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The Trailhead

Trail Projects, Public Lands

Day, & More By Holly Weiler

Conservation Futures Properties

Nominated: The recent round of nominations for Spokane County Park's Conservation Futures program additions received eight applicants. A public meeting to present the nominations and discuss the process for determining which of the properties will become Spokane's next park(s) will be held on September 9th at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom. Find meeting registration information at Spokanecounty.org.

National Public Lands Day: Get outside and play (for free!) on National Public Lands Day, September 25! Discover Passes will not be required for day-use at Washington State Parks, Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife lands, and Department of Natural Resources lands all day. Sept. 25 is also a National Parks feefree day and a good time to plan a road trip to Mount Rainier or Glacier National Park.

Public Comments Sought on Fees & Rec

Site Changes: The Colville National Forest is considering some fee additions and increases at several recreation sites across the 1.1-million acre Northeast Washington forest. The complete list of locations and public comment information is available through September 30 on the agency’s website. Some notable highlights include a proposal to include the recently restored Salmo Mountain Fire Lookout on the cabin rental reservation system, as well as the Frater Lake warming cabin.

Run for the Woods: The Kaniksu Land Trust will be hosting a fall fundraiser trail run event at Pine Street Woods in Sandpoint on October 9. All of the event proceeds from this first Run for the Woods will benefit the trust, so come run for a good cause! www.kaniksu.org/events/runfor-the-woods

Volunteer Trail Projects: Lend a hand on one of these upcoming trail projects. If you can’t make it, remember to check out these refurbished trails once they are finished: o Idaho Trails Association will be hosting project days in North Idaho this fall, including at Parker Ridge and Chimney Rock (Idahotrailsassocation.org). • Washington Trails Association will be continuing work on Mount Spokane projects through September, then transitioning to trail improvements within

Spokane County Parks. Look for a fall grand opening to the new trailhead and trail at Etter Ranch at the south end of Antoine Peak. Other project sites include Hauser Conservation Area and

Slavin Ranch (Wta.org). • Friends of Scotchman Peak Wilderness will be hosting a National Public Lands

Day project at Goat Mountain on

September 25 (Scotchmanpeaks.org). • Evergreen East Mountain Bike Alliance is continuing work on the new trail 290 at Mount Spokane with approximately 0.5 mile remaining. Once snow returns, the focus will turn to a reroute of one of the steepest sections of the Edith

Hansen Trail at Liberty Lake Regional

Park (Evergreeneast.org). • Blue Mountains Land Trust will be hosting a weekend project at Camp Wooten

State Park with camping and meals included for a nominal fee, September 24-26 (Bmlt.org). //

Holly Weiler is a long-time contributor to Out There Outdoors who plans to spend her fall finding gold in the nearby hills (larch season!).

HIKE OF THE MONTH

STEVENS LAKES, MULLAN, IDAHO With easy access off I-90 and some of the best fall color in the region, a trip to Lower and Upper Stevens lakes is a great shoulder season option. For the easy version, stay on the main trail and hike to Lower Stevens as an out and back. With minimal route-finding skills, the trip can be extended to Upper Stevens via a poorly maintained trail.

Those comfortable with map and compass navigation over challenging terrain may wish to extend the hike via the climbers' trail from Upper Stevens, which takes hikers up and over Stevens Peak, followed by an exit via nearby Lone Lake. This route makes for a longer and more difficult loop hike option. Early September visitors may find lingering huckleberries, but snow may also come early to these North Idaho mountains. Be prepared for a range of conditions. The trailhead generally remains accessible through the end of October, although, if the weather looks dicey, play it safe and use the winter access closer to the main road instead.

This hike can be considered moderate to difficult depending on the route chosen. Get there via I-90 and take exit 69 at Mullan, Idaho. Turn right onto Friday Ave., followed by a slight right onto Willow Creek Road for about a mile. The parking lot has a CXT toilet available.