The Northwest has hundreds of lakes ranging from tiny alpine tarns to giant pools that sprawl for miles through the mountains. The region’s many diverse lakes each have their own unique feel and personality. While public land and access is limited at some, others like Priest Lake, nestled in the Selkirk Mountains, are a near […]
The Best of Priest Lake: Hikes, Resorts, Paddling, Fishing, and More Read More »
A well-known local hiker and trail maintenance project leader, Lynn Smith, ends his emails to other trail maintenance volunteers with these words: “Days spent on a trail are not deducted from one’s lifetime.” Another Spokane Mountaineers member and volunteer coordinator for Washington Trails Association, Holly Weiler, is famous among many U.S. Forest Service and state
Pitching in for Trails — Our Local Trails Need You Read More »
The young man is securely strapped into his seat. He bobs in the water as the boat slowly moves forward to take the slack out of the line. He braces slightly as he’s tugged forward, the tips of his main ski and the outrigger boards on either side poking up out of the water. He
St. Luke’s Ski Fest Offers Water Sports for Everyone Read More »
I bought my first stand up paddleboard about six years ago when the sport was really starting to take off. Knowing what I know now about stand up paddleboarding, or SUP, I spent an embarrassingly small amount of money on that first board that I hauled out of Costco. I remember thinking at the time
A Tale of Two SUP Races — Choosing the Right Paddleboard Can Make all the Difference Read More »
Last season I had conquered the rock rolls and jump lines at Beacon Hill, memorized every rock and root section at Mt. Spokane and ridden myself into boredom at the other local Spokane riding areas. For the trails in my immediate surroundings, I had reached a peak. I wanted a new challenge that would test
Seven Summits Trail – The Pinnacle of Mountain Biking in the Inland Northwest Read More »
If you haven’t already heard, there’s been a new buzz in the air in the mountain biking scene that has to do with backcountry adventuring on your bike called bikepacking. The concept isn’t new. Cyclists have been touring and camping off of road bikes for almost a century. The only difference here is that bikepacking
Backpacking with Your Bike Read More »
Have you ever noticed the crowds at the local beaches? The noise of Jet Skis; whining, crying and yelling kids; and the endless boat traffic? Well, I have a story about the most spectacular lake, and an adventure that is sure to please if you’re looking to get away from all that. The lake is
Escaping the Lake Crowds at Leigh Lake Read More »
In 1968 the Spokane Mountaineers hosted then-Congressman Tom Foley at the club chalet on Mount Spokane to discuss conservation issues and other hot topics. Another piece of big news during this period included the opening of the North Cascade Highway to the public. On the skiing front, club members skied at Jackass Ski Bowl (aka
Looking Back at the Spokane Mountaineers (1968-1976) Read More »
A friend of mine has a sign in his house which reads, “If You’re Lucky Enough To Live At the Lake, You’re Lucky Enough.” As a fellow lake-side dweller, I frequently question the kind of luck that sign alludes to, especially when the boat breaks down, the dock needs work, or some other uber-expensive thing-a-ma-bob
If You’re Lucky Enough To Live At the Lake, You’re Lucky Enough Read More »
