Growing up in the Spokane area, it’s kind of hard to believe that I hadn’t done more than hike or drive along the edges of Lake Spokane before an Avista-inspired boat tour of the 24-mile-long lake last summer. The reservoir, which is formed by the Long Lake Dam impounded waters of the Spokane River, is […]
For Paddlers and Boaters, There’s a Lot to Explore at Lake Spokane Read More »
The Northwest has hundreds of lakes ranging from tiny alpine tarns to giant pools that sprawl for miles through the mountains. The region’s many diverse lakes each have their own unique feel and personality. While public land and access is limited at some, others like Priest Lake, nestled in the Selkirk Mountains, are a near
The Best of Priest Lake: Hikes, Resorts, Paddling, Fishing, and More 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 »
Come summer, the mountains of the Inland Northwest offer a surfeit of high-elevation locations to escape the heat. But the forested foothills and meandering Pend Oreille River in northeast Washington’s Pend Oreille County offer a quick, quiet getaway for seekers of shade, historical landmarks, empty trails and roadside adventure. Pend Oreille River Manresa Grotto North
Pend Oreille Road Trip: Native American Culture, Hiking and History Read More »
Bikes, dogs, beer: Sadly, something’s gotta give. I just finished a big triathlon last weekend, so we choose the dog over the bikes, giving my legs a rest and making Milo’s tail thump in triumph. We’re camping our way down central Oregon in search of great beer and confirmation that Bend is as dog-friendly as
Bend, Oregon: Where Beer-lovers and Dog-lovers Unite Read More »
Let me be your concierge for a Northeast Washington hiking weekend this summer that includes hiking Thirteen Mile Trail, an overnight car-camping stay at Swan Lake and a visit to the frontier-like town of Republic, Wash. You will make lifelong memories. Swan Lake Campground From Republic, drive Route 21 south for approximately seven miles to
Northeast Washington Hiking/Camping Road Trip Read More »
You don’t need to travel to Costa Rica or Hawaii to fly through the air on an adrenaline packed zipline tour; they are popping up all over the greater Inland Northwest, including new tours in Nelson, B.C, Wallace, Idaho, and the super close-to-home Mica Moon Zip Tours above Liberty Lake and Spokane Valley.These five zips
Soar Above the Trees — Take on These 5 Ziplines Read More »
It’s difficult to imagine hiking without my hairy beast, a lab-boxer dog named Rosco (P. Coltrane). Rosco’s enthusiasm for trail running, hiking, swimming, and a preference for powder skiing makes him my perfect trail partner. I find his hairs in everything: embedded in my fleece, in peanut butter sandwiches and all over my car. I
Lost in the Kettle River Range Read More »
My husband Young and I moved to North Idaho from Colorado six years ago, and sometimes I find myself missing that Rocky Mountain purple mountain majesty. But this summer, I discovered a place in North Central Washington that satisfied that longing: the Methow Valley. On a sunny day in June, Young and I set out
Methow Valley Road Trip: Eat, Drink, Explore, Sleep, Repeat 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 »
