Cover photo courtesy of Holly Weiler
Free outdoor entertainment
- Mark the calendar for National Public Lands Day on Sept. 28! It’s a fee-free day for both Washington State Parks and National Parks for those looking for an outdoor adventure to celebrate the occasion. Or make it a day of service, since many local nonprofits will be hosting volunteer opportunities on this date to give back to the public lands that make our region’s recreation opportunities so fantastic! Washington State Parks will offer an additional fee-free day on Oct. 10 to mark World Mental Health Day.
- Join Friends of Scotchman Peak Wilderness for their end-of-season ascent of Scotchman Peak on Oct. 6. They promise this hike’s pace will be “slow as an old goat,” so it’s perfect for an introduction to this gorgeous landscape, where the view from the summit could include both fall colors and Lake Pend Oreille far below so long as the weather cooperates.
Contests!
- Spokane Falls chapter of Trout Unlimited and Spokane Women on the Fly are teaming up for the Spokane River Scavenger Hunt, a fly fishing adventure, on Sept. 14. Teams of two will compete for a chance to win a guided fly-fishing trip during this free event, with points awarded based on different species of fish caught and bonus points available for wildcard categories like filling a Spokane Riverkeeper bag with trash collected along the way.
- Washington Trails Association’s annual Northwest Exposure Photo Contest is a fun opportunity to share Washington-specific photos for a chance to win prizes and be featured in WTA’s annual calendar. There are several photo categories, with a deadline of Oct. 6.
Conservation, Stewardship & Volunteer Opportunities
Please see each organization’s website for full registration information.
- Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance will be hosting a work party on Sept. 14 at Loup Loup Ski Bowl to do some hand-finishing work behind the mini excavator on a new trail.
- Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness will be hosting a fun and informative day of service at Morris Creek to mark National Public Lands Day on Sept. 28. The work project is easily accessible and not overly strenuous, perfect for an introduction to trail maintenance. The project will be followed by a fun outdoor barbeque to celebrate the work!
- Great Burn Conservation Alliance will be hosting a meadow restoration weekend Sept. 27-29. Working out of Kelly Creek Trailhead, volunteers will backpack to Hanson Meadows for on-going restoration and monitoring work.
- Idaho Trails Association will be hosting a weeklong backcountry project working on the State Line National Recreation Trail, a portion of the Idaho Centennial Trail, out of St. Joe Lake on Sept. 8-14. This trip has pack support to help carry tools and equipment to the basecamp.
- Inland Northwest Land Conservancy will be partnering with Friends of Palisades on Oct. 5 for a fall clean-up event. Help pack out any trash and get this popular area ready for winter.
- Pacific Northwest Trail Association will be hosting a fun introduction to trail work through a Trail Eyes 101 on Sherman Trail near the gorgeous Kettle Crest on Sept. 21. This volunteer opportunity will focus on the basics of trail maintenance in a small group setting, helping to make this trail better for everyone.
- Spokane Nordic Ski Association will be hosting a series of trail days on weekends throughout the fall in order to prepare the Nordic ski trails at Mount Spokane State Park for the snow that is sure to be better this winter than it was last year!
- Washington Trails Association will be wrapping up the backpacking trail work season in September and transitioning to day work parties, with several offerings at Mount Spokane State Park and Mica Peak Conservation Area. They will also be partnering with the Friends of Palisades Park, Backcountry Horsemen of Washington, and Inland Northwest Land Conservancy for a National Public Lands Day project in September, plus a bonus NPLD project at Fishtrap in early October.
