The 2026 Big Horn Outdoor Adventure Show returns March 19-22 to the Spokane Fair & Expo Center with a choose-your-own-adventure mix of gear, how-to learning and kid-friendly attractions for anglers, hunters and anyone who prioritizes time outside. Now in its 64th year, the volunteer-powered show is produced by the Inland Northwest Wildlife Council nonprofit organization.

Daily seminars and demonstrations led by local guides and field experts cover skills from casting and fishing techniques to backcountry know-how, with interactive attractions like Fishing World, archery, gem hunting at the Silvermine and a kids’ adventure map offering something for all ages. Fishing World is an event highlight with live-fish pools where little anglers can catch a real fish. There’s also an airsoft rifle range, trophy displays, a lounge for those 21 and older and other live entertainment. Hours run noon-7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $15 online and $18 at the door for adults, with discounts for youth, seniors, veterans, military and first responders; kids 5 and under are free, and kids under 13 get in free Sunday. Details and tickets are available at Inwc.org/big-horn-show.

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A major land conservation effort has added 2,135 acres of sagebrush steppe and Columbia River shoreline to Washington’s Big Bend Wildlife Area in Douglas County. Western Rivers Conservancy (WRC) recently transferred Big Bend Ranch—a property featuring 1.5 miles of river frontage—to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) for permanent protection and public access. Located 14 miles northwest of Grand Coulee, the ranch’s basalt cliffs, rolling hills and wetland spring habitat support a variety of wildlife, including the Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, one of Washington’s most imperiled bird species. The property also fronts Rufus Woods Lake, a 51-mile reservoir between Grand Coulee and Chief Joseph dams that retains flowing current and supports kokanee and rainbow trout. 

“Conserving these places is critical for upland game birds and other wildlife, and it gives people more opportunity to experience what remains of the Columbia Plateau’s sagebrush-steppe,” said Jessica Inwood, Washington project manager for WRC. With the addition of Big Bend Ranch, the Big Bend Wildlife Area now totals about 24,000 acres of protected public land. The expansion opens new opportunities for hunting, hiking, mountain biking and wildlife viewing on one of the Upper Columbia’s most scenic and ecologically significant stretches. 

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If you are dreaming of sunnier, warmer days outside, the Spokane Great Outdoors Expo is a shot of summer when we need it most in the dead of winter. It’s a lively gathering with experts in the local outdoors community, RVs and outdoor gear on display and for sale, presentations and demonstrations on a variety of outdoor topics, prize drawings, and enough engaging kids’ activities to keep families occupied for hours. Visit Spokaneoutdoorexpo.com for the full schedule and details.  

TONS OF FUN FOR KIDS & PARENTS 

The Spokane Great Outdoors Expo is a savior if your family has been spending their winter days indoors, with enough kids’ activities, entertainment and indoor bike riding to turn another winter weekend at home into an adventure! Parents will find plenty to love, including RVs and outdoor gear, outfitters and gear shops, travel destinations and a full bar. 

Extreme Halfpipe Skateboarding Demos  

Watch rippin’ skateboarders pull off sick stunts on and off the half pipe! Demonstrations happen both days indoors at the Expo courtesy of Hopper Skateboards, Yousta, and sponsor Layne Stoops State Farm, your local Spokane insurance agency. 

Kids’ Adventure Passport Activity 

Kids and parents can explore the Great Outdoors Expo, visiting multiple booths to complete learning activities, art projects and other creative and fun challenges. Kids collect stamps in a passport booklet at each station that can be exchanged for a bag of prizes for kids and parents when they finish. 

Magic Shows by Magician Matthew Vanzee 

Kids and adults will be dazzled by these shows all weekend long by talented local magician Matthew Vanzee. Last year, his shows drew a standing-room-only crowd as he performed tricks that inspired wonder, gasps and laughter. Don’t miss this show! 

Live Wild Animal Presentations 

Get up close and personal with live snakes, other reptiles, insects, and raptors including hawks and owls and learn about these amazing animals (presentations both days). 

• Reptiles Presentation: Learn about the fascinating world of reptiles by getting up close with some live reptiles in a hands-on learning experience. Gain a deeper appreciation for these often-misunderstood creatures.  

• Hawk and Owl Presentation: Discover the world of birds of prey and see some live raptors up close while learning about the hunting skills, behaviors, and unique characteristics of these impressive birds as well as the role they play in maintaining ecological balance in the wild.  

Kids’ Indoor Bike Riding Area  

Kids of all ages can try out different bikes, from Strider balance bikes for the littles to BMX bikes for “kids” of all ages including adults in an indoor riding area (all weekend long). 

Archery for Kids and Youth 

Learn about archery with local experts and get the chance to experience the art of the bow and arrow in a safe, educational environment—all indoors.  

Marshmallow Roasting 

Roast free marshmallows at our indoor “Expo Campground” around a faux campfire, complete with live music, camp chairs and games. 

Learn How to Use a Crosscut Saw 

Ever wonder what it’s like to be on the end of a cross-cut saw clearing trail? Give it a try with members of the Idaho Trails Association and learn about ways you can help keep Idaho’s wilderness trails clear and accessible while meeting other like-minded volunteers. 

Indoor Expo Campground 

Enjoy our indoor campground as you dream about next summer’s adventures! Kick back in a camp chair, roast a marshmallow, play yard games, enjoy an adult beverage, check out RVs from R’nR RV and listen to live American string music. The indoor “Campground” is also where we hold hourly drawings for thousands of dollars in outdoor gear and other prizes. 

JOIN NEGATIVE SPLIT’S 5K “SWAG RUN”  

What’s the Swag Run, you ask? If you’re even a casual runner, this is your chance to get outside on a 5K run with other smiling faces and get a morning workout on the scenic trails and pathways around Riverfront Park and the Spokane River. The cool thing about Negative Split’s Swag Run is that participants get to take home leftover swag from past races. The race starts and finishes at the Great Outdoors Expo at the Spokane Convention Center Saturday morning (Feb. 21). Runners also score a free ticket to the Great Outdoors Expo at the finish line! Sign up at Nsplit.com. 

FREE ENTRY INTO THE SPOKANE GOLF SHOW 

Your Expo ticket doubles as entry to the Spokane Golf Show going on in the same space at the convention center.  

PRESENTATIONS ON OUTDOORSY TOPICS  

Learn about wildlife, trails and natural history at presentations by local experts happening all weekend long. Past presentations have covered topics including staying safe in the outdoors around bears and other predators, wilderness survival, local trails and natural areas, navigating the different types of e-bikes and where you can ride them, identifying native birds and more. Check the full schedule at Spokaneoutdoorexpo.com. 

SCORE A FREE BONUS ADVENTURE DEAL WITH YOUR TICKET  

Choose from one of several free bonus adventure deals with your Spokane Great Outdoors Expo ticket purchase while they last. All bonus deals are redeemable only at the 2026 Spokane Great Outdoors Expo with your ticket stub. In past years, bonus deals included discounts on indoor climbing, ziplining, Stonerose Fossil Site digging, Route of the Hiawatha kids’ shuttle, skydiving and more! 

OVER 70 OUTDOOR EXPERTS ALL IN ONE PLACE 

Talk to real human experts on all things outdoor recreation related at the Great Outdoors Expo, from nonprofit conservation groups, public lands managers and outdoor clubs to RV dealers and overlanding companies, travel destinations, outdoor gear retailers, outfitters and guides and more. 

Whether you’re planning next summer’s adventures, looking for family fun in the middle of winter or just wanting to connect with Spokane’s outdoors community, the Great Outdoors Expo is the place to be. Mark your calendar for Feb. 21–22 and get ready to explore the outdoors—indoors. Visit Spokaneoutdoorexpo.com for more info and tickets.  

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Cover photo courtesy of Adam Gebauer

Picture a stand of large ponderosa trees with thick black and red puzzled bark, spaced far apart so their canopies don’t touch, grasses growing in the understory with a few sparse shrubs and saplings. This is the type of habitat that is shaped by frequent, low-intensity fire. There are no ladder fuels or an accumulation of wood on the forest floor to carry fire up into the crowns of trees. This type of forest is the goal of many prescribed burns in our dry east side ponderosa pine forests. 

Fire has shaped the landscapes of Eastern Washington, as it has with many of the landscapes across North America. Some studies have estimated that 60% of North America historically experienced regular fire intervals. Prairie fires prevented trees from encroaching and returned nutrients to the soil. Fires in western forests opened up the canopy to create meadows and propagate new trees, reduced the number of trees per acre and allowed grasses to grow in the understory. But different landscapes have evolved with different fire return intervals that are affected by climate, elevation, aspect and the plant species present. Subalpine forests would see fires every 300 to 400 years, whereas ponderosa pine forests had fires every 1 to 125 years. 

Unfortunately, fire suppression has been occurring in North America for almost 200 years, from outlawing tribal members from conducting cultural burning to federal policies that have focused largely on suppression. But, along with naturally occurring fire from lightning, people have been using fire to manipulate their environment for tens of thousands of years. Tribes in the region would burn meadows to increase camas yields or reduce tree cover in huckleberry patches. These manipulated fires would improve forage for large game and open up sight lines to improve hunting. Fires were also used for ceremonial practices and tribes had a close community connection to this tool. 

The lack of fire has altered many landscapes and therefore habitat for wildlife. In mid-elevation forests in the Inland Northwest, there is a lack of open forest conditions that support the aspen and grasslands preferred by grizzly bears, ungulates and wolves. Fires produce snags that support white-headed woodpeckers. They reduce thatch, the dead grass and pine needles, creating a connection with seeds and the soil. Ponderosa pines prefer to germinate on mineral soil and areas where the sun gets to the forest floor. Species like lodgepole pine have serotinous cones, meaning they only open to release their seeds when exposed to heat from a forest fire. 

Prescribed fire, the carefully planned and intentionally implemented practice of lighting fire, can help these landscapes accept naturally occurring, low-intensity fire. Other benefits of prescribed fires include wildfire hazard reduction, controlling competing vegetation, thinning and release of crop trees, disease control, site preparation, increasing the quantity and quality of forage for livestock grazing and managing and improving wildlife habitat. 

The first time you get to wield a drip torch or dig a containment line, you come to understand all the planning and experience that is needed to execute a prescribed burn. When you return to the site the next season, you can see the regeneration of seedlings and grasses and the hoof prints of deer and moose moving through the area. Many prescribed and cultural burns can be events that bring the community together to put good fire back on the landscape. 

Adam is gearing up for ski season by trying to stay uninjured. He has several backcountry ski trips planned to the far north and far east. 

The post Why Prescribed Burns Matter: The Role of Good Fire in Healthy Forests 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.

By Karie Lee Knoke 

Winter transforms the landscape into a blank canvas. Fresh snow covers the ground, softening every edge and silencing the world. But for those who know where to look, this quiet season reveals a secret language. Tracks, trails and signs left by animals going on about their lives. Tracking in winter isn’t just about identifying footprints; it’s about reading the story of survival written across the snow. 

The Art of Seeing While Wildlife Tracking 

The first rule of tracking is to slow down. Walk quietly, notice patterns and let your eyes adjust to the subtleties of snow. A crisp, clean snowfall is a tracker’s dream, capturing every step, slide and wingbeat in fine detail. But even days after a storm, melted and refrozen impressions can tell as much about time and behavior as they do about species. 

Early morning is the best time to head out. The light is low and slanted, casting long shadows that make shallow impressions easier to see. A hand lens or small ruler helps measure track size and depth, and a notebook or phone camera keeps a record for later study. 

Reading the Clues 

Each track carries a signature combination of shape, stride and pattern. The spacing between prints tells how fast an animal was moving; the depth hints at its weight, or the preparation of a pounce; and the symmetry reveals its gait. 

Deer leave two neat, heart-shaped prints, each about 2 to 3 inches long. In soft snow, their hooves cut deep and sharp. A wandering line means the deer was browsing for twigs, while a direct, steady trail suggests it was traveling between feeding and bedding areas. 

Snowshoe hares print in a distinctive pattern: two large hind feet land ahead of the smaller front ones as they hop. Their tracks often appear in clusters, each group marking a single bound. Look for them near thickets, brush piles or the edges of open fields where they feed at dusk and dawn. 

Bobcats and mountain lions walk with a smooth, straight pattern, often along brushy edges. When trotting, you’ll see alternating left-right prints. When stalking, they tighten up and sometimes overlap perfectly, called “direct register walking.” Their prints are round, with no claw marks as they have retractable claws.  

Squirrels leave tracks that seem almost playful. Their large hind feet land ahead of the smaller fronts, creating a leapfrog pattern that leads from tree base to tree base. Scattered bits of cone debris nearby mark feeding spots, often called “middens.” 

Following the Story 

Winter tracking is less about finding the animal itself and more about understanding its habits. Every trail is a mystery of motion and intention. As in a “whodunit” story, embrace the inspector role: Who? What are they doing? Where are they headed and where did they come from? When or how long ago? And why? 

Let the mystery unfold as you take in all the signs that you see, hear, smell and feel. If you’re following fresh mountain lion tracks, I suggest following them back from where they came, not to where they were headed. Best not to find yourself face-to-face with one!  

Spend enough time tracking and the forest begins to speak in a new language. What once looked like an empty white field becomes alive with paths, decisions and dramas unfolding in silence. You realize you’re walking through a world in motion, one that never really sleeps. 

So the next time fresh snow falls, grab your boots and head outside. Slow down, look closely and follow the prints. Every mark in the snow is a story of survival, and in reading them, you become part of that story too. 

Karie Lee Knoke is a wilderness and primitive-skills instructor and founder of Sacred Cedars Wilderness School. She was a contestant on the reality survival TV show, “Alone,” Season 9, on the History Channel. For more information, go to Karieleeknoke.com or follow her on Facebook @SacredCedarsWildernessSchool or Instagram @karie_lee_knoke. 

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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.

Cover photo courtesy of Jon Jonckers

For The River Beer stands out not because it’s trying to reinvent the wheel with uplifting flavor, but because it nails its promise: a refreshing, accessible lager made with community, place, and purpose in mind.  

Ten percent of proceeds go to Spokane Riverkeeper’s mission toward protecting the Spokane River. This Wildland Cooperative brewery release, an American light lager, is equally crisp and refreshing by the river or sitting on the tailgate with your friends after a long hike or mountain bike ride. Style wise, it features 4.9% ABV and an IBU around 18; we recommend that you serve it ice cold. 

The main highlight of the beer is the taste, but a close second might be the can’s label featuring the native redband trout, a species iconic to the Spokane River watershed and a symbol of ecological resilience. This partnership also brings together purpose-driven agriculture with Salmon-Safe-certified hops and grain, community advocacy and local Green Bluff craft, resulting in a product that’s flowing with impact. 

The Spokane Riverkeeper is a vigilant advocate for the Spokane River and its watershed. They envision a Spokane River where wild native fish thrive, pollution is eliminated and the whole watershed community is engaged in the river’s protection. For The River Beer is just one small step in that direction. 

Wildland Cooperative is giving back in other ways too by designating areas of their land as wildlife corridors and spaces to remain wild, preserving natural habitat and supporting biodiversity. Their Green Bluff Taphouse is the ideal place to have a pint or pick up a four-pack, but the beer will also be sold at many other local craft-beer outlets.

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Cover photo courtesy of Jon Jonckers

First published in 1987, “100 Hikes in the Inland Northwest” became an instant success. The popular guide is one of four guidebooks published by Rich Landers, an award-winning outdoors writer and avid outdoorsman best known for his long career at The Spokesman-Review. For more than 40 years, Landers inspired readers with stories from his adventures that celebrated the natural beauty, wildlife and outdoor traditions of the Pacific Northwest. His writings blend deep ecological knowledge with a lifelong passion for hiking, hunting, paddling and other outdoor pursuits. 

“Ira Spring and Harvey Manning launched the 100 Hikes series with an environmental edge,” says Landers. “That paved the way for me to enhance ‘100 Hikes in the Inland Northwest’ with the environmental watchdog themes I’d already introduced to the region’s Outdoors coverage in The Spokesman-Review. If I was going to invest years into this project, it was going to be much more than a trails guidebook.” 

Roughly 15 years later, Landers published the second edition, which included some new hikes, some spur trails, some backpacking loops and additional information. When asked about working on the second edition with his publisher, he recalls, “Mountaineers Books has been a leader introducing the public to outdoor recreation and the responsibility that goes with it to protect our natural resources. The editors I’ve worked with have been excellent.” 

A few years after the second edition gained notoriety, Landers joined Facebook. At the time, he still worked at the Spokesman, and he had written a few other books, so naturally he started writing posts about anyone who had completed all 100 hikes. Years later, he’s still posting about century hikers. Many of the hikes are difficult, many have been affected by wildfire and many have near-impossible roads to reach the trailhead. But it’s worth mentioning that two people completed all 100 hikes in 2025. 

Just as any parent refuses to admit to having a favorite child, Landers refuses to admit to having a favorite hike. But he will admit to liking certain hikes for certain reasons and seasons. However, when asked which hike he believes is the most difficult when you factor in elevation, remoteness, high-clearance vehicle requirements, and shortest season, he had a great answer. “Right now, that would be British Columbia’s Earl Grey Pass Traverse in the Purcell Wilderness, which is basically closed because of enormous damage by wildfire and wind. Too bad. It’s a fantastic route. Jump on it if it’s ever reopened.” 

But keep in mind that Landers is a well-documented prankster. He’s the kind of hiker who might tell you that you’re almost there, even if you have seven miles to go. Technically, the route is closed at this time, and it could just as easily be his favorite hike or somewhere far down the list, so do your own conditions research before attempting it.  

Finally, if you’re a fan of “100 Hikes in the Inland Northwest,” do yourself a favor and check out his other books at your favorite local bookstore.  

The post About “100 Hikes” Author Rich Landers  appeared first on Out There Venture.

Cover photo courtesy of WDFW

This past spring I got to accompany a wolf biologist as he was attempting to collar a wolf in a pack in Northeast Washington. This pack already had a collared pack member, but that collar was malfunctioning, so using the data already collected he set forth to capture another wolf in the pack. During our windshield time we got to swapping stories of wildlife work, backcountry trip leading, and I got to pepper the bio with questions about working with a species of wildlife that—perhaps more than any other in North America—raises the hackles of some and is elevated above all by others. I came to realize that when working with such a contentious, elusive, complex, and endearing species, one must perfect a kind of art along with knowing the science. 

Know Thy Wolf 

To be an effective wildlife biologist, you must know the habits of the animals you study. Wolves are highly social animals that are wary of people. They can range widely in a day, and, if a wolf is a disperser (not associated with a pack), they can travel miles looking for another pack or a mate. In Washington, the average pack size is 4.4 with territories of around 257.7 square miles, but pack size and territories change over time. Washington’s wolves also can and do disperse outside the state. In 2024, seven wolves made their way to British Columbia and Idaho. Biologists use a lot of this information to determine where the animals’ denning and rendezvous sites are. These are the areas where the wolves will return to frequently, and, if there are pups about, they will be bringing food back. These are also great places to set camera traps and areas to try to trap wolves to attach a tracking collar.  

To understand wolf populations, biologists look at multi-year trends and use winter pack surveys, known dispersals, tribal hunting reports, poaching reports, natural deaths (from other wolves or cougars), and add a conservative percentage to account for unknown individuals. Up until last year, there has been an average of 20 percent increase in the wolf populations. Pup survival averages just 25 percent. This is in part why population surveys are done in winter, counting pups that survived from the spring and are likely to become adults. At this time, poaching of wolves dispersing to Washington’s Southern Cascades is the main limiting factor keeping pack establishment in that recovery zone and delaying delisting of wolves from the state endangered species list. 

Tracking and Trapping 

How do you know you are looking at a wolf track? Wolves have big feet—3 ½ to 4 inches. There are some livestock guardian dogs that can have similarly-sized feet, but typically wolf tracks are much larger than your average pet dog. Wolves travel long distances, and they do it efficiently. Their tracks are straight and rarely deviate. Dogs, on the other hand, will zigzag, sniff, and mark anything and everything. Stride length is the last sign that can help determine if it is a dog or a wolf. A wolf will have a stride of 24 to 38 inches when walking. That stride can be up to 6 to 8 feet when running. Accounting for stride length, pad size, and a straight track, a seasoned tracker can be confident in identification. 

The innate behavior of wolves determines how you can trap them. They will not cross a road to investigate a scent. They will take the insides of a corner, because that is the most efficient path. Wolves try to be quiet roaming the woods, so they won’t step on sticks when investigating a scent. All of these considerations must be taken into account for success when setting traps for research and monitoring. 

Wolf Medicine in the Field 

A wolf biologist also needs to know the baseline vitals for these animals. Wild animals generally run hotter than their domestic counterparts, and, when humans are handling them, they can become very stressed. The wolf we worked with had a pulse oxygen monitor attached to its tongue and regular temperatures were taken. Often the tranquilizer drugs used have multiple effects, including lowering heart rate and changing blood pressure.  

There have been a variety of different medications used on wildlife to immobilize them over the years. Some of these are controlled substances and have the potential for abuse (think ketamine). States also have different laws on how these drugs are stored, administered and licensed. When I was knocking out porcupines in New Mexico early in my career, a licensed vet had to administer the drugs. A wolf biologist has to know the correct dosage, how to load the needle or dart, and where to administer it.  

Talking Wolves to People 

Finally, a wolf biologist, along with others that work with large predators, needs to be diplomatic when they work with the public. Ranchers work on thin margins and care for the well-being of their animals—more so than just their financial worth—so any additional impacts can create emotional reactions. Similarly, on the other end of the wolf love-hate spectrum, there are those who think wolves have more importance in the ecosystem than any other species. Their notion of wildness and their resemblance to our family dogs can elicit strong feelings from others. It is hard to have a nuanced conversation about wolves on the landscape, because the opposing sides are so loud, but that is precisely a wolf biologist’s job. 

There may seem to be many glamorous aspects of being a wolf biologist—handling large predators, cruising the woods looking for tracks and hanging out of helicopters for winter surveys. But there is also the building of nuanced knowledge that can take years, and the ability to navigate the political and emotional nature of working with predators and the public. 

Adam Gebauer is excited to get back on his bike as the weather cools. He also is totally, absolutely sure he will do some training for ski season this year. 

The post The Art of Being a Wolf Biologist: Science, Patience, and Empathy in Washington’s Wolf Country appeared first on Out There Venture.