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 »
Living in the landlocked Inland Northwest, you don’t hear the words “I’m going surfing next weekend” all that often. During the summer months, there are plenty of conversations about epic mountain bike trips or whitewater adventures, but seldom does talk of surfing work its way into our local outdoor lexicon. So last month when those
Surfing Roadtrip on Oregon’s North Coast Read More »
Camping with kids isn’t really relaxing. Let’s admit that from the beginning. Tent camping, which frames my experiences so far as a parent, is a lot of work in itself; add young children to the mix and it’s no longer the type of tranquil nature experience that one might have enjoyed during pre-parenthood camping trips.
Northern Idaho’s Lake Pend Oreille is so deep that it supports U.S. Navy submarine tests and persistent reports of mysterious lake creatures. Its 111 miles of largely undeveloped shoreline, much of it U.S. Forest Service lands, also offer uncharted territory – if you’re willing to walk, boat or paddle. Below, find three great places to
Going to the Lake: Lake Pend Oreille–Beachside Camping for Hikers and Boaters Read More »
Named after President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 130-mile long lake is technically part of the Columbia River, although you wouldn’t know it by looking out across the wide expanse of current-free summertime water from one of the many lake-side recreation areas. With the construction of Grand Coulee Dam in 1941, Lake Roosevelt swelled, covering former
Going to the Lake: Lake Roosevelt–Explore Nature and History Read More »
Whitewater enthusiasts revere the rivers of north-central Idaho – the Salmon River, its 425 miles of undammed water the longest free-flowing river in the contiguous 48 states; the Selway and its siblings in the Clearwater country east of Lewiston, which drain a wild area large enough to be its own state; the tumultuous Snake River
River Time: Go With the Flow on These 5 River Hikes Read More »
The bow of the boat is slowly sinking down into the water as my friend Chris fills the internal ballast tanks of his 2008 Malibu Wakesetter with river water. “We need about 1,000 pounds of weight to get the wave height dialed in just right” says Chris. Within minutes the boat’s internal pumps have filled
Surf’s Up On Inland Waterways Read More »
Guide to hiking and exploring historic fire lookouts in the mountains of Eastern Washington and North Idaho, and resources to learn more.
Explore Fire Lookouts in the Inland NW Read More »
By Amy Silbernagel McCaffree Camping provides rituals for family bonding: the road trip, meals around the picnic table, playtime, and the campfire. Days stretch long for children to immerse themselves in nature. It’s as transformative as it is fun. “Teaching children about the natural world should be treated as one of the most important events
Six Kid-Friendly Campgrounds Read More »
IT’S A UBIQUITOUS SUMMER PHRASE in Spokane: “Going to the lake.” For some, the body of water referenced is Coeur d’Alene; for others, Newman or Hayden lakes. For many, though, the “lake” in the phrase is Priest, probably the most popular water destination in the area and certainly the most scenic (apologies to Pend Oreille
Paddling Upper Priest Lake As Easy As 1, 2, 3,*** Read More »
