Begin on a double-track section that drops down to the wetlands. At the one-mile mark watch for an unmarked left-hand junction onto single-track heading north, noting the dilapidated barn across the wetland to the east marking the return route. The trail winds through the forest along the edge of the wetlands for the next two miles before intersecting an alternate access point and additional trailhead at Horseshoe Lake Road.

Turn right, rejoining a double-track trail section as it heads southeast around the wetland, then bends south. This section is parallel to the hike up, but with increased views of the wetlands along the way. At the 5.5 mile mark the trail returns to the drooping barn, most safely viewed at a distance. Return to the same double-track trail as the start and climb a final mile through the lovely shaded forest to return to the parking area.

Total distance is 6.5 miles with 850′ elevation gain for a moderately difficult hike. Discover Pass required.

The post Hike to Rustler’s Gulch at Little Spokane River appeared first on Out There Venture.

Welcome to The Trailhead, where the first stop should be the kiosk with important information that affects recreationists in our area! This new column, replacing the long-running “Hike of the Month” column, will serve as a round-up of interesting projects and plans for trails in the Inland Northwest.

Here’s what trail and recreation related news we have for his spring and early summer, along with a recommended hike!

Steptoe Butte State Park Closure

Park will be closed for road and parking lot repairs for up to 16 weeks this spring. The exact closure window is dependent upon weather conditions, so be sure to check the state parks website before a spring visit.

Great American Outdoors Act Funds Local Projects

Funding for the Great American Outdoors Act was signed into law August 2020 and will begin to address deferred maintenance needs on United States Forest Service (USFS) lands beginning this summer. Search the US Department of Agriculture website for a deeper dive into how this legislation will be enabling projects across the country. Some of the local projects slated to begin in 2021 include:

• Funding for 1,500 miles of deferred maintenance on backcountry trails across both Washington and Oregon through “shared stewardship” partnerships with USFS partner organizations.
• Trail maintenance on 110 miles of recreational trails within Hells Canyon National Recreation Area and the Eagle Cap Wilderness, along with the replacement of two 60′ bridges on the Snake River National Recreation Trail.
• A combination project on South Fork Boulder Creek Road north of Highway 20 on the Colville National Forest, including relocation of the current road and conversion of the former roadbed to a year-round multi-use trail (snowmobile in winter; non-motorized access to Taylor Ridge Trail in summer).
• Trail maintenance on 50 miles of trails near Bonners Ferry, Idaho.
• A trail resurfacing project and tunnel improvements on the Route of the Hiawatha Trail near Lookout Pass.
• Trail maintenance in the Mallard-Larkins and Upper St. Joe River areas.
• Improvements to both vehicle access and trails within the Ross Creek Ancient Cedar Grove, including a boardwalk to help protect tree roots from soil compaction while granting better accessibility for all visitors.

New Trailhead for Antoine Peak Conservation Area

Spokane County Parks will be building a new trailhead for Antoine Peak Conservation Area’s Etter Ranch addition over the course of the summer. The new access point will be located less than 1/4-mile from Trent Ave. in the Spokane Valley. Until the new trailhead is complete, access to this portion of Antoine Peak is only available under special permit for the trail construction crews who are busy building the new connecting trail to the existing trail system. Check the Washington Trails Association and Evergreen East Mountain Bike Alliance websites for volunteer opportunities that will grant a sneak peek!

Northeast Washington Trails Website

Northeast Washington Trails has a new page devoted to ways non-motorized trail users can get involved with trail maintenance projects stretching from the Okanogan Highlands to the Idaho Panhandle. Lend a hand to one of several nonprofits offering volunteer opportunities across northeast Washington, or share a conditions report about a trail issue you discovered while exploring an area. Learn more at Newashingtontrails.com/volunteer.

Hike of the Month for the May-June 2021 issue:

Holly Weiler is a long-time contributor to Out There Venture. If you know where to look, you’ll find her deep in a morel patch this spring.

[Feature photo: Mountain wildflowers in northeast Washington overlooking the Pend Oreille River valley. // Courtesy of Kalispell Tribe.]

The post The Trailhead: Trail Projects & Plans for May-June 2021 appeared first on Out There Venture.

Enjoy these trails and abundant wildlife close to Spokane on foot, but please be aware that dogs and mountain bikes are not allowed. A Discover Pass is also required to park at the Indian Painted Rocks Trailhead located off of West Rutter Parkway in north Spokane. 

Little Spokane River Trail (3.5 miles round-trip)

Beginning at the parking lot, head west past the kiosk and the painted rocks (you can pause to check out the hieroglyphics—pictographs painted hundreds of years ago), onto the trail at the base of the burned cliff side. Take this trail along the river, winding in and out of recovering burn zone, past irises in the marshy terrain below, to your left, ending at the trailhead by the bridge. This is an out and back, so turn and come back how you came.  

Saint George’s Trail (4-5 miles round-trip)

This trail toward Saint George’s School is my favorite. The marked trailhead can be found by heading out of the parking lot, south across the bridge and the Little Spokane River, and then turning east into the forest. Follow along the downside of the sloped forest, about a mile to where you have to go uphill steep to the top of a basalt formation, then back down to the ravine, and then out again. There is a wide pond full of cattails to your right at about a mile and a half. If you continue another half mile, you reach a white gate, which marks the boundary of the Saint George’s School trails. You can continue through to connect to that trail system or turn around for an approximately 4-mile trek. 

Knothead Loop (7.5 miles)

From the parking lot, pass the facilities and head north on the path that parallels the road for about 300 meters, then turn left at the kiosk and head up the valley on a wide, two-track trail that is at the bottom of sloping basalt/mud hills to your left and right. Follow this about 2 miles to where the trail spurs off to the left, winding through grass and ponderosa forest, then switchbacking up for about .5 miles to a higher, single-track trail that curves left to the top of the Van Horn, Edburg, & Bass Conservation area. The path will loop back down to join the Little Spokane River Trail, which finishes the loop with 1.75 miles along the river.  

Read Maya Jewell Zeller’s essay about running the trails along the Little Spokane River.

The post 3 Trails in the Little Spokane River Natural Area appeared first on Out There Venture.