The long-awaited Mount Spokane snowshoe hut is closer to becoming a reality. Despite a series of setbacks, park visitors will now see the warming shelter taking shape at Smith Gap. The floor and frame of the building should be finished this fall, and by early next summer, the Friends of Mount Spokane will need volunteers to help complete and maintain the building. Contact Friends’ President Chris Currie at criscurrie22@gmail.com if you are interested in helping with this ongoing project.
In the meantime, snowshoe visitors to the park can finally count on safe (and dry) passage over two of the three major stream crossings on Trail 100. Volunteers from the Washington Trails Association completed the work on the first two bridges over the summer. The new bridges were built on-site, primarily through the use of hand tools. To date, the project represents 560 volunteer hours. The third bridge will be completed next summer.
When planning your visit this winter, don’t forget to print the snowshoe trail map from the Friends of Mount Spokane website (www.mountspokane.org) and get a SnoPark permit for your vehicle (required beginning November 1;Â Â www.parks.wa.gov/winter/nonmotorparks/permits/).
