VOL. 9 // NO.9 // MAY 2013
Wednesday night Mountain BiKe Race seRies staRts
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THE INLAND NORTHWEST GUIDE TO OUTDOOR RECREATION
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STATE PARKS TURN PRESERVING THE PAST AND FIGHTING FOR THE FUTURE OF EASTERN WASHINGTON PARKS
NEWS: Dishman Hill President Steps Down P.6
EVERYDAY CYCLIST: Become a Long Distance Voyager P.9
WHAT’S YOUR GEAR? Paul Delaney: Whitewater Rafting P.11
ROADTRIP: Adventure in the North Cascades P.10
JOURNEY to the Hidden Falls P.18
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Out There Monthly / MAY 2013
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In This Issue p.5 / From the Editor
MONTHLY
The Page Blew Up By Jon Snyder
www.outtheremonthly.com Out There Monthly / MAy 2013
p.6 / Out There News
Publisher and Editor-in-Chief
Jon Snyder jon@outtheremonthly.com
Dishman Hills President Steps
Art Director
Down
Kaitlin Snyder Health & Fitness Editor
Dr. Bob Lutz
p.8 / Health & Fitness
senior writers
What The Heck Is “Public Health”?
Jon Jonckers, Amy Silbernagel McCaffree Contributing Writers:
Hank Greer, Erin Muat, Peter G. Williams, Brad Naccarato
By Dr. Bob Lutz
Distribution Coordinator
Barbara Snyder To request issues please call 509 / 534 / 3347
p.9 / Everyday cyclist Become A Long Distance Voyager
Out There Monthly
Adventure In The North Cascades By Peter G. Williams
p.11 / What’s Your Gear? Paul Delaney: Whitewater Rafting By Amy Silbernagel McCaffree
p.11 / Cool Stuff They Sent Us New Items From Cascade Designs
©Copyright 2013 Snyderco DBA/Out There Monthly. The views expressed in this magazine reflect those of the writers and advertisers and not necessarily Snyderco DBA/Out There Monthly. Disclaimer: Many of the activities depicted in this magazine carry a significant risk of personal injury or death. Rock climbing, river rafting, snow sports, kayaking, cycling, canoeing and backcountry activities are inherently dangerous. The owners and contributors to Out There Monthly do not recommend that anyone participate in these activities unless they are experts or seek qualified professional instruction and/or guidance, and are knowledgeable about the risks, and are personally willing to assume all responsibility associated with those risks.
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Mailing Address: PO Box 559 Spokane, WA 99210 www.outtheremonthly.com, 509 / 534 / 3347 Out There Monthly is published once a month by Snyderco DBA/Out There Monthly. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent of the publisher.
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Now What? Preserving the Past and Fighting
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p.18 / Last Page Journey to the hidden Falls
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On the cover: Paddling the Little Spokane River and Riverside State Park. // Photo Jon Jonckers.
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Out There Monthly / MAY 2013
DRINK LOCAL. rivercityred.blogspot.co @rivercityred
From the Editor: The Page Blew up card-carrying, bungee-jumping X-Gamer. It took years to develop a vision of local outdoor recreation that included ages 1-91 and that ranged from walking to ultra-marathoning. We had to develop the idea in people’s mind that having fun outdoors was something that everyone could do. You don’t need to be a world-class athlete to enter a local race. You don’t need to be Grizzly Adams to enjoy the backcountry. Attitudes have changed. There’s more understanding today that outdoor recreation is for everyone and it’s one of the best reasons to live in the Inland Northwest. That brings me to our Facebook page. I’m the farthest thing from a social networking genius. I put up
an Out There Facebook page just because I thought we needed one not because I had any good idea on how to use it. Then I accidentally made the brilliant move of making most of my top writers administrators of the page, including Mr. Hank Greer. Hank writes the Everyday Cyclist column but he is also an amateur photographer and a genuine outdoor nut. Over the last few months he’s been posting photo after photo of anyone he runs into doing things outdoors: running, biking, walking – you name it. Stuff like this: Out There Walking On The Centennial Trail “We’re down here from Calgary for a dental conference at the convention center.” ~ Loreen Sabey, age 83
Less sandal, more adventure.
People love seeing their friends and neighbors. Our traffic has shot up as a result. Now some readers have posted some photos too. We’d love to have you post photos as well. Help us add to the mounting evidence that all sorts of normal folks get “out there” not just bungee-jumping X-Gamers. // ------------------------------------------------------JON SNYDER, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF editor@outtheremonthly.com p.s. Search “Out There Monthly” on Facebook or go to this link: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Out-ThereMonthly/265004187855?ref=hl
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When I first started trying to sell ads for Out There Monthly eight years ago I ran into some resistance. That’s to be expected with any new publication. But it turned out that newness wasn’t my biggest obstacle. One potential advertiser said the publication looked really nice but he didn’t feel the audience was the right fit. I pressed him for details. He said that he didn’t feel “extreme sports” athletes were the people they wanted to appeal to. Okay. On to the next advertiser. Turns out many potential advertisers felt the same way. I was shocked. For a lot of folks having a mountain bike, some lycra, or a kayak made you a
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OutThere Monthly
MAY 2013
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Out There News Dishman Hills head Hamilton steps down Was President for 20 Years By Erin Muat
Artwork by Pat Marvenko Smith, ©1982/1992 www.revelationillustrated.com
Spokane’s full-service non-profit bicycle shop refurbishing used bicycles and offering hope to youth who are homeless.
You’ll find us at the
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Out There Monthly / MAY 2013
After twenty years of success, Dishman Hills Conservancy president Michael Hamilton is stepping down and handing off leadership duties to environmental consultant Jeff Lambert. “It will be impossible to fill his shoes,” says Lambert. “We have a terrific board of thirteen and we are in the process of hiring an executive director, so it will take me and the rest of the board and the executive director to try to do what Michael has done for the last twenty years.” Formerly known as Dishman Hills Natural Area Association before Spring 2012, the Dishman Hills Conservancy (DHC) is essentially the same grassroots organization it was in the 60s. Based entirely on volunteer effort (except for the one executive director the Conservancy hopes to hire soon), their main priorities still include acquiring more land to link the scattered conservation areas along with education and recreation access. “Plants and animals don’t talk much, so they need an advocate,” says Hamilton. By connecting conservation areas Iller Creek, Big Rock, DNR East Ridge, Rocks of Sharon and Dishman Hills, conservationists hope to create a “Dream Trail” for hiking that would go from Camp Caro to East Ridge. The “Dream Trail” would benefit animals as well through its function as a wildlife corridor. Hamilton’s previous career as a full-time geologist gives him an advantage in conservation. According to Hamilton, he perceives time differently from the ordinary man, observing nature in terms of tens, thousands, hundreds of thousands of years, contributing to his patience and dogged persistence in helping the environment. As a geologist, he also appreciates the “interesting biology” of Dishman Hills, and says that “it’s still there in its wild state.” The bedrock of the Natural Area might be up to 1.5 billion years old, forming part of the western edge of ancient North America, bordering the newly formed Pacific Ocean, according to Michael Hamilton. In addition to the time and resources he provides for DHC without pay, he pumps out a
monthly newsletter along with his wife Claudia Hamilton. “Lights and Shadows from the Dishman Hills” entertains and educates readers with interesting geological tidbits like the one mentioned above and other biological novelties of the Dishman Hills. Among his many achievements, totaling 1,721 acres acquired in Dishman Hills, he is most proud of the 1100 acre purchase of the Iller Creek Conservation Area with Conservation Futures funds and a matching grant from Washington State for half a million dollars. “It worked beautifully,” Hamilton says. The Big Rock addition came later along with the Stevens Creek Road Trailhead. Hamilton has goals for those outside of the DHC board. He would like to see more people involved to “champion their own backyards,” especially for community members bordering the Dishman Hills area. “Spokane’s an ace in the hole in conservancy,”
“You can be in the woods, go canoeing, go hiking within 15 minutes of any area. That’s something we want to keep— but that’s also something we have to fight for and work for.” Hamilton says. “You can be in the woods, go canoeing, go hiking within 15 minutes of any area. That’s something we want to keep—but that’s also something we have to fight for and work for.” Dedication of the Stevens Creek Road Trailhead at 9102 S. Stevens Creek Road is Saturday June 1 at 2 pm. Speeches, ice cream truck, food and fun by Spokane County Parks, Dishman Hills Conservancy and Mountain Gear.
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Health andFitness What The Heck Is “Public Health”? And Why it Affects You / By Dr. Bob Lutz Let’s imagine a typical day for some - you wake up, go for a run, and come back and hit the shower. You head to the kitchen where you make your cup of tea and breakfast of yogurt, slices of a locally grown apple, and a vegan breakfast bar from Boot’s. The day finds you at work, and you break for lunch and grab a bite from what might appear as an apparition—a street corner vendor selling veggie wraps and freshly squeezed lemonade, lightly sweetened. After work, you go out for a bite at Mizuna’s, and then walk home, taking in the clear night sky. Not a bad day. Now a question for you; what do this day’s activities share in common? While there may be a few you could come up with, I want to highlight how public health impacts your daily routine. From the newly designed complete street you ran along, as voted on by Spokane City Council in 2011, to the water you used to make your tea, the food you ate from three places, the apple you bought at the Public Market, and the clear air you enjoyed while running and walking home, public health has been there. Not a bad return on an investment of ¢67, roughly the amount spent daily on public health, or less than 3% of an estimated yearly cost of $8200 per person. I’m bringing this up because for most people, the phrase “public health” conjures up an image of free health clinics and flu shots in the winter, care for the poor and the WIC (Women, Infants
and Children) program. And I’ve come to believe that any phrase with the word “public” has become a four-letter word in our culture—public health, public education, public housing, etc… bear with me, I’ll get off this soapbox, but I want to leave you with an important idea; the health of our community, a.k.a. the public, matters! Clinical medicine, aka the doctor’s office, and public health, have too often been seen as separate. To some degree, this reflects behind-thescene turf wars and politics, but there are some fundamental differences that distinguish the two fields—medicine focuses on and advocates for the individual, while public health works with groups and populations; clinicians reference an individual’s life course, from birth to death, while public health looks at generations; and medicine stresses the importance of the individual rights of the patient, while public health emphasizes human rights, social justice, and environmental justice. Fundamentally, however, the public consists of groups of individuals, and so while the focus might be somewhat different, both strive to impact the health and wellbeing of its intended audience. And of course, you can’t have healthy individuals and groups living in unhealthy environments or communities. The most recent County Health Rankings ranked Spokane 24th out of 39 Washington counties. While we scored 5th overall in terms of clini-
cal care, we were less than average in other areas. Given the scoring framework (http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/our-approach), it’s easy to understand why despite being a center of healthcare, the number of hospital beds and specialists’ offices don’t have as much of an impact on our health as do the facts that 30% of our kids live in single-parent homes and 50% of our restaurants
The phrase “public health” conjures up an image of free health clinics and flu shots in the winter, care for the poor. serve fast food. An argument you commonly hear is it’s all a matter of personal responsibility—people should be able to decide for themselves whether or not they eat junk, don’t exercise, and smoke. We don’t want to create a “Nanny state” and government shouldn’t interfere with personal choice. Didn’t the courts find Mayor Bloomberg’s attempt to regulate the size of sodas “arbitrary and capricious.” Fundamental to public health are the “Ten Essential Services,” of which one is stated to be to Develop Policies and Plans that Support Individual
and Community Health Efforts. While some may see this as “government interference,” the reality is that without public health affecting the air you breathe, the water you drink, the food you eat, and the environment/community in which you live, you wouldn’t have the chance to do what you want to do. Public health likes to remain in the background, and many believe it’s most effective when you don’t know it’s happening. Unfortunately, this approach leaves most people not knowing what it does and has kept it invisible during the continuing healthcare debate. “Always working for a safer and healthier community” is more than just a catchy phrase used by the Spokane Regional Health District—it reflects the passion and dedication of its people who want to make Spokane a healthier place. Over the course of the next few articles, I’m going to shine a light on public health and its policies that affect our community and how we live, work and play out there in the Inland Northwest. // References: http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/about/publichealth-medicine/ http://phls.org/CMSuploads/Principles-of-theEthical-Practice-of-PH-Version-2.2-68496.pdf http://www.cdc.gov/nphpsp/essentialservices. html
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8
Out There Monthly / MAY 2013
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Become a long-distance voyager Strategies to Keep You Pedalling For Miles Physically and mentally I was done. My butt was sore. My legs were jello. A headwind was pushing the needle on my suffer gauge into the red zone. I called my wife. “I’m on 395 just south of Chewelah. Can you come get me?� What stopped me at one hundred and sixty miles into my first double century? I wrote a check my body couldn’t cash. I remember the relief I felt when my sympathetic wife showed up. That relief was accompanied by a deserved sense of failure. My ego had rationalized my lack of preparation. I was to blame for missing my goal of completing a double century. But I got over it. In last month’s issue, we published a list of rides and races taking place this year. A number of them involve riding for 30 or more miles. Why would you ride that far? There are lots of reasons. The fun. The scenery. The camaraderie. The challenge. A sense of achievement. Heck,
/ By Hank Greer
And last of all, riding a bike is fun. So have fun. How do you work in training rides if time is a problem? Ride to work. Take your bike on the bus to work and ride home. Take a short ride during lunch. Use a bike to run errands and take the long way. Be creative and find a way to get that saddle time. Vary your routes to include some climbing. Each week, try to add a couple of miles to your weekday rides. If you ride 10 miles three or four times one week, bump that up to 12 or 14 miles the next week. Do the same for your long rides, perhaps adding five miles at a time. Working out indoors is helpful, but it’s not a complete substitute for pushing your bike through air. You still need time on your bike. Depending on whose advice you follow, the week before your 50-miler you should be able to complete a 25 or 40 mile ride. In general, if you can ride 50 to 80 percent of the distance you are shooting for then you should be able to go that distance. Here’s some advice to follow during your rides, especially your longest one. About a century ago, French cyclist Paul de Vivie created a code for
There’s no need to ride with intensity. For a 50-miler, plan for four or five hours including short stops.
Long distance on the palouse. // Photo hank greer.
just to go somewhere. Once you’ve decided on a ride—a ride, not a race—it’s important to train for it. So where to begin? That depends on how far you can comfortably ride now and how far you want to ride. There is no one-size-fits-all regimen so I’m keeping my advice somewhat general. Besides, I am not an expert. I’m just someone who has learned a couple of hard-to-forget lessons. For our purposes, let’s assume you want to do a 50-mile ride, you’re moderately fit, and—this is very important—your bike fits you. First of all, gradually increase the length of your rides and your total weekly mileage. Not only is this important for increasing your strength and endurance, it also gets your butt used to sitting on the saddle for the time it takes to go the distance. Secondly, ride at a comfortable pace. There’s no need to ride with intensity. For a 50-miler, plan for four or five hours including short stops. (Again, factors like elevation gain and your fitness level come into play.) You want to enjoy the ride just as much as you want to complete it. Comfort is important.
the wise cyclist. I’ll touch on some parts. Keep your stops short and few. Long stops allow your muscles to cool down. I made this mistake during one of my first centuries. Halfway through it I stopped to eat and drink. It was a cool and windy day. I thought I’d rest a while and in about 15 minutes I got chilled. Then I started shivering. I couldn’t get warm. Finally I got back on the bike and rode hard to generate some heat. Five miles later I was warm and I comfortably finished the second half. Eat before you’re hungry and drink before you’re thirsty. If you’re feeling the effects of low blood sugar or dehydration, you can eat and drink all you want but you’re going to suffer for probably another hour before you start feeling better. Have a snack or two and drink plenty of liquids during your ride. Add a layer before you’re cold and take one off before you’re hot. This takes some practice. Listen to your body and you’ll get it. Being too cold or too hot makes you miserable. If you’re miserable, you won’t want to ride. Ride within yourself, especially in the first hour. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve started a long ride feeling like I could bust loose and go forever. If you let that feeling take control, you can easily overextend yourself. Then you find yourself struggling in the wake of encouraging words left by the riders passing you by. Have sympathetic spouse as a bailout plan. Okay, I made that one up. But believe me, it is appreciated beyond measure. //
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Lay-
What’s Your Gear: Paul Delaney (whitewater rafting)
“I love how rafting takes me to great wilderness places but with gravity doing the work,” says Paul Delaney, who’s been a serious whitewater rafter since 1981. “Inspired by the Oregon River Tours guidebook that my wife bought me, I took a self-guided trip down the Grand Ronde River in 1980 with friends in cheap discount store rafts—and survived,” he says about his very first float trip. Soon after, he purchased, in partnership with a friend, “a real whitewater raft.” Paul, age 60, grew up in Spokane—moving here from Okanogan via his birth state of Hawaii. If his name seems familiar, you have probably seen his byline—he’s a reporter for Cheney Free Press.
“I have rafted some 25 rivers and creeks so far in the Western United States—the Selway, Middle Fork and Main Salmon among them— so people might be amazed when I say the Spokane River is my favorite. But how can you argue with a river that brings a hint of the wilderness within 30 minutes of my front door?” he says. “I’ve lost count but over the years I have run the Spokane in the neighborhood of 300 or more times, from less than 1,000 cubic feet per second up to nearly 40,000 cfs. “I am so fortunate to have discovered the sport and have elevated my skills to where I can see—and let others experience—country that relatively few get to. I’ve become a huge fan of the Spokane and love to help others experience and appreciate the river.” Paul’s all-time favorite rafting experience was a “1998 high-water trip on the Main Salmon— the River of No Return—because it was the first time my entire family got to accompany me on a multi-day wilderness trip.” Altogether, there were about 10 people. For these overnight trips, Paul’s camping gear includes his “cast iron Dutch oven to cook my famous meatloaf. And of course a 1950s-era hand cranked ice crusher for cocktails,” he says. “I gave up backpacking because I was limited in taking fun food and of course beverages.” His worst rafting trip ever? “In some respects the Selway in 2008 at 1.1 feet on the gauge. We constantly got hung up on rocks, I slipped on a rock trying to free my cataraft and have my 8-inch ‘Selway scar’ as a lasting souvenir.” Paul advises those new to the sport to “join the Northwest Whitewater Association (NWA)—
By Amy Silbernagel McCaffreee
www.northwestwhitewater.org—for a mere $25 per year so you can tap into the knowledge of our members who know more about rafting and rivers than you can imagine.” Paul, along with other dedicated boaters, founded NWA in 1989. The catalyst for its inception is a simple story. “This was back before the Internet and I kept seeing these fliers at REI telling of the need to form a whitewater rafting club,” he says. “After sending in a couple of the applications and not hearing from anyone I called the number and talked to Jim Pace and said something like, ‘Hey, let’s get this thing
“I have my 8-inch ‘Selway scar’ as a lasting souvenir.” going.’” Now in its 24th year, NWA sponsors a number of annual events. “We start the season with the ‘Only Fools Float on the First’ New Year’s Day Spokane River float. For the past four falls we have helped organize the UpRiver Scrub cleanup of the Spokane River in the Valley,” he says. “We meet monthly, every first Wednesday at Jack & Dan’s Bar and Grill. We do Friday Night floats on the Spokane River generally starting in May and do member floats on a variety of area rivers through the summer. As for gear, Paul’s favorite is his 10-foot Sotar cataraft—“…my ‘little sports car’ lets me play and surf like kayakers do.”
He also enjoys snow skiing and hiking, as well as ice hockey—playing with the Spokane Oldtimers and other 50-over skaters. Here is his gear list for whitewater rafting. -----------------------------------------------------RAFT: four Sotars (short for State-Of-The-ArtRaft), two 16-foot rafts, one 14-foot cataraft and 10-foot cataraft. ------------------------------------------------------PADDLE: Cataract oar shafts and blades (also Carlisle brand). ------------------------------------------------------PFD: Extrasport Hi-float—“Not stylish but I float well when I flip and swim.” ------------------------------------------------------HELMET: Pro Tec. ------------------------------------------------------WET SUIT: NRS (Northwest River Supplies) Farmer John. ------------------------------------------------------DRY SUIT: NRS Extreme. ------------------------------------------------------BOOTIES: NRS. ------------------------------------------------------RIVER SANDALS: Keens. ------------------------------------------------------CLOTHING: Patagonia underwear. ------------------------------------------------------DRY BAG: Seattle Sports and NRS. ------------------------------------------------------GEAR BAG: NRS Extreme. -----------------------------------------------------SUNGLASSES: “Cheap…I lose or crush them all the time.” //
Cool Stuff They Sent Us At OTM we get a constant stream of new outdoor products in the mail: some mediocre, some very cool. This months includes several new products from Cascade Designs. Allow us to suggest these items:
Therm-a-rest NeoAir Dream
Bridges of Spokane By Jeff Creighton This interesting book is 128 pages of pictures of historic Spokane bridges: some well known and some long lost. The captions tell the story of their construction—and sometimes destruction. The book gives you a great idea of how the development of early Spokane was dominated by river crossings, and the railroad. Deserves a place on the shelf next to other great Spokane history titles. Author Creighton dedicates the book not to any human being, but to the bridges of Spokane. Hey, why not? http://www.arcadiapublishing.com/ 10
Out There Monthly / MAY 2013
Platypus Sprinter XT Cross Hydration Backpack The Sprinter is a perfect compromise between a fully equipped, weather-resistant daypack and a pure hydration backpack. I have smaller, pure hydration packs, but I never seem to use them much. This pack has plenty of pockets, stability straps, and a 22-liter gear capacity to go along with its 3-liter water capacity. That gives you enough space to lug some stuff and a lot more adventure options. As a dad, I sometimes need to haul the whole family’s gear so that we can trek longer with young kids. The brightly colored Sprinter will be a nice addition to dad’s gear box. http://cascadedesigns.com/platypus
The Platypus 1-liter Soft Bottle Yes, it can handle a liter of water and scrunch down to almost nothing when it’s drained. It’s light and handy, and we use it more for soccer games than for hiking, but the cool thing is it works for both. If you’re not professional mountain climber and you don’t need perfect specialization, it’s really great to have gear like this that can be used in multiple situations. The only drawback is that the cap is not tethered to the bottle making it easy to lose. http://cascadedesigns.com/platypus
Too heavy and bulky for backpacking, the Dream is the best car-camping air mattress I’ve ever set my back on. It’s warmer and more comfortable than smaller Therm-a-rests I own and also has sort of a built in pillow to raise up your head. While these things are never as easy to blow up as I would like, they are quicker to set up than an Aero Bed—something this product just might replace. Having one item that you can use for both glamping and putting up the occasional houseguest is pretty cool combo. http://cascadedesigns.com/therm-arest
Road Trip
Adventure in the North cascades
Hiking and Ski Mountaineering the Ptarmigan Traverse / By Peter G. Williams conditions. The consequences of a fall on some of these steep slopes can be serious. The first successful traverse of the Ptarmigan Traverse took place in July 1938 by four members of the Ptarmigan Climbing Club from Portland, Oregon, who pioneered many first ascents along the way. The members of the Ptarmigan Climbing Club were scattered by World War II and never published their accomplishments. It wasn’t until 1953 when five climbers, calling themselves the “What is South of Cascade Pass Anyway?” Expedition, succeeded in exploring and documenting the complete traverse. One of the climbers, Tom Miller, took amazing photographs of the peaks and glaciers. They recorded their success in 1953 in The Mountaineer. In addition, a book of Miller’s photographs, The North Cascades, was published in 1964. This book provided a significant inspiration for the establishment of North Cascades National Park. Virtually all of the Ptarmigan Traverse is protected wilderness and requires a backcountry permit to stay overnight. There is a limit of six people per party. The permit is free, but must be picked up the day you start, or the day before,
from the Wilderness Information Center in Marblemount. The rewards of exploring the Ptarmigan Traverse are many. The views alone are surreal, offering magnificent mountain vistas and breath taking glacial views, all in the midst of an extremely isolated wilderness area. Another reward is the camaraderie that such a challenge will instill within your group. Lastly, it is a noteworthy accomplishment to simply experience the Ptarmigan Traverse. // When you go: Take US-2 west through Davenport, turn right onto WA-174 through Grand Coulee, continue onto WA-17 North, turn left onto US-97 South, turn right onto WA-153 North/Methow Valley Highway, continue straight onto State Route 20 West/North Cascade Highway over Washington Pass to Marblemount. In Marblemount, turn left onto Cascade River Road, and follow for 22 miles to the dead-end at a large parking lot for the Cascade Pass trailhead. Total distance: 294 miles.
Ski mountaineering the ptarmigan traverse. // photo Peter g. Williams.
The Ptarmigan Traverse is the preeminent glacial traverse in the lower 48 states. This remote traverse in the glacial heart of the North Cascade Range is an established mountaineering route that in recent decades has become noted as a ski traverse. The Ptarmigan Traverse cuts through both North Cascades National Park and Glacier Peak Wilderness Area in north central Washington. The 42 mile rugged traverse includes a challenging section that follows high ridge crests and crosses a number of active glaciers from Cascade Pass to Dome Peak. This high section stretches for approximately 24 miles and stays at an elevation between 6,000 feet and 7,500 feet above sea level, almost entirely above tree line. The North Cascade Range contains three quarters of all of the glaciers in the contiguous United States. It provides, as geologist David Tucker once observed, “glorious alpine meadows ringed by waves of jagged glacier-bound peaks stretching to the distant horizon.” Up until the mid-1980s mountaineers hiked and climbed this classic traverse between midJuly and mid-September. However, the terrain is better suited for ski mountaineering, and it is now renowned as one of the country’s premier backcountry ski trips. It is typically skied between Memorial Day and the end of June. Only experienced mountaineers should attempt the Ptarmigan Traverse, as it requires extensive glacier travel, off-trail wilderness navigation, and comfort in isolated wilderness. Once committed to the high traverse, there is no easy escape route if difficulties arise. The traverse is typically accomplished from north to south. This is largely because it allows you to start your trip 2,220 feet higher. The starting elevation is 3,660 feet at the end of the
Cascade River Road near Marblemount. In addition, the southern end trail is packed with dense slide alder, and is easier to navigate with a relatively empty backpack. The Ptarmigan Traverse begins by hiking the Cascade Pass trail. After five miles one reaches Cascade Pass at an elevation of 5,400 feet. From there the route runs due south over a series of glacial shelves and passes under impressive peaks named Formidable, Mixup, Sentinel, LeConte, Dome, and Spire. It then descends 3,500 feet from
Now renowned as one of the country’s premier backcountry ski trips, it is typically skied between Memorial Day and the end of June. a pass beside Spire Point. Fourteen miles of travel takes one to the Downey Creek Trailhead. Mountaineers often set up base camps along the traverse, and pursue rock climbing and mountaineering. Many peaks in this region are most easily accessed via the Ptarmigan Traverse. The traverse is usually accomplished in a week, although some climbers spend two weeks and climb every peak along the way. As a ski traverse, better time can be made, and the traverse is often accomplished in four or five days. It was once skied in one day. Metal-edged skis, ice axe, and crampons are all recommended. There is a significant amount of advanced skiing with very steep slopes and possibly difficult snow
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MAY 2013
/ Out There Monthly
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Outdoor Calendar CLIMBING
509-325-9500.
(Ongoing) Vertical Introduction. When: Tuesdays
CYCLING
and Thursdays 6 – 8, Saturdays 4 – 6 PM. Where: Wild Walls 202 W. 2nd Ave. In this class you will learn the fundamentals to climb indoors: fitting the harness, knot tying, and proper belay technique. This class (or previous experience and passing our belay test) is a prerequisite for top roping in our facility. Ages 12+, $35. Info: 509-455-9596.
(Ongoing) Introduction to Lead Climbing. When: Last two Tuesdays of the Month 4 -6 PM. Where: Wild Walls 202 W. 2nd Ave. For climbers looking to further their climbing ability and increase the options available to them, our lead climbing class will prepare you for the world of sport climbing! With an emphasis on safety, you will learn proper technique for both lead belaying and lead climbing, as well as helpful strategies for efficient sport climbing. Experience required, $75. Info: 509-455-9596 (Ongoing Mondays & Wednesdays) Spider Monkeys Climbing Club. When: 5 – 7 PM. Where:
Wild Walls, 202 W. 2nd Ave. For kids ages 4 – 10 years. Please call ahead. Come climb and meet new friends! Info: 509-455-9596.
(May 15, 23) Discover Rock Climbing. When: 6 - 8 PM. Where: Mt. Gear 2002 N. Division. Everything you need to harness up, tie in and belay with confidence. This class is for those who wish to get into climbing, as well as for parents wishing to get their young ones climbing safely. $20. Info:
(Ongoing) WOW Cycling Spokane. WOW is excited that Spring is here! Check our FaceBook page for upcoming rides and activities! Tailwinds to you! Info: 509-951-6366, wowcycling.com (Ongoing) Belles and Baskets. Whatever style your cycle, join other Spokane women for no-drop rides, treats, and friendship. Info: 509-951-4090, facebook.com/bellesandbaskets. (Ongoing) BOMB Mountain Bike Rides. When:
Varies. Where: Spokane Area. Spokane BOMB (Believers On Mountain Bikes) is a non-denominational Christian group leading rides in the Spokane area April-October. Everyone welcome, helmets required. Info: www.spokanebomb.com
(April - August) Baddlands Cooper Jones Twilight Series Races. When: Tuesday evenings at
6 PM. Where: Cheney, Spokane, Rathdrum, Liberty Lake, Steptoe Butte. USAC Sanctioned bicycle racing. Info: 509-456-0432, baddlands.org.
(May through August) The Inland Road Race Series. When: 11 a.m. Where: Inland Northwest.
Info: 509.270.8347, http://www.spokanerocketvelo. com/races/inland-road-race-series-general-info
(May 4) Beacon and Legs. When: 10:00 am. Where: Camp Sekani. Round three of the Fat Tire
REGISTER TODAY • SPACE IS LIMITED
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SIXMONTHTRAININGCALENDAR CYCLING
dation/programs/
(July 6) Lilac City Twilight Crit. When: 5 p.m.
(July 13) 16th Annual Liberty Lake Loop. When: 8:00AM. Where: Pavillion Park Liberty Lake WA. Challenging 4 mile run on paved roads in Liberty Lake. Kids race in the park. Great shirts, snacks, and awards for adults and kids. Info: www.pavillionpark.org
Where: Downtown Spokane. Info: 509.270.8347, http://www.spokanerocketvelo.com/races/lilaccity-twilight-crit.
(August 3) 8 Lakes Leg Aches Bike Ride. When: 7am. Where: Group Health Corp Office - 5615 W Sunset Hwy. Routes: 15, 30, 45 & 75-MILE. 6 Rest/Food Stops. Great SAG Support. Info: www. lcsnw.org/8lakesride, cmckee@lcsnw.org (August 10-16) Sunny’s Pedal. When: All Day. Where: Spokane, WA - Sun Valley, ID. Cyclists will spend 7 days riding about 580 miles from Spokane, WA to Sun Valley, ID to raise funds and awareness for organ donation. Info: 503-3809800, www.facebook.com/sunnyspedal
RUNNING (June 1) Reardan “Mule Chase”. 5K and 10K.
Run at 8:00am. Info: http://www.visitlincolncountywashington.com/
(June 1) Red Devil Challenge, Cashmere, Wash.
Info: http://www.runwenatchee.com/
(June 1) Mountan Goats Challenge. When:
8am. Where: Chase Middle School. 10K of heart pounding agony! A ± 660 foot elevation gain. Info: 509-869-0189 www.mountaingoatchallenge.com
(June 2) Teen Closet 50 Mile Relay. When: 6:00 AM. Where: Starts at Mt Spokane High School. 50 Mile Relay Race that starts, finishes and transitions through every Spokane High School. Info: 509-993-5471, tommyt@comcast.net (July 6) Negative Split Spokane-Half Marathon and 5K Runs. When: 8:00am. Where: Spokane
countywashington.com/
(July 20) Schweitzer Mountain Trail Run, Schweitzer Mountain Resort. Info: www.smtrailrun.com
(Aug 4) Chewelah Peak Trail Run. When: 10am Where: 49 degrees North.10M and 3.5M. Info: cptrailrun.com (August 16-17) Spokane to Sandpoint Relay.
When: All Day. Where: Spokane, WA to Sandpoint, ID. 200 mile overnight running relay from atop Mt. Spokane, down 50 miles of Centennial Trail and finishing on the beach in beautiful Sandpoint, Idaho. Info: info@cascaderelays.com, www.spokanetosandpoint.com
(August 16-17) Spokane to Sandpoint Run/ Walk Relay Race. When: start 7:00 a.m. Aug. 16.
Where: start Top of Mt Spokane Fun overnight run/walk relay with teams. Info: 541-350-4635, www.spokanetosandpoint.com
(August 31) Seven Bays “The Seven K at Seven Bays” 7K. Run at 8:00am. Info: http://www.visitlincolncountywashington.com/
(Sept 21) 2013-Odessa “Deutschesfest Fun Run” 5K and 10K. Run at 8:30. Info: http://www.vis-
itlincolncountywashington.com/
(September 21)River Run Half-Marathon, 10K, 5K, Wenatchee, Wash. Info: http://www.run-
(July 6) 4th of July 25K. When: 9:00 am. Where:
(November 28) Turkey on the Run, Wenatchee, Wash. Info: http://www.runwenatchee.com/
(July 13) Boys & Girls Clubs of Kootenai County Jordan Johnson Memorial Fun Run IN COLOR.
RIVERSIDE STATE PARK
(July 20) Davenport “Pioneer Plod” 5K and 10 K. Run at 8:00am. Info: http://www.visitlincoln-
Riverfront Park. Enjoy this flat, fast half marathon and 5km run course. Info: info@nsplit.com, nsplit.com 4th of July Pass Idaho. 25K and 5 mile trail run. This course is classified as moderate. If you’re new to trail running this is just for you! Info: 208-457-2726; www.trailmaniacs.com
MAY 25 & 26
When: 10:30 AM. Where: Post Falls: Seltice Way and Frederick Street.5K Run/Walk, 1 mile course for kids. As you run or walk this course, you’ll be showered with the coolest color blast ever! You pick your color zone. A lot or a little – it’s your choice. Info: www.northidahobgc.org, 208457-9089.
(July, 16, 23, 30) U*District Foundation Summer Series Fun Run. When: 5:30pm. Where: 730 N
Hamilton. Our annual fun run 5K series will take place the last three Tuesdays in July. Info: 509-458-7686, http://www.udistrictpt.com/foun-
wenatchee.com/
(Sept 28) Almira Country Fair “ACFun Run” 5K.
Run at 8:30. Info: http://www.visitlincolncountywashington.com/
MARATHONS (September 7) Lake Chelan Marathon, HalfMarathon, 10K. Info: http://lakechelanmarathon. com/
TRIATHALON / MULTI-SPORT (Aug 4) Chewelah Peak Trail Run. When: 10am Where: 49 degrees North.10M and 3.5M trail races. All race distances will start at the Calispell Creek Lodge and will course through the Colville National Forest. Info: cptrailrun.com //
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Please visit www.outtheremonthly.com and click the “Submit Your Event” link. // Events MUST be sent in by the 20th of the month to be listed in the following month’s issue. Please follow the when, where format as seen in the calendar. Ongoing events need to be re-submitted each month.
Outdoor Calendar Info: mvsta.com
(June 2) Mad Dash Mountain Bike Race at Adventure Sports Week. When: 8am. Where:
When: 8:00am. Info: http://www.visitlincolncountywashington.com/
Farragut State Park Scott Field Area. Distances: Distances: 4, 8 hour solo and team (if entries permit).: A really cool lap course set on the north side of Farragut State Park! Food, support, swag! Solo racers or teams of 2 - 3 allowed. Info: funnflip@ msn.com, http://adventuresportsweekidaho.com.
HIKING/WALKING (On-Going) Wed & Sun Hobnailer Hikes. When:
Varies. Where: Varies. Join Hobnailer hiking club for weekly 6-8 mile hikes in the Spokane area. Call 456-0250 for schedule or more information. Info: clcspo@msn.com
(June 1) Celebrate Stevens Creek- Big Rock Trailhead Opening. When: 2PM. Where: Steven Creek Rd Trailhead, South on Palouse Hwy about 6 miles, turn north on Stevens Ck. Rd. Celebrating how a successful partnership of local government, non-profit conservation group, and business pulled together to make a beautiful and unique rock formation, stunning viewpoint, and natural landscape available for public enjoyment and stewardship. Ribbon cutting ceremony followed by refreshments, and ice cream (provided - for sale - by The Scoop). Hike to the Rocks of Sharon! See rock-climbers scale Big Rock!
Paddling (May 11 – June 23) Raft Guide Training. When:
8am-5pm. Where: Spokane River, Riverside State Park. Ages 18+, be a guide or take your family rafting after this Wiley E. Waters basic white water training on Spokane and Clark Fork rivers, $209. Info: spokaneparks.org or 509.625.6200
(May 25) Raft Trip- Upper Spokane. When:
10am-1pm. Where: Plantes Ferry- Spokane River. Ages 5+, enjoy wildlife, fun and adventurous class II rapids with Wiley E. Waters professional guides, $31. Info: spokaneparks.org or 509.625.6200
RUNNING (Ongoing) Fat Ass Trail Runs. When: Varies.
Where: Washington/Idaho. We meet 1-2 times per month for a trail run. FAT ASS is the name given to a series of low key runs that are frequented by experienced runners & walkers and characterized by the phrase “No Fees, No Awards, No Aid, No Wimps”. Info: 208-457-2726, facebook.com/TrailManiacs
(May 5) Lilac Bloomsday Run, the 36th. Info:
www.bloomsdayrun.org
(May 11) Liberty Lake Trail run. When: 9:00 am. Where: Liberty Lake regional park. 8 mile trail run, beautiful course, great food and challenging! www.trailmaniacs.com Info: 208-457-2726, www. trailmaniacs.com
(May 19, 2013) Windermere Marathon, Spokane.
Info: windermeremarathon.com.
(May 25) Creston “Butte or Bust”. 3.2mi and 6.2 mi. Run at 9:00am. Info: http://www.visitlincolncountywashington.com/ (May 26, 2012) Coeur d’Alene Marathon. Info:
cdamarathon.com, 509-979-4370.
(June 2) Beaches 2 Boulders Fun Trail Runs at Adventure Sports Week. When: 9am. Where:
Farragut State Park Sunrise Area. Distances: 3 mile, 6.4 mile, 9 mile. Awesome course along the shore of beautiful Lake Pend Oreille, with great new swag, nice awards, bar b cue, beverages! Fun for the whole family! Many runners last year said it was the finest trail run they had done! Info: funnflip@msn.com, http://adventuresportsweekidaho.com.
(June 8) Deepwater trail runs at Adventure Sports Week. When: 9am. Where: Farragut State
Park Sunrise Area. Distances: 13 miles, 26.2 miles, 50k and 52 miles. Beautiful, challenging course along the shore of beautiful Lake Pend Oreille, with great new swag, nice awards, bar b cue, beverages! Dedicated aide stations for the Marathon and up! Many runners last year said it was the finest trail run they had done! Info: funnflip@msn.com, http:// adventuresportsweekidaho.com.
(June 8) June Bug Fun Run. When: 8am. Where:
Spokane Community College - 1810 N Greene St Routes: 3 & 5-Mile Run/Walk $17.00. $25 w/T-shirt. Great prizes for pledge participants www.lcsnw.org/ junebugrun Contact: Christie McKee (509) 3435020. Email: cmckee@lcsnw.org
(June 9) Spokane Title 9K Run. When: 9:00am. Where: Riverfront Park, starting at the Northbank Shelter. What: Woman and Girl’s only 9K run/walk – Spokane’s only female run! Website: www.titlenine.com/t9k. Phone: 509-535-4939. Email: t9k@ titlenine.com.
TRIATHALON / MULTI-SPORT (May 18) 33rd Annual Troika Triathlon. Swim -
1.2 Miles \ Bike - 56 Miles \ Run - 13.1 Miles. Info: troikatriathlon.com
Yoga (May 16 – June 24) Iyengar Yoga for Beginners.
When: Mon. 9:30, Tues and Thurs at 6pm. Where: Sunflower Yoga Iyengar yoga is widely recognized for its therapeutic benefits, inventive use of props and clear instruction. Gentle and intermediate classes also offered. Info: 509-535-7369, www.sunfloweryoga.net
EVENTS/MOVIES/MISC… (Ongoing) Spokane Table Tennis Club. When: Wednesday from 6:30PM - 9PM. Where: Southside Senior & Community Center, 3151 East 27th Avenue. Ping pong club plays every Wednseday. $2/visit. 456-3581. (May 1) INLAND EMPIRE BACK COUNTRY HORSEMEN POKER RIDE. When: 9 am. Where:
Fish Trap Lake about 24 miles west of Spokane. Additional details: 19th annual ride. Family fun, prizes and good, well marked trail. Event supports Leave No Trace Education program and trail maintenance projects. Info: Ken Carmichael 509-466-2225, www.iebch.com
(May 4, 5) Free Comic Book Day at Merlyn’s.
When: All-day. Where: Merlyn’s, 19 W Main. Spokane, WA. Once again, it’s time for Free Comic Book Day at Merlyn’s! To maximize the availability of this amazing event, we’ll be running FCBD on both Saturday, May 4th and Sunday May 5th. Every year, this weekend is a concentrated taste of the events we hold in the store year round: costume contest, ice cream, local artists doing free sketches. Info: http:// www.merlyns.biz/,
(May 8) Our Nuclear Neighbor: Hanford. When: 6pm. Where: Gonzaga University School of Law, Barbieri Moot Court Room. Columbia Riverkeeper, Spokane Riverkeeper and Sierra Club will host an evening discussion about Our Nuclear Neighbor: Hanford, connecting its historic downstream impacts, to the Columbia River, and downwind, to Spokane. Admission is free and light refreshments will be served. Info: Theresa Labriola at theresa@ columbiariverkeeper.org or 541.490.2411. (May 8, 9,15, 16, 22, 23) Wine, Ride & Dine.
(June 8) Palouse River Duathlon. When: 8am.
Where: Palouse WA City Park. 2-mile run, 10-mile bike , 2-mile run. Course is primarily gravel roads along the scenic Palouse River. Gorgeous scenery, challenging course. Info: 509-939-2143, visitpalouse. com/duathlon
When: 4:30-6pm. Where: Riverfront Park SkyRide. Taste local wines, take a spectacular SkyRide over Spokane Falls and enjoy an incredible dinner at Anthony’s or Clinkerdagger for just $55/person. Anthony’s May 8, 15, 22; Clinkerdagger May 9, 16, 23. Info: spokaneparks.org or 509.625.6200.
(June 9) C&C Sprint Adventure Race at Adventure Sports Week. When: 7am. Where: Farragut State
(May 18) Sandpoint Saturday Market Season Kickoff. When: 9am-1pm. Where: Granary Arts
Park Sunrise Area. One of the most fun, insane sports challenges you will find! The race will include everything from paddling to trail running to mountain biking to orienteering! Teams of 1,2,3 or 4 allowed. Great Bar b cue and swag! Info: funnflip@ msn.com, http://adventuresportsweekidaho.com.
(June 9) Crux and Crucible Adventure Race at
OUTDOOR CALENDAR
(May 20-24) Whitewater Kayaking Intro. When: 6-8pm. When: Witter Aquatic Center. Learn the essential skills to become comfortable with wet exits, basic strokes, kayaking terminology and boat maneuvers, $69. Info: spokaneparks.org or 509.625.6200.
(May 18) Wilbur “Wild Goose Chase” 3K Run.
Adventure Sports Week. When: Midnight June 8. Where: Farragut State Park Sunrise Area. This 12 & 24 hour Adventure will take racers through the night in a test of endurance and skill! The race will include everything from paddling to trail running to mountain biking to orienteering! Teams of 1,2,3 or 4 allowed. Info: funnflip@msn.com, http://adventuresportsweekidaho.com.
MAY 2013
(May 11) Sunflower Relay and Trail Marathon.
Revolution is rollin’ into Spokane for a piping hot serving of Beacon and Legs. Come and get it! Info: (509) 754-6361, http://rideviciouscycle.com/
District (The granary tower and lot at 513 Oak St.) Opening day for the Sandpoint Saturday Market at the Granary Arts District will be a big happening this year with Sandpoint’s first Chalk Art Festival, live music, and a dance at “The Warehouse”. The new Sandpoint Saturday Market is now offering more venues for vendors and unique items for shoppers in Sandpoint. Info: sandpointsaturdaymarket.com.// MAY 2013
/ Out There Monthly
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STATE PARKS TURN PreservING the past and fighting for the future of STATE PARKS IN Eastern Washington By Jon Jonckers
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Out There Monthly / MAY 2013
State Parks in Eastern Washington. // Photos Jon Jonckers.
How ironic that the year Washington State Parks celebrates its 100th anniversary is the same year the state parks are nearly stripped from the state budget. Admittedly, the most current 2013 budget details were not finalized at press time, however year after year of budget tightening has reduced the Washington State Parks of crucial funds for maintenance, and otherwise fragmented or dissolved many of the key services the state parks provide. The impacts of the budget cuts show up in a variety of ways within each park in every corner of Washington, but when one considers the two largest parks rest in Eastern Washington it’s difficult to overlook the nagging effects. Collectively across Washington’s 117 parks, over 700 historic buildings and interpretive sites are showing signs of neglect and even abandonment as a result of huge budget cuts. Since 2000, the state has shed 12 of its parks, and reduced hours at others, and shifted 66 of its 189 full-time rangers to seasonal jobs. Starting in 2009, the state parks reduced staffing by 33%, from 595 full-time permanent employees to just 395. Now entering their second century of service, the state parks continue to bolster tourism and recreation. Without question, the parks and their unique treasures are loved and respected. Every measurable indicator suggests that residents and visitors alike are passionate about the value of the state parks and their contribution to the local livelihood. However, the model for operating these properties as a business is inherently flawed. The woes of each State Park are often entangled in a web of obstacles. Quite bluntly, many of these parks face challenges that infinite money could not solve. For example, rot and decay of historical structures within a rainforest is unavoidable. None of the coastal State Parks ever anticipated the costs of documenting tsunami debris from Japan last year. Other expensive hardships include forest fires, vandalism, or services that were previously managed by volunteer organizations that have been surrendered to park staff. Yet somehow most of the Parks, fueled by grit and ingenuity, have found ways to thrive and continue. Others have reduced their services to the bare minimum to uphold their park’s key feature, such as camping or viewing a single waterfall. Last but not least, many of the parks have been increasingly subsidized by corporate money. For example, there are numerous cell towers and antennae atop Mount Spokane and Steptoe Butte. Altogether, Eastern Washington hosts roughly eleven State Parks. Some parks are combined, and others, like the Centennial Trail, are shared a Spokane City Park and State Park. For a complete synopsis, see the sidebar. The total Eastern Washington state park area exceeds 33,000 acres or approximately 52 square miles. These lands are not governed or affiliated with National Forest, or Bureau of Land Management, or National Wildlife Refuge. Rangers and Park staff work exceptionally hard to manage and care for these sites, and the never-ending cleanups plus the nagging conflicts between user groups never get any easier. -----------------------------------------------------The Past For good reason, the Spokane Mountaineers repeatedly honor Aubrey White. If you have visited the Bowl and Pitcher in Riverside State Park, you undoubtedly traveled along the road named after him. The Spokane Mountaineers website dedicates an entire page to Aubrey L. White, and the introductory paragraph reads: “Honorary member Aubrey L. White may be the Club’s best example of “giving back to the community.” He is credited in an August 1940 National Municipal Review article with “giving
Spokane more park land per person than any city in America.” His nicknames include “The Father of Spokane Parks,” “The Man Who Saved the River,” and, in a October 1948 Readers Digest eulogy, “Spokane’s Civic Horse-Trader.” White’s name graces the parkway on either side of the Spokane River west of downtown, a house in Browne’s Addition, and, of course, the list of honorary members of the Spokane Mountaineers.” White arrived in Spokane in 1889 at the age of 20, and he did odd jobs for many years until he secured work with Spokane tycoon Jay P. Graves. By 1906, seven years before the founding of the Washington State Board of Park Commissioners, Aubrey White, Jay P. Graves and other investors owned a great deal of land through their SpokaneWashington Improvement Company. Throughout his entire life, White worked tirelessly to promote parks in Eastern Washington. With a great deal of help and support from William H. Cowles, White secured, preserved, or influenced every major park in the area including Riverside State Park, the Little Spokane River, Mount Spokane, Pend Oreille County Park, and Manito Park. When the Washington State Board of Park Commissioners was established in 1913 (later renamed the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission), Spokane owned 1,480.5 acres for parks. As the president of the Spokane parks board at the time, White developed deals and relationships that would pave the way for almost every park in the area—from city parks to state parks to national parks. When he died in 1948 at the age of 80, his Spokesman Review eulogy stated: “Mr. White was Spokane’s greatest one-man institution and did more to make the city beautiful than any other man.” -----------------------------------------------------The Present All of Eastern Washington’s state parks formed around a variety of reasons, but always on the same principles: to connect and conserve natural, cultural, historical and recreational areas. Some of the parks, like Palouse Falls or the Gardner Cave at Crawford, exist because of a unique or dramatic feature. Others, like Steptoe Butte and the local battlefield, have historical significance. From every Spokane vantage point, Mount Spokane dominates Eastern Washington. Though
“Mr. White was Spokane’s greatest one-man institution and did more to make the city beautiful than any other man.” it doesn’t quite reach the same heights as the nearby Selkirk Mountains, at 5,883 feet, it is the highest point in all of the eastern Washington State Parks. The ski resort likely receives the most traffic and the most attention throughout the year. However, all the locals know Mount Spokane offers the best huckleberry picking if you don’t have time to drive all the way to northern Idaho. Mount Spokane also features remarkable mountain bike terrain. Better still, the mountain bike community has been working with the park staff for over two years to create a NEW comprehensive mountain bike plan for the park. This is a huge victory for all of the park users because the rangers partnered with local riders to formulate
Eastside state parks Between Grand Coulee and Idaho, Eastern Washington hosts eleven State Parks. Name Acres Feature Centennial Trail shared 37-mile-long trail Curlew Lake 23 Camping and hiking Columbia Plateau Trail 4,109 130-mile-long trail Crawford State Park 49 Gardner Cave Field Spring State Park 792 Camping and hiking Lewis & Clark Trail 37 Camping and hiking Mount Spokane 13,919 5,883-foot mountain Palouse Falls 105 198-foot waterfall Riverside State Park 13,665 Camping and hiking Steptoe Battlefield 4 Historic Site Steptoe Butte 150 3612-foot butte For perspective, the Dishman Hills Nature Conservancy exceeds 700 acres. The Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge near Cheney exceeds 16,000 acres. For comparison, the entire Eastern Washington State Park area is nearly twice the size of Bainbridge Island or equal to the size of Orcas Island. Nevertheless, the largest public land space in Eastern Washington is the Colville National Forest. Presently, that National Forest has 1.1 million acres in northeastern Washington and it includes the Kettle River, the Kettle Crest, the Selkirk mountain ranges, and the upper reaches of the Columbia River.
trail plans that would NOT interfere with hikers or horseback riders, and a NEW trail will be prepared and polished for the downhill rider. Along with the mountain bike trail and a few other hiking trail improvements, the Mount Spokane staff plans to build a warming hut for the snowshoeing portion of the park. Not unlike the Nova Hut for the nordic ski trails, the new snowshoe hut will become a great trail hub and a friendly spot to warm up during snowshoe outings. It’s also important to mention renting the lookout tower atop Quartz Mountain might be the best deal in all of the local state parks. The 360-degree panorama of stunning views changes and improves throughout your stay, and after the sun goes down the dazzling distant city lights hardly compete with the brilliant overhead display of starlight. You won’t be disappointed. Riverside State Park truly belongs in its own category. It’s the biggest park by acreage and length, and it manages the greatest variety of users. Riverside hosts a 600-acre ORV park, the majority of the Centennial Trail, a major campground, a dedicated equestrian area, several boat launches and miles of unique multi-use trails. The park also shares the Spokane River corridor with several uncommon neighbors including a rifle range, a golf course, a major dam, a military cemetery, and a wastewater treatment plant. The diversity of access and opportunities at Riverside that attracts so many people year-round also creates a number of unique burdens that few other parks faces. For example, most parks have fewer than four entrances, while Riverside State
Park has roughly twenty trailhead or boat launch parking lots from multiple roads on both sides of the river. The unusual boundaries also create friction from private landowners from time to time when park visitors zip across private land to go from one portion of the park to another. But the Riverside Park staff and rangers are among the best in the country, and they’re superb at managing resources, serving people’s needs, and furthering the park with several key projects. Regarding the equestrian area, they recently received a $15,000 grant from the JohnstonHansen Foundation to rebuild the riding arena, add bleachers and an announcing stand. Regarding the ORV area, an RCO grant this year will pay for a beginning riding area that will add an additional 20 acres of flat ground - great for all ages learning to ride. This area will be fenced off from the general ORV riding area and will also include a new picnic shelter, parking area and bathroom. The Bowl and Pitcher area will also receive a newly renovated restroom in the upper campground replacing an outdated, out of code bathroom. Riverside also promises a few major events to celebrate the State Park 100th Anniversary. The main celebration is the Centennial Celebration on June 8th—FREE admission. The park coordinator has already approved over 70 other events this summer including the favorites like the 24-hr Mountain Bike Race on May 25th, The Dirty Dash on July 13th and the Spokane Marathon on October 13th. Plus there are a few new events such as the Haunted Zombie Hikes starting October 11th and the Winter Wonderland Hikes starting December 12th. MAY 2013
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----------------------------------------------------The Future There are several reasons why the state parks cannot be run like a business, but ultimately it boils down to just two primary viewpoints about funding. In the first view, inherent in the very title of state public land is the notion that it belongs to the public; therefore the public citizens are owners and stewards of the land, and not customers of their own property. This group believes the operational costs should be included in the general fund of the state budget. The second view clearly recognizes the cost of maintaining the state parks, and seeks to lump the expense onto the shoulders of the user or visitor. The trees and the flowers will thrive with or without visitors, however the most
Ortega. “Every volunteer is giving a little bit of themselves for the greater good of the Park that I am passionate about—the Park that belongs to US as a community and that WE should be taking care of. Some have local pride and others love community service, but they are all in the Park working with smiles. I have yet to have a single individual, whether they are part of a group or working with me one-on-one, that hasn’t wanted to be here or that had a bad day working here.” -----------------------------------------------------In conclusion Washington has the fourth-oldest state-park system in the country, and it precedes the national parks system by four years. The first century of the state parks existence included multiple World Wars and the invention of the Internet. At this time, the Discover Pass is the primary tool for
raising state park funds, but it hasn’t met any of the goals that the State Parks Commission has set. Going forward, the most likely formula for the state park budget will be a blend of State budget funds, park visitor tolls, corporate and charitable donations, and volunteer supplements. Like so many things in the community, the citizens will make the decisions about this blend of funding by their money, their time, their votes, and their behavior. At the turn of the century anniversary, anyone that enjoys and appreciates the Washington State Parks is encouraged to show their support by any means possible. And mark your calendar for the Centennial Celebration on June 8th at Riverside State Park. //
In the pay-to-play model, there’s a danger of eliminating some of the last inexpensive recreation.
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Out There Monthly / MAY 2013
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loved trails and high-traffic portions of every park require the most attention and resources, and those that create the traffic need to pay for it. Both views face legitimate criticism. In the first case, there’s a danger that we could be taxed out of enjoying our own land. In the second case, sometimes called the pay-to-play model, there’s a danger of eliminating some of the last inexpensive recreation, and otherwise impairing one of the best reasons for living near a state park. Positioning park fees entirely on the user discourages park use and enjoyment. Besides, locals still benefit from state parks whether or not they enter them. Ultimately, if the money doesn’t come from the State budget, and it doesn’t come from the state park visitor, then the point is moot because the only other option is commercial money from corporate sponsors. Just picture a time in the future when you might enter the Riverside State Park brought to you by Visa and stay at the Walmart Riverside RV campground and use the Bud Light boat launches on the Spokane River. Perhaps those examples are a little harsh, but they aren’t unreasonable. In order to succeed, those profit-seeking businesses must promote the development rather than the preservation of State lands, and this encourages decisions that will create revenue rather than ones that best conserve the resource. Volunteers frequently fill in the gaps where funds and resources are unable to complete certain projects. Church groups, Boy Scouts, sports teams, even family reunions sign up to volunteer their time and sweat at the state parks. At first glance, this method appears to solve a majority of issues regarding some labor and many services. Yet, one way or another, a volunteer requires a certain amount of staff time to train, instruct and monitor. Nevertheless, without volunteers, hundreds of projects would evaporate entirely. Furthermore, volunteers do far more after their service because they’re usually the most informed and sensitive proponents for their park. The ripple effect from volunteering continues to promote and preserve the lands long after they stopped picking up litter or repairing a trail. “Whether they come out for a single day, a single hour, or if they come to the Park several days every week, they all have something to teach me,” says Riverside State Park volunteer coordinator Megan
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Journey to the hidden falls Pee-Wee Falls, Northeast Washington / By Brad Naccarato
Snacking along the rocky shore that surrounded it, we all just sat in awe of the incredible natural beauty that was in front of us. Safety Note: Our trip was done in late August, at time when the river and the actual falls are flowing at lower levels. In Spring and early Summer, colder water temperatures and higher water flows can increase the dangers for inexperienced paddlers. As tempting as it may be, I do not recommend attempting to stand directly under the falls as the sheer power and temperature of this water could easily cause bodily harm. When you go: Boundary Guided Kayak Tours in Metaline offers full tours of the twelve mile scenic stretch of water starting at Metaline Water Park and concluding at Boundary Dam. Along the way boaters can expect to see massive canyon walls, caves, and of course, many spectacular waterfalls. For more information see: www.boundarytours.com //
About a hundred miles north of Spokane, deep into the upper reaches of Washington’s Pend Orielle river valley, sits a true vision of paradise: Pee Wee Falls. Hidden from view by roads or trails, Pee Wee is tucked away into a private nook of the river making its stunning views available only to those willing to take to the water. Much of the Pend Oreille river valley consists of ancient metamorphic rock, uplifted over 500 million years ago from the former floor of the Precambrian sea that covered the region during that period. Several post ice-age floods helped to cut and shape this rock, laying the ground work for the many picturesque falls that line the cliffs in its northern passage near the Canadian border. For several years I had heard rumors about a beautiful waterfall near the town of Metaline that was a “must-see,” but I was unable to find any real solid information that would lead me to its exact whereabouts. After all, most scenic gems of this sort were always marked on some sort of trail map or noted with signage on a scenic driving route, but not this one. Armed with the little information we had, my friends and I decided to take our first crack at finding Pee Wee. We headed north with a rough estimate of how to reach the falls and what seemed to be the closest place we could park the truck: Boundary Dam. A trail ascended south from the boat launch, along the bank of the river and appeared to be heading in the direction of the falls. At first, the trail seemed to be an easy route but it quickly digressed into a very sketchy slog that had us hopping boulders, ducking trees and fording through waist deep
To get to Boundary Dam, drive north of Spokane to the town of Metaline. Just past Metaline is the turnoff to Boundary Dam. Follow this road all
water. Gradually the slope angle of the ground beneath us was becoming a strait wall of rock cutting directly down to the water. As getting completely wet became the only option, the idea of swimming deep into a steep channel with little or no beach to offer us rest, was far too risky. The mystery of Pee Wee remained that day as we were forced to retreat back to the truck. For our second attempt, we came armed with kayaks and an even stronger desire to find the hidden falls. Launching our boats at the dam, we pushed quickly past the place where we had given up on our previous attempt. The rock walls of the canyon grew steeper as the channel narrowed leading us back into a side arm of the river. Some of the walls of the canyon were ascending hundreds of feet above us. As the channel curled to the right, we couldn’t quite see where it ended. As we moved on though, the rock walls deep in the bay, as if they were a giant moving curtain of rock, gradually began to reveal the awesome site of Pee wee falls tucked back into its farthest nook. Pushing much closer, we could see that a very small island sat perfectly in the emerald green 18
Out There Monthly / MAY 2013
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water under the falls. It was breaking most of the cascading water as it swept off the two hundred foot cliff above us. As we closed in, we beached our boats on the little island of rocks as the massive force of the falls blew a strong wind and mist inferno into our faces that instantly had us soaked from head to toe. It was clear that my goal was to stand directly under the falls—as this is the hero pose that every adventurer seeks when face to face with a massive waterfall—right? Moving closer to one of the main water shoots, the mist inferno around me was growing stronger and colder by the minute. Then, with one last jump, I landed directly under a plummeting vein and was instantly hit by ice-cold water that completely knocked the breath out of me… too cold to stand for even a photo opportunity. The water descending down onto me was no doubt coming from high in the Selkirk Mountains above and was very much a stark contrast to the warm August river water at my feet. Settling back into our boats we sought the comfort of a nearby shoreline. Finally seeing the falls was an amazing and gratifying experience.
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Pee wee falls. // photo brad naccarato.
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