The Spokane River exudes energy and mystery, fascinating kids and parents alike. A hike along a river is a fun way to explore nature while gaining observational lessons about the water cycle and riparian zones – the narrow strips of land along a river’s borders that provide a unique home for plants and animals that […]
Family Trail Adventures along the Spokane River Read More »
Kids enjoy learning about nature and science and participating in outdoor sports and recreation. They thrive in the outdoors, whether it’s trekking along a trail with friends, playing soccer or exploring a lake shoreline with their scientific eyes. These spring and summer camps, events and programs for children and families will keep your little ones
Spring and Summer Camps and Outdoor Programs for Children and Families Read More »
Panhandle National Forest offers family-friendly camping and river tubing away from the more popular, crowded Inland Northwest recreation hubs.
Family Camping & Tubing On the Coeur d’Alene River Read More »
A well-known local hiker and trail maintenance project leader, Lynn Smith, ends his emails to other trail maintenance volunteers with these words: “Days spent on a trail are not deducted from one’s lifetime.” Another Spokane Mountaineers member and volunteer coordinator for Washington Trails Association, Holly Weiler, is famous among many U.S. Forest Service and state
Pitching in for Trails — Our Local Trails Need You Read More »
In 1968 the Spokane Mountaineers hosted then-Congressman Tom Foley at the club chalet on Mount Spokane to discuss conservation issues and other hot topics. Another piece of big news during this period included the opening of the North Cascade Highway to the public. On the skiing front, club members skied at Jackass Ski Bowl (aka
Looking Back at the Spokane Mountaineers (1968-1976) Read More »
Whether your family calls it a nature walk or a hike, when you’re out in nature walking with children the essential goal is the same: to enjoy the journey along the trail. Here are four essential ways to ensure it’s a pleasant experience for the whole family. 1. Use creative ways to motivate. Most kids
4 Tips for Fall Hiking with Kids Read More »
Practice Leave No Trace All the things you bring to your campsite or the backcountry should be taken out with you: trash, cans and other recyclables, extra wood, food, food scraps and fuel canisters. Be a good person, and pick up any trash in your camp that others may have left. Keep a Clean Camp
Camp Responsibly in the Backcountry Read More »
Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act with a visit to the Salmo Priest Wilderness in the Colville National Forest. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended to access this hike, where the bumpy Forest Service road takes care of most of the climbing. From the trailhead (at 6,220 feet) set off across the open ridge
Hike of the Month: Crowell Ridge (Salmo Priest Wilderness ) Read More »
On September 3, our nation will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act. It wasn’t a smooth or easy process to create and pass a “Wilderness Act.” We can boast that the Act was practically born in our own backyard. Driven by Idaho’s Senator Frank Church, it would have never made it through Congress (according
Reflections on the 50th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act Read More »
Backcountry alpine lakes are the summer equivalent of a hidden powder stash: highly coveted, accessible for only a short part of the year, and all the more special for the human-powered effort required to find them. To outsiders, the Inland Northwest is not known for its alpine lakes; the Central and North Cascades to the
15 Backcountry Lake Hikes Worth the Walk Read More »
