who want scenic mileage without committing to big, avalanche-prone alpine slopes.

The small Western town of Republic makes an excellent basecamp for exploring different trail systems too. Instead of driving to a single trailhead and being locked into one loop system, you can stage from town and check out several different Sno-Parks and trail networks close to town, tailoring each day to the group, the snow conditions and the vibe you’re after. Most of the trails are on land managed by the U.S. Forest Service with Sno-Park facilities and grooming provided by Washington State Parks.

Pick Your Staging Area: Five Go-To Snowmobile Options Near Republic

Before heading out on the snowy trails, make sure you have a Washington State Sno-Park Permit, which is required at all state Sno-Parks and helps make the facilities and grooming possible (find permit info here). Once you have your permit, make sure to have all of the supplies you’ll need to be self-sufficient for a day out in the winter backcountry.

If you want the simplest “show up, unload, and ride” option closest to town, start with Hall Creek Sno-Park, which provides access to 38 miles of groomed snowmobile trails, including loop options. The Sno-Park, just off of Highway 20 east of Republic, includes a vault toilet and parking suitable for trucks and trailers.

For longer day rides and a bigger network feel, look to Empire Lake Sno-Park north of town, with 57 miles of groomed trails with several loop options and additional ungroomed routes. It’s a go-to choice for groups who want to lay down some miles exploring this mid-elevation terrain with several lakes and frequent wildlife sightings.

Farther east off of Highway 20 over Sherman Pass, the Albian Hill Sno-Park offers a 32-mile groomed route that traverses the Kettle Range mountains all the way to Boulder Creek Road and the Bulldog staging area. This higher-elevation, one trail route typically holds snow throughout the season and makes an excellent out-and-back adventure of any length, especially if you’re trying to keep a group together.

And if your crew is willing to roam a little farther west of Republic, another classic network is the Bonaparte Sno-Park. Featuring 52 miles of groomed trails, it’s the kind of place that can turn into a full day of exploring spurs, viewpoints, and out-and-back routes without feeling like you’re stuck doing the same lap over and over.

One more option worth knowing about is Scatter Creek Staging Area, a smaller, more flexible access point south of town that’s open seasonally as snow cover allows. It’s also notable because no Sno-Park permit is required there (parking availability depends on conditions, and grooming is not guaranteed at staging areas). This is a lower elevation area that also has winter wildlife closure areas that are not open to snowmobiles, so ride responsibly.

Download maps for each of these trails systems at the Republic Regional Visitors and Convention Bureau website here. The site also includes links to the trail grooming schedule for each area so that you can time your trip around ideal conditions.

Staying Safe and Having Fun Snowmobiling around Republic

Snowmobiling always comes with real risk, and conditions can change fast. But the Republic area tends to shine for riders who want to keep things fun and limit exposure to avalanche terrain and challenging riding. Many of these routes follow forest-road style corridors and lower-angle terrain that can feel more approachable than steep, high-consequence mountain zones. It’s a good fit for family groups, newer riders building confidence, and anyone who’d rather make the day about views, fresh air, and steady cruising than about hunting down powder in aggressive terrain.

Make Republic Your Snowmobiling Basecamp

The best way to do this trip is to give yourself at least two ride days so you can sample different systems. Make it a choose-your-own-adventure: one day ride a shorter network to warm up and dial in the group, then spend another day on a longer system where you can stretch the mileage. Because the Sno-Parks are spread around the region, you can also chase the best snow. If one side of the range got wind-scoured or warmed up at lower elevations, pivot to another staging area instead of forcing it.

Back in town, Republic’s small, friendly main-street energy makes the off-sled hours feel like part of the experience, not just downtime. It’s easy to fuel up, grab a hot drink, swap route ideas with locals, and plan the next day—without the resort-town crowds or traffic. That’s what Republic delivers best—wild Northeast Washington scenery, uncrowded trail time, and an authentic winter sledding experience you can’t fake.

Republic has several lodging options for winter visitors looking to set up basecamp for a night or more in the winter wonderland of this historic town. Learn more about winter adventures in Republic and find lodging and other amenity info at the Republic Regional Visitors and Convention Bureau’s website.

(Sponsored by the Republic Regional Visitors and Convention Bureau)

The post Snowmobile Trails and Sno-Parks around Republic, WA appeared first on Out There Venture.

Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park has been teaching our community to ski and ride for generations. Just an hour from Spokane, it remains the region’s backyard mountain—easy to reach, affordable and built for families who want to spend real time outside together. 

The mountain is open seven days a week, offering 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. skiing Sunday through Tuesday and extending to 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday–Saturday for night skiing. Families can pack in full 12-hour ski days, enjoy quieter midweek laps or head up after work or school for a few hours under the lights. With six lifts, 53 runs and 1,700 acres of varied terrain, there’s plenty of space for every ability level. 

Mt. Spokane also offers one of the most fun non-ski activities on the mountain: snow tubing. The dedicated tubing hill features a 400-foot slope, perfect for families, groups and younger kids who aren’t ready for skis or snowboards. Tubing tickets range from $15–$35, making it one of the most accessible winter activities for all ages. 

The mountain’s terrain parks continue to grow their regional reputation as well. Recently recognized nationally for creative features, Mt. Spokane’s parks offer progression for riders of all levels, giving kids and teens a place to build confidence and try new terrain in a controlled environment. 

Learning is a central part of the Mt. Spokane experience. The resort’s multiweek programs are the most consistent and effective way for kids to build skills. Students ski with the same instructor and group each week, accelerating progress and creating natural opportunities for new friendships. Families can choose a single program or combine multiple sessions for a full season of learning. 

A standout option is Friday Night Club Shred for ages 4 to 12. Running Dec. 26 through March 13 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Club Shred blends instruction with activities like games, crafts and snow play. Each session includes a kids-only dinner, and at $49 (or $99 for the family package that includes two adult lift tickets), it’s one of the region’s most affordable youth programs. Parents often use the evening to get their own night-ski laps in—Club Shred has become a built-in “date night” on the mountain. 

Affordability remains a major part of Mt. Spokane’s identity. A recent HomeToGo study ranked the resort the second-most-affordable ski destination in the U.S., noting its balance of terrain, lift pricing and access. With rentals, lessons, tubing, terrain parks and even uphill travel options, families can build a full winter routine without destination-resort prices. 

Add in a season full of winter events, and Mt. Spokane continues to be the mountain where many families learn, explore and make winter memories that last. More information at Mtspokane.com.

(Sponsored by Mt. Spokane) 

The post Why Mt. Spokane Offers the Best Affordable Family Winter Adventure Near Spokane appeared first on Out There Venture.

By Holly Weiler

Cover photo courtesy of Holly Weiler

Mount Spokane State Park transitions to a winter wonderland each December as the alpine ski area opens for the season, grooming begins on the vast Nordic trail system and all of the summer hiking trails not touched by those two systems become snowshoe trails. There are also a couple of bonus trails for winter—trails that do not exist during the summer recreation season.  

Tucked into the back corner of the Lower Selkirk Sno-Park lot is Trail 260, a special, winter-only snowshoe trail. This trail begins in Mount Spokane State Park but crosses onto Inland Empire Paper Company (IEP) land that is only accessible in winter via a special-use agreement with Washington State Parks to allow winter recreation on IEP land. No dirt was moved in the creation of this wooded path, but that’s the beauty of a snowshoe trail—the path is best once the powder becomes deep. 

The trail can be somewhat tricky to navigate in the early season before the snow has piled up. Wait until the snow depth is at least 3 feet, enough to cover alder along the trail, before giving this route a try. The trail begins under a dense tree canopy near the Sno-Park lot, staying parallel to Linder Ridge briefly before intersecting an old logging road that drops down the hill. At the bottom, the trail exits into an old logging area beginning to grow in with a mix of young trees. Western larch will lack needles in winter, but there is also a mix of western white pine, hemlock and grand fir. The route makes a short figure eight on IEP property at the bottom of the descent and is among the quietest snowshoe trails, generally offering solitude not found elsewhere in the park. The only drawback? This is a trail that begins with a downhill trek, which means the return trip is a bit of a climb. Round-trip distance is approximately 3 miles with 600 feet of elevation gain. 

Getting There:  

From Spokane, take State Route 206 (Mount Spokane Highway) to the park entrance. Continue 3.4 miles beyond the park office to the Lower Selkirk Sno-Park lot. The trail begins at the northeast corner of the lot. 

Holly Weiler is the Eastern Washington Region Senior Coordinator for Washington Trails Association. Between Nordic skiing and snowshoe outings, she spends practically all of her free time at Mount Spokane each winter.  

The post Mount Spokane State Park Trail 260 Snowshoe Guide and Winter Access Tips appeared first on Out There Venture.

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. 

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Plan Your Winter Escape to Backcountry Ski, Snowshoe, Cross-Country Ski, or Fat Bike on the Trails around Republic, Wa.

The small northeast Washington town of Republic, surrounded by mountains, trails and several Sno-Parks, is the kind of place where close-to-town winter adventures come steeped in solitude that may feel like you’re 1,000 miles from nowhere. A cross-country ski outing on the Ferry County Rail Trail or up at the Deer Creek Nordic Sno-Park at the top of Boulder Pass will greet you with such a still, snowy quiet that you may swear you can hear snowflakes falling. And you’re bound to see more snowshoe hare tracks than other humans on a backcountry ski tour in the Kettle Range up at Sherman Pass (the highest all-season pass in Washington).

Even though it’s only a 2.5-hour drive north from Spokane, Republic, the county seat of sparsely populated Ferry County, has held onto its western mountain-town roots as a mining and logging hub. Historic buildings line the stoplight- and chain store-free main drag, housing small businesses that serve the local community and visitors alike. With a couple of hotels, local restaurants, coffee shops, a bakery and even a local craft brewery, it’s a welcome alternative to crowded resort towns and an easy place to settle into as a base camp for winter adventures.

Some of the Best Winter Adventures Around Republic

The Republic area has the winter adventure bases covered, whether you’re into snowshoeing, backcountry or Nordic skiing, snowmobiling or fat biking. For human-powered winter sports, there are several options.

The Ferry County Rail Trail offers a flat, non-motorized pathway for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing or fat biking, depending on the snow conditions. Portions of the trail are groomed throughout the winter for cross-country skiing.

Up in the nearby Kettle Range Mountains, two mountain passes, Boulder and Sherman, offer backcountry and cross-country skiers and snowshoers easy access to a winter wonderland. The Deer Creek Nordic Sno-Park at Boulder Pass features six miles of groomed Nordic-ski trails. Skiers with backcountry-touring gear and snowshoers have endless possibilities for exploring the open forests of the recently burned mountain slopes on both sides of the pass.

At the Sherman Pass Sno-Park, there are options for mellow snowshoe hikes and challenging peak ascents. Backcountry skiers willing to earn their turns have access to some of the best backcountry slopes in the Inland Northwest. Avalanches are possible in the mountains around Sherman Pass, and all skiers and snowshoers should come prepared with appropriate avalanche training and safety gear. A Washington Sno-Park permit is required at both trailheads.

2026 Winter Events in Republic and Ferry County

Republic and Ferry County also host several unique winter events that are worth planning a trip around.

Republic’s Winterfest celebration for 2026 is set for Friday evening and all day Saturday, Jan. 9-10. The event features a Friday evening light parade and multiple creative events and contests on Saturday, including outhouse races, a K-9 keg pull, tug-of-war and other family-friendly activities.

Nordic and backcountry skiers should have the Altai Skis Backcountry Ski & Hok Festival on their radar. Happening Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 7-8, 2026 (pending Forest Service approval as of December 2025), the event offers a chance to demo backcountry ski-touring gear from Ferry County-based Altai Skis and explore the local backcountry terrain with others. The weekend-long event takes place up at the Deer Creek Nordic Sno-Park near Curlew in the Kettle Range.

Another Nordic ski event popular with both locals and skiers from around the region is the annual Ferry County Rail Trail Ski Day, which takes place on a weekend in January or February, depending on snow conditions. Participants can try out cross-country ski gear and take free ski lessons. Follow the Ferry County Rail Trail Partners on Facebook for this year’s ski day details.

Winter Road and Snow Safety

 Mountain passes around Republic including Boulder and Sherman passes may experience winter storm conditions, and visitors need to come prepared for varying road and trailhead conditions. Check out our backcountry winter guide to the Republic area for more trail and terrain suggestions for backcountry skiing and snowshoeing. Because the high peaks of the Kettle Crest include some avalanche terrain, be aware of avalanche risks in the area and go prepared when exploring backcountry terrain on skis, splitboard, snowshoes, or snowmobile.

Where to Stay in Republic in the winter

Republic has several lodging options for winter visitors looking to set up basecamp for a night or more in the winter wonderland of this historic mountain town. Learn more about winter adventures in Republic and find lodging and other amenity info at the Republic Regional Visitors and Convention Bureau’s website.

(Sponsored by the Republic Regional Visitors and Convention Bureau)

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