We cooked dinner well away from our tents, packed up all our smelly items, and—with dark setting in—we finally hung our food from the perfect branch. We crawled into our sleeping bags with our headlights and bear spray easily accessible. If you travel in bear country, you know the protocol. In grizzly bear country of […]
Plight of the North Cascades Grizzly Read More »
I had never been to Rock Creek without my Missoula-based brother-in-law, and—aside from the Spokane River near my house—I had never fished alone. However, with any activity or place that regularly cycles through your daydream escapisms, at some point, you decide to just go. Listening to the rolling hum of the creek while being swallowed
Alternatives to Bear Spray: Try Tom Petty Read More »
The first time I encountered the mischievous antics of a black-billed magpie was during my first cross-country drive. I was setting up camp in Arches National Park and noticed large, crow-like birds strutting with their striking contrasts of black and white feathers. I had placed my lunch on the picnic table while I set up
The Human Traits of Magpies Read More »
Located about an hour west of Spokane, the Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area is an uncrowded central Washington hiking spot. This rural meander provides open views, subtle plateaus, native grasses, and a series of seeps that lead to larger lakes spotting the region. You can count on open skies, fresh air, and a refreshing sense of
Hiking Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area Read More »
What would you do if you came face to face with a grizzly bear? You may have just a second to react—like 0.7 seconds if the bear is 30 feet away and charges. Bears are often around in the forest, whether you know it or not, according to Chuck Bartlebaugh, Director of Be Bear Aware.
What to do if You Encounter a Bear Read More »
To escape the crowds and noise on Independence Day this year, I headed up to Mt. Spokane State Park that evening. I picked up two burritos at Atilanos on the way up—one for me and one for my dog, Grouper. At the trailhead just above the ranger station, I loaded Grouper’s pack with his carne
Wild Encounters on Familiar Trails Read More »
So much of the Pacific Northwest’s public lands and backcountry are located east of the Cascades. With the help of five outdoor enthusiasts, some who make their living out in the woods, we explore the diverse ways people work and play across the Inland Northwest’s vast wildlands. Their stories offer behind-the-scenes insights into the wild
Protecting and Hunting the Wild West Read More »
One of the sure signs of spring is the return of our seasonal birds. Many people think of the robins out in the yard pulling worms after a rain or flocks of red-winged black birds calling as they establish territory in the cattail and tule marshes. But when I think of bird behavior in the
The Aerial Courtship of Osprey Read More »
The first time I remember interacting with bats was as a young child in New Jersey. I was watching these dark whirling critters dive and circle in the sky as I waited for 4th of July fireworks. Out of the dark a man walked up and explained that these were bats and if you throw
Little Spokane River Bat Condo is a Local Conservation Success Read More »
