The Spokane County Conservation Futures program includes more than 40 protected properties for a total of 9,145 acres throughout the county that serve as open space, wildlife habitat, and places for trail user to hike, bike, run, and enjoy.

The 2021 Conservation Futures nominations round closed on July 31 for eight prospective proprieties proposed as additions and now there’s a virtual public meeting for comments on the nominations that you can participate in. Scheduled for September 9 starting at 5-7:30 p.m. via a Zoom webinar (meeting link), this meeting will also be a great chance to learn more about the Conservation Futures program.

Detailed instructions for how the public comment section of the public meeting will work will be provided at the meeting. Each nomination will have a 10-minute comment period maximum with two minutes maximum allocated per commenter. 

Zoom Webinar Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84923466415 | Phone: 1-877-853-5257 | Meeting ID: 849 2346 6415.

Fall is one of the best seasons of the year to explore the mostly low-elevation Conservation Futures properties around Spokane. There is likely one with trails near where you live that makes for an easy after-work or weekend hiking or mountain bike outing.

Visit the Conservation Futures homepage for information about each area, including trail info and directions.

For more stories about Spokane County Conservation Futures, visit the OTO archives.

[Feature photo by Todd Dunfield. // Mica Peak Conservation Area]

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In July and August, you’ll see native wildflowers flush the area with hues of white, blue, purple, and yellow. Look for yarrow, bachelor’s buttons, wavy-leaf thistles, goldenrod, and more this time of year.

This is a great place to stroll with kids or babies strapped to your back, as the elevation gain is mild and there are several out-and-back or short loop options. Dogs should remain on leash, since this area is home to waterfowl and songbirds that frequent the small lake at the center of this trail’s loop. Equestrian riders are also common.

What I enjoy most about this hike is its “best of both worlds” feeling. Half of the time I’m wandering through a singletrack wooded trail, looking close at the plants and flowers with a peek of the lake every now and then; the other half I’m strolling an open meadow, where the clouds take precedence and you can soak in the seasonal color palette at large. It’s a place that inspires deep breathing.

Take the full 3-mile loop around the lake to experience both trail types. Seasonal trail closure occurs in the northwest corner due to flooding. In upcoming months, grasses will turn taupe and gold for a beautiful morning or sunset hike.

Visit Spokanecounty.org for a trail map and list of the 121 species of birds that find habitat here.

To learn about some of the other best hiking trails and destinations throughout the Inland Northwest, visit the OTO archives.

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When your boots crunch through the dirt, or your tires race over a technical section of trail, or you catch a glimpse of an eagle in the trees, do you wonder how that land is available for your enjoyment? As recreationists, it’s all too common that we take land for granted—thinking it has always been, and always will be, available for our use. 

Think of areas like the Little Spokane River, Beacon Hill, Liberty Lake Regional Park, Palisades Park, Iller Creek, and Saltese Uplands. What do these local areas have in common?

Besides providing beautiful destinations for enjoyment of the outdoors, they are all home to pieces of land that experienced widespread use before they were open to the public. In recent years, securing public access in commonly used but privately owned areas has gotten a lot of attention with projects like “Make Beacon Public.” 

Organizations like Evergreen East, Spokane County, Washington State Parks, and other entities work hard to protect places that have become meaningful to our recreation community. One of the unsung heroes of this work is Inland Northwest Land Conservancy. INLC has worked to bring about land deals that protect things like the cedar forest on the Liberty Lake Loop, the kiosk area at the head of the Iller Creek Trail, access to Avista-owned property on Beacon Hill, and most recently, Waikiki Springs Nature Preserve on the Little Spokane River. 

INLC needs your help to raise $500,000 to protect more land that is currently (illegally) being trafficked by well-meaning but likely oblivious recreational users. These fifty-five acres (about 42 football fields) are adjacent to the Saltese Uplands Conservation Area, where usage has increased 48% over the past two years, reflecting rapid residential growth in Spokane Valley and Liberty Lake.

Located on Henry Road, the Uplands are home to dozens of species of birds and native plants. Across the street, Spokane County Environmental Services is restoring the historic wetlands of the Saltese Flats and working on a proposed nature education center nearby. The land to be purchased by INLC and retained for public enjoyment is prime for residential development.

If you’ve ever watched the sunset from the water tower at the top of the hill, or gazed down into the valley at Liberty Lake or at Mica Peak in the distance, you know how that view would change with houses butted up against the hillside. 

Protecting land and water for the health and future of our community, the natural world, and the climate is at the center of INLC’s work. Ensuring that the Inland Northwest remains a beautiful, adventurous, and easily accessible place should be at the center for all of us who love to play outside. 

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A secluded peninsula jutting out along the Spokane River, McLellan Conservation Area offers early season accessibility and relatively easy hiking.  Early April wildflowers will likely include buttercup, prairie star, and grasswidow, all gradually giving way to arrowleaf balsamroot and phlox by the end of the month.  With its forested core and riparian habitat along the river, the property is a good place to watch for wildlife and especially birds (please keep dogs on leash).  The Conservation Area is 410 acres, and is adjacent to Department of Natural Resources property for additional exploration.

Hikes here take advantage of old logging roads, so the trails are mostly double track.  There is an unmaintained singletrack trail just west of the parking lot and trailhead kiosk that leads down toward the river and gives a short loop option.  Otherwise, the trails are best hiked as out-and-back routes, covering both the open forestland at the upper reaches of the Conservation Area, and also offering a few opportunities to access the Spokane River along the lower portion of the trail.  Near the water on the eastern side of the peninsula are the remains of an old cabin.

This is a good destination for those accompanied by small hikers, with great visibility through the trees and many interesting rocks and trees to see.  Pack a picnic to enjoy near the river, and perhaps a good field guide to the various birds, bugs, and plants one can expect to find in the area.  While it is even possible to bring a rugged child’s stroller on the trails here, keep in mind that the parking lot is at the high point on the trail system.  A hike to the shoreline is well worth the time and the views, but will require a climb back up at the end, with roughly 300 feet elevation gain.

Distance:  Up to 5.5 miles round-trip

Rating: Easy to moderate

Getting There:  From Nine Mile Road/SR 291, turn west onto Charles Road.  Proceed 5 miles, then turn right on N. South Bank Road.  Continue 6 miles, then turn right on McLellan Lane.  The parking area and trail kiosk is at the end of the road.

Give back to your trails: Join Washington Trails Association for spring trips to Fishtrap Lake; register at wta.org/volunteer. //

Holly Weiler is a hiker, backpacker, trail runner, and skier. She wrote about winter cabin trips in the January/February issue.   

Feature photo: Holly Weiler

Originally published in the April 2018 print edition of Out There Venture under the title “McLellan Conservation Area.”

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