• Free, guided late-winter snowshoe hikes and Nordic ski outings with Friends of Scotchman Peak Wilderness wrap up in early March. Check their website for events that range from strenuous, all-day tours to locations of Star Peak Lookout and Spar Lake to a moderate wildlife tracking outing to Blue Creek Watershed. 
• Join Methow Conservancy for upcoming presentations featuring Washington wildlife. The March 7 offering will be online and focuses on predator and prey relationships. March 14 will be an in-person presentation (Twisp River Tap House) on how wildlife and recreation interact. On April 4, they will be joined by WDFW for an in-person presentation (Winthrop Barn) on the Karelian bear dog program as a tool for wildlife management.
• Celebrate the anniversary of Washington State Parks (since 1913!) with a fee-free day on March 19th. In April, Earth Day falls on a Saturday for 2023 and is a fee-free day for all Washington State-managed public lands.
• April 22nd is a fee-free day for National Parks, as well as the start of National Park Week. Both virtual and in-person events will be held at parks across the nation between April 22-April 30, so be sure to check nps.gov for opportunities.

Fundraisers & Events

• Spokane Nordic will close out the ski season with a Loppet event (long distance ski) on March 5 and the fantastic BarkerBeiner skijor events for humans and their canine partners on March 12.
• Bower Climbing Coalition is bringing Reel Rock 17 to Spokane on March 5 with all proceeds going to support the nonprofit.
• Okanogan Land Trust will be holding their Spring Forward! fundraiser on March 11 at the Community Cultural Center in Tonasket.

Conservation & Stewardship News and Opportunities

• The Spokane Conservation District is bringing back its Backyard Conservation Stewardship Program in March! The program cost is $45 and meets every Monday evening. Registration information is available at SCCD.org.
• Hells Canyon Recreation Collaborative will resume spring projects in early March, with opportunities ranging from front-country facilities improvements to trail maintenance projects with jetboat shuttles to work sites on both the Idaho and Oregon sides of the Snake River. Email hellscanyonrecreation@gmail.com to learn more!
• Join Inland Northwest Land Conservancy for a chipping and mulching day at Waikiki Springs on March 15, or for a birding hike at Saltese Flats on March 19. In April, help the Conservancy construct a new native plant nursery on April 5, followed by a native plant potting party at their new site on April 22.
• Washington Trails Association Back Country Response Team trips for summer are open for registration! One early season opportunity will be held at Indian Creek Community Forest April 28-30, with private camping for the volunteer crew. Eastern Washington day trips are also open for volunteers.
• Idaho Trails Association trips will be live and ready for registrations beginning March 1st. Trips will be scheduled throughout Idaho and include both day projects and backcountry trips.
• Pacific Northwest Trail Association volunteer trail projects will be available to potential volunteers beginning in March. Or, for those who enjoy hiking trails within the Colville National Forest, PNTA is always seeking early season conditions reports which can be submitted at any time! See https://newashingtontrails.com/volunteer/ to learn more.
• Weekly Thursday evening trail-work parties with the Pend Oreille Pedalers in Sandpoint resume April 13. Email POPpedalers@gmail.com to sign up.
• Backcountry Horsemen of Washington have secured an important grant to help fund efforts to restore trails impacted by multiple fires in the Pasayten Wilderness! Watch their website for opportunities to get involved.

Holly Weiler is a long-time contributor to Out There Venture and writes The Trailhead column for each issue. You can find all of her hike recommendations at Outthereoutdoors.com.

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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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Enter at the Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge main gate, 4 miles south of Cheney on S. Cheney Plaza Road (free Nov. 1-Feb. 28; March 31-Oct. 31, $3 per day or use various annual National Wildlife Refuge/Parks passes). Drive approximately 1 mile in and park at the paved lot with toilets (check Turnbull’s website for possible coronavirus-related bathroom and other facility closure updates). Both of these hikes or runs leave from here. 

Pine Lake Trail/Stubblefield Trail (1.3-5 miles)

Directly across from the bathroom, follow the paved Pine Lake Trail alongside Winslow Pool and around Middle Pine Lake. This is the best place in the refuge for spotting swans, and the music of numerous songbirds fills the air above the cattails from early spring through late fall. This loop trail is 1.3 miles of level terrain. To add out-and-back distance to this loop, leave the paved trail onto the dirt two track near the far side of Middle Pine Lake. This dirt two track soon comes to a T-junction; take the right. This two track soon comes to a Y junction and a sign for Stubblefield Trail. Take the left uphill into the prairie for longer-range views and spring wildflowers. 

Auto Tour Route (6-12+ miles)

From the parking lot, run back towards the refuge entrance. Take the first right to run the Auto Tour Route loop dirt road clockwise (cars go counterclockwise and are very infrequent). This loop passes numerous wetlands, ponds, and little lakes. From the parking lot around the loop and back is 6 miles of level terrain. Watch for moose, fox, coyotes, ducks, muskrats, and numerous migratory waterfowl. There are clean, year-round toilets every 1.5 to 2 miles (check Turnbull’s website for closure updates). Because of the toilets, level terrain, relative solitude, varied scenery, and accessibility to auto support from friends and family, this loop is ideal for long-distance training or even personal long-distance events at six miles per lap. Five laps plus one around Pine Lake Trail makes a fine 50K, for example.  

Cautions: Moose can be dangerous and should not be approached. Ticks are numerous in the spring and early summer; use insect repellant and stay on the wide, dirt road Auto Tour Route (toward the middle, away from grass and shrubs) during tick season.

Read Jonathan Johnson’s essay about running the trails of Turnbull.

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In collaboration with the Washington Trails Association, Washington Bikes, and the University of Washington, the studies looked at the economic, environmental, social and health benefits of trails and recommended that state leaders develop more trails and use them as a way to improve health. In a nutshell, Washington trails contribute more than $8.2 billion dollars to Washington’s economy annually. These same trails support more than 81,000 jobs each year. Best of all, physical activity associated with these trails results in more than $390 million of health savings annually.Fun fact discovered while making this report include: Washington trail use accounts for 1.45% of the 2018 Washington gross domestic product. That means Washington trails created 11 times more GDP than logging, and seven-times more GDP than craft breweries.

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The Priest Lake Nordic Trails are part of Idaho Parks and Recreation Park N’ Ski program and include Hanna Flats, the Priest Lake Golf Course, and Chipmunk Rapids on the west side of the lake as well as Rocky Point, Coolin Mountain, and Priest Lake State Park on the east side of the lake.  The Nordic Club’s volunteers groom Hanna Flats and provide back-up grooming at the golf course and Priest Lake State Park. (Hill’s Resort normally grooms the golf course utilizing the clubs grooming equipment, and the Priest Lake State Park has their own grooming equipment.) Park N’ Ski permits are available at local vendors including Hill’s Resort, the Tamrak Hardware, and the Priest Lake State Park. The permits cost $25 for a full season, or a $7.50 permit is good for one to three days per vehicle.  Funds collected locally from the Park N’ Ski program help cover about 50% of the clubs grooming operations cost.  

New this coming season, says Weitz, the Chipmunk Rapids trail system will be groomed once again. “Near milepost 23 on Idaho State Highway 57, these trails have not been groomed for several years. This 10-mile loop system of trails provides a variety of terrain with spectacular views of Kalispell Marsh, Priest River and the Selkirk Mountains.”  Club volunteers have been clearing trees and rocks from the trails and getting the trails ready for grooming as soon as there is sufficient snow.

The Priest Lake Nordic Club is an all-volunteer non-profit organization that was founded in the 1990s to enhance and groom cross-country ski trails around Priest Lake. The first Nordic Center was located at the Priest Lake Golf Course club house, and now Hill’s Resort is the Nordic Center location, where you can now rent ski and snowshoe gear. Since 2004, the club has conducted kids ski outings for local students, says Weitz. “During each session, Nordic Club volunteers fit the students with the equipment and provide basic ski instruction and assistance as they ski around the golf course.” The Priest Lake Nordic Club has already scheduled six elementary school outings to be held on Thursdays and Fridays in January and February 2020, and volunteers are always needed for the kid’s ski program (contact the club if you are interested). The club is also a co-sponsor of the Idaho Parks and Recreation annual “Free ski day” at the Indian Creek Unit of the Priest Lake State Park.  2020’s Free Ski Day will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday January 4. You can find more info about the Priest Lake cross-country ski and snowshoe trails at Priestlake.org/activities/snow-fun. 

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My family recently took our dogs on their first overnight backpack. While they’re used to running trails, this was a new adventure for them, and unsurprisingly they loved being out there with all the interesting sights and smells. We were jazzed they did so well, as we weren’t sure how they would handle the slow and controlled pace instead of their typical sprint-return-sprint-return routine.

So this got us thinking about next trips, and I thought it’d be interesting to share a bit of what we’ve learned. It’s also important to do your homework ahead of time before heading out with your dog. Here are 5 foundational issues to consider and know before you take your dog backpacking.

Public Lands: Where Are Dogs Allowed?

Look into whether or not dogs are even allowed where you’re going. In general, they’re allowed on U.S. National Forest trails, not on National Park trails (but okay wherever cars are permitted), and never in Wilderness areas.

In Washington State, they’re allowed on trails “but must be under physical control at all times on a leash no more than eight feet long.” Does your destination have any site-specific guidelines and/or restrictions?

Expectations: How Far Can My Dog Hike?

Don’t take your dog on a forced march without having him get some training under his collar. Some breeds will just go and go until they drop without warning (never a good thing). Dogs are like kids in many ways—they’re active in bursts, but on the move for hours isn’t necessarily their forte.

An all-day hike, while slow of pace, is long on time, and the mental and physical strain can be intense. So work up to your/his planned foray into the backcountry. This is especially important if you’re going to have him carry his own weight by packing his own gear and chow.

Supplies: What about food and water?

Yes, both are good ideas, and you won’t be surprised to learn that like you, your dog is going to need more calories and fluids than normal, maybe up to 100 percent, depending on the duration and intensity of your hike.

There are some high-energy kibble formulas worth looking into ahead of time, as the runs aren’t much fun for you or for her. These will allow you to pack more energy in less food.

Yes, dogs can get Giardia, so provide her with the same water you’re drinking. If you’re thirsty, she is too, and dogs will often drink smaller volumes more frequently if given the opportunity.

Dogs of all sizes and breeds enjoy hiking with their owners: Jennifer Hall hiking with her dog when he was a puppy (left). // Photo courtesy of Jennifer Hall; Hiking at Slavin Conservation Area (middle). // Photo: Amy McCaffree; Glen Copus with his little hiking partner (right). // Photo courtesy of Glen Copus.

Dog Gear: What else?

Foldable water/food bowls are lightweight essentials. We carry an extra water bottle that Niki and Harley have learned to drink out of. If your dog’s up to backpacking, she’s probably up to carrying a pack with her own food and other essentials, and if she’s in shape, could carry up to a third of her weight if needed.

Like your own backpack, make sure it fits her snuggly but comfortably, and start light with the packing—food (and water), bowls, long lead for camp, towel and brush, poop bags (yes, you should pack it out) and a first-aid kit.

In regards to safety and health care, make sure your canine is current with all necessary immunizations and is in good overall shape. With respect to supplies, consider carrying, at a minimum, a bandage, antiseptic (dilute your iodine to just turn the water a little brown) and antibiotic ointment, tweezers (for ticks and wound debris), and—my favorite—crazy glue for paw lacerations (of course, all of this should be in your own personal kit as well, and sharing is good).

Dog Leash: Always necessary?

The most contentious issue: to leash or not to leash? If you do a quick search, you’ll find a good number of discussions around the pros and cons of keeping your dog on a lead. Yes, dogs love to run amok, but while it may be fun for them, it can also lead to a host of problems.

Even the best-behaved dogs can go native and end up heading off-trail into who knows what. You’re then left with either calling for them until you’re hoarse or doing likewise, neither of which are good options.

There’s nothing worse than finding yourself scrambling down scree after a wounded hound that saw a chipmunk that looked like a lot of fun to play with, not to mention the chippy that’s got better things to worry about than a possessed predator it’s not familiar with. So do the right thing – leash up.

Remember that heading into the backcountry with your dog isn’t much different than going out yourself—training, the right gear, and preparation are the keys to a fun and safe trip. Backpacking can be a great way of extending the bond you have with your best canine-training buddy, and lead to lots of great adventures out there for both of you.

Originally published as “Backpacking with Dogs: Keeping Them Healthy and Happy” in the September 2011 issue of “Out There Monthly”–the precursor to “Out There Venture.”

Hiking and Backpacking with Dogs: Hiking in Spokane. // Photo: Shallan Knowles; Snowshoe backpacking with a husky (middle), and hiking in the eastern Washington Scablands (right). // Photos: Holly Weiler.

Find more stories about dogs in the OTO archives.

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Just got this notice from the Washington State Trails Association:

Did you know that your favorite hikes into Washington’s wildlands are made possible by the efforts of thousands of volunteers keeping these public trails in great condition? Washington Trails Association’s volunteer trail maintenance program fills this void, and is ever more important for the future of our hiking trails. We need your help to keep these trails in great shape for miles and miles to come. Give back to your favorite hiking trails with a day of volunteer trail work.

WTA hosts over 700 work parties throughout Washington each year. Volunteers remove downed logs after spring snowmelt, cut away brush, retread worn trail, and build bridges and drainage structures. No prior experience is necessary, just a desire to work with great people, to have fun playing in the dirt and to contribute to something that benefits all of us. We provide you with the tools and the training; you bring your lunch, work gloves, work at your own pace, and have fun.

August – October
___________________________________
Date Location
August 7 – 14 Salmo-Priest Loop
(volunteer vacation)
August 28 – 29 Salmo-Priest
(car camp)
September 2 Liberty Lake
September 11 Liberty Lake
September 12 Liberty Lake
September 25 Liberty Lake
September 26 Liberty Lake

october 9 Liberty Lake
October 10 Liberty Lake
For a full schedule of work parties and to sign up,
go to www.wta.org or
call (206) 625-1367.
Volunteer Today!

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The Fat Tire Trail Riders Club will be building intermediate-level wood features for the Beacon Hill skills park this week. Help ’em out!

Wed. August 26, 10AM – 2PM
Saturday August 29, 8AM – 1PM
Sunday August 30, 1PM- 6PM

Meet at the Skills Park in Camp Sekani.
Bring work gloves and tools (shovel, Hammer/small sledge, post hole digger, chainsaw) if you have them. Drinks/snacks will be provided.

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