(Pend Oreille County, Wash.)
Cover photo courtesy of Holly Weiler
Indian Creek Community Forest boasts a relatively new trail system that is perfect for the shoulder season in northeast Washington. The 410-acre property is owned and operated by the Kalispel Tribe and is adjacent to the USFS Geophysical trail system, so visitors have their choice of trail access depending on seasonal conditions. So long as the weather is cooperating and the snow is not too deep, hikers can park in the main Indian Creek Community Forest parking lot to access the trail system, which is adjacent to the Arboretum Loop Trail but provides connection to the rest of the trails within the property. As the snow begins to pile up later into the winter season, the property can also be accessed from the Geophysical Trail System next door (SnoPark permit required from Dec. 1-March 30).
A good introduction to the Community Forest is the Arboretum Trail, which consists of a relatively flat half-mile loop that includes interpretive signage about native trees and shrubs that can be found on the property. Especially if starting at the west parking lot, consider this the best warm-up hike! Afterward, continue past the main Community Forest office building toward Indian Creek. The trail will reach a junction where the east section serves as the connection point toward the Geophysical Trail System, the alternate starting point in the event of snowy conditions. The west section leads to the crossing of Indian Creek and then continues an approximately mile-long loop on the upper west portion of the property where the Kalispel Tribe operates a demonstration forest highlighting different forest treatments for wildfire severity reduction and forest health. It’s a lovely self-guided tour in the off-season, but those who would like to know more can also watch for events hosted at the Community Forest in the summer. Indian Creek is open to hikers, snowshoers, and skiers only (no bikes and no horses, regardless of season).
Getting There: Indian Creek Community Forest is located on Indian Creek Road approximately 1 mile east of the intersection with LeClec Road. There is a dedicated parking lot at the Community Forest entrance, but, once snow arrives, the trail system also connects to the Geophysical SnoPark lot at the other end of Indian Creek Road, approximately 1 mile west of the intersection with Bead Lake Road.
Holly Weiler is the Eastern Washington region senior coordinator for Washington Trails Association and is eagerly anticipating a snowy winter with many snowshoe and ski adventures!
