Start the new year off right by participating in one of these First Day hikes. January 1st will be a State Parks free day, so get out there! First Day Hike at Riverside State Park Name of hike:Â Bowl and Pitcher loop Time of event:Â 9:30 a.m. Where to meet:Â Bowl and Pitcher day use parking lot (Bowl […]
I have heard that Priest Lake is a nice place to visit in the summer, but I wouldn’t know because I always save my trips to this popular North Idaho lake for fall. While I have never been swimming in Upper Priest Lake, I have experienced complete solitude there, and I judge it to be
Navigation Trail #291, Upper Priest Lake Read More »
It’s wonderful to save Bead Lake for the shoulder season, when the majority of the boaters have placed their pleasure crafts into winter storage and the mosquitoes have quieted down. There are usually a few warm days in September when it’s still nice to jump in the lake at the end of a hike. Even
Bead Lake, Colville National Forest Read More »
Misinformation caused me to miss out on years of exploration on the Kettle Crest. Well-intentioned people told me the trails were too dry, had too little shade, and were not that interesting. After I finally went to check it out, I felt I had to make up for lost time. I started small, and at
Footloose in the Kettle Range Read More »
With expansive views of the Selkirks and a wildflower-lined trail, northeast Washington’s Sherlock Peak is an ideal August hike. While Abercrombie, its taller neighbor, receives all of the attention, Sherlock Peak is an equally gorgeous destination. For explorers with a little extra time, test this opinion by taking advantage of the nearby campground at Silver
Sherlock Peak, Colville National Forest Read More »
Reap the benefits of recent trail improvements (with more to come later this summer) on this long loop hike into the Salmo Priest Wilderness. Enter via Thunder Creek trail #526, where the first two miles are along an old roadbed with an easy grade through an abandoned logging unit. When the trail enters the old
Thunder Creek Loop, Colville National Forest Read More »
The Pacific Northwest has been setting precipitation records since last October, leaving normally dry trails muddy and damaged by erosion. Avoid those trails, and seek out a trail where water is the main attraction. As the largest undammed waterfall in Montana, Kootenai Falls is well worth a visit in any season; however, the spring run-off
For many people in the Inland Northwest, finishing Bloomsday is a rite of passage. As a former road runner with several Bloomsday finishes, I understand the allure of the race and the festival atmosphere on that first Sunday in May. As a person who much prefers trails and never much liked crowds, I often aim
Deep Creek Loop in Riverside State Park Read More »
I absolutely love living in a place with four distinct seasons, and I have a variety of sports to keep me active at any point in the year. But spring holds a special place in my heart, as it’s the time of the year when even the air seems softer and sweeter than usual. Temperatures
Spring Into the Inland NW Hiking Season Read More »
1) Hike or Bike in Palisades Park: This 700-acre nature park west of Spokane has awesome views of the city and several trails for hiking or biking. Kids will especially enjoy Indian Canyon’s Mystic Falls. A park map is available at Palisadesnw.com. 2) Go on a Nature Scavenger Hunt: Explore a trail and create your
11 Ideas for Family Fun in the Great Outdoors Read More »
