The cooler weather that signals the beginning of fall means perfect conditions for hiking, whether it’s an urban walk, close-to-home hike, or backcountry adventure. As the trees begin to change color, check out these favorite fall hikes recommended by a few “Out There Monthly” contributors. Gold Hill, Sandpoint (Moderate) Hands down, for reasons of nostalgia, […]
Out There’s Fall Hike Favorites Read More »
One extra-long Labor Day weekend, my brother Scott and I unexpectedly drove nearly 1,000 miles in three days, hiking, camping, and wandering at will across a vast swath of public lands in northcentral Idaho. Our goal was pretty simple. See as much of this wild, remote country as possible in 70 or so hours. Leaving
Where the Blacktop Ends Read More »
Mill Creek Trail is a fast, fun descent near Highway 12, south of Missoula, Mont. The four-mile trail can be shuttled or ridden as part of a 16.6-mile loop, with an optional extension up to Carlton Ridge. Mill Creek is worth checking out because although it’s easily accessed from Missoula and Lolo, the narrow trail
Mill Creek Trail Mountain Biking Read More »
If you already have a “lake place” – your own or your parents,’ your friend’s grandparents or cousins, or your Uncle Bob’s – then you likely already have your favorite lake. But for the rest of us, any of the dozens of Inland Northwest lakes can be ours for the loving. To feel the cold
Inland NW Lake Guide 2017 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 »
June 4 is National Trails Day – go for a hike! Check out Indian Painted Rocks, a 6.8-mile round-trip loop trail within the Riverside State Park Little Spokane River Natural Area. wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/little-spokane-river. June is Great Outdoors Month and National Camping Month. In fact, June 25 is National Backyard Campout Day – an easy “staycation.” Play
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Why are the things that leave us shaking and wide-eyed with fear or adrenaline the very things that define us and that we often love with a vengeance? Oddly, this describes my relationship with greater sage-grouse. My first experience with that chicken-like resident of sage brush country left my husband and I curled in the
A Bird and a Baby: Confessions of a Sage Grouse Conservationist Read More »
When the snow melts and little pops of green start appearing on bare tree branches, I start itching with the need to take a trip to the coast. I have very little desire to do more than throw a couple of changes of clothes in a backpack and escape for the weekend. Part of the
Road Trip Essentials Read More »
Mike Meru’s flight into Spokane was late as the snow fell hard. Concern about the flight quickly faded during the drive to Revelstoke, B.C., which is a seven-hour drive in the best conditions. Meru, a splitboarder from Salt Lake City, was joining me to attend the Canuck Splitfest. Splitboarders from all over the world attend
Rogers Pass Splitboarding : Touring Legendary Terrain Near Revelstoke, B.C. Read More »
I rolled into the foyer of an outfitter that had inundated Facebook with advertisements about a $5 Avalanche Awareness event. The atmosphere was that of distant relatives conversing at an annual reunion rather than the cinematic and sonic overload and the packed-in crowds at the mountain film festivals. The event facilitator started by showing slides
Explore the Winter Wilds Safely—Be Avalanche Aware Read More »
