Out There Outdoors // Fall 2025

LOVE OUT THERE?

Eric D.: The end of the huckleberry season. PUBLISHERS

Q: What’s your tell-tale sign of fall?

WALK THROUGH THE NARROW entrance to Baby Bar and you’ll find yourself in one of downtown Spokane’s most beloved hangouts. Dimly lit, with unique paintings and juice squeezed fresh right in front of you, the place radiates a community vibe you can feel as soon as you step inside. Just next door, Neato Burrito dishes out giant burritos that are vegan-friendly with a satisfying meat option. Together, the two spots are more than a bar and burrito joint—they’re an extension of the home of owners Patty and Tim and the family they’ve raised inside those walls.

Patty started at Baby Bar as an employee after working at the Elk Public House. It was at the Elk that she realized she wanted her own place. “I liked how they did things there. I felt appreciated,” she says. That sense of appreciation has carried through everything she and Tim have built. They don’t call their staff employees—they’re coworkers, each with a seat at the table.

Their children—Ruby, Bennett, and Banks—grew up at Baby Bar. “Ruby was two when we started,” Patty says. After school, the kids would come in to clean, prep and help however they could. “This place really was an extension of our home,” she adds. Adam, who started working there years ago and never left, is now considered part of the family too. Today, it’s the kids who keep Neato and Baby Bar running strong.

In 2023, Patty tried retirement. It lasted a year. “I was going nuts!” she laughs. She’s now back where it all began—working at the Elk and enjoying it—while her kids keep the burritos rolling and the bar lights glowing.

If the Baby Bar feels like home, that’s intentional. Written behind the bar are “house rules,” the same kind you’d expect if you were sitting in someone’s living room. “Community breeds community,” Tim says. “That’s what this place is all about.”

Live shows are part of the heartbeat of the bar. Since COVID, all performances have been all-ages, opening the door to a new generation of music fans. Drag nights and

Spokane's Living Room

open-mic poetry fill out the schedule, keeping the space vibrant and creative. Both Patty and Tim once played in bands, and their love of performance continues to shape the culture of Baby Bar.

For others, it’s the drinks. The bar’s reputation for fresh-squeezed juice (orange, lime, lemon, grapefruit) means you can order something refreshing, boozy or not. “We can make just about anything non-alcoholic,” Patty says. And then there’s the food. Neato Burrito is that rare spot where everyone— vegan, gluten-free or meat-loving—can sit down together and find something they love. “It’s really easy to feed people when it’s healthy,” Tim says. If the bar is open, the kitchen is serving, and for many in Spokane, that combination has made Neato Burrito part of the rhythm of daily life.

Even the details reflect Patty and Tim’s values. They swapped out PBR for Douglas Lager, a 100% locally-produced beer, and kept the price the same. It’s a small move, but one that underscores their commitment to supporting Spokane. That ethos extends beyond the walls of the bar and burrito shop. For years, Neato Burrito and Baby Bar have run ads in Out There Outdoors. Their handdrawn artwork, once sketched by local artist Tiffany Patterson, later by Patty with a Sharpie, and now by their son Bennett, has become a kind of scavenger hunt for readers. You can always find their ad—it just might take a moment to decipher it—and that uniqueness has become part of their charm.

When asked why they continue to advertise with Out There Outdoors, their answer is simple: “It’s locally owned, and we love the outdoors,” Tim says. “The readers are our people. They’re active, outdoorsy and they care about what they put in their bodies. I mean, a burrito is the perfect travel food.”

Like the magazine, Neato Burrito and Baby Bar are rooted in community. Family-owned, deeply loved, and still guided by the idea that a neighborhood spot can feel like home, they’ve built a place where you can always find a friend—and a really good burrito!

Tabitha G.: Dark mornings.

T. Ghezzi: Crisp morning air and where the moon rises.

Ammi M.: Steam rising from green field to golden trees.

Brad N.: The smell of woodsmoke early in the morning.

Holly W.: Harvesting tomatoes by headlamp due to impending frost!

TO REQUEST COPIES CALL 509 / 822 / 0123

AD SALES

Derrick Knowles: 509 / 822 / 0123 derrick@outtheremonthly.com

SUBMIT CONTENT IDEAS to: lisa@outtheremonthly.com

OUT THERE OUTDOORS

Mailing Address: PO Box #5, Spokane, WA 99210 www.outthereoutdoors.com, 509 / 822 / 0123

Out There Outdoors is published 4 times a year by Out There Monthly, LLC.

No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent of the publisher.

©Copyright 2025 Out There Monthly, LLC. The views expressed in this magazine reflect those of the writers and advertisers and not necessarily Out There Monthly, LLC.

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 / Out There Outdoors 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.

PATTY AND TIM, OWNERS OF SPOKANE'S BABY BAR AND NEATO BURRITO // PHOTO: ALANA LIVINGSTON

Rachel Toor

Ashley Voykin

Woods Wheatcroft

Wil Wheaton

Lindsey Zembower

A Crash Lesson in Community

I’VE HAD A GOOD RUN of fortune in my outdoor adventures, but I got the call this summer that no spouse wants to get when their partner is in an endurance race. It was the sheriff, an hour into the Ironman 70.3 Boise, telling me that my husband had crashed on the bike course. He was down hard.

I stepped into the terrible floating space of not knowing how bad the damage was for a few moments. We were fortunate; he had an obliterated collarbone, five broken ribs, and a partially collapsed lung. His Smith MIPS helmet had saved him from head or

spine trauma. When I met him at the ER, two young kids in tow, he was smiling above a neck brace.

The experience brought up a lot of thoughts for me about the risks and rewards that define the outdoor pursuits we love. Even when we’re trained, and competent, and are having a great day, accidents happen. It’s a risk we accept in varying degrees of awareness whenever we set out on the trail.

Whether or not that risk is worth it is up to every athlete to decide (and a good conversation to have with one’s family). But what shone through for my family during this incident was the incredible humanity at the edges of the accident. When my husband crashed, an athlete behind him stopped her race to call 911. She held his hand until the paramedics came. Two spectators stepped onto the course to flag oncoming cyclists, who were bombing down Lucky Peak around the crash site. One of them put his jacket over my husband, who was shivering with shock. I wish I could reach across time and space to say thank you to those people who stepped in without hesitation to help.

That community — call it the cycling community, the Ironman community, or our greater humanity — is what was left glimmering as we waded through the days of post-accident surgery, the long drive back

to Spokane, and the rearranging of our life as my husband started healing. We were filled with gratitude.

Are endurance sports and their unique communities worth the risks we take? In part, that’s the wrong question. The risks and rewards are tightly braided. Together, they make a complex strand that’s something we hold onto. A reason for living. Hard to parse.

My husband is already shopping for another helmet, another triathlon suit, and eyeing his next Ironman race. And I’m surprised at how okay I am with that. While I’ll still spend a lot of time analyzing that riskreward strand, I can see how the community is a lifeline.

This issue of Out There Outdoors covers all sorts of fall adventures and ways to get out in our region doing the things you love. But at the core of all that content is how to connect with this outdoors community. With people who adventure to live, who share stories and gear recommendations, who work together to protect our public lands and waterways. My hope is that you find a way to lean in, find a shared love, and do some good with it. I think that’s part of what all this adventuring is about.

Lisa Laughlin, Managing Editor

SCRATCHES AND CRACKS // PHOTO: LISA LAUGHLIN

DISPATCHES

FIRST SKI DESCENT OF PAKISTAN’S GREAT TRANGO TOWER COMES TO SPOKANE’S MOUNTAINFILM ON TOUR STOP SEPT. 11

SPOKANE, WASH.

Mountainfilm on Tour returns to Spokane on Sept. 11 with a selection of inspiring films from the flagship Mountainfilm Festival in Telluride, Colo. This year’s film tour screening, brought to town by the Jess Roskelley Foundation, will take place at Gonzaga University’s Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center.

Canadian ski mountaineer and professional skier Christina “Lusti” Lustenberger, whose team of three alpinists claimed the first ski descent off the 20,623-foot summit of Pakistan’s Great Trango Tower in 2024, will make a special in-person appearance. The feat, documented in the film “Trango,” promises to be an inspiring highlight of the Mountainfilm tour stop in Spokane. The event includes a selection of other festival films featuring a range of adventure, activism and social justice themes.

Lustenberger will be joined on stage for a Q&A following the film with legendary Spokane mountaineer John Roskelley, who was part of the team of five climbers who pulled off the first ascent of the same Karakoram-region peak back in 1977. As a prelude to the film, Roskelley will also share stories, images and reflections from climbing the peak with Galen Rowell, Dennis Hennek, Kim Schmitz, and Jim Morrissey.

The film “Trango” follows the dramatic and at times emotional two-year attempt at making the first ski descent off the Great Trango Tower by Lustenberger and fellow ski mountaineer Jim Morrison. It’s an exceptional piece of visual ski-mountaineering storytelling with dramatic drone footage that gives viewers unique perspectives on the vast, extreme terrain and the mountaineering and skiing challenges posed by the otherworldly peaks. From avalanches and crevasse crossings in thin air to unpredictable snow conditions and weather, the filmmakers capture the big mountain hazards and raw risk that the climbers turned skiers endured.

The first attempt by Lustenberger and Morrison with Nick McNutt in 2023 was thwarted by poor conditions and altitude sickness. Lustenberger and Morrison returned in 2024 with Chantel Astorga to finally reach the top on May 9, where the team unfurled a Protect Our Winters banner before transitioning for the top-of-theworld ski descent of Great Trango Tower’s West Face, a route that’s been described as some of the most challenging ski terrain on the planet.

The team’s journey to the top of Trango, which included weeks of living out of tents while waiting for the right weather window, was also a deeply emotional one, heightened by the near-constant physical challenges and

risk and the extreme and harsh nature of the place. The film crew eloquently captured the expedition members’ personal reflections on grief, loss, and moving forward in pursuit of dreams, which followed the team into the mountains.

Most notably, in 2022, Morrison lost his ski mountaineering and life partner Hilaree Nelson (after experiencing the crushing loss of his wife and two children in a plane crash in 2011). Nelson was swept away by an avalanche and killed while the pair were skiing together from the summit of Manaslu, and the shadow of that recent tragedy can be felt throughout the film. Lustenberger, at times, also grapples with nagging unease stemming from the enormity of the undertaking and even shame at exposing so many people to so much risk. The 45-minute film is a showcase of the strength and skill necessary to pull off such expeditions, but also the essential role of trust and support among teammates to keep moving forward in the face of suffering, both physical and of the heart.

That indispensable act of putting trust in your fellow climbers or skiers is one thing that hasn’t changed much in the mountaineering world in the nearly 50 years since Roskelley’s team first scaled Trango. “I can’t say that in 1977 any of us even dreamed of skiing off the top of Great Trango Tower,” Roskelley reflects. Extreme athletes who take on ski-mountaineering projects on remote, difficult, high-altitude peaks like Great Trango Tower prepare physically and mentally for years, he notes, yet the inherent risk is still immense even with advancements in equipment design and weather-forecasting technology. “If you cross a tip, choose the wrong line, hit a small rock sticking out of the ice, death is imminent. All of them understood the consequences of a mistake,” adds Roskelley.

In the final moments of the film, Lustenberger confronts the question that many of us who watch films like “Trango” wind up asking: What drives athletes to risk their lives on such big mountain challenges? “I thought about this a lot,” Lustenberger says. “And it’s the only place where you’re so alive but also the closest to death. To be found is to be in these places.” Those last words in the film, she says, sum up what drives her to continue to take on such truly wild challenges in the face of so much peril. “When you completely find your place—it can be a moment or anything—and yet not feel lost and to feel like you’re just in the right place, the right time in the universe. That is just like those pinch-me moments.”

Watching the stunning production of the film “Trango” on a big screen will be a treat for any skier, snowboarder, or climber of

mountains of any size. “The film has spectacular videography from the DJI drones, as well as GoPro footage from the skiers,” notes Roskelley. “You’ll be at the edge of your seat and wondering, like I did, what were they thinking standing on the very summit of Great Trango Tower just prior to turning their skis and beginning a journey that might not end well. Fortunately, Christina will be there to answer this question.”

The crossing paths of Roskelley and Lustenberger in person at the showing of this film to share stories from their incredible adventures is a unique alignment of the mountaineering world stars. Anyone in the Inland Northwest who has ever dared

or dreamed of hiking, climbing, skiing or snowboarding big mountains won’t want to miss it.

The Spokane Mountainfilm on Tour event starts at 6:30 p.m., with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. with a silent auction. This event is a fundraiser for the Jess Roskelley Foundation, which provides artificial climbing features in public parks around the Spokane region. The foundation works to promote public projects and outdoor activities that were a defining force in the life of Jess Roskelley, while preserving his legacy as a lifelong Spokane native and elite international alpinist. Tickets are available at Jessroskelleyfoundation.com.

(Derrick Knowles)

BLOOMSDAY’S 50TH RUNNING FINISHER SHIRT DESIGN CONTEST

SPOKANE, WASH.

The Lilac Bloomsday Association is already gearing up for the 50th running of Bloomsday in 2026 with a call for artists to design the official finisher shirt. Sponsored by Washington Trust Bank, the winning design will be worn by thousands of runners and walkers and will earn its creator $1,000 and a permanent place in Bloomsday history. The contest is open to all artists, regardless of age or experi-

ence. Submissions must feature up to four colors and include “Lilac Bloomsday Run” or “Bloomsday,” “Spokane, WA,” “2026” or “‘26,” and the word “Finisher.” Hard copy entries only will be accepted through Sept. 26, 2025. Multiple entries are welcome, and artists are encouraged to highlight the 50th anniversary milestone in their designs. Full contest details are available at Bloomsdayrun.org. (OTO)

DISPATCHES

RUNNING THE BOULEVARD: SPOKANE’S FOURMILE RACE TO FIGHT CANCER

SPOKANE, WASH.

The Boulevard Race returns to Spokane for its third year on Sept. 21, bringing runners and walkers together in the fight against cancer. The four-mile event winds through the heart of downtown’s University District. Participants will take in tree-lined streets, the sweeping Gateway Bridge and views of the Spokane River. More than just a race, The Boulevard is designed to be a lively and entertaining experience with surprises around every turn. Along the course, participants will encounter high-energy cheer zones; a marching band; DJs spinning music every quarter mile; and unique motivators like scream tunnels, bubbles, cowbells, donuts, and slush pops for kids.

Kelly Risse, director of vibe for The Boulevard Race, says the point of the event is to celebrate life, both honoring those who have passed in the fight against cancer and those who are currently battling the disease.

“The race is a big party to bring the community together and have fun on a Sunday with great music, cheer squads and high fives,”

he says. “Life is precious and a race like the Boulevard celebrates that. It brings out the best in Spokane.” Come race day, Risse is out there amplifying the vibe by personally delivering high fives to racers on the course. Proceeds from the race support Community Cancer Fund (CCF), a Spokane-based nonprofit that provides financial assistance to cancer patients and families while funding local programs such as Ronald McDonald House, Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital, YMCA Camp Goodtimes and WSU’s new pediatric residency program. Since its founding in 2014, CCF has raised more than $28 million. This year’s Boulevard Race event aims to continue that momentum, building on a huge turnout for the 2024 race that saw nearly 3,000 runners and walkers fill the course. “The race really has something for everyone. And we’ve built it so that when you finish, you’ll ask to do it again,” adds race director Jon Neill. Sign up at Boulevardrace.com. (OTO)

SPOKANE, WASH.

Evergreen Gear Exchange’s Consign for a Cause program makes it easy to support the Inland Northwest’s outdoor nonprofits while cleaning out your gear closet. The program begins just like regular consignment at the shop: bring in quality outdoor gear you’d like to sell, and Evergreen Gear Exchange handles the rest. The difference is, instead of your portion of the sale coming back to you, it’s donated directly to a local organization of your choice to help them continue their work protecting landscapes, building trails and creating outdoor opportunities for the community.

“Consign for a Cause is our chance to directly support local outdoor advocacy groups,” explain Evergreen Gear Exchange owners, James and Abby Nisbet. “We see

that, now more than ever, protecting our outdoor spaces is critical to us being able to access those places in the future. Obviously getting out and volunteering time on a trail crew is awesome, but as a business, we have a unique opportunity to raise funds for those organizations, and that’s pretty neat.” Current nonprofit partners include Evergreen East, Friends of the Bluff, Spokane Mountaineers, Spokane Nordic, Bower Climbing Coalition, Dishman Hills Conservancy, Idaho Trails Association, Peak 7, Pass to Pass and the Jess Roskelley Foundation. The program offers an easy way for outdoor enthusiasts to give back to our public lands and trails while ensuring their unused gear finds new life with someone else. (OTO)

THE MOST FUN YOU’LL EVER HAVE RUNNING THE STREETS OF SPOKANE // PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BOULEVARD RACE

EASTOBERFEST BRINGS ENDURO RACING BACK TO BEACON HILL

SPOKANE, WASH.

Eastoberfest returns to Spokane this fall with a full day of racing and community celebration on the mountain bike trails around Beacon Hill. Hosted by Evergreen East, the 2025 event takes place Sunday, Oct. 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Minnehaha Park. This multi-stage enduro will showcase both new and classic trails, giving riders of all levels a chance to test their downhill riding skills. Categories are available for expert, sport, beginner, and junior riders, along with dedicated e-bike divisions. Registration costs $60 for Evergreen members, $75 for nonmembers, and $30

for juniors, with proceeds going directly to support local trail building and maintenance. Online registration closes Oct. 10 at 11:59 p.m., and no day-of registration will be offered. Registration includes a shirt, swag, a food truck coupon, entry into a prize drawing, and a post-race beverage. Race organizers are recruiting volunteers to help keep the event running smoothly, so sign up if you don’t want to race but can lend a hand. Eastoberfest has become a fall tradition for the region’s mountain biking community. Register at Evergreeneast.org. (OTO)

FISH LAKE TRAIL TO CENTENNIAL TRAIL CONNECTION SET FOR 2026

SPOKANE, WASH.

Work is scheduled to begin in spring 2026 on a long-anticipated trail connection linking Spokane’s Fish Lake Trail to the Centennial Trail. The project, estimated at $4.9 million, is slated for completion by fall 2026 and is designed to create a safer, more accessible network for cyclists and pedestrians.

Phase 1 of the work will extend Fish Lake Trail from the Milton Street Trailhead to 5th Avenue, with intersection improvements at Sunset Highway and Government Way. The trail currently runs from West Spokane toward Fish Lake near Cheney, Wash., stop ping short of the lake until necessary trail

improvements can be completed. Expansion plans include protected left-turn phasing, expanded crosswalks, a new paved path from Thorpe Road to the Fish Lake Trail, and upgrades to the BNSF tunnel with lighting and warning systems.

Phase 2 of the project will continue the extension from Government Way to the Centennial Trail spur at the Sandifur Bridge over the Spokane River. This stage will add a paved segment with lighting, further enhancing trail safety and connectivity. Funding is possible from a mix of federal Transportation Alternatives Program and

Sandifur Ped Bridge to Centennial Trail

DISPATCHES

GREY GHOST PURSUIT GRAVEL RIDE RETURNS

ROSSLAND, B.C

The Grey Ghost Pursuit is returning for its second year on Sept. 27–28, offering gravel riders two days of exploring the rugged backroads linking Christina Lake, Castlegar, and Rossland, B.C. Riders can choose between two fully-supported routes: the “Dig Deep” course—140 kilometers each day with nearly 3,000 meters of climbing Saturday and another 2,110 meters Sunday—or the “Just Right” course, at 65 kilometers with 2,450 meters of climbing Saturday and 1,380 meters Sunday. Both routes are 100% gravel, from rugged forest service roads to double-track trails.

The long “Dig Deep” course begins in Castlegar with a steady climb to Farron Summit, followed by a descent into Christina Lake and a big push north toward Rossland. The shorter “Just Right” course starts in Christina Lake with a 23-kilometer, 1,200meter climb before merging onto the final steep switchbacks up to the Seven Summits Trail trailhead, then dropping into Rossland for Saturday’s finish-line celebration of food, drinks and live music.

The weekend is fully supported with midpoint aid stations, first-aid crews, and volunteers along the routes. Riders can travel light, with overnight bags transported by event staff from Saturday’s start to Rossland. A pre-ride breakfast on Sunday fuels riders for another day in the saddle, with gear shuttled back to their starting point in Christina Lake or Castlegar. One-day riders may also check a bag to the finish, but must arrange their own transportation between start and finish points. All bike types are welcome—gravel, mountain, fat, and e-bikes—with results categorized by bike to keep things fair. Given the steep grades, long climbs, and technical descents, organizers recommend tires at least 40 millimeters wide.

The Grey Ghost Pursuit launched in 2024, founded by Rossland resident Steph Wolf after a life-changing accident. As a lawyer, she had long dreamed of organizing a bike race, but lacked the time and energy to make it happen. During recovery, she

craved the connection and adventure that gravel events offer, and after moving from Squamish to Rossland—where quiet gravel roads outnumber organized bike events— she launched the inaugural Grey Ghost Pursuit as a way to build community even while sidelined. “As I’m getting older, I’m thinking less like a lone wolf. I understand I can’t do everything on my own. I’m learning how important it is to have a wolf pack,” says Steph. In that spirit, most volunteers come from her own neighborhood. “Our neighborhood has become my wolf pack.”

The event reflects that inclusivity and community vibe from start to finish. Riders can go all-in and race on Saturday, or opt for a social ride on Sunday without the competitive pressure. For Steph, the point is simple: have fun with a group of like-minded people from across the Pacific Northwest. Unlike road cycling, gravel riding avoids busy traffic and appeals to many older mountain bikers, like Steph, who want to trade crashes and injuries for long, lower-risk adventurous rides.

Saturday night’s post-ride celebration includes live music, a barbecue and plenty of prizes. This year’s aid stations will also add a festive flair with sparkles, funky music, and local treats. “We want people to feel supported—that could mean fueling your personal best, or even taking your shoes off if you need it!” Steph says.

Adding to the significance of the ride, the event honors the “Grey Ghosts,” the now functionally extinct mountain caribou herd that once roamed the Monashee Mountains, and supports regional conservation. Five percent of event profits will go to the Save Record Ridge Society, which is working to stop a proposed open-pit magnesium mine near Rossland and the famed Seven Summits Trail. By taking on the climbs, loose descents, and rugged beauty of the Kootenays, riders help protect the trails, wildlife, and mountain landscapes that make this event and place so special. Register at Greyghostpursuit.com. (OTO)

TRAIL MAGIC CAMPFIRE TALES NOV. 6

SPOKANE, WASH.

Cozy up and celebrate our public lands this November. The Lands Council (TLC) will host its in-person storytelling series, “Campfire Tales: Stories from Our Public Lands,” Trail Magic edition. Have you ever been enthralled by the magic of the sun hitting a towering mountain? Have you been awed by the generosity of someone you crossed paths with on the trail? Have you experienced Trail Magic on our public lands? Trail Magic is real, and TLC wants to celebrate it with the oldest form of entertainment—bringing people together to tell stories around the campfire. Come enjoy

time with Spokane’s conservation community at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 6 at Wildland Co-Op. Check out The Lands Council events page for more information or to submit a story pitch at Landscouncil.org/events. (Adam Gebauer)

NEW LOCATION FOR THIS YEAR’S SEKANI TRAIL RUN

SPOKANE, WASH.

Fall trail runners who sign up for the annual Sekani Trail Run on Oct. 5 will be running a new Beacon Hill course with a new venue at Minnehaha Park, just down the road from the traditional Camp Sekani Park event staging location.

Race organizers, with Franklin Elementary School’s A.P.P.L.E program, which puts on the trail race as a fundraiser, moved the location of this year’s event due to planned construction improvements to the Camp Sekani parking lot.

“It will be great to see what improvements the City of Spokane makes, and we look forward to hosting next year's race back at Sekani,” says organizer Ammie Hatch. This year’s limited-edition courses include a 5k course, covering trails solely on Beacon Hill with around 500 feet of total climbing, and a 10k course that will take runners up

a challenging route with 1,000 feet of elevation gain. For racers interested in a sneak peek of the course, maps are available at Sekanitrailrun.com under the “2025 Race Info” tab.

In addition to the 5k and 10k options, the event will once again host a free kids’ 1K race for elementary-aged runners. “Every year this is a highlight to watch,” says Hatch. “So many excited kids ready to run outdoors and win their own medal!” Although the kids’ race is free, parents need to register their child in advance.

“Finding a new location to stage the course was a bit of a hurdle,” says Hatch, “but parent volunteers from the Franklin A.P.P.L.E program are always willing to put in the extra effort to bring enrichment to their students’ education and to put on a fun event. We might not be at Sekani this year, but we're Sekani-ish!” (OTO)

GRAND OPENING OF SUN CITY CYCLE & SPORTS

MOSES LAKE, WASH.

Grant County’s only bike shop opened its doors in Moses Lake this summer, offering bike repairs, select sporting goods, and new and used bikes, including entry-level e-bikes. The shop is a welcome addition to the Central Washington community after the closing of Tri-State Outfitters following COVID. Shop co-founder Andrew Spark says he’s excited to serve all of the cyclists living in the Moses Lake area. While many cyclists travel to Wenatchee, Spokane or Beezley Hills in Ephrata to ride, having a home shop will help stoke the local cycling

community by offering in-town bike maintenance and gear options.

Sun City Cycle & Sports also carries a curated line of disc golf supplies, including beginner- to pro-level discs. Why disc golf and bikes? Because the shop owners love both sports. Spark says the disc golf course at nearby Blue Heron Park is a hidden gem in the region. Sun City is also offering consignment for used bikes that are still in good shape and plans to carry skateboards soon to support the passionate local skatepark scene.

Drop by the shop in downtown Moses Lake at 312 S. Division St. (Lisa Laughlin)

DISPATCHES

DISCOVER SPOKANE ON FOOT AT NEW TASTE & TREK EVENT

SPOKANE, WASH.

There’s something special about exploring a place on foot. You catch more of the details—the stories, the smells, the architecture, the energy. Wander Spokane offers guided walking tours year-round that highlight the city’s history, food and art. This fall, owner Alana Livingston is debuting a new event: Taste & Trek Spokane, Sept. 26–28. Timed to coincide with the Pacific Northwest Food & Wine Festival at the Historic Davenport Hotel, Taste & Trek adds a twist—pairing guided city walks and outdoor treks with food, drink and stories along the way.

Taste & Trek offers a chance to experience Spokane from a different perspective,

whether you’re visiting or have lived here for years, says Livingston. “This event came from my heart—Spokane has the food, the people and the outdoors I can’t get enough of, and I wanted to wrap it all into one experience. Honestly, it’s just my favorite parts of Spokane all in one weekend.”

Each day of the event will feature a downtown walking tour and a naturebased trek, with stops at local spots for bites and sips. Guests can mix and match tours to create their own adventure, all built around moving through Spokane and connecting with the people and places that define it. Learn more and book at Wanderspokane.com. (OTO)

WASHINGTON DISCOVER PASS FEE RISING THIS FALL

OLYMPIA, WASH.

Washington’s Discover Pass, the required vehicle access permit for state parks and other public lands, will see its first price increase since the program began in 2011. Starting Oct. 1, 2025, the cost of an annual pass will rise from $30 to $45. The Discover Pass is valid at state lands managed by Washington State Parks, the Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the Department of Natural Resources.

The fee increase was approved by the Legislature in April and signed into law by Gov. Bob Ferguson in May. While the increase reflects more than a decade of inflation, it will not bring in significant new revenue for State Parks during the 2025–27 bud-

WILD WALLS CELEBRATES 30 YEARS WITH COMP AND PARTY

SPOKANE, WASH.

Wild Walls Climbing Gym will mark its 30th anniversary on Saturday, Oct. 11, with a day of free-entry climbing, the free Dirty Thirty climbing competition and a party that evening. The anniversary bash from 4 to 8 p.m. will be co-hosted by the Bower Climbing Coalition (BCC)— also celebrating its 10th anniversary—with beer proceeds benefiting BCC’s important work, which includes replacing dangerous, corroded climbing anchors and bolts and organizing crag cleanups. Feast World Kitchen will be serving up international eats from Spokane’s immigrant and refugee community. Indoor climbing will remain free all day, and DJ N8BIT will be spinning through the evening.

Founded in Spokane’s historic Old State Armory building in 1995, Wild Walls was one of the first indoor climbing gyms to open in the Northwest and has expanded its space and offerings several times over the years. The 12,000-square-foot gym

includes two large bouldering areas and 40-foot top-roping and lead walls. Wild Walls provides beginner and advanced classes, youth programs, yoga, group event options and a portable wall for rent.

“The party and competition are a celebration of 30 years and a thank-you to the continued support from our community,” notes general manager Todd Mires. “We are honored that so many people have had their first climbing experience with us, and we will continue to be a climbing-community hub and place people can call home.”

The full day of anniversary celebrations kicks off with the Dirty Thirty route and boulder comps that run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Participants can compete at any time throughout the day. Point values will be assigned to every existing route and boulder in the gym, with a final score tallied from the combined point value of the top 30 routes or boulders. Find more details at Wildwalls.com. (OTO)

NEW GRAVEL RACE, “THE GRIND,” COMES TO RIVERSIDE

SPOKANE, WASH.

New to this fall’s recreation line-up, “The GRIND,” a gravel circuit race, is coming to Riverside State Park. The start and finish are at the Seven Mile Airstrip, home of the successful 24-Hour MTB and Wednesday night MTB races. This race is a collective brainstorming effort from the mountain bike community and the Riverside State Park Foundation (RSPF) and will serve as the nonprofit’s yearly fundraising event.

The course will be a familiar one to frequent Riverside riders. The 11-mile loop traverses wide-open two-track trails and a few sections of singletrack, making it fast and non-technical with some climbing that will be perfect for mountain, gravel, cyclocross, or hybrid bikes with a bit of tread. RSPF board member and longtime

Spokane cycling event organizer Gino Lisiecki is spearheading the race. “Gravel is very popular right now and this will be a fun, spectator-friendly event with the loop format featuring 66-mile (6 laps), 44-mile (4 laps), and 22-mile (2 lap) options,” he says, allowing racers to choose the distance that’s right for their fitness level.

The race will feature chip timing, custom pint glasses, Bicycle Butler support at the start, and finish-line chili and snacks. The cooler Autumn weather should make it a great day of cycling and fundraising for the many park projects and programs RSPF helps make possible each year. Camping will be available at the venue for an additional fee when registering for the race. Register for The GRIND at Riversidestateparkfoundation.org. (OTO)

get cycle. Lawmakers reduced general fund support for the agency and added new costs, leaving parks more dependent than ever on user fees. In the next biennium, about 71% of State Parks’ funding will come from earned revenue such as the Discover Pass, up from about 65% in the current cycle.

Revenue from the Discover Pass helps fund operations that keep Washington’s 124 developed parks, 1,300 miles of trails, 6,000 campsites, and more than 2,700 facilities open and staffed. Founded in 1913, Washington State Parks welcomes over 40 million visitors each year, making it one of the most popular public land systems in the region. (OTO)

TASTE & TREK SPOKANE PAIRS GUIDED CITY WALKS AND HIKES WITH FOOD, DRINK AND HISTORY. // PHOTO COURTESY OF WANDER SPOKANE

NEW TRAILHEADS AND MAJOR PARK UPGRADES

SPOKANE, WASH.

Across Spokane County, so many regional parks and trailheads underwent dramatic upgrades and improvements that it’s impossible to pick a favorite in 2025. Beginning last May, Liberty Lake Regional Park received an expanded and paved parking lot with 88 regular and three accessible parking spaces, new lighting, and improved stormwater management, all connected via a new sidewalk to the beach area. Zephyr Road, leading into the park, was widened, repaved and improved to accommodate RVs and buses.

Located in north Spokane County, Bear Lake Regional Park received an entire facelift. Shorelines were improved for launching kayaks and paddleboards, and the county added three 10 foot wide fishing docks with lowered-rail design to improve safety and usability. The main restroom facilities were also fully upgraded, and a new lakeside picnic shelter was built on the site of the former caretaker’s house.

The addition of a trailhead at the popular Knothead Loop hike is a major boost for

Riverside State Park. Not too far from the Little Spokane River, the new trailhead features a gravel lot with roughly 38 regular and two accessible parking spots, a vault toilet, a kiosk and overnight gates about 300 yards north of Indian Painted Rocks on Rutter Parkway. This radically improves the parking problems at the Painted Rocks trailhead.

The Liberty Lake community also gained an improved launchpad for running, walking or cycling at the Harvard Road Trailhead for the Centennial Trail. The fresh design for this trailhead includes ADA access, improved parking, two EV charging stations, a vault toilet, as well as a new water station for people and pets.

Last but certainly not least, construction began at Pines Road and Trent Avenue for a new roundabout. This is part of a larger project involving BNSF Railway and the adjacent intersection. This project will take up to two years, but the endgame includes a new Centennial Trail trailhead and adds sidewalks and shared-use paths for the safety of pedestrians, schoolchildren and cyclists. (Jon Jonckers)

MOTORIZED MISCHIEF REPORTED IN THE DISHMAN HILLS

SPOKANE VALLEY, WASH.

Reports of motorized bikes (both dirt bikes and electric bicycles) have increased in recent years and are becoming a growing concern in the Dishman Hills, according to a recent article in the Dishman Hills Conservancy e-newsletter. The Dishman Hills area includes a mix of public and private land, including several public land units with different management objectives and rules, with dirt bikes and other motorized vehicles being prohibited on all trails. The rules for mountain bikers, however, are a bit murkier.

Some trails in the Iller Creek and Glenrose units allow traditional pedal mountain bikes. According to current Spokane County policy, both pedal-assist e-bikes and throttle e-bikes, which don’t require pedaling and are effectively electric motorcycles that can travel at a higher rate of speed, are currently prohibited on non-motorized Spokane

PUBLIC LANDS IN PUBLIC HANDS—ART INSPIRES CONSERVATION

SANDPOINT, IDAHO

If you walked into Evans Brothers Cafe in Sandpoint in August, you were greeted not just by the smell of espresso but by something equally grounding: the landscapes that shape our identity here in Idaho.

“Public Lands in Public Hands,” a six-week exhibit by renowned local photographer Woods Wheatcroft, was a reminder of what’s right outside our doors and why it matters so much to keep it that way.

The exhibit, which opened Aug. 5, featured 18 photographs of places familiar to some locals; the trails we’ve hiked, the peaks we’ve skied, the valleys we’ve driven through. Woods’ goal is to slow us down, to pull us out of the endless scroll and to let us see ourselves in these landscapes. As he puts it, “It’s a visual reminder of how beautiful our area is and how easy it is to get out in these spots, to motivate people to connect with those spaces.”

The exhibit created somewhat of an internal conflict within him. Part of him wanted to keep these places secret, being a gatekeeper of some of the lesser-known and seldom-seen wild places. But, he recognizes that people must experience them in order to form a connection with them—a connection that leads to a desire to conserve and protect them. "So, it's kind of unveiling the secret, saying ‘Get the hell out there before it's gone.’"

Seeing the images on the wall is more impactful than viewing them in an

Instagram feed. “We scroll from one image to the next—one dopamine hit to the next. That doesn’t allow us to reside with the feeling,” he observed. On the other hand, attending an art exhibit in person is an immersive experience, one that Woods himself realized while printing the images for the show.

“I spend countless hours editing these photos, so when I printed them on metal, it made me slow down and recall the moments the photos were taken.” While he has no plans to show the exhibit at another venue, he would love the opportunity to get it in front of more people. Citing preservationist John Muir, he is likewise inspired by wild places and wants to bring people together who want to protect them.

To that end, he partnered with Kaniksu Land Trust to host an art opening at Evans Brothers with a percentage of proceeds from art sales being donated back to KLT for their conservation work. Although KLT’s work involves partnering with private landowners, not government-managed public lands, Woods said the project was “a proper alignment of interest—getting people outside.”

Woods’ “Public Lands in Public Hands” exhibit revealed his genuine love for the natural spaces and people who enjoy them. “It’s a pursuit, a path. It’s not a clock in and clock out kind of work. It’s a way of life.” Woods’ photography is on display and on sale at Woodswheatcroft.com. Learn more about Kaniksu Land Trust’s work and mission at Kaniksu.org. (Marcy Timblin)

County Conservation Area trails. Other areas, including the Dishman Hills Natural Area, which features miles of scenic hiking trails and prime urban-interface wildlife habitat, prohibit all types of bicycles and motorized vehicles on all trails.

Motorized vehicles and e-bikes are currently prohibited for several reasons, according to the Dishman Hills Conservancy, including fire danger, high speeds that can surprise people and wildlife, and the risk of trail damage. The nonprofit conservation organization also cites trespassing as a concern, which not only violates private property rights but also risks damaging relationships with neighbors—potentially limiting future land conservation efforts. Trail users are encouraged to respect posted regulations, practice good etiquette and report violations to Crime Check or Spokane County Parks. (OTO)

NEW KNOTHEAD TRAILHEAD UNDER CONSTRUCTION //

PHOTO: REX SCHULTZ

Foraging Fall Edible Mushrooms Walking in Step with the Season

By Karie Lee Knoke

THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT walking through a forest in the fall that stirs the soul. The earth softens underfoot, the scent of damp leaves fills the air, and, if you slow down enough, the wild begins to reveal its secrets. One of those gifts is mushrooms, popping up in the quiet places, nourished by rain and decay. Fall is the season when fungi call us to pay attention, to harvest

with gentleness, and to remember our place in the web of life.

Mushrooms are a gift from the forest floor. They provide us with food and medicine. In their own mysterious way, they are teachers and connectors between life and death. They break down the old to nourish the new. In the fall, when the rains return, mushrooms emerge, reminding us that even in a season

of dying back, there is abundance. This is the time to lace up your boots, carry a sharp knife, bring a basket or woven mesh bag (never plastic), and head into the woods with curiosity, care and respect. I prefer a mesh bag to allow the spores to sprinkle to the forest ground as I walk, replenishing next year’s harvest.

FIVE OF MY FAVORITE MUSHROOMS TO KNOW THIS FALL

1) Hen of the woods (Grifola frondosa)

Also known as maitake, often growing in generous clusters at the base of oaks, this beautiful mushroom fans out like layered feathers. It’s meaty, grounding and deeply nourishing. I often find it in the same place year after year, like an old friend returning. Sauté it slowly, and let the earthy flavor shine.

2) Chicken of the woods (Laetiporus sulphureus)

Not to be mistaken with hen of the woods, these are so called because of their slightly lemony taste with the texture of chicken when cooked. They can be found growing on dead or dying stumps or tree trunks of hardwood trees. It’s best to harvest this mushroom when it is young and tender, before it gets chalky. I like to sauté them in butter or add to soups or use as a chicken substitute in any recipe.

3) Chanterelles (Cantharellus spp.)

Golden and elegant, chanterelles are often found tucked into mossy glades beneath fir and hemlock. Their fruity aroma and delicate ridges make them unmistakable, once you truly get to know them. Don’t rush. Look closely. A poisonous lookalike, the jack-o'-lantern, grows in similar habitats. Learn the differences well before tasting.

4) Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus)

These pale, soft fans grow on dying trees, such as birch, poplar and other hard-

woods. They come in flushes, sometimes covering a log with soft, edible blooms. They cook up tender and mild and are among the easier mushrooms to identify. Still, know what you’re looking for. Nature rewards those who move slowly and pay attention.

5) Puffballs (Calvatia spp.)

When young and firm, puffballs are wonderful sliced and sautéed. Just be sure to cut them open and look inside. They should be pure white with no signs of gills or inner structure. If you see anything developing inside, leave it. That’s nature telling you it’s not edible.

A PRACTICE IN AWARENESS

Foraging mushrooms is not something to dabble in casually. It’s a practice. Some mushrooms can kill you, some can heal you, and many live in the mystery between. Go slow. Use more than one field guide. Taste nothing until you are absolutely sure.

HARVESTING WITH RESPECT

Only take what you need. Leave plenty for the deer, the insects, the spores and the soil. Cut mushrooms cleanly at the base, and disturb as little as possible. The mycelium, the real body of the mushroom, is underground, and we are merely gathering its fruit. Be gentle.

For me, fall foraging is about remembering. That we are part of nature. That the Earth provides. That there is still wildness to be found, if we walk with humbleness and reverence.

Karie Lee Knoke is a wilderness and primitive skills instructor and founder of Sacred Cedars Wilderness School. She was a contestant on the reality survival TV show, Alone Season 9, on the History Channel. Go to Karieleeknoke.com for more information, or follow her on Facebook @SacredCedarsWildernessSchool or Instagram @karie_lee_knoke.

“A

thoughtfully

how

CHICKEN OF THE WOODS MUSHROOMS HAVE A CHICKEN-LIKE TEXTURE. // PHOTO: KARIE LEE KNOKE

TheMountDay St. Helens Reopened

ON THE MORNING of May 18, 1980, Chris Ashenbrener was pouring concrete on the edge of Lake Pend Oreille, far from his stomping grounds in the Cascade Range. Hours after he began, the sky began snowing ash. Ashenbrener retreated to his tent and watched as confused birds navigated the darkening skies, then eventually turned on the radio to hear a voice on the other side telling people to stay indoors.

“Of course, I thought the Ruskies were coming,” Ashenbrener recalled. But it was just Mount St. Helens, making good on her recent and frequent promises.

When St. Helens erupted in all her might, she blew out her side with such force that miles of forest around her were flattened and her once-proud summit was amputated of 1,300 feet. Fifty-seven people died, hundreds of homes and structures were lost, nearly 200 miles of road destroyed, and geological history made.

Lawetlat’la, or Loowit, as the local Indigenous Peoples refer to her, had long been a moody mountain with evidence of prior eruptions. She is unplacated by her occasional tantrums and remains the most active volcano in the Cascade Range. When she reopened to climbers in 1987, she was one of the few volcanoes of the range Ashenbrener had not climbed.

His interest in climbing began more than a decade earlier, though he’d say he preferred traverses to bagging peaks. After pursuing the usual path of the wayward but being maternally influenced (see: reluctant completion of a degree prior to hitchhiking around America), Ashenbrener gave up his attempts at using mind-control to get picked up by drivers and went to law school. He didn’t really intend to practice law, but meeting classmate and fellow outdoorsman, Ted Gathe, made the years of education worth it.

The pair and various friends had been exploring the Cascade Range since the mid-1970s, when Ashenbrener moved to Spokane. Raising young families and launching their careers, most of their adventures involved cramming in as much mountain as possible somewhere between Friday and Monday, preferably with some use for their skis along the way. Mount St. Helens was no different.

The mountain reopened to climbers in May 1987. Ashenbrener remembers it being the weekend of Bloomsday, making the decision to bail on the running race to climb instead. It was also the last weekend climbers could summit without a permit (which has been required since 1986). For the growing

alpinist community of the Pacific Northwest, it was a festive affair.

Trails had not been marked or restored, so parties were approaching from all sides. Gathe and Ashenbrener decided to begin in the lowlands, but the soft snow would slow their approach. They remedied this by bringing their Nordic skis. This got them thinking they should bring their alpine skis, too, for the descent would be long and epic. Of course, they also needed crampons, rope, ice axes, lunch, and the usual layers of mountaineering, packs, and the debris of a day out in the wild.

They skied in through the trees and over the mushy terrain. As the slope steepened, they stashed their Nordic skis and switched to climbing boots, now only sinking to their knees. With their alpine skis and poles dangling off their packs and looking like traveling trinket salesmen, they made their clunky way across the snow.

It was a perfect blue-sky day and the sense of celebration was real. As the men pushed toward the summit, which was now just a mile-wide rim of ice and snow, a helicopter approached them, landing nearby. It was ABC News, who had grown curious about the amount of stuff the two were schlepping up the side of a volcano and wanted to interview them for the evening news with Peter Jennings. The crew commented that the pair were the only ones carrying skis to the top. In fact, they were not.

Mountaineering legend Kathy Phibbs also climbed the mountain that day with her skis, while wearing a red dress and a pillbox hat. Five women from Women Climbers Northwest joined her and danced the CanCan at the top (they only made the Seattle Times). Phibbs’ pilgrimage of summits in skirts, specifically that one, sparked the annual Mother’s Day Climb on Mount St. Helens that continues to this day.

If Ashenbrener and Gathe were more a spectacle than the broads doing Broadway on the rim, it was the accidental result of their testosterone-fueled ambition and “Grapes of Wrath laden journey,” as he refers to it. Clanking with a flea-market load of equipment, they slogged their way to the rim while questioning their life choices. Now, they had the added pressure of getting back in time to see the evening news. The crampons and the ice axes were used in a final push, but the rope stayed in the pack.

Upon cresting the rim, the gravity of the mountain’s history struck Ashenbrener, who recalls it looked like a "mountain with the top completely sliced off with a machete.”

BY AMMI MIDSTOKKE

Along the newly formed rim were dozens of climbers peering into the crater, stepping too far out onto frozen ledges and cornices. Other climbers yelled warnings at them while Ashenbrener worried for their safety. Hundreds of feet beneath them, the crater steamed. A new lava dome had already risen out of the crater’s floor. Beyond them, where her belly had split open and poured forth, nature had been decimated.

When Mount St. Helens erupted, 24,000 megatons of thermal energy were released, 7,000 of which occurred in the initial blast. (In a morbid comparison, this is the explosive equivalent of approximately 1,600 WWII atomic bombs.) Entire swaths of forest were flattened, thousands of acres of trees left like charred toothpicks fanning away from the mountain. The rivers of lava, snow, and mud (known as lahars) carried millions of tons of debris down the Toutle and Cowlitz rivers, wiping out bridges, lumber camps, and homes along the way. Thousands of large animals were killed, entire species of small and large mammals as well as amphibians, extirpated.

By the time Ashenbrener made it to the

rim seven years after the eruption, only patches of fireweed had begun a brave return. Stretching miles before him still lay the carnage of a landscape turned shades of graybrown. He was struck by a sense of geological fascination and wonder, by the power within the Earth to make a whole mountain disappear. Not wanting to miss the evening news, the men rearranged their boots into their overloaded packs and donned their skis. “Forever, I will remember the sound of clicking into our bindings and pushing off,” Ashenbrener said. “We seemingly sailed off the top, over the heads of the climbers.” It was validation of the day’s gear-slog. In turn after turn, they descended 5,000 feet of snow, from one kind of crunchy ice to softer grains until they reached their Nordic skis, quads aflame with the burden of their descent. It’s one thing to ski down a volcano; it’s another thing to do it with a pack full of 1980s climbing gear.

The two raced back toward civilization in search of a bar with a TV on and a phone to call their families and tell them to watch the news. But that night, Jennings was busy reporting about presidential candidate Gary Hart’s tryst with Donna Rice and the men were bumped from national evening news by a woman after all.

“We are fortunate here in the PNW,” says Ashenbrener with charming optimism. “We don’t have cyclones, typhoons, hurricanes, flash floods. We just have the Big Burn of 1910 and the volcano of 1980.” Would Ashenbrener climb the iconic route again? “No,” he said, “I don’t do things twice.” Perhaps that is because some things can only be done once.

Ammi Midstokke lives in North Idaho, where the hills don’t explode. This season, she’ll be traveling to the Peloponnese to climb another less volatile mound of rock.

CHRIS ASHENBRENER (IN PINK) AND TED GATHE (LEFT) WITH FRIENDS COMPLETING THE PTARMIGAN TRAVERSE IN THE NORTH CASADES IN 1978. // PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRIS ASHENBRENER

Inland NW Trail & Outdoor News

By Holly Weiler

FREE OUTDOOR-THEMED ENTERTAINMENT

• There are several fee-free days coming up for Washington State Parks (as well as lands managed by Washington Fish and Wildlife and Washington Department of Natural Resources): Sept. 27 marks National Public Lands Day, Oct. 10 is World Mental Health Day, and Veterans Day is Nov. 11. Visit Washington parks without a Discover Pass for each of these.

• Chelan-Douglas Land Trust continues to host monthly guided “Hike for Health” events, with hikes planned on Sept. 13 at Cashmere Canyons Preserve and the final hike of the year on Oct. 11 at Saddle Rock Natural Area. Additionally, the group will partner with the Wenatchee Valley Astronomy Club (supplying telescopes at the event!) for a guided night hike on Sept. 23.

• Join Inland Northwest Land Conservancy for a free guided hike at Glen Tana in the Little Spokane River Valley on Sept. 13. This recent conservation acquisition is not yet open to the public, so joining one of INLC’s guided hikes is the only way to get a sneak peek.

FUNDRAISERS, CONTESTS, AND EVENTS

• Dishman Hills Conservancy will host its annual Wild at Heart fundraiser dinner on Sept. 27 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Tickets for the event are available through the DHC website.

• Join Wenatchee River Institute for its fourth Annual Sunset & S’mores fundraiser on Oct. 1, from 5-7:30 p.m. in Leavenworth. While the event is feebased, the organization offers “pay what you can” pricing for those wishing to attend. Tickets include dinner, drinks, and organized activities for a familyfriendly event. Advance registration required.

• MedWAR Challenge is coming to Mount Spokane State Park on Oct. 4. Teams of four will tackle an approximately

10-mile course while solving medical scenarios, in an event that is most similar to a Spartan race meeting a wilderness first aid course. A successful team will have a member with a bit of a medical background along with a member who knows a little map and compass (no GPS allowed). Registration of $250 per team includes event t-shirts, post-race dinner, and on-site camping.

• Washington State photographers, take note. The annual Washington Trails Association photo contest is currently open, with a deadline of Oct. 6. Photographers can submit multiple photographs in each available category for a chance to win fun prizes. There are several main categories, along with a bonus category depicting random acts of kindness captured on trail. See Wta.org for full contest rules and to submit your entries.

• Have a photo of a National Recreation Trail? American Trails hosts an annual photo contest for photos taken on a designated National Recreation Trail. That deadline is Dec. 15, which gives photographers plenty of time to capture fantastic fall color shots from our region’s trails.

STEWARDSHIP, CONSERVATION, & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

• The Idaho chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers will be partnering with OnX for a Public Lands Packout along the lakeshore of the Pend Oreille Wildlife Management Area on Sept. 13. Hike from the Clark Fork Drift Yard Boat Launch, or bring your own boat to explore and lend a hand to clean up the shoreline. The event will start at 9 a.m. and conclude at 1 p.m., followed by a barbecue.

• Chelan Douglas Land Trust will mark “Make a Difference Day” with a day of maintenance work at Saddle Rock on Oct. 25.

HIKE OF THE MONTH HAUSER CONSERVATION AREA

HAUSER CONSERVATION AREA might be accused of being a bait-and-switch misnomer of a park: the name is so firmly associated with a lake in next-door Idaho, that visitors may have some unmet expectations. So, first, what this conservation area is not: it’s not in Idaho, although it is close; it does not offer lake access, nor even a lake view. But it does offer a low-key, quiet hike that’s perfect for fall shoulder season, with well-maintained access if our region receives wet or even snowy fall weather.

In fact, a visit here following one of the first deep rainfall events of fall is among my favorite outings. The conservation area itself has a very diverse forest and is a great place to visit to look for fall mushrooms. I cannot speak to the edibility of any of the mushrooms one might find, but I find all of them very photogenic.

The property was acquired in two phases through Spokane County’s Conservation Futures program, with the purchase completed in 2018. A parking area was added in 2020 and numerous upgrades to the loop trail on the property were made by volunteers with Washington Trails Association in the years since. The conservation area is small, at just 192 acres, with less than two total trail miles. However, those looking for a longer hike can explore the adjacent Department of Natural Resources (DNR) property.

The DNR property has a walkable system of former logging roads and lacks any trail markers, so it’s easiest to add on an out-and-back hike until becoming familiar with the area. While it’s primarily a second-growth forest, some of the western white pine trees here are among the largest one can find in Spokane County. (Note that hunting is a permitted activity on the DNR property; wear hunter orange if visiting during hunting season.)

The best fall colors and mushroom peeping occurs within Hauser Conservation Area itself. A small part of the property was formerly a tree farm, and the rest has been logged in the distant past but has regrown with a dense tree canopy including hemlock, cedar, and western white pine in the low areas, along with a few drier and rockier outcroppings that are primarily Ponderosa pine. Look in the understory in the wetter trail sections to find the best mushrooms, plus watch in the higher openings for the last of the wildflowers as fall transitions to winter.

WEILER HUGGING A HUGE WESTERN WHITE PINE ON THE DNR PARCEL ADJACENT TO THE HAUSER CONSERVATION AREA // RIGHT: FALL MUSHROOMS // PHOTOS: HOLLY WEILER

JOIN AN IDAHO TRAILS ASSOCIATION VOLUNTEER TRAIL WORK PROJECT THIS FALL // PHOTO COURTESY OF ITA

• Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance is hosting Larch Fest on the Kettle Crest, Oct. 2-5. There are multiple days of riding and socializing, with a trail maintenance project planned for Oct. 4.

• Friends of Palisades will host its annual fall cleanup event on Oct. 11 from 9 a.m. to noon at Palisades Park west of downtown Spokane. Plan to arrive a

little early to enjoy coffee, hot cider, and cookies ahead of the event.

• Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness will celebrate National Public Lands Day on Sept. 27 with a maintenance project on East Fork Trail #563 followed by a fun cook-out event at the trailhead. The last project of the season will occur on Oct. 1 on the Star Gulch

Trail. Advance registration required.

• Great Burn Conservation Alliance is offering a noble reason to make the trek to Weir Creek Hot Spring on Sept. 20, as they are hosting a beginner-friendly site cleanup activity to mark World Cleanup Day. The group will meet at the Lochsa Lodge to enjoy breakfast, followed by spending a couple hours devoted to the site cleanup, and then participants may choose to stick around for an optional soak in the spring.

• Idaho Trails Association will celebrate National Public Lands Day on a project with fantastic views. Join them on Sept. 27 for maintenance work on the Chimney Rock Trail.

• Join members of the Northeast Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society for a series of fall cleanup events. The group will start on Sept. 5 at Underhill Park in Spokane. On Sept. 13 the focus turns to Polly Judd Park, and on Sept. 19 a project is planned for the Fearn Conservation Area at Riverfront Park. The work will include a general cleanup of each park, along with a main focus of removing invasive

plant species in order to replant with native plants. Advance registration is requested.

• Spokane Nordic will be hosting a series of trail maintenance days, aimed at preparing the Mount Spokane State Park Nordic Trails for early grooming as soon as snow returns to the mountain. Lend a hand Sept. 6, 7, and 27, as well as Oct. 11 and 12.

• Washington Trails Association will be gradually moving from the mountains toward the valley as the fall progresses, with fall projects planned at Fishtrap for National Public Lands Day on Sept. 27 along with multiple project days at Mount Spokane and Mica Peak throughout September. By October, the work will move to lower areas to provide some fall maintenance for the trails before winter.

Holly Weiler is the Eastern Washington Region Senior Coordinator for Washington Trails Association. When not leading trail work crews this fall, find her rushing to harvest everything in the garden before the first frost, along with chasing fall colors on regional trails.

GAYLE WILLIAMS

Witches on Wheels

Spokane's Spooky Century

By Justin Short

SPOKANE HAS A LOT OF WEIRD bike stuff going on. Twenty-one years ago, one guy goaded a few friends into riding all night, and the Midnight Century was born. More recently, Dan Webber rolled out a couple of signature Spokane events: The Great Spokane Shop Ride, which sends riders scrambling to visit every bike shop in town, and my personal favorite, The Spokane Stair Master, which climbs 25 staircases and over 1,200 steps in 20 miles. There’s really no shortage of eccentric things to do on bikes here, but why not add to the fray?

Gravel Braintrustee Anthology Johnson had been brainstorming a way to get a bunch of goofballs to ride a century in costume sometime around Halloween. Enter the 7th annual Corbin Park Witches’ Ride. Anthology had been eyeballing Corbin Park as a potential site for something akin to the Ladd’s 500 in Portland, a legendary goofball fest that draws hundreds of idiots out to ride a century on a roundabout in the historic Ladd’s Addition neighborhood. At eight-tenths of a mile and being rectangular in shape, Corbin Park would fit the bill quite nicely. This whole thing came together last minute, so we didn’t have a commemorative sticker or a candle burning on the altar bearing the image of OTO writer Carol Corbin, our patron saint. Perhaps this year she can kick this thing off by anointing riders on the nose with a dollop of magic donut frosting. She’s always wanted to start a cult. I spent the afternoon figuring out which lighting system to strap down to which bike, and which snacks to pack—it was a “which’s” ride, after all. I then dusted off my chicken costume and headed for the park. Halfway there, I realized I had forgotten my Conan

the Barbarian sized Masonic sword to place upon the altar. Yes, I briefly mentioned an altar in the previous paragraph. The rules of this thing clearly state that riders must lie and say, “I’m all in for the full 100,” even if they aren’t, and they must bring something to sacrifice upon the altar. And, oh, what an altar it was: candles, a skull, a bundle of sage, giant rubber dentures, a mountain bike tire, and a large jug of Fireball for our hydration needs. Snacks and water were piled up on either side for our frequent pit stops.

The Witches’ Ride, presented by Corbin Park Neighborhood Association, as far as I knew, involved a dozen folks showing up in witch costumes to ride a few laps around the park, then wandering off to hit the bars on Monroe. But it was sooo much more. There had to be more than a hundred witches and various other ghostly and gobliny characters gathered around the basketball court watching a coven of witches do a choreographed dance routine to classic Halloween tunes. Our “baker’s coven” (14 riders) gathered, bedecked in resplendent costumery. We had a mouse, a dinosaur, an avocado, a witch or two, a Spanish Civil Traffic Guard with a Gandalf hat, and a chicken. Anthology was rather understated with a dozen or so fuzzy tarantulas on his helmet.

As the musical procession concluded, witches took to the streets for a lap or two, cars that lined the park began pulling out, and children were trick or treating amidst the chaos while a couple of guys on e-bikes tossed candy about. We wanted to get the guy on the beach cruiser with a colossal wolf mask to join us, but I’m guessing he couldn’t hear us through that magnificent thing he was wearing. Was it made out of cardboard?

AT SOME POINT, SOMEONE SUGGESTED WE SWITCH DIRECTIONS, AND THIS IS WHERE THINGS GOT WEIRD. FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF HOURS, I HAD MANY MOMENTS IN WHICH I COULD NOT PLACE WHERE I WAS.

Was it made out of quarter-inch steel plate?

We’ll never know, but it was by far the coolest costume of the evening.

As the traffic cleared out, our pace picked up a bit, holding about 13 mph on the front

stretch and 17 mph on the back stretch after cresting the “hill.” Our night was mapped out for us: go to the next corner and hang a left. 100 laps would be 80 miles, and 125 laps would be a solid imperial century, or, more appropriately, a “vampirical” century. I lost count somewhere around four laps in. At some point, someone suggested we switch directions, and this is where things got weird. For the next couple of hours, I had many moments in which I could not place where I was. Fortunately, there was always a right turn coming up. Our avocado and witch team rode a triumphant metric century. Another witch in an invisibility cloak rode 59 miles, and three of us finished the century while other friends dipped in and out. I’m pretty sure Justin Skay, former writer of this column, had been there for a bit too, dressed as Justin Skay. It was well after midnight, and soft cheers emanated from the couple of porches where Halloween parties were still going when the hankering for tacos hit us pretty hard. A 10 p.m. taco drop is something we’ll definitely orchestrate next time around. Anthology’s 125-lap calculation was right on the money. When it was all said and done, I took a few ceremonial glugs from the sacred Fireball jug on the altar and swerved home. I foresee this thing gaining some traction this year, so sharpen your vampire fangs and tighten up the straw on your broom. We don’t know yet if the 2025 Witches 100 will be Saturday, Oct. 25 or Nov. 1, but either way, prepare to declare yourself all-in for the full 100! Out There’s “Everyday Cyclist” columnist Justin Short is always looking for an excuse to ride around town in a chicken costume.

THE BAKER'S COVEN RIDING THE WITCHES' 100 LAST FALL // CENTER: THE AUTHOR DECKED OUT AS A CHICKEN // PHOTOS AND ARTWORK COURTESY OF JUSTIN SHORT

RUN WILD

Running Myths, Debunked

By Sarah Hauge

IF YOU’RE A RUNNER, you’ve certainly heard the refrain of the doubters. There’s one thing they are absolutely certain will happen to you: “You’ll destroy your knees.” This is just one of the pervasive myths about running, and there are many others we tell ourselves. As with other lore, there’s often a kernel of truth in there—but the more nuanced picture leads to greater understanding. Here are a few common running myths, debunked.

“RUNNING IS BAD FOR YOUR KNEES.”

Short answer: Not true.

Nuanced answer: Running does not cause knee arthritis. In fact, studies show running can lower the risk of developing joint problems. Running also significantly improves overall health, benefiting the cardiovascular, respiratory, and musculoskeletal systems and decreasing the risk of everything from heart disease to osteoporosis and contributes to improved sleep and mood. That being said, damage

to knees and other joints can result from running despite nagging injuries, resting inadequately, or overtraining. Ideally, you should increase your running volume by no more than 10 percent weekly.

YOU NEED A CERTAIN BODY TYPE TO RUN.

Short answer: Nope.

Nuanced answer: Among competitive athletes, there are trends; who hasn’t marveled at the quads of an Olympic sprinter? Still, there are variations even among those elite pockets of the population. Zoom out a little further, and you’ll see an even more vast array of shapes and sizes. Bloomsday finisher photos prove that runners come in all heights, weights, and body compositions. Regardless of body type, you should run appropriately to your level of fitness. To feel your best and avoid injury, it’s always a good idea to balance running with strength training, mobility work, and active stretching.

YOU’RE NOT A REAL RUNNER IF YOU TAKE WALK BREAKS (or aren’t “fast,” or don't do races, or...)

Short answer: Wrong.

Nuanced answer: You’re a runner if you run. That’s it! It doesn’t matter if you prefer a 15-minute mile pace, a 6-minute pace, or a run-walk mix. Competitive runners often do workouts that combine high-intensity intervals with low-intensity jogging or walking recovery. It’s an effective way to train. Other runners build up stamina by alternating running and walking intervals. You certainly don’t have to run fast to be a runner—and there are many benefits to long, slow distance. The goal is to run in a way that brings you joy and benefits your life and goals.

THE RIGHT SHOES WILL PREVENT INJURY.

Short answer: Shoes aren’t miracle workers

Nuanced answer: The right shoes can help, but your musculature plays the biggest role in injury prevention, explains Trey Nichols, a physical therapist and founder of NW Movement Co. “Shoes are great,” he explains. “I’ve seen issues where I’ve attributed a lot of benefit to getting a different pair of shoes. But what makes the biggest

difference is strength.”

Strong feet and ankles are the foundation of injury prevention. One of the best ways to build that strength, Nichols says, is to go barefoot. This might mean walking around the house barefoot or going barefoot while you cross-train. Barefoot training engages the foot and ankle musculature, improving stability and strength throughout the entire body. If you wanted to strengthen your back, you wouldn’t always wear a back brace. Similarly, wearing shoes all the time can limit foot and ankle strength development. “I’ve worked with a lot of patients who after becoming more aware of their feet and getting their feet stronger have unlocked their superpower,” Nichols says.

At the same time, wearing shoes that are right for your physiology and training goals is certainly beneficial. Visiting a running store like Fleet Feet for a gait analysis and fitting is a good practice for any runner.

Sarah Hauge is a writer and editor who lives in Spokane with her husband and two children. She’s looking forward to running a half marathon or two this fall.

OVER THE HILL

Riding the Aging Train

By Rachel Toor

THE AGING TRAIN goes in one direction. We all know that. Still, most of us—especially those who pride ourselves on physical prowess—are like Cleopatra: queens of

denial. Nothing makes you look old like saying you’re old.

That’s why I’m excited to be doing a new column for this publication, which I’ve read since moving to Spokane in 2006. I want to use this space to explore what it means to be a person at a more mature advanced stage of life who is still trying to run up that hill. Sometimes, however, that hill will be more metaphorical than geographical.

At 63, after spending more than half my life as a fairly decent runner, I don’t see myself as over the hill. This summer, after taking a COVID-inspired break from racing, I once again pinned on bib numbers to hit some trail half-marathons. I remembered it was a big part of my identity: I’ve authored a few books about running, written for nearly every national running magazine, been sent to cover marathons in Singapore, Thailand, and Israel, and survived a brutal 100-mile, five-day stage race in the Himalayas.

I tell myself I’m still doing the Kate Bush thing: runnin’ up that hill. I’m slower, sure. I take walk breaks. Sometimes—gasp—I even stop to enjoy the view and sniff the flowers. I try not to measure myself against my former self and fail at that regularly. But even though it’s an urban myth that sharks die if they stop moving, I know for a fact that I’m not ready to turn to Netflix-and-chill full time. (Though a little Netflix, a little chill, is essential.)

As with most athletic feats, the mind is the muscle that matters most. I’m trying to train mine to accept the things I cannot change (the aging train) and figure out how to live in my current reality. I suspect I’m not alone in this.

Many elders do the “organ recital,” talking endlessly about the things in our bodies that are breaking down. I like to listen in because it’s good to know what might be in

I can’t keep up—and instead be grateful they slow their pace for the privilege of receiving my endless stream of wisdom nattering. Committing to writing about being active will give me a smidgen of accountability. For most of my adult life, I’ve been able to get away with doing no exercise. Which is to say, I have always seen running as a way to have good thinking time, to be social, to get introvert recharging, to push myself to find my limits. Never as exercise. I have never been a gym rat and hate water more than most cats. (The ocean, lakes, rivers: totally lost on me.)

But, I remind myself, the aging train has left the station. Recently, I texted my best friend a sentence that shocked us both: “I wore my Birkenstocks to Pilates.” I have hated those German tourist sandals since 1976. But my feet, they’re failing me. The T-Rex body of a runner doesn’t age well when schlepping bags of dog food. Something must be done.

SPAGHETTI SQUASH PASTA WITH SUNDRIED TOMATOES

This dish’s slightly sweet and nutty flavor pairs deliciously with parmesan cheese and tangy sun-dried tomatoes.

INGREDIENTS: 1 spaghetti squash from Full Bushel Farm, halved crosswise and seeds removed // 1 TBSP olive oil // 1 lb. dried pasta // 2 TBSP butter // 4 cloves garlic from Channing Farm, minced // 5 SHAKES red pepper flakes from Hayshaker Farm // 1 TBSP dried parsley // 1 CUP freshly grated parmesan cheese // 3 TBSP marinated sundried tomatoes // Salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS: 1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place the spaghetti squash on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast for 40 minutes until tender. 2. Meanwhile, boil the pasta in salted water for 8-12 minutes until tender. Save 1/2 CUP pasta water and set aside. Use a colander to drain the pasta.

3. Use a fork to remove the spaghetti squash from its shell. Place in a bowl and set aside.

4. Melt the butter in a pan over medium heat. Add the garlic, chili flakes and dried parsley, cooking for 3-4 minutes until fragrant.

5. Add the spaghetti squash and pasta water, stirring to combine. Add the parmesan cheese and sun-dried tomatoes. Continue to cook 5 more minutes until the sauce combines and thickens a bit. Add salt and pepper to taste.

6. Toss in the pasta. Serve with additional sun-dried tomatoes and parmesan. Enjoy! (Courtesy of LINC Foods)

WHISTLE PUNK PIZZA HAUS

Over the last decade, Whistle Punk Brewing has made its mark on Spokane, including the recent opening of a second taproom in the Millwood area, just blocks off of the Centennial Trail. Their newest venture? A pizza house that’s dishing up whole pies seven days a week alongside crisp pints of their famous Czech pilsner.

What sets Whistle Punk apart isn’t just the beer and now pizza—it’s the deep intention behind everything they do. Whistle Punk collaborates with other organizations, donating kegs for fundraisers that support public lands and raising money and awareness for diseases like ALS. Their addition of the Pizza Haus is just their latest way to build community and connection.

“We knew when opening in the city of Millwood we would eventually want to offer a food option. Every good neighborhood needs a great pizza spot and we wanted to fill that void,” says co-founder Daniella Hanson.

Whistle Punk sources their ingredients from local vendors like Shepherd’s Grain and mushrooms grown from friends at Happy Mountain Mushroom Co. Pizza dough is hydrated with beer that is made using LINC malt, a malt-sourcing company that secures heritage grains from local farmers. The outcome of using local ingredients? Wildly delicious pizza.

Whether you’re craving a traditional cheese pizza or something you can really sink your teeth into (the Date Night pizza is in fact, perfect for date night), Whistle Punk’s Pizza Haus is the perfect addition to the Millwood neighborhood. (Bri Loveall)

TRAILBREAKER CIDER MOVES DOWNTOWN

Trailbreaker Cider’s new downtown outpost brings a fresh and friendly cider bar to River Park Square. It’s ideal for an afternoon cider flight or a casual evening hangout before or after a movie at the AMC. Located on the third floor between the theatre and the food court, the open layout offers a view into the heart of the mall. There’s seating for about 40 guests, making it a cozy yet lively gathering spot. This new cider house features 12 cider handles and four rotating beer handles from Spokane’s Brickwest Brewery, Uprise Brewery, and Lumberbeard Brewery, just to name a few.

Like a backpacker’s compass, Trailbreaker follows cider flavors in every direction. Beginning with 100% Washington-grown apples, it’s not uncommon to find ciders featuring hints of plum, or mint, or cucumber, or pear, or watermelon. This ensures they always have something for everyone. Among the favorites, Blueberry Sage (5.2% ABV) is a tart but refreshing herbal cider that’s also available in a can. In fact, lots of their crowdpleasing flavors are available in cans so you don’t have to haul around any glass on your next adventure.

In the backcountry, a trailbreaker sets the course for everyone else to follow. A trailbreaker is a pioneer through thick brush or deep snow, and they are often unappreciated for their hard work. This is NOT true with Trailbreaker Cider. Their efforts are appreciated with every pint they pour, and the owners are making huge strides promoting delicious hard ciders in Liberty Lake and now downtown Spokane. (Jon Jonckers)

CAPTAIN ROB’S WILD SEAFOOD

When you live a few hundred miles from the ocean, it’s smart to track the source of your seafood. When the vendor is at your local farmers’ market and goes by the name “Captain Rob,” you’re on the right track.

Rob Davis is quick to tell you why his seafood is unique to the Spokane area. Everything is wild-caught and frozen at the peak of freshness (never frozen twice, never thawed). He works with fishermen who practice responsible harvesting. And he knows the waters.

Davis began fishing when he was seven, pursued his captain’s license, and has since fished all over the world, including on a 160foot crab boat in the Bering Sea. He lives in Deer Park, Wash., but travels back often to fish the wild waters off Alaska. This is the second year Captain Rob has brought seafood to a local consumer market.

“I didn’t expect it to be so satisfying talking to people and educating our customers about our beautiful and delicious seafood,” says Davis. While’ seafood offerings vary each week, you can find Pacific halibut, black cod, rockfish, wild Alaskan king salmon,. Seafood offers athletes a great recovery meal with inflammation-reducing omega-3 fatty acids and high-quality protein. It is also rich in vitamins and minerals that support the immune system.

Local farmers markets end in October, but you can find Captain Rob’s wild seafood at the new Scale House Market year-round. Follow Captain Rob’s Wild Seafood on Facebook for flash deals and weekly offerings. (Lisa Laughlin)

Autumn on the river. Coffee in hand. Everything else can wait.

GEAR ROOM

RIPTIDE XTRATUF SANDALS FOR KIDS AND ADULTS

These sandals are made for adventures that don’t stay on dry land or in one place for too long. Made from lightweight BioLite foam, they’re easy on the feet and better for the environment than traditional materials. Kids and adults can ramble wherever adventures take them, with drainage holes that shed water quickly and keep feet cool. Riptide sandals are so comfortable and lightweight, I

barely notice I’m wearing them, and our 10-year-old has been wearing his nonstop for weeks. The slip-resistant outsole provides solid traction on boats, beaches, rocky trails, and in-and-out of the water. I’ve had no issues with foot support or chafing after wearing them regularly on dog walks around the neighborhood. The Riptide sandals are available in kids’ and adult sizes and a range of cool colors. MSRP: $35-$58. Xtratuf.com (Derrick Knowles)

RECPAK MEALS

I rely on protein bars for fast, compact fuel in the mountains, but after reaching the punchy prebonk stage two days into a rugged bikepacking trip while consuming almost nothing but bars, I realized that, while valuable, standard protein bars often lack complete nutrition. Fortunately, I’d stashed a RecPak in my bag, and it quite literally saved my day— and the trip. Designed by a veteran, RecPaks combine MRE efficiency (just add water and shake)

with clean, complete energy for a mountain meal on the move. The ‘Paks come in three flavors: chocolate, vanilla chai and coffee, the latter with a dash of caffeine that recommends it as a stove-free breakfast-and-coffee combo. Whether to combat protein bar burnout or to avoid the dreaded dehydrated meal gut bomb, RecPaks make a worthy addition to any pack. MSRP: $38.99 (pack of three). Recpak.co (Aaron Theisen)

I admit I did a double-take when I pulled these SpeedArc Matis hiking boots out of the box. They are definitely a more modern, techy-looking boot than I’m used to, but it was the four holes through the midsole that caught my attention. I immediately envisioned the holes picking up rocks or invasive plant seeds. It’s a good idea to clean all boots after hiking to avoid spreading weeds, so I figured all was good as long as the holey tread lived up to its higher purpose.

Out on the trail, you feel the point of Merrell’s midsole innovation, which is to lend a noticeable softness to your step. The combination of foam cushioning and a stability plate in the midsole makes for comfortable, light steps, and Merrell claims 92 percent more energy return than the leading hiking boot. The boots feature a waterproof GORETEX upper and a Vibram outsole for grip. These should be a solid choice for anyone looking for a comfort-forward hiking boot. MSRP: $230. Merrell. com/US (Wil Wheaton)

There’s a maxim in the mountain world that one should be able to operate their equipment in the dark, sleepdeprived and with gloves on; the ideal gear, then, should feature set-andforget ease. The new BioLite Range series of headlamps pack outsized candlepower in a compact package. They’re small enough to be stashed in a jacket pocket, but bright enough to use as a campsite lantern in a pinch. Better yet,

BioLite has streamlined operations. Two separate and distinctly shaped buttons adjust on/off/dimming and light modes, respectively, allowing for fumble-free gloved use. And when you do forget to keep it charged, the Range headlamps replenish one hour of light in only eight minutes of charging via USB-C ports, allowing for last-minute trailhead top-offs. MSRP: $39.95-$69.95. Bioliteenergy.com (Aaron Theisen)

Editor’s Note: Unless otherwise stated, product for these reviews was provided by the brand at no cost to the reviewer. Out There strives to only review quality gear and provide honest, thoughtful, and entertaining gear reviews, but readers should always do their own research.

BIOLITE RANGE SERIES HEADLAMPS

MERRELL SPEEDARC MATIS MID HIKING BOOT

REMEMBERING RUNNER Sarah Doxey

DURING AN EARLY MORNING RUN on July 16, 2025, local runner Sarah Clark Doxey, 48, was struck by a vehicle along the shoulder of South Perry Avenue on Spokane’s South Hill, east of Manito Golf Course. She later died at the hospital. She is survived by her husband, two teenage children and a loving community of fellow runners.

Sarah was running side-by-side with friend Sara Ambrose, heading south in the northbound lane. Neighborhood runners, cyclists and walkers frequently travel this route. “As a person who runs in the morning all the time, I have never thought about getting hit from behind, because I always run against traffic,” says Ambrose. “The driver must have been going so fast that our minds didn’t register the sound.”

In a split second, at 5:31 a.m., Ambrose’s left-arm tricep was clipped by the vehicle’s passenger-side mirror before the vehicle crashed into a tree. “Sarah had disappeared,” she recalls. Disoriented, she ran to a nearby home. Then she spotted Sarah, on the road farther ahead, and called 911. Neighbors, golf course maintenance staff and a runner ahead all rushed to the scene to provide aid. Paramedics quickly arrived. At the hospital, Ambrose and friend Laura Carey gathered with Sarah’s family. The tragedy was major local news because the 17-year-old driver allegedly fled on foot before being arrested. The unnamed suspect has been criminally charged, and a trial is scheduled for September. Ambrose and Carey want Sarah to be remembered as an amazing friend who was passionate about running. (Local news outlets have already covered Sarah’s prominent healthcare career.) “She loved running more than anyone I have met,” says Ambrose. “I was not yet a runner [when we first met in 2013], but Sarah told me that no one cares how fast you are. They

only care that you’re showing up, having fun and making connections.”

Sarah taught Ambrose everything about running, she says. “She shared her confidence, encouragement and her running things, like leggings and water bottles,” recalls Ambrose. “When you spend hours and hours together running, you learn a lot about each other. It truly was like therapy because we could share at a very intense and beautiful level.” She was a get-upand-go type of person, she adds. “Running was an exercise with a goal. That feeling of accomplishment was really important to her. Running lets you ‘run off your crazy’—a place to put your energy, anxieties, all your worries aside and to focus on yourself.” As her friend looking from the outside, reflects Ambrose, her taking the time for running was central to who she was because we were both busy professionals. “Running was a time to hang out as friends and get our workout in.”

Sarah especially enjoyed running events. “Any local race, she was happy to do. She loved race day,” says Ambrose. “She had incredible adrenaline on race day and ran faster than she thought she would.”

Laura Carey says Sarah is the reason she, too, became a runner. “I ran my first half marathon (in 2012) because of her. She was the one that gave me the confidence I needed to know it was possible for me.”

Their first road-trip race, in 2016, was the Wine Country Half Marathon in Oregon, which inspired them to plan family vacations around marathons. “We spent years running hundreds of miles together,” says Carey.

Sarah was an achiever—and running was motivating for her because every workout or race was an achievement, says Ambrose. “She got injured over and over again because she pushed herself to do

what she possibly could.” In 2021, Sarah achieved her goal of running a 50k race in St. Regis, Mont. (Carey ran the 30k).

Most recently, the three friends traveled to Eugene, Oregon, where Sarah ran a half-marathon in April. Ambrose’s last race with Sarah was the Mountain Magic Trail Race at Mount Spokane on June 29.

For this fall, Carey and Sarah had already registered for the Big Bear Marathon in California. “It was going to be Sarah’s first since Chicago in 2023,” says Carey. “I don’t know how I’ll run marathons again. Every step reminds me that she’s not here anymore. But I also know I have to, because she wouldn’t want anything less for me.”

“I want Sarah to be remembered for her joyful miles,” says Ambrose. “She was so happy to be out there with a body that supported her to do all the things she wanted it to. She loved all things about the sport. I’m so lucky to have witnessed it and that she inspired me to start running in the first place.”

BY AMY MCCAFFREE

Currently, items memorializing Sarah are displayed at the tree crash site, but her friends would like to create a permanent outdoor memorial, like a plaque by her favorite rock-landscaped water fountain and strawberry patch along South Perry Avenue, not far from where she took her last running steps.

Amy McCaffree knew Sarah Doxey from their childrens’ middle school and remembers her as one of the "cool, chill moms"— friendly, funny and easy to talk to. Amy believes that all recreation users sharing the roads should be able to trust that they will return home safely to their families.

PHOTOS TOP: LEFT TO RIGHT: SARAH DOXEY AND SARA AMBROSE IN EUGENE IN 2022 // SARAH AFTER COMPLETING THE 2022 WINDERMERE HALF MARATHON // LAURA CAREY, SARAH DOXEY AND SARA A. ON A TRAIL RUN IN 2021 // SARAH DOXEY AFTER FINISHING THE 2025 EUGENE HALF MARATHON // PHOTOS COURTESY OF LAURA CAREY // BELOW: SARAH AND LAURA AFTER COMPLETING THE 2018 MISSOULA MARATHON // PHOTO COURTESY OF ERICK DOXEY

HEALTH

& FITNESS Nature Rx Prescribing the Outdoors for Better Health

By Olivia Dugenet

WASHINGTON STATE PARKS is promoting a new health treatment. Anyone can get a prescription. In fact, people are encouraged to write themselves prescriptions. Studies suggest this treatment improves sleep, enhances the immune system, lowers blood pressure, and reduces the risk of diabetes and stroke. There is also evidence to suggest it decreases depression, stress, anxiety, and ADHD symptoms while boosting mood, focus, and cognitive performance.

The medicine is nature—free, abundant, and often overlooked by busy people who spend most of their time indoors, staring at screens.

Part of a public health endeavor, Washington State Parks recently adopted a framework called the Parks Rx program—a national campaign to build awareness around nature’s health benefits. Anyone can access the “Write Your Own Nature Prescription” guide at ParkRxAmerica.org, or just grab a pencil and piece of paper. It’s a good idea to use SMART goal principles to make it Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. It’s also a good idea to link the prescription with activities you enjoy. Where will you go? What will you do there? How long will you do it, and how often?

A prescription for general wellness and disease prevention might look like this: “Read a book at Manito Park for 30 minutes three times per week; walk one mile at Dishman Hills Conservation Area four times a week; snowshoe at Mount Spokane for three hours once a week.” Those hoping to address an existing condition or initiate a lifestyle change should always discuss a nature prescription with a doctor. Time in nature does not replace regular medical treatments.

The Spokane Public Library offers free “Check Out Washington” backpacks containing a Discover Pass and helpful guides. The City of Spokane and Spokane County websites both offer park-finder tools to help people explore.

It’s difficult to predict exactly what restorative and preventive benefits an individual may experience with increased access to green spaces. Some changes can’t

be immediately detected. For example, research conducted by Dr. Qing Li shows that time spent in nature increases the body’s production of natural killer cells— key immune cells that fight cancer and viruses.

In the same report, Li points out that trees release volatile organic substances—invisible vapors called phytoncides—that reduce stress hormones when breathed by humans. As stress is linked to conditions like heart disease, depression, and high blood pressure, it’s no stretch to imagine that just breathing deeply in a forested area can have potent impacts on physical and emotional wellness. A self-administered prescription to walk daily along a tree-lined street could benefit health.

SpoCanopy, an urban forestry project operated jointly by the City of Spokane and The Lands Council, plants trees in urban and low-income neighborhoods with lowerthan-average tree canopy coverage to ensure every person in every neighborhood in Spokane has access to trees and green space.

The modern concept of prescribing nature as a form of medicine originated in Japan in the 1980s. The practice—called shinrin-yoku (forest bathing)—responded to a phenomenon researchers called “technostress,” or unhealthy behavior around technology.

As technology has proliferated over the last several decades, “technostress” has grown in scope and intensity. Today, according to Dr. Li, it “can arise from all manner of everyday usage, like checking your phone constantly, compulsively sharing updates and feeling that you need to be continually connected. Symptoms may include anxiety, headaches, depression, mental fatigue, eye and neck strain to insomnia, frustration, irritability and loss of temper.”

A nature prescription involves leaving the phone at home, in the car, or tucked into a bag. A commitment to unplugging for a few minutes in a natural space multiple times each week could be a key element to whatever healing any of us is seeking.

Olivia Dugenet is a Spokane writer and frequent “Out There Outdoors” contributor.

NATURE AS MEDICINE // PHOTO: OLIVIA DUGENET

A Conservationist’s Course in Empathy

By Ammi Midstokke

IT’S EASY FOR US to pick sides and rest on the laurels of our conviction. And if that doesn’t make us feel good enough about ourselves, we can join the ranks of the one-uppers: vegans who don’t eat honey, homeschool parents who teach their kids Latin, and misanthropic conservationists.

Mitch Friedman was some kind or another of that in his youth, following the thenpopular trend of monkeywrenching and civil disobedience as guerrilla conservation tactics, and generally rousing rabble toward industries that were perceived threats to nature, particularly to old-growth forests. He’s got an arrest rap sheet that reads like a Greatest Hits list.

I’m glad we have these people—those who chain themselves to trees, live in them, sit on the roads and try with all their gentle might to slow the seemingly inevitable destruction of our planet. Only it doesn’t seem to be working as a singular tactic.

That shared observation is what I found refreshing in Friedman’s new book “Conservation Confidential: A Wild Path to More Effective Activism.” Friedman takes a long, hard look at conservation efforts past and stares into the necessities for the future.

After pissing off enough police to recon

sider his methods, Friedman became one of the West’s most effective conservationists through what was then the unlikely and underused approach of collaboration. This requires other lost forms of art, such as empathy and listening, to gain perspective. When it comes to land management and the preservation of wildlife habitat in the face of progress, our only option is to make room for each other.

As Friedman discusses in his book, balancing the needs of ranch owners with the habits of roaming wolves requires deep listening and problem solving, and sometimes the culling of a wolf. When we exist in a space of all-or-nothing, we cannot come to a solution, only blame. Allowing wolves to roam and cattle to range means the occasional lost cattle or lost wolf. So how do we collaborate to minimize both and live in some realm of … let’s not call it harmony … but sustainability? (I hear someone in the back whispering, “tofu.”)

It’s not just the wolves. It’s who uses our trails and how they are used. I’m a fan of

how do we uphold their personal values and needs to support that? If we want logging to stop mowing down old-growth and essential ecology, where should our timber mills source the wood products we all use? If we want to keep driving our cars at highway speeds around the clock, how do we protect animals (and drivers) from the harm of collision—not to mention interruption to essential wildlife travel paths?

The breakneck pace of development in the western world has come with a blind sense of abundance that has scarred landscapes

and dramatically reduced native wildlife populations. We can do better, are obliged to do better, but we cannot do it by taking sides. Rather, we must do it by listening to all sides. And this must include the voices of the trees, the rivers, the flora and fauna of our precious planet.

Ammi Midstokke has allocated her garden as a spider-habitat and established a spider corridor from her kitchen to the outdoors. Some spiders even make it there alive.

Longtime Northwest forest and wildlife advocate Mitch Friedman’s new book “Conservation Confidential: A Wild Path to More Effective Activism,” recounts his evolution from radical Earth First! activist engaging in controversial protests to the founder and longtime director of the nonprofit organization Conservation Northwest. Part memoir, part strategy guide for citizens who care about the future of our forests and wildlife, the book offers provocative lessons that are timely not only for conservation campaigns, but for our national political moment, extolling the virtues of collaborative tactics and shared values over polarization. The book offers an insider’s look into the life of an accomplished activist leader challenging his own movement to better serve both nature and our ailing democracy. Pick up a copy at your local bookstore, including Auntie’s in Spokane, or online. (OTO)

climbinto theschoolyear! GRIND THE

Review: “Conservation Confidential” By Mitch Friedman

Check Out This Fruitful Presentation

Lost Apples of the Palouse

Thousands of named apples have been lost to history. Find out how The Lost Apple Project is taking steps to bring them back.

Visit scld.org/lost-apples

Adventures at State Parks

Borrow a Discover Pass Backpack for free parking when you visit Washington State Parks.

Go to scld.org/discover-pass

OUT THERE READS

“IS

A RIVER ALIVE?” BY ROBERT MACFARLANE (NONFICTION, 2025)

THIS LYRICAL, genre-blending book explores the title question through a series of river visits made by the author. Weaving together adventures to the River of the Cedars in Ecuador, the Chennai River in India, and the Mutehekau Shipu in Canada, Macfarlane ties them together with observations of a spring in his own neighborhood.

Each river in his tale faces an existential crisis: the River of the Cedars is under threat of destruction, pollution, and poisoning from multinational mining corporations; the Chennai has become a river of sludge due to poor urban planning; and the Mutehekau Shipu is in the crosshairs of Hydro-Québec for the next major multi-dam project. Even the little backyard spring suffers due to overutilization of the aquifer that feeds it.

“Is a River Alive?” is beautifully written. The author used words in new ways that I didn’t expect, but his descriptions are so graphically clear and relevant, I knew just what he meant. He did, blessedly, include a glossary, since he also used quite a few unusual words. ‘Quaquaversal’, ‘anchoritic’, and ‘bradyseism’ are now useful, if infrequently used, additions to my own vocabulary.

The book is a thoughtful consideration of the rights of nature movement, which requires asking even more questions. If a river is a living entity, what rights does it have? And if we as river stewards are to advocate for a river’s rights, how do we know what it wants?

My mind drifted to our own Spokane River as I read, with its heavy metals, PCBs, and occasional sewage or mineral oil spills. If the Spokane River is alive, what does she want? A complicated question, so be warned: “If you’re going to open Pandora’s box, make sure to stand behind the lid when you do so.”

(Sara Kennedy)

“CABIN”

BY PATRICK HUTCHINSON (NONFICTION,

2024)

WHEN HE WASN’T in a cubicle writing marketing emails and promotional materials, Patrick Hutchinson would indulge in a pipe dream. His friends and acquaintances were getting married, buying a house, starting families. On social media, people were doing interesting, exciting things. His free time, spent on a worn, dog-fur-covered couch next to a perennial pile of laundry, staring at his phone, was a constant reminder that his rut was getting deeper and harder to escape. Enchanted by the idea of having a rustic place in the woods, he often went on Craigslist and looked at cabins even though he was nowhere near affording one.

A tiny, 120-square-foot cabin in the Cascade foothills, three hours from his place in Seattle, intrigued him. After the owner said there were other interested parties, he borrowed money from his mother and paid the full $7,500 asking price. Habitable, but in need of repair, built partly with reused materials on a small lot, it had no electricity, water, bathroom or cell service. Anything dropped on the floor would roll away because it was not level.

But weekends at his new place were fulfilling and brought him back to life. He invited friends, and, between barbecues and conversations over beer, they undertook projects to make the cabin comfortable. It was a learn-as-you-go endeavor—lacking not just carpentry skills, Hutchinson and his millennial friends had to learn about tools too.

A book about buying and fixing a cabin isn’t a plot that sparks intrigue and fascination. Yet Hutchinson makes workproject issues, neighborhood characters and other situations interesting. I didn’t laugh loudly, but his generous application of humor made me chuckle and giggle more often than any book I’ve read in a long time. Reading it gave me a lift too.

(James P. Johnson)

The Queen of Running Jackie Van Allen

By Jon Jonckers

WITHOUT A DOUBT, Jackie Van Allen proves that decades of running is one of the greatest investments that one can make in oneself. Whether it's miles on the road or personal milestones, she keeps going with heart and grit, and her journey is an inspiration to everyone watching from near or far.

Jackie stands taller than most runners, frequently wears sunglasses and a running hat with a floppy brim, and she beams a wonderful smile whenever any conversation turns toward running. Since she doesn’t harbor any vanity or ego, people listen whenever she speaks. She features a recognizable gait wherever she runs. It’s usually easy to pick her out of a race crowd, because she really loves pink running shoes. Some even argue she has the largest collection of race t-shirts in Spokane. She’s

collegiate runner and a 1972 U.S. Olympic Team member in the 10,000 meters. The book proved to be a pivotal moment, because “he made training for a marathon sound easy! So, I ran my first marathon in 1988.”

Like most runners, Jackie enjoyed some fabulous accomplishments in her career, along with some significant heartaches, but she remained deeply committed to running as regularly as possible. She also likes to point out that running with friends creates some of the most powerful relationships. She adores the talking and sharing that unfolds organically after several miles running together, and she still recommends Galloway’s book.

been running with the Spokane Swifts, a women’s running team, for a couple of decades, and she recently completed her 75th marathon and 80th half marathon.

“I didn’t start running until I was 21,” recalls Jackie. “Back in the 1980s there was the Jane Fonda workout VHS tapes. It included limited cardio, but I read in a magazine that Jane trained and ran a 10km fun run. I thought if she could run it, I should be able to run it too. I was living in Dickinson, North Dakota, a rural area with few runners. It was common for people to stop their car and ask if I needed a ride. They must have thought running was my only mode of transportation.”

After just a few months’ training, Jackie ran her first Bloomsday in 1985. Shortly after, she picked up “Galloway’s Book on Running” by Jeff Galloway, an All-American

Bloomsday holds a special place in her heart, but Jackie definitely appreciates a lot of the newer races that have been popping up in recent years. She loves trail runs, especially the super popular Hiawatha Trail Run, hosted by Negative Split, as well as the Sunflower Marathon in Mazama, Wash., and The Rut in Big Sky, Mont. She figures, the greater the challenge, the greater the reward. Whenever people learn just how much running is a part of Jackie’s life, they inevitably inquire about her tips and tricks for staying healthy and injury free. She doesn’t have a secret formula, but she returns to the same core elements over and over again. In no particular order, she emphasizes consistency in running routines, she encourages people to rotate shoes frequently to let shoes ‘recover,’ and she definitely believes in the power of massage and foam rolling. For the record, she burns through about six pairs of running shoes per year. Jackie also begins each morning with a fruit milkshake.

Perhaps the greatest testament to Jackie’s involvement in the local running community stems from other runners in the region. Her friends and peers on the Spokane Swifts team absolutely adore her, and many of them were eager to say things like “she’s an inspiration,” “she’s the perfect mentor,” and “the world needs more people like Jackie.” Swift teammate Annelie Stockton says, “She is always so kind and has a very positive attitude. You can’t help but feel happy around her.” Swift teammate Heather LeFriec says, “I call her Queen Jackie! Her longevity as a marathon and ultramarathon runner is like no female we’ve ever known. She is someone I’ve known and looked up to for over 25 years. She’s always brought strength and consistency in everything she does, running and personally.”

Jackie does most of her running in the cool and peaceful mornings because “you encounter fewer scheduling issues.” Since she started tracking her mileage in 1988, she recently surpassed 64,000 miles, and she is on pace to surpass 65,000 miles by the end of the year. Even though she doesn’t run every single day, she still averages around 45 miles per week. When asked what’s the one thing you wish more people knew about running, Jackie responded, “Give running a chance. The first three months are tough, and you may wonder, how could this ever be fun? But it will be fun, just be patient!”

A quick search on the Out There Outdoors website brings up over 200 articles written by Jon Jonckers. He’s been a constant contributor since 2006, and he still enjoys sharing his love for the region with anyone willing to listen. SPOKANE’S QUEEN OF RUNNING // RIGHT: JACKIE VAN

Summer 2026 on your mind?

OUTDOOR LIVING Preserving the Harvest

By Crystal Atamian

MY 900-SQUARE-FOOT GARDEN has been generating fruit, vegetables and an insane amount of weeds for 15 years. When it comes to preserving that bounty, I like to get creative. Especially in the fall. My favorite companion on this adventure has been a book: Not Your Mama’s Canning Book: Modern Canned Goods and What to Make with Them by Rebecca Lindamood. During tomato season, my teenagers insist I make the Tikka Masala.

TIKKA MASALA SAUCE

(adapted from “Not Your Mama’s Canning Book,” yields 6 pints)

1 Tbsp olive oil // 3 large onions // 12 garlic cloves, peeled and minced // 2 tsp kosher salt // 3 Tbsp garam masala // 6-inch piece of ginger, peeled and grated // 3 jalapeño peppers, stems and seeds removed, minced // 12 cups peeled and diced tomatoes

Sauté the garlic and onions in olive oil on medium heat. Sprinkle in the garam masala and stir until fragrant. Add the ginger and peppers. Cook 1 minute. Add tomatoes and stir, raising heat to medium-high. Bring to a low boil. Scrape sides and bottom regularly to avoid scorching. Drop heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring frequently.

Ladle into pint jars, leaving 1-inch headspace. Use a chopstick to release any air bubbles. Moisten a paper towel with vinegar and wipe the rims of the jars before placing on the lids. Process in a pressure canner at 10 pounds pressure for 30 minutes. Let canner come back to atmospheric pressure naturally, then transfer jars to a towel-lined rack to cool for 24 hours. Store in a cool, dry place for up to one year.

If you don’t have a pressure canner (I don’t), split the mixture into six freezer-safe containers and freeze. Use within six to nine months.

This makes for an easy dinner: Sauté chicken (or your protein of choice) and any veggies you desire. (I love adding sweet

onion, red bell pepper, and garbanzo beans.) Add 1 pint of preserved tikka masala sauce and 1 cup of heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk. Serve over basmati rice. Pro Tip: Put the canned sauce in the blender (or use an immersion blender) before adding the cream for a smooth and yummy result. For bonus points, add frozen peas, chopped dill, and cilantro to the rice.

KALE, 3-IN-1 PEARS, AND APPLE PIE FILLING

We all need easy preserving options in fall. I blanch kale and freeze it for an easy addition to soups and pastas. My other low-maintenance favorite is to mash peeled pears with a little lemon juice and grated ginger into a crockpot. Cook it down to make a pear butter you can enjoy all winter! An immersion blender used at the end makes it extra creamy. Here are two other options that require a little more effort, but the results are mouthwatering! Preserve fall pears by making three-in-one pears (also in Lindamood’s book). This simple recipe combines making dark ginger pear syrup, pears, and pear juice into one session. All three are canned using the standard boilingwater bath technique. If apple pie filling calls to you, use the recipe from the National Center for Home Food Preservation. It has one-quart and seven-quart recipe options. Fall is delicious for its abundant social time, amazing hiking and biking under yellowing larch trees, and so much good, fresh food. Canning and freezing means that the garden goodness can be enjoyed all winter, and I love that it makes meals easier once that sweet snow begins to fall.

Crystal Atamian is a writer and science editor who is looking forward to skiing, winter bonfires, and vanilla ice cream topped with pears in dark ginger syrup. She has written about bear safety, fishing with kids, and the impact of budget cuts on avalanche forecasting in the West in recent issues of Out There.

The Art of Being a Wolf Biologist

THIS PAST SPRING I got to accompany a wolf biologist as he was attempting to collar a wolf in a pack in Northeast Washington. This pack already had a collared pack member, but that collar was malfunctioning, so using the data already collected he set forth to capture another wolf in the pack. During our windshield time we got to swapping stories of wildlife work, backcountry trip leading, and I got to pepper the bio with questions about working with a species of wildlife that— perhaps more than any other in North America—raises the hackles of some and is elevated above all by others. I came to realize that when working with such a contentious, elusive, complex, and endearing species, one must perfect a kind of art along with knowing the science.

KNOW THY WOLF

To be an effective wildlife biologist, you must know the habits of the animals you study. Wolves are highly social animals that are wary of people. They can range widely in a day, and, if a wolf is a disperser (not associated with a pack), they can travel miles looking for another pack or a mate. In Washington, the average pack size is 4.4 with territories of around 257.7 square miles, but pack size and territories change over time. Washington’s wolves also can and do disperse outside the state. In 2024, seven wolves made their way to British Columbia and Idaho. Biologists use a lot of this information to determine where the animals’ denning and rendezvous sites are. These are the areas where the wolves will

By Adam Gebauer

return to frequently, and, if there are pups about, they will be bringing food back. These are also great places to set camera traps and areas to try to trap wolves to attach a tracking collar.

To understand wolf populations, biologists look at multi-year trends and use winter pack surveys, known dispersals, tribal hunting reports, poaching reports, natural deaths (from other wolves or cougars), and add a conservative percentage to account for unknown individuals. Up until last year, there has been an average of 20 percent annual increase in wolf populations. Pup survival averages just 25 percent. This is in part why population surveys are done in winter, counting pups that survived from the spring and are likely to become adults. At this time, poaching of wolves dispersing to Washington’s Southern Cascades is the main limiting factor preventing pack establishment in that recovery zone and delaying delisting of wolves from the state endangered species list.

TRACKING AND TRAPPING

How do you know you are looking at a wolf track? Wolves have big feet—3 ½ to 4 inches. There are some livestock guardian dogs that can have similarlysized feet, but typically wolf tracks are much larger than your average pet dog. Wolves travel long distances, and they do it efficiently. Their tracks are straight and rarely deviate. Dogs, on the other hand, will zigzag, sniff, and mark anything and everything. Stride length is the last sign that can help determine if it is a dog or a

wolf. A wolf will have a stride of 24 to 38 inches when walking. That stride can be up to 6 to 8 feet when running. Accounting for stride length, pad size, and a straight track, a seasoned tracker can be confident in identification.

The innate behavior of wolves determines how you can trap them. They will not cross a road to investigate a scent. They will take the insides of a corner, because that is the most efficient path. Wolves try to be quiet roaming the woods, so they won’t step on sticks when investigating a scent. All of these considerations must be taken into account for success when setting traps for research and monitoring.

WOLF MEDICINE IN THE FIELD

A wolf biologist also needs to know the baseline vitals for these animals. Wild animals generally run hotter than their domestic counterparts, and, when humans are handling them, they can become very stressed. The wolf we worked with had a pulse oxygen monitor attached to its tongue and regular temperatures were taken. Often the tranquilizer drugs used have multiple effects, including lowering heart rate and changing blood pressure.

There have been a variety of different medications used on wildlife to immobilize them over the years. Some of these are controlled substances and have the potential for abuse (think ketamine). States also have different laws on how these drugs are stored, administered and licensed. When I was knocking out porcupines in New Mexico early in my career, a licensed vet had to

administer the drugs. A wolf biologist has to know the correct dosage, how to load the needle or dart, and where to administer it.

TALKING WOLVES TO PEOPLE

Finally, a wolf biologist, along with others that work with large predators, needs to be diplomatic when they work with the public. Ranchers work on thin margins and care for the well-being of their animals—more so than just their financial worth—so any additional impacts can create emotional reactions. Similarly, on the other end of the wolf love-hate spectrum, there are those who think wolves have more importance in the ecosystem than any other species. Their notion of wildness and their resemblance to our family dogs can elicit strong feelings from others. It is hard to have a nuanced conversation about wolves on the landscape, because the opposing sides are so loud, but that is precisely a wolf biologist’s job. There may seem to be many glamorous aspects of being a wolf biologist—handling large predators, cruising the woods looking for tracks and hanging out of helicopters for winter surveys. But there is also the building of nuanced knowledge that can take years, and the ability to navigate the political and emotional nature of working with predators and the public.

Adam Gebauer is excited to get back on his bike as the weather cools. He also is totally, absolutely sure he will do some training for ski season this year.

LEFT: WOLF BIOLOGIST AND THE AUTHOR PREPARE TO ATTACH A TRACKING COLLAR ON A YOUNG, SEDATED FEMALE WOLF. // WDFW WOLF BIOLOGISTS AT WORK IN THE FIELD // PHOTOS COURTESY OF WDFW

TAKE TO THE AIR THIS FALL IN A HOT AIR BALLOON

By Tabitha Gregory

BIG AND BRILLIANT , hot air balloons have long captivated the public’s imagination. The sight of a gentle giant floating above the landscape stops traffic and brings children and parents out of their homes to watch. The longing to be in a balloon, untethered from the earth, serenely observing the model world below, brings tens of thousands of would-be flyers to climb into wicker baskets in the wee hours of a morning each year. I am one such person.

A balloon flight had been on my radar for a couple of years when I booked a flight with Okanagan Ballooning, a familyowned operation based in the lakeside city of Kelowna. The confirmation email from owner John Klempner told me to bring a warm layer and be prepared for a threehour outing. I headed north, ready for an adventure.

While ballooning occurs in the Inland Northwest and greater Pacific Northwest from May through October (and in a few instances year-round), autumn is an especially nice time to fly. Throughout the Inland Northwest, at least three companies operate out of locations near Walla Walla, the Tri-Cities, and Boise. According to Andrew Petrehn of Idaho Balloon Adventures, “Peak season for color is late September and early October. We take off just before the sun comes up and watch as it rises over the mountains and warms up the colors along the Boise River.” Walla Walla Balloon Flights pilot Devin White shares, “Fall is the perfect season for ballooning in the Inland Northwest, as we're treated with

into the envelopes, coaxing open the fabric, then the crew swapped in the real power: huge propane burners blowing waves of hot gas. Gradually, the balloons began to rise, first one side, then the whole structure, handlers gripping the tethers and leaning back, anchoring the eager giants to the earth.

Klempner invited five of us into his standing room only basket. We situated ourselves around the edges, arms resting on the ledges, our gazes outward. The sun rose, and a few filmy clouds crossed the sky. Joy and the ground crew cheered as they released the

tethers, and our balloon lifted off.

stable weather, cooler temperatures, and stunning scenery.”

When my flight day arrived this past May, the weather was perfect at 60 F with calm winds. Klempner called my cell at 5 a.m., reminding me to be on time for a 6 a.m. ride to the launch site. As instructed, I found John, his wife Joy, the flight crew, and six other passengers. We headed for the hills.

We pulled into an overgrown field, thick with blooming mustard and mosquitoes. The crew, mostly Klempner family members, hauled from the trailers twin baskets, canvas bags containing the envelopes (deflated balloons), generators, fans, and propane burners. Then, with the help of passengers, they strung out the two ripstop nylon envelopes atop the spiky weeds, tipped the baskets onto their sides, and used suspension cables to connect the baskets and envelopes. Generator-powered fans sent ambient air

TOP LEFT: HOT AIR BALLOONS CREATE A SPECTACLE OVER THE YAKIMA RIVER AT THE PROSSER BALLOON RALLY. // PHOTO COURTESY OF LYNN HOPWOOD

ABOVE: BALLOONS TAKE TO THE SKY IN PROSSER. // PHOTO COURTESY OF CALEB RATH

TOP RIGHT: THE POWER BEHIND THE FLIGHT // PHOTO: TABITHA GREGORY

BELOW: PILOTS PREPARING THEIR CRAFTS FOR THE PROSSER BALLOON RALLY’S MAIN EVENT. // PHOTO COURTESY OF DIANNE LABISSONIERE

OPPOSITE PAGE: WALLA WALLA BALLOON

FLIGHTS LIFTS OFF IN THE WALLA WALLA VALLEY.

// PHOTO COURTESY OF LAUREN WHITE.

Ballooning for most of us is a once-ina-lifetime adventure. Some become repeat customers. A few evolve into pilots. The solo path requires experience, often on a crew such as Klempner’s, passing a Federal Aviation Administration test, and buying gear. An entry-level kit costs around $25,000.

I peered over the woven basket’s edge as we floated upward. Using the onboard burner, Klempner blasted gas into the balloon’s gut, moving us into a higher current. We drifted toward 84-mile-long Okanagan Lake, then toward the Columbia Mountains. We meandered north, then west, then hung gracefully over orchards, the backdrop featuring the snowcapped Big White Mountain. Our basket lazily rotated, providing us each a 360-degree view.

I learned there is no steering a balloon. Instead, pilots control altitude by releasing or adding gas, thereby reaching an air layer moving in the desired direction. Klempner deftly managed the calm but ever-changing wind patterns.

After 45 minutes of poking about the troposphere, Klempner began seeking a landing zone. “Parks, churchyards, sports fields, and meadows all make great landing spots,” he said.

The lower we sank, the more of a spectacle we became. Drivers pulled over and walkers paused to watch. As we coasted onto a grassy park lawn, children stopped their play to stare wide-eyed as this fantastical craft touched down.

Tabitha Gregory enjoys exploring, hiking, and skiing in the Inland Northwest. She writes for Out There Outdoors and North Columbia Monthly and is the author of the historical non-fiction book “Valdez Rises: One Town’s Struggle for Survival After the Great Alaska Earthquake.”

WHERE TO RIDE OR VIEW HOT AIR BALLOONS IN THE PNW

BALLOON TOUR OPTIONS:

• Idaho Balloon Adventures (Eagle, ID): 7 days/week in Sept. and Oct. Idahoballoonadventures.com

• Walla Walla Balloon Flights (Walla Walla, WA): Fri.-Sun.; Year-round; Accommodates special requests. Wallawallaballoonflights.com

• Seattle Ballooning (Walla Walla, WA): May-Oct. Up to 10 people in a party. Seattleballooning.com/walla-walla-hot-air-balloon-rides

• Okanagan Ballooning (Kelowna, BC) May-Oct. Okballooning.com

GREAT SPOTS TO WATCH BALLOONS FROM THE GROUND

The 36th annual Great Prosser Balloon Rally takes place Sept. 26-28, 2025, in Prosser, Wash. The local Chamber of Commerce executive director, Alex Steinbock, calls the Rally a fantastic spectator event, with a mass sunrise liftoff of up to 30 balloons. Steinbock says, “Watching the huge balloons take off from the ground is magical.” During Saturday’s main event, pilots lower their crafts to the Yakima River, attempting to touch the surface. Steinbock’s tip: “Try to grab a spot on the bridge for a close-up view.” After sunset, attendees may view the tethered balloons, burners lighting up the nylon interiors, making a vivid spectacle. Typically, public balloon rides are not offered. Enjoy the town’s Harvest Festival, happening the same weekend. Prosserballoonrally.org

Winthrop Roundup, Mar. 6-8, 2026 Winthropwashington.com/event/balloon-roundup

Walla Walla Balloon Stampede, May 6-10, 2026 Seattleballooning.com/walla-walla-hot-air-balloon-rides

INTO THE HEART OF THE GIFFORD PINCHOT BY BIKE

THIS PAST OCTOBER, my friends Paula Funatake and Sarah Gates met me in Carson, Wash., for a bikepacking trip into the Gifford Pinchot National Forest where we would spend three days worshiping at the Church of Bike. Paula and Sarah are two of the most seasoned and respected cyclists in the world, and I was immediately comfortable riding with them. We launched off from the small town, intent on a three-day loop that would bring us deep into the heart of the Gifford Pinchot and its majestic mountain views of Mount Adams, St. Helens and Rainier.

The first several hours of riding brought us through town and into the woods in the golden, opaque light so common to the PNW in autumn. We started climbing the first of many mountains of the trip on pavement, but soon enough we found ourselves drifting along on the sublime gravel roads that the Gifford is known for, tires crunching along happily, and bikes now let loose onto the playground for which they were built.

Sarah is a force to behold on a bike. She is efficient, fast, and motivated in a way that only thousands of miles of riding can instill in a person. It’s truly a joy to ride with people who are in their element on a bike, and Sarah is one of those people who seem to have an almost effortless way about them.

IT’S AS IF EVERY PEDAL STROKE SQUEEZES MORE AND MORE TOXIC SLUDGE FROM MY MIND, AND REPLACES IT WITH PURPOSE, CONTENTMENT.

Her cycling resume includes a completion of the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route.

Paula is not concerned with speed, but is instead motivated by an internal desire to overcome any obstacle put in front of her, making her the solid foundation of any trip. Her perseverance is only eclipsed by her unmatched skill on the bike and inspirational attention to detail and trip planning. Paula is the person to turn to when a zipper blows out, a fire needs to be lit, or a trailside repair needs to be made.

A trio of riders rarely travels at similar speeds, and as the miles ticked away, the distance between us grew until we were each alone with our thoughts, with nothing but the sound of our breath and the crunching of gravel beneath our tires. It was a truly breathtaking area to travel through, made all the more magical by the vibrancy of the clear autumn skies.

FINDING THAT FIRST SUMMIT RHYTHM

By noon on the first day, we were at the summit of our first climb. Cresting the first summit of a bike trip is always a noteworthy experience for me. The jitters and nerves of trip-planning gives way to an overpowering sense of accomplishment. My body has been coaxed out of its normal idle, and has been flogged up the first hill, often at the expense of my dignity, with ragged breath and pouring sweat being the norm. But just like oil for the Tin Man, the first mountain lubricates the squeaky parts, freeing my body and settling me into a satisfying groove, as familiar and comforting as climbing into bed on a cold winter night. My legs and lungs have delivered me home again.

For me, one of the most surprising, yet crucial aspects of long-distance cycling is the meditative state that my mind and body are able to find while climbing mountains on a bike. The rhythm of pedals, legs, and breath fills a hole in my brain that is usually empty, or filled with the garbage and clutter of my everyday life. It’s as if every pedal stroke squeezes more and more toxic sludge from my mind, and replaces it with purpose, contentment and happiness. Smiles come easier, wounds become less painful, and the oftendark life that only hours before was filled with stress, worry, and sometimes sadness, transforms in the thin mountain air almost instantly into clarity, brightness, and light. The day continued, with the dazzling fall colors of maples, alders and cottonwoods lighting our way up and down the mountainous terrain. We eventually crested one

Three days of gravel roads, lava tubes and summit climbs in one of Washington’s wildest forests.

by Eric Deady

of many mountains and found ourselves in a small valley, framed on all sides with a deep green conifer forest and dotted with the small lakes and ponds so intricately formed by the beavers who called this valley home. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the beauty of such a place, but we knew there were more miles to travel before we could stop for the day, so we saddled up and continued our climb, content to let the miles slip by in our meditative way. Eventually, around dusk, we came to a campground next to an alpine lake surrounded by mountains and ringed with colorful trees intent on giving us a show.

This was a true blessing for a group of bikepackers who are used to sleeping wherever they can, often in a bush or a ditch. A

campground has cleared ground, established sites, and, most importantly, picnic tables to sit down and rest your legs without needing to sit in the dirt. A rare treat! Day one passed in the blink of an eye, and all of the sore muscles, aching legs, and heavy breath were forgotten in the familiar routine of food preparation, tent pitching, wood gathering and storytelling. With our camp chores complete, sleep came easy, with Paula’s fire crackling faintly in the distance and the blackness of the forest night surrounding us like a warm blanket.

PEDALING INTO LAVA COUNTRY

Day two arrived, and I was quickly reminded that day two is often the most difficult,

and that bikepacking follows a very familiar pattern for me: Day one is hard because your body is adjusting to the effort and time in the saddle. Day two is harder, because the adrenaline has worn off and been replaced with sore muscles and the prospect of more miles ahead. Day three is always a little easier than day two, because your body is adjusting to the routine, and has finally agreed to cooperate. Day four is always “Superhero Day,” when you have adjusted to the routine, your legs have switched on, and you feel like you could ride forever.

On day two, we were greeted by a clear and still sunrise over the lake and quickly packed up camp and began the day’s effort. Our goal was to find one of the lava caves that are prevalent in the area, and by midmorning, with Sarah’s help, we had found a spectacular natural bridge formed by a collapsed lava tube where we spent some time taking photos and simply staring at the spectacle in front of us in disbelief. Not long after, we came across a fully-formed lava tube and descended into it with headlamps at the ready. Seeing a jumble of rocks in a pile on the floor of the cave did not inspire confidence about the structure, however, so we carefully backed out of the cave, thankful to have not been crushed by falling stone.

The rest of the day was full of long climbs. The jagged shape of Mount Adams appeared to our east, still capped by snow despite being so late in the season. We could see forever, and felt truly fortunate to be there during such spectacular weather. The riding that day would bring us to the high point of the route, and then we would trend downhill for the next day and a half.

THE FINAL DESCENT

Day three started with a short warm-up ride up to the beginning of the washout section, where we expected to find some challenges. We were a good team though, and made short work of the section by helping each other push and heave our bikes and gear through the creek, over the boulders, up the muddy far side of the wash, and through the overgrown mess of fallen trees and thick brush to where we could pick up the trail again.

We found ourselves at the far side of the washout covered in mud, scratches, and bruises, but happy to have made it through and be back on the trail. Dragging a loaded bike through a section of terrain like that is always a lesson in patience and perseverance, with each obstacle presenting its own puzzle to solve. I have learned to appreciate, and even look forward to, this type of thing. It means that adventure is happening, and memories are being formed.

Shortly after the washout, the trail improved enough to be rideable again, and we pedaled contentedly for the next few hours, happily watching the scenery passing by and savoring the moment, knowing that this would be the last day. All of the climbing that had taken us a full day and a half to complete now lay ahead in the form of an insanely fast descent all the way back down the mountain to the valley below. It was a true “white-knuckle” descent of almost 20 miles, and I had to stop periodically to cool down my brakes and give my hands and shoulders a rest from gripping the bars so hard. The descent was smooth, fast, and curvy, and we were all grins and laughter by the time we reached the valley floor, know-

DESPITE OUR TRIP BEING ONLY THREE DAYS LONG, THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST HAS A WAY OF MAKING YOU FEEL LIKE YOU BELONG AND HAVE BEEN THERE FOREVER.

The hard part was behind us, and I entered into a much more relaxed frame of mind, knowing that the bulk of the effort was complete, with undulating miles of gravel roads spooling out in front of us for the rest of the day. Eventually a decision was made to deviate from our original route and attempt to get through a washed-out section of road that had seen very little use. This was the type of riding that excites me, with some bushwhacking, pushing, and scrambling through areas that are only accessible to those foolish enough to attempt them. The scramble through the washout offered all of those things, so we decided to stop for the night before we made the attempt.

Around dusk, we found a nice flat spot just off the trail and quickly got to work making camp in a routine that has become familiar and comforting over the years. Unload the bike into organized piles of sleep kit, kitchen, hygiene, and clothing. Then pitch the tent, air up the sleeping pad and pillow, and lay out the sleeping bag. Strap on the headlamp, and get to cooking and heating water, while half-heartedly looking for firewood for the night. Change clothes, eat dinner, wash up, tell some lies, and it’s off to sleep, usually very well because of the effort of the day.

ing that the last of the challenge was now behind us. We only had to pedal the last 15 miles of the route and we would be back in Carson where we began.

Short backcountry bike trips are food for the soul, and this one was just that. Despite our trip being only three days long, the Pacific Northwest has a way of making you feel like you belong and have been there forever.

Eric Deady spends his time in the Idaho Panhandle as a bike guide, bikepacker, and father. Baja California, Mexico is calling for him this fall, where he will tackle the Baja Divide again.

HOW PUBLIC LANDS CHANGE LIVES

PUBLIC LANDS ARE MORE than just beautiful scenery or places on a map—they are living landscapes that often preserve remnants of native plant and animal ecosystems that once spread unfettered across vast expanses of wild nature. At the same time, our state and federal public lands, numbering in millions of acres here in the Inland Northwest, are a source of adventure, inspiration and solace. Whether it’s a short hike in the Dishman Hills or

Pine Street Woods, a weekend up at Priest Lake, or a weeklong adventure in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, these well-loved places offer a chance for us to step away from overly curated, technology-saturated lives to rewild ourselves just a bit. Even if we aren’t aware that it’s happening, we reconnect in subtle ways to a past when the lives of humans and the billions of other incredible life forms we share this planet with were much more intertwined.

LANDS OF WILDNESS

By Ammi Midstokke

THERE WAS A TIME in a previous life when I traveled to faraway places, because my only real responsibility was a basil plant I could easily replace. The wide, wild world of Patagonia and the Himalayas and the Alps awaited me, and Greta Thunberg hadn’t yet dismantled the guiltless glamor of air travel.

Then I became a parent and I had to have a real job and live in the same place like a grown-up. I hear the nomad life is en vogue again among parents, but it wasn’t an option for me (single mom and all that). I needed to find a place where I could meet the needs of my wild-wilderness heart and still show up for work on Monday.

Having grown up off-grid and bordering state land in North Idaho, I was remotely aware of the abundance of public lands here. We harvested moss to stuff between the logs in our cabin and picked enough thimble berries to make pies so sour, only cups of sugar could help. Our creek water was “clean” because no one lived above us to contaminate it—although I just assume we got immune to giardia as the thing dried out every summer and we never filtered a drop of it.

It was not until I returned to North Idaho as an adult that I had the opportunity to explore a backyard as rugged, majestic, challenging, humbling, and untamed as any other place in the world I had been. Only now, these places were accessible within a few minutes’ drive to a trailhead.

As a working parent on a budget, the country to which my child and I had access allowed us the most fantastic family adventures I could have hoped for. We traipsed to Harrison Lake for alpine scenery when my kid’s legs were too short for long distance. We hiked into Caribou Lake when it was frozen over and camped in the snow. We summited peaks together, splashed in crisp lakes, saw fish and bears and mountain goats and a world of wonder that shaped our lives and healed unthinkable wounds.

We went hunting for mushrooms and huckleberries, learned how to orienteer with map and compass, and explored the streams and lakes of the Panhandle National Forest until our two-person family grew to four and we just got a bigger tent. The foundation of our new family was built on stewardship of the lands and resources we use, and a recognition that we are of and reliant upon nature.

The memories made through the connection to these places remain the silken strands in the tapestry of our family. They are the stories we share at the dinner table. Accessibility to and preservation of these lands is how we cultivated our values of conservation and our reverence for the wild places. Which is exactly why a framed map of the Kaniksu National Forest, replete with pins in the places we’ve been, still adorns our dining room wall.

Ammi Midstokke is the Literation columnist at Out There Outdoors. She considers public lands her backyard. She hopes you do, too.

We are so incredibly fortunate to live in a place with such easy access to the outdoors, with miles of trails and open spaces owned by all of us. But with such privilege comes the responsibility to limit our impact on often fragile relationships between all of the growing, buzzing, flying, ambling, and slithering things that make their homes where we play. It’s also our responsibility to continue moving forward conservation efforts by cultivating a “give back” ethic, whether it's

volunteering for a trail or restoration project, taking the time to lobby public lands agencies and elected officials in support of conservation initiatives, or donating to the organizations that safeguard our favorite places. In the following stories, four Out There Outdoors writers share how public lands have transformed their lives. In their stories, we see why protecting and managing these places for the greater good matters now more than ever. (OTO)

LANDS OF EXPLORATION

By Holly Weiler

AT THE END OF SIXTH GRADE , all of my middle school’s fall coaches made the classroom rounds, collecting sign-ups for the fall sports that would begin in September when school resumed. The cross-country coach seemed nice, and I had already tried cross-country skiing by borrowing my parents’ skis and exploring the backyard whenever the snow was deep enough, so I put my name down on the list.

As I recall, my parents managed to keep a straight face as I explained what I signed up for; sixth graders don’t always have a great grasp on which weather occurs in which seasons. I had never heard about a sport dedicated to running long distances over uneven terrain, and while I loved to play outside, I was definitely not a kid who loved running. Secretly, my parents made wagers about how long it would last, with two weeks being the absolute upper limit.

I outlasted the two weeks by the next three decades, transforming from awkward jogger into serious distance runner, running varsity through college, then continuing to coach the sport in my early adulthood. I quickly developed an aversion to running on pavement, gravitating to trails whenever I could. I spent most of my training time exploring first Riverside State Park with my college teammates and eventually Mount Spokane State Park and Spokane County Parks on my own.

Eventually, creaky knees started to slow me down, although they didn’t stop me from exploring. My running became mostly limited to shorter outings with the high school team I coached. In my free time, I started to look for ways to stay out longer.

As I transitioned to hiking more than running, I learned I could stay out all day, covering 20 miles or more, and still not want to go home. I started backpacking with groups of friends, and I also started volunteering on trail maintenance crews, especially those working on trails within the Salmo-Priest Wilderness in northeast Washington, but occasionally with Washington Trails Association crews working on trails closer to Spokane.

Around 2013 I had what I jokingly refer to as my midlife crisis: I decided to leave my teaching job and enter grad school. The plan was always to return to teaching after completing my master’s degree, but in 2014 a local job with Washington Trails Association opened up. It was to be part-time and seasonal, concluding right around the time I would return to school in the fall, and I was fortunate enough to be hired for the position.

Now over a decade later that seasonal job is a year-round, permanent position, and I’m still loving it! I help coordinate volunteer trail building and maintenance work throughout eastern Washington, and as part of my job I get to assist land managers in layout and design for both new trails and improvements to existing trails. Public lands started to change my outdoor interests from the time I was a young distance runner, but they eventually changed my complete life trajectory and career path.

Holly Weiler is The Trailhead columnist at Out There Outdoors and the Eastern Washington Region Senior Coordinator for Washington Trails Association.

MIDSTOKKE ON THE LION’S HEAD TRAVERSE // PHOTO: LINDSEY ZEMBOWER

WEILER INSIDE A CEDAR SNAG ON THE THUNDER CREEK TRAIL // PHOTO COURTESY OF HOLLY WEILER

LANDS OF LEGACY

By Brian Muegge

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A TREE so big it takes your breath away? Well, funny enough, I’ve never really had that experience. Not that I can remember, at least. And I spend a lot of time around trees.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve definitely seen some giant trees in my life. Growing up at the base of the Santa Cruz Mountains of California, some of my earliest core memories were camping with my family among coastal redwoods. We’d visit public areas up and down the redwood territory of California, from Mendocino County to Yosemite National Park. I’ve seen, with my own eyes, trees that were nearly 300 feet tall, and some averaging 20 feet in diameter. A lot of them.

I definitely took these relic behemoths for granted growing up in such close proximity to them from such a young age. I didn’t have the pleasure of first experiencing these trees as an older visitor from another place, so I can’t recall that moment of pure bewilderment and astonishment that most get from seeing these trees for the first time. That moment of magic. The presence of those big, beautiful trees had become normalized for me.

I have the protection of public lands to thank for this. From local, county, state to federal, I’m grateful for these protected and publicly accessible places codified by past generations. I’m certainly acutely aware of that privilege today, particularly in light of what is happening with our public lands in 2025.

Truly, our public lands are under attack. We saw earlier this year Utah Senator Mike Lee’s quest to fulfill Project 2025’s playbook and privatize over 3 million acres of public land within the drafting of the “Big Beautiful Bill.” His proposed land rollbacks so his developer buddies could amass and exploit our nation’s public land caused an immense backlash, unifying a massive bipartisan swath of citizens to oppose the sale. A rare win in our divided society. But this shadowy quest for public land theft by corporate interests even extends into our Spokane community. Just this past fall, the DNR came painstakingly close to exchanging 200 acres of forestland off Thorpe Road on U.S. 195 with a developer for a grocery store in Bellingham, under the false pretense that this public parcel had “low ecological and recreational value.” As new information came to light of the previous commissioner’s perversion of process with that exchange, over 100 organizations statewide, many local, rallied together in unity to sway the DNR that this was an unjust deal for our community. At the 11th hour this summer, the developer backed out of the exchange due to the backlash. Everyone should be able to experience a childhood like mine—reveling in so much accessible natural beauty, that you damn near take it for granted. Sadly, corporate interests want to deprive us of this right. Now more than ever is the time to educate and unify in defense of public lands so future generations of humans and wildlife can live in perpetual harmony in our community and beyond. Together as one, our voices are strong.

Brian Muegge is a Spokane conservationist working to promote land stewardship enhancement and protections across working and wildlands of the Pacific Northwest. He sits on the boards of both the Spokane Riverkeeper and Washington Wild, and is passionate about educating the community on the value of public land and watershed health.

GEBAUER (LEFT)

LEADING A NATURE HIKE TO DISCUSS THE BENEFITS OF BEAVERS ON THE LANDSCAPE

// PHOTO: ADAM GEBAUER

LANDS OF LEADERSHIP

By Adam Gebauer

I HAVE COME TO UNDERSTAND myself to be a bit of a social introvert. It takes me a tick to be comfortable in new social situations, to be able to open up, and to find my voice. But back in my 20s I figured out a hack to jump-start connections, a place where I have a voice of confidence—public lands. These vast, open lands allow many of those embedded self-preservation traits to slip away in the vistas, instead focusing on the tasks at hand and sharing awe with others.

My early experiences camping as a family, backpacking in Boy Scouts and just exploring the public lands near my hometown in New Jersey were way more engaging than school or hanging out at the mall. So, in my 20s, I ventured to the Southwest to work as a wilderness trip leader. This experience taught me that I was a quiet leader, someone who enjoys sharing excitement and knowledge on everything from how it takes years to create biocrust on the desert floor to demonstrating how to rappel down a sheer sandstone cliff. I found I could create a safe and accepting place where participants could push their comfort zones while also being reflective about the environment that surrounds them. It also helps that being a goofy presence is generally rewarded in camp settings.

Parts of leading trips on public lands are akin to being a tour guide, one of those people who seem to effortlessly walk backward while also being a skilled public speaker. These experiences unearthed an unknown skill for me: I can be an effective and engaging public speaker. This has led to continued experiences as an educator, where I get to take people out onto public lands where they can get a sense of stewardship and belonging. This also helps me to speak up in technical meetings and when working with landowners, knowing that I have knowledge and authority on a topic.

Gaining enough outdoor experience through our public lands to climb in the alpine, paddle some whitewater, and be comfortable in uncomfortable situations of bugs, rain, or just the side of a cliff, has given me a shortcut to making friends and creating community. The ability to say yes to a myriad of outdoor adventures has given me an avenue to an amazing network of like-minded individuals. Several days out in the wild under a blanket of stars can open up deep, personal conversations that otherwise could take years of knowing. This has led to a community of outdoor enthusiasts that spans the country and usually provides more outdoor adventure opportunities than I have time for.

Finally, the love for our public lands has led to my career as the public lands program director at Spokane-based The Lands Council. Digging deep into ecology and wildlife, a care for people who work in and with the lands, and passion to protect and advocate for our public lands evolved into a job where I get to advocate for what I love.

Adam Gebauer is the Nature columnist at Out There Outdoors. He is excited to get back on his bike as the weather cools.

THE SPOKANE AUDUBON SOCIETY (SAS) advocates for birds and their habitats in the Inland Northwest and connects people with nature. But did you know the Spokane Audubon Society also collaborates with other groups and agencies to secure public lands? That work helps protect bird and other wildlife habitat from development. It also provides public access for birding and other outdoor recreation.

uted to INLC’s campaign to acquire the Glen Tana property on the Little Spokane River to connect the Waikiki Springs Nature Preserve to Riverside State Park.

Decades ago, SAS helped the Inland Northwest Land Conservancy (INLC) secure what became the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Reardan Audubon Lake Wildlife Area. Several years ago, SAS helped Dishman Hills Conservancy add the Wilson property to the natural area in Spokane Valley. Just this year, SAS contrib-

SAS members also volunteer with habitat restoration and other conservation work on public lands like Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge and Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area. We lead bird walks at all of these places and many more to help you enjoy everything from colorful avocets to noisy wood-pewees. If you care about public lands like SAS does, you care about birds. Learn more at Audubonspokane.org.

TURNING SCIENCE INTO ACTION

HOW THE COMMUNITY PROTECTS THE SPOKANE RIVER

By Katelyn Scott

SPOKANE RIVERKEEPER is on the water, in the spreadsheets and in the halls of government using science and community power to protect the Spokane River. Since our founding in 2009 by a small group of lawyers frustrated with unchecked pollution, we’ve combined hands-on river work with relentless advocacy to protect the river for everyone.

At the heart of our approach is a model that combines science with community engagement, turning volunteer-collected data into real-world policy impact. Volunteers gather water samples, track pollution, and submit data that actually influences state policy. For example, our community-collected data helped the state officially recognize the impairment caused by Hangman Creek sediment pollution in the Spokane River.

Now we’re applying that same model to tackle trash in the river, turning observations into actionable solutions that make the river cleaner and safer for everyone. Some threats, like PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” require specialized equipment and labs, but the principle is the same: informed, engaged communities are a powerful force for protecting clean water.

The Spokane River thrives when people show up. By volunteering with Spokane Riverkeeper, you don’t just collect trash or data; you join a movement that turns knowledge into action, holds polluters accountable, and defends the river for generations to come. Our approach shows that protecting clean water isn’t just about science. It’s about people coming together for the river.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF SAS

PHOTO BY BARABARA CHASE FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY // COURTESY OF SPOKANE RIVERKEEPER

ADVENTURE WITH A PURPOSE

IF YOU’RE THE KIND of person who comes alive on a trail, in a kayak, or pedaling through the forest, you already know how much the outdoors gives back to us. Fresh air, wide-open views, the thrill of spotting wildlife—it’s all part of why we head outside in the first place.

But here’s the thing: every time you head out, you also have the chance to give something back. What if your next adventure could help protect the very places you love? That’s the vision of Inland Northwest Land Conservancy, a local nonprofit that works to conserve the lands and waters of our region. Every hike, paddle or bike ride you take is more than just fun; it's a reminder of why it’s so important to take care of our lands and protect them.

CONSERVATION IN ACTION

Take Spokane’s Waikiki Springs Nature Preserve for example. Once up for sale and slated for development, it’s now a favorite hiking destination thanks to the support of members of our community. At Waikiki, you walk through a flourishing riparian habitat, nurtured by the springs that give this land its name. Riparian ecosystems, those that exist on the banks of rivers and streams, attract plant species that thrive in wet soils and the animals that depend on them.

Next up there’s Glen Tana: 1,060 acres between Waikiki Springs and Riverside State Park, with space for salmon, wildlife and miles of future trails. With help from Washington State Parks, the Spokane Tribe of Indians, and community supporters, Glen Tana has the potential to be one of the most impressive outdoor spaces in the Inland Northwest.

MAKE YOUR ADVENTURE COUNT

Adventure with a purpose means enjoying all the beauty and excitement the outdoors offers, while also giving back so that these experiences last. Here are three ways to get involved:

• Join an upcoming INLC hike to explore protected lands and learn more about conservation.

• Volunteer, plant native species, maintain trails and restore wildlife habitats.

• Donate to INLC to ensure future genera tions can experience the same wonder you feel on the trail.

Ready to turn your adventures into lasting impact? Find out more at Inlandnwland.org.

FOR GENERATIONS, Tribal Nations have cared for forests, grasslands, and rivers in ways that sustained both people and ecosystems. Today, as wildfires intensify and ecosystems strain under the weight of a changing climate, that wisdom is proving indispensable. Across the country, Tribes are stepping up as full partners in the stewardship of public lands, often filling gaps left by federal agencies stretched too thin.

Escape to the great outdoors with all the comforts of home at Kalispel Casino & RV Resort. Enjoy your stay in a premium RV site or cozy cottage, then find gaming excitement at Kalispel Casino, dining at Wetlands, adventure on the International Selkirk Loop, and so much more.

One tool for this collaboration is the Tribal Forest Protection Act (TFPA), which allows Tribes to initiate projects on neighboring federal lands. The Kalispel Tribe’s TFPA projects are examples of blending traditional knowledge with modern science to restore forest health, reduce dangerous fuel loads and ensure the land remains resilient for generations to come. In short, it’s about conservation that’s proactive, not reactive.

But these efforts come at a time when the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), the agency responsible for managing much of the nation’s public forest land, is facing major headwinds. With reductions in force and budget cuts in natural resource management, the agency has fewer staff and fewer dollars to address the rising threats of wildfire, invasive species, and drought-driven stress on forests.

That’s where co-stewardship comes in. By partnering with Tribes, the USFS and other agencies don’t just gain extra capacity; they

gain centuries of place-based knowledge about fire, water and ecosystems. For Tribes, these partnerships represent more than just contracts or projects. They are a continuation of cultural responsibilities: to keep forests thriving, to maintain balance and to pass on healthy lands to the next generation. Yes, the budget challenges are real. But this is not a story of scarcity; it’s one of opportunity. Tribal Nations are ready and able to lead in sustainable forestry, from fuels-reduction projects that protect communities from catastrophic fire to habitat restoration that safeguards fish and wildlife. Our Sxwuytn Kaniksu Connections Trail Project (a TFPA project) proves what’s possible when federal and Tribal partners work side by side.

If we are serious about confronting the challenges facing America’s forests, we need to lean into these partnerships. That means honoring Tribal leadership, expanding costewardship agreements and ensuring that cutting budgets at the federal level does not create a landscape that is unable to support its people.

Because in the end, what’s at stake isn’t just budgets or agencies; it’s the health of forests, the safety of communities and the legacy we leave for future generations. On that front, Tribes are showing us the way forward.

THE KALISPEL TRIBE ENGAGES IN CO-STEWARDSHIP PROJECTS IN NORTHEAST WASHINGTON. //

PHOTO: NICK JAMES

PFAS CHEMICALS DISCOVERED IN SPOKANE RIVER

By Lisa Laughlin

LAST SUMMER, the Spokane Riverkeeper tested the Spokane River for PFAS (perand polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as “forever chemicals”) as part of a national study with the Waterkeeper Alliance. They found significant hazardous levels of PFAS in the Spokane River and have pinpointed at least one likely source: land-applied biosolids.

Land-applied biosolids refer to treated sewage sludge that is spread on land as fertilizer. Innovative upcycling, perhaps, but it is being done without testing for PFAS compounds, which accumulate in our environment. Additionally, the effectiveness of PFAS filtration at our city’s water reclamation facility, which dumps treated sewer water into the Spokane River, has not been evaluated.

When the Spokane Riverkeeper collected water samples downstream of the Spokane Riverside Park Water Reclamation Facility, they found concentrations of four types of PFAS that exceeded the EPA’s level to safely ingest water, fish or shellfish.

PFAS are a group of synthetic chemicals that have been used in everyday products such as waterproof rain jackets, pesticides, ski wax and firefighting foam since the 1950s. Health impacts from PFAS have been linked to cancer, liver and kidney damage, hormone disruption and more. The national Waterkeeper Alliance writes that PFAS chemicals are present in at least 45% of tap water in the United States today.

rollbacks on drinking water regulations, it will be up to local organizations like the Spokane Riverkeeper, the Washington State Department of Ecology, Spokane County and the City of Spokane to call for regular PFAS testing and regulation to prevent our waterways from further mass contamination.

The Spokane Riverkeeper will work with the Department of Health in coming months to create a consumption advisory for anglers, since eating contaminated fish is a significant way humans ingest PFAS chemicals. “Eating a single serving of contaminated freshwater fish can be the equivalent of drinking water contaminated with a high level of PFAS for a month (Barbo, et al, 2023).,” wrote Katelyn Scott, attorney and water protector of the

WE’RE LOOKING TO STEM THE BLEEDING, AND THE SPOKANE RIVERKEEPER IS ON TRIAGE.

Ten Percent Off

CLINICAL-GRADE QUALITY:

Thorne uses pure, bioavailable ingredients with rigorous thirdparty and in-house testing— ensuring potency, safety, and efficacy.

NO JUNK ADDITIVES:

Free from gluten, soy, dairy, artificial colors, sweeteners, and preservatives.

SCIENCE-BACKED FORMULATIONS:

Developed using the latest research and used by health professionals, athletes, and even NASA for evidence-based performance and wellness.

Now that we know biosolids-linked PFAS are in our local waterways, the question becomes not how to get rid of these chemicals (they’re called “forever chemicals” for a reason), but how to stop contamination at the source. We’re looking to stem the bleeding, and the Spokane Riverkeeper is on triage.

With movement toward federal-level

Spokane Riverkeeper, on the organization’s online River Journal in June.

Scott is committed to creating testing regulations for the local PFAS problem, pointing out that it is a matter of social justice when PFAS-related health issues will affect low-income and tribal subsistence fishing communities most. “When fish are no longer safe to eat, these groups bear the disproportionate burden of both health risks and the loss of access to traditional and affordable food sources,” writes Scott.

Learn more about the issue and stay informed at Spokaneriverkeeper.com or Waterkeeper.org/pfas. You can also follow the Spokane Riverkeeper on social media.

Registered Dietitian with over 20 years of nutrition counseling experience specializing in weight management, perimenopause, menopause and

PHOTO COURTESY OF SPOKANE RIVERKEEPER

RIVERSIDE STATE PARK AND THE FOUNDATION THAT HELPS IT THRIVE

RIVERSIDE STATE PARK, Washington’s second-largest state park, makes outdoor adventures available to a wide range of visitors in the park’s nearly 10,000 acres of natural areas along the Spokane and Little Spokane rivers. With trailheads and facilities close to downtown Spokane, the park offers camping, hiking, mountain biking, running, bird-watching, swimming, fishing, ORV riding and boating at popular sites such as the iconic Bowl and Pitcher, Nine Mile Falls Recreation Area and the 600-acre ORV Area. The park also features a 500-acre Equestrian Area with camping and designated trails for horses and hikers. In winter, Riverside transforms into a hub for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and fat-tire mountain biking.

The park’s history runs deep. Riverside was developed in 1933 and 1934 by members of the Civilian Conservation Corps, and visi-

tors can still see evidence of their work today. The Spokane House Interpretive Center highlights the area’s past, with exhibits about the Spokane Tribe of Indians, early pioneers, fur trappers and trading posts dating back to 1810.

No story of Riverside State Park would be complete without mentioning Riverside State Park Foundation. The all-volunteer nonprofit supports the park with improvements and activities in consultation with park staff, including financial donations and community volunteer hours that help ensure the park remains accessible for generations to come. Every dollar donated goes directly to park projects, equipment and programs— funding everything from drinking fountains, dog leashes and water bowls to trail signage, picnic tables, bike racks, landscaping trees, trailers, mowers, generators, e-bikes for ranger patrols, volunteer tools and even log splitters.

Riverside State Park Foundation also hosts annual educational events such as “Wednesdays in the Woods” and fundraisers such as “The Grind,” a new gravel bike race planned for Riverside State Park on Oct. 11. These activities not only raise awareness but build appreciation and commitment to caring for this unique and valuable public park.

SHARING THE TRAILS

Cycling,

walking with respect for nature and others

By Rick Shaffer, Prime Minister of Historic Wallace, Idaho & North Idaho Bike Trails

EVER HAD THAT FEELING that it's September (already?!), and you haven't had your fill of hiking, pedaling, kayaking or huck picking? What the heck happened to summer? Well, you’re in luck. With cooler fall temps promising perfect outdoor adventure weather, the good times out on the trails are not over yet.

The Inland Northwest is crisscrossed with incredible long-distance rail trails, cycling routes and pathways that seem to get better every year. The Route of the Hiawatha is at its smooth, gravelly prime. The Trail of the Coeur d’Alene’s famed moose and great blue heron sightings are plentiful. More and more family and friends are embarking on the Bitterroot 300, enjoying the sleepy Saint Joe River wilds as well as the Route of the Olympian rail trail heading deeper into Montana. The North Idaho and Spokane River Centennial trails continue to be improved upon, raising the recreational experiences of walkers, cyclists and dogs alike.

As fall draws ever closer, the only climatechange positive is a longer cycling season expanding well into October and beyond. If you are hoping to fit in a fall ride on the Route of the Hiawatha, you’ll need to make it happen by Sept. 21, when the “Tunnel” shuts down for the season. The fall cycling season is the best, with little to no precipitation, no bugs, and few people, which means the trails are wide open to ride.

With another summer trails season behind us, I want to take the opportunity in this public-lands focused edition of Out There to draw attention to an issue that continually jams my saddle: poor trail etiquette. When I ride, which I do almost as much as

possible or as long as a pair of clean bike shorts are available, I am all about enjoying the aesthetics of the trail I’m on. Be it the wilderness-like Hiawatha or more urbanfocused Centennial, I am in the moment of the “the ride.”

I stop frequently to enjoy the flora and fauna, chat it up with other cyclists, and soak up the glorious recreational amenities we have such easy access to. My focus, naturally, is not on who is speedily coming up from behind me hell-bent on a Tour de Francetype ride. I am looking around, checking out flowers, wildlife prints in the mud, the sound of the river or wind in the trees. Many other riders out there on our shared trails are similarly absorbed in their own in-the-moment experience much of the time and not looking out for potential moving hazards either. This is where trail etiquette comes into play. It’s every trail user’s responsibility to do their best to keep each other safe and take care of the trail and surrounding environment.

TRAIL ETIQUETTE FOR CYCLISTS, HIKERS AND DOG WALKERS

Here are some trail-behavior basics we all need to follow to keep it fun and safe out on our region’s trails (especially when they are long and straight rail trails).

BE COURTEOUS:

• Stay to the right when enjoying the trail.

• Slower traffic and pedestrians have the right of way.

• Make yourself known when overtaking another user by announcing something like “on your left” or deploying a bike bell.

• Always pass other trail users on the left

RIDING THREE WIDE IS NOT THE BEST TRAIL ETIQUETTE // PHOTO: SHALLAN KNOWLES

PHOTOS COURTESY OF RSPF

(assuming they are following the rules and are on the right side of the trail).

RIDE SAFELY AND RESPONSIBLY:

• Avoid sudden changes of direction.

• Announce yourself when stopping or turning.

• Yield when entering or crossing roadways.

• Don’t block the trail.

PROTECT NATURAL RESOURCES:

• Pack out all of your trash and strive to leave no trace.

• Enjoy wildlife sightings, but don’t disturb or get too close to wildlife.

• Stay on existing trails to reduce erosion and avoid trampling plants.

CONTROL AND PICK UP AFTER YOUR PET:

• Leashes are required for dogs on Idaho and Washington state park trails unless otherwise posted.

• Always pick up and pack out your best friend’s droppings.

• Don’t let your dog chase after other trail users, other pets or wildlife.

By making a small effort to use the above trail etiquette tips, we can all more fully enjoy our trails and public lands. Learn about more trails in the Idaho Panhandle and find more trail etiquette recommendations at Friendsofcdatrails.org. Feel free to contact me with any trail comments or questions at wallacepm56@gmail.com. See you out on the trails!

FALL ROCKS IN NORTH IDAHO

Great Room Rates Sleep Trailside

WHEN PUBLIC ACCESS IS A GIFT Respecting Private Land for

Community Use

By Marcy Timblin, Kaniksu Land Trust

WHEN I WAS A KID, I could wander for miles without seeing a “No Trespassing” sign. Neighbors didn’t mind me and my dog popping out of the woods, and I never thought about “public access.” It was the norm.

Of course, not every landowner feels comfortable welcoming visitors. Some fear liability, and others prefer privacy. Idaho’s Recreational Use Statute helps ease those worries by protecting landowners who allow free public access, but, ultimately, it’s always a choice. When granted, public access on private land is a gift, one that comes with the simple expectation that guests respect rules like staying on trails, picking up after themselves and honoring boundaries.

It’s also important to understand the difference between public land and publicaccess land. Public land is owned by the public and managed by government agencies. It is supported by taxes, fees or resource management. Public-access land, on the other hand, is private property where the owner voluntarily allows community use.

Kaniksu Land Trust’s Pine Street Woods is a good example. Though privately owned by the nonprofit Kaniksu Land Trust (KLT), it was purchased through community support

and is maintained for public enjoyment. Still, most of KLT’s conservation work involves protecting land through conservation easements—agreements that keep forests, farms and wildlife habitat intact, but that don’t usually allow public access.

Whether offered formally or informally, public access is a rare and generous gift. By respecting and supporting these lands, we ensure their beauty and benefits remain for generations to come.

PUBLIC LANDS UNDER PRESSURE

By Amanda Parrish, The Lands Council Executive Director

OUR PUBLIC LANDS are one of our nation’s greatest assets: providing clean drinking water, storing carbon and offering large tracts of intact habitat. When managed well and with community involvement, they are also the cornerstone for sustainable rural economies. Yet there is a persistent push to sell off public lands despite broad bipartisan opposition.

Staffing reductions within our federal land agencies have already limited access to our national forests. The current administration is asking federal land managers to do more with less staff, often prioritizing rapid resource extraction without any balance toward ecosystem health, water quality or long-term economic sustainability. This administration is also working to limit or remove public comment for many projects, inhibiting scientific and community voices.

These reductions extend to our federal research branches: USGS, NOAA, NIH, CDC, and the EPA. This has rolled back reg-

ulations for pollution that will have impacts on the health of rivers, clean air and public health. Cuts to USGS and NOAA are directly impacting our ability to support the Triballed salmon reintroduction in our region. Meanwhile, critical federal funding sources are being pulled back or locked up in court cases. With fewer dollars, more organizations are applying for the same funding sources to get their work done. In the West Plains, PFAS, a harmful “forever chemical,” is contaminating drinking water. The West Plains Water Coalition is poised to tackle this issue, but their potential funding is stalled at the state level.

Despite all this, your local conservation organizations, including The Lands Council, remain hard at work: keeping our trails open and accessible, advocating for forest restoration projects that help protect our communities and habitat, planting trees in your neighborhood, safeguarding the Spokane River to keep it clean and swimmable and protecting our drinking water sources. Our public lands and the resources they hold are for all of us to rely on and enjoy. It’s up to all of us to defend and sustain them.

Learn more at Landscouncil.org.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KLT

PHOTO COURTESY OF TLC

SPOKANE RIVER FORUM

Connecting People and Resources for a Healthy River

WANT TO KNOW how and where you can recreate along the river, or how to put waste in its right place, or how to water your lawn responsibly? The Spokane River Forum has you covered. We serve as a public clearinghouse and information exchange on topics ranging from recreational access to restoration and pollution prevention.

The Spokane River Forum’s mission is to create materials, events and activities that promote regional dialogues for sustaining a healthy river system while meeting the needs of a growing population. True to the purpose of a forum, we convene a wide spectrum of partner organizations and community voices that are interested in the health of the Spokane River watershed. With so many people doing important work to keep our river clean and safe, we aim to find the common threads and provide the

public with reliable information. Our goal is to foster collaboration and coordination in the important work of sustaining a healthy river system.

Day to day, our work is diverse; we organize conferences and public meetings, curate information online via e-newsletter and social media, maintain our river access sites and plenty more. This work is all united under the banner of inspiring individual and collective stewardship.

Like any nonprofit, the Spokane River Forum relies on donor contributions to stay afloat. We also want to make sure that your money goes toward resources that matter to you. Whether that’s on our Spokane River Water Trail or our other resources—let’s work together.

Hope to see you at the river!

PROTECTING THE GREAT BURN TOGETHER

info@spokaneriver.net

For more than 50 years, the Great Burn Conservation Alliance (GBCA) has worked to safeguard the wild character of the Northern Bitterroot Mountains along the Idaho–Montana border. This landscape— known as the Great Burn—spans nearly 2 million acres of roadless, wildlands filled with old-growth cedar, alpine ridges and clean, cool streams.

GBCA’s mission is simple but vital: protect, connect and inspire. We protect the Great Burn through advocacy for wildland protections and responsible public land management. We connect people to this unique place by maintaining trails, restoring habitat and supporting sustainable recreation. And we inspire the next generation of conservation leaders through education and

stewardship programs that foster a deeper bond between people and wild places.

But we can’t do it alone. The future of the Great Burn depends on those who love and value it. Whether you lace up your boots to volunteer on a trail crew, lend your voice in defense of wildlands or contribute financially to keep this work moving forward—you are part of protecting the Great Burn.

How you can get involved: Volunteer on a trail or stewardship project during the summer months, advocate for strong protections of public lands or donate to sustain our work year-round. Together, we can keep the Great Burn wild—for today and for generations to come. Learn more at Greatburn.org.

Support the Spokane River Forum’s mission to keep you informed about river access, proper waste disposal, water conservation, pollution prevention, and more.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SPOKANE RIVER FORUM

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE GREAT BURN CONSERVATION ALLIANCE

EVERGREEN EAST ROLLS OUT SEPTEMBER ADULT MTB SKILLS CLINICS

EVERGREEN EAST ROLLS OUT SEPTEMBER ADULT MTB SKILLS CLINICS

Looking to sharpen your riding this fall? Evergreen East—the Eastern Washington chapter of Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance—is offering six adult mountain bike skills clinics in September at Spokane’s Beacon Hill and Camp Sekani. Options range from true-beginner fundamentals to focused progressions such as technical descending and intro to drops and jumps, with two women-only sessions. All clinics are taught by certified coaches in small groups.

Evergreen East head coach Myles Finlay says the clinics aim to meet riders where they are—from first-timers working on shifting and braking to experienced riders refining things like body position, cornering, and feature-specific skills. Finlay says the clinics are a great way to correct bad habits, improve technique, and progress safely with guidance from experienced coaches who know the right trails and jumps for riders’ ability levels. All of these clinics run from 9 a.m. to noon.

• Sept. 6 — Mountain Bike Foundations 1: Beginner - A fundamentals refresher for new riders or anyone returning to the sport.

• Sept. 7 — Technical Descending: 1-Day Clinic - Build confidence on steeper, rocky sections with dynamic body position, pumping through features, and line choice.

• Sept. 13 — Mountain Bike Foundations 1: Beginner — Women - Women-only introduction to Level 1 fundamentals in a supportive setting.

• Sept. 14 — Intro to Drops & Jumps Learn stable body position, controlled speed and smooth landings, plus jumping basics for tabletops.

• Sept. 20 — Mountain Bike Foundations 2: Intermediate - Builds on Level 1 with passive and active pumping, cornering, wheel lifts, and finding flow on intermediate terrain.

• Sept. 21 — Mountain Bike Foundations 2: Intermediate — Women - Women-only version of the Level 2 progression with the same focus and prerequisites.

Expect clear demos, skill breakdowns, and a welcoming environment aimed at steady, safe progression on Spokane’s home trails. Proceeds from all classes support Evergreen East’s trail maintenance work, so your skill building helps local trails, too. Registration info at Evergreeneast.org.

KEEPING SPOKANE’S RIVER PATH THRIVING

HOW DOES A RIVER CITY turn natural beauty into everyday well-being? In Spokane, the answer is the Centennial Trail, a paved corridor that links neighborhoods, parks and river views.

The route now stretches about 63 miles. It runs roughly 40 miles in Washington, from the Idaho border through Spokane Valley to downtown Spokane, Riverside State Park, and west to the Nine Mile Falls Recreation Area. Another 23 connected miles of trail continue in Idaho, through Post Falls to Higgins Point on Lake Coeur d’Alene. The Washington section, known as the Spokane

River Centennial Trail and managed as a Washington State Park, was recognized as a National Recreation Trail in 2010, underscoring its regional significance.

The vision for the trail took shape in the mid-1980s, when a group of citizens rallied behind the idea of creating a continuous path along the Spokane River. By 1991, their efforts led to the formation of Friends of the Centennial Trail, a nonprofit organization that has served ever since as the Washington portion of the trail’s leading advocate. Working in partnership with Washington State Parks and local municipalities, the group helps secure funding, organizes volunteers and champions trail maintenance and completion.

Today, millions of trips are logged on the Centennial Trail each year. Families, commuters, cyclists and runners use it daily for transportation and recreation. Beyond its role as a recreational outlet, the trail has been shown to contribute significantly to public health and the regional economy, while strengthening community connections and property values.

For anyone who enjoys the trail, membership with Friends of the Centennial Trail is one of the most direct ways to give back. Supporting the organization helps ensure this riverside backbone remains accessible and well cared for into the future.

CENTENNIAL TRAIL // PHOTO: LISA LAUGHLIN

A PARK FOR ALL SEASONS

Exploring Downtown Spokane’s Huntington Park By Jon Jonckers

IN THE HEART of downtown Spokane below the Monroe Street Bridge, tucked against the roaring Spokane Falls, is a stunning urban escape that offers both scenic beauty and historical significance. Originally established in the early 1970s as part of

the Monroe Street Dam redevelopment in preparation for Expo ’74, Huntington Park has morphed into a remarkable public space.

Although in some ways it may be overshadowed by the size and spectacle of Riverfront Park, Huntington features several unique aspects that are highly uncommon for its size and location. From City Hall Plaza, winding paths of stone and gravel offer progressively immersive views down to the cascade of the lower falls. Interpretive signs detail local culture, ecology and energy history. Engaging art installations, including towering tribal figures and sculpted salmon scenes, educate and honor the spiritual and cultural importance of the falls. In the spring, the mist and the noise from the falls are breathtaking. In the fall, the color from the fiery foliage is a photographer’s dreamscape.

Huntington Park is named after David L. Huntington, the third president of Washington Water Power (now Avista). David L. Huntington started working for Washington Water Power in 1884. Beginning as its treasurer, he quickly climbed the ranks and assumed the role of president in 1910. Under Huntington’s leadership, Washington

FRIENDS OF SCOTCHMAN PEAKS WILDERNESS KEEPING

THE WILD ALIVE

SINCE 2005, Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness (FSPW) has been working to protect one of the wildest and most beloved corners of the Inland Northwest. What began as a small, grassroots effort to safeguard the rugged Scotchman Peaks has grown into a community of volunteers, educators and wilderness lovers committed to ensuring these mountains remain wild for generations.

Trail stewardship is at the heart of what we do. Each summer, volunteers from all walks of life come together with crosscut saws, Pulaskis and a shared passion for the outdoors. From clearing blowdowns to repairing tread, their work keeps trails safe and accessible for hikers, wildlife watchers and backcountry dreamers alike.

Water Power gained over 50,000 accounts and was providing services to 10 counties in Eastern Washington and six counties in North Idaho.

The dramatic river and falls views may be the park’s primary draw, but the Monroe Street Bridge, towering above downstream, is an engineering spectacle worth pondering. Strangely enough, it’s the third bridge constructed at that location. When the current bridge was completed in 1911, it was known for being the largest concrete arch bridge by length in the United States. The design of the Monroe Street Bridge was largely copied from the Rocky River Bridge in Cleveland, Ohio, but was built one foot longer to make it the longest concrete arch in the country at the time.

Visitors looking up may also see the SkyRide gondola that begins and ends at Riverfront Park on the ride’s tour of the falls.

The lilac-colored cars travel the entire length of Huntington Park, twice, offering an alternative aerial tour of the river canyon. Also, while it technically isn’t part of Huntington Park, plan a walk through A Place of Truths Plaza near the Monroe Street Bridge and Downtown Library on the south rim of the gorge. The plaza's name is presented in both

Salish and English on interpretive signs and the plaza offers spectacular views of Spokane Falls and Huntington Park. Large metal statues of native wildlife and fishing scenes commemorate the river’s importance as a historic tribal salmon fishing ground, and a poem by Sherman Alexie titled “That Place Where Ghosts of Salmon Jump” is etched into a granite spiral at the west end of the plaza. Huntington Park and A Place of Truths Plaza are more than a city promenade; these public spaces serve as an interactive reminder of the significance of the Spokane River that stretches back thousands of years and invite reflection on our connection to the river, the tragic history of the Spokane region’s Indigenous inhabitants, and the loss of the river’s once-abundant salmon runs. Open year-round and free to visit, Huntington Park offers a powerful urban nature experience where art, history and nature converge in a walkable tribute to the city’s defining feature: the Spokane River.

A quick search on the Out There Outdoors website brings up over 200 articles written by Jon Jonckers. He's been a constant contributor since 2006, and he still enjoys sharing his love for the region with anyone willing to listen.

Our mission also extends to inspiring the next generation. Through Winter Tracks, our free outdoor education program, local students spend a day in the snow learning to identify animal tracks, recognize native trees and understand wilderness safety. These hands-on lessons spark wonder and nurture lifelong connections to nature.

The Scotchman Peaks are more than mountains—they are classrooms, sanctuaries, and sources of inspiration. We invite you to be part of this story: sign up to be a Friend, join us on the trail or support our programs with a gift. Together, we can keep the Scotchmans wild and thriving. Learn more at Scotchmanpeaks.org.

HUNTINGTON PARK ART // PHOTO: JON JONCKERS

PHOTOS COURTESY OF FRIENDS OF THE SCOTCHMAN PEAKS WILDERNESS

IDAHO

TRAILS ASSOCIATION

Blazing the Way with 15 Years of Trail Stewardship in Idaho

IN 2010, a small group of people came together to address a big problem in Idaho’s backcountry. Many trails had become impassable due to lack of maintenance; trails built throughout Idaho’s history were being lost to overgrowth and erosion and access to public lands was diminishing as trails disappeared.

Recognizing these overwhelming needs, this group planned a volunteer trail maintenance project. After a day of working hard and making new friends, they decided this was a fun way to make an impact. What began as a tiny seed grew into a movement of people passionate about protecting trails for future generations—Idaho Trails Association (ITA).

Fifteen years later and with over 500 trail projects completed across the state to date, ITA continues to work toward the same mis-

sion: keeping Idaho’s hiking trails open for all.

This year, trail work has included some unexpected challenges. Forest Service budget and personnel cuts and uncertainty about the future made the beginning of the trail season grim. However, the dedication of volunteers coming out in force to take care of the beautiful places that surround us has been truly inspiring.

While the many skilled Forest Service trail workers affected by the layoffs cannot be replaced, this season has been a reminder of how far a community can go when working together. Join ITA’s in mission to keep Idaho’s hiking trails open for all by becoming a member or volunteering on a trail project! Our public lands need your support now more than ever.

GET OUTDOORS ON WDFW PUBLIC LANDS

THOUSANDS OF ACRES OF PUBLIC LANDS IN WASHINGTON ARE OPEN FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT.

WDFW offers thousands of acres of public lands for you to enjoy

From hiking to camping, hunting, fishing, and wildlife watching, WDFW lands have something for everyone!

For info on WDFW wildlife areas, go to wdfw.wa.gov/lands or scan the QR code

LOOKING FOR A GREAT PLACE to get outside and explore?

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) manages more than 1 million acres of public lands and over 450 water access areas statewide. As stewards of Washington's natural places, WDFW protects these lands and waters for wildlife and human populations while providing hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation opportunities.

In Eastern Washington, there are almost 150,000 acres of WDFW-managed lands. Closest to Spokane is the Rustler’s Gulch Unit of the Sherman Creek Wildlife Area. It features streams, lakes and conifer forests, and offers hiking, biking, horseback riding and wildlife watching. The Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area in Lincoln County is almost

21,000 acres of channeled scablands, shrubsteppe habitat, and lakes. Mule deer hunting is the main draw, complemented by mountain biking and stunning scenery.

In Southeast Washington, there are almost 79,000 acres of WDFW-managed lands that provide spectacular views, great fishing, prolific wildlife and hiking opportunities. Heller Bar Access Area, part of the Chief Joseph Wildlife Area along the Snake River, is a popular launch spot for powerboats heading into Hells Canyon, the Grande Ronde or Salmon rivers.

While enjoying these lands, remember that a Discover Pass or WDFW Vehicle Access Pass is required and please respect other wildlife area visitors. Whether hunting, birding, or doing other outdoor activities, each visitor cares deeply about the wildlife and habitat of that area. There are other WDFW-managed lands in Eastern Washington, including the LeClerc, W.T. Wooten, and Revere wildlife areas. More information on those and others is at Wdfw. wa.gov/lands.

IDAHO TRAILS ASSOCIATION

VOLUNTEER CREW HEADED INTO THE WILDS // PHOTO COURTESY OF ITA

CHIEF JOSEPH

WILDLIFE AREA // PHOTO COURTESY OF WDFW

SAFEGUARDING IDAHO’S LANDS, WILDLIFE,

WATERWAYS,

AND TRAILS

Idaho Forest Group’s Enduring Commitment

AT IDAHO FOREST GROUP (IFG) , conservation isn’t a side initiative—it’s the foundation of our mission. Across every mill, forest, and partnership, we work to responsibly manage natural resources today while preserving them for tomorrow. From trailheads to tree lines, IFG plays a vital role in sustaining the lands, wildlife and waterways that make Idaho unique.

Our commitment extends through leadership roles in more than 20 conservationfocused groups, collaboration on National Forest plans and direct partnerships with agencies like Idaho Fish & Game and the U.S. Forest Service.

We back our principles with action: investing in eco-technology, maximizing log utilization, minimizing emissions, recycling water and restoring fire-resilient ecosystems. In 2024, we donated a conservation

easement along Prichard Creek to restore an area damaged by historical mining practices and to permanently protect the nearly 2,000 acres of stream and upland habitat from development.

Just as we care for the land, we care deeply for the people who live and work in our communities. Our teams actively volunteer, and we provide lumber and funding donations for a variety of community organizations. IFG supports rural jobs and provides educational opportunities focused on careers in the forest products industry and the importance of environmental stewardship. Through partnerships with groups like Kaniksu Land Trust and the Idaho Forest Products Commission, we link conservation with public access, outdoor education and community well-being.

For over 40 years, IFG has worked to ensure Idaho’s forests remain healthy and productive. By uniting sustainable forestry with stewardship and community investment, we protect the landscapes—and the people—that define Idaho’s future.

PROTECTING SPOKANE’S WILD HEART

ON A QUIET MORNING, a child walks hand in hand with her grandfather along a trail in the Dishman Hills. The air is alive with birdsong, the scent of pine and the crunch of the trail beneath their boots. They pause as a doe steps into the clearing, ears flicking, before vanishing silently into the trees. The little girl squeezes his hand, wide-eyed with wonder. Moments like these don’t just happen. They are protected.

For the last 59 years, neighbors, volunteers, and donors have fought to keep these hills wild—against bulldozers, against sprawl, against rapid loss to development. Because once wild places are gone, they do not return. What remains is only memory.

The Dishman Hills Conservancy exists so memories aren’t all we have left. We safe-

guard habitats where moose calves learn to run, where wildflowers bloom in spring, where children discover their first sense of awe in nature. Each acre we protect is a gift—for wildlife, for clean air and water, for everyone who longs for a moment of quiet beauty close to home.

But the work is not finished. The future of the Hills depends on all of us. When you join Dishman Hills Conservancy, you become part of this legacy. You ensure that your children, and their children, will have a place to explore, to breathe deeply, and to remember that they are part of something bigger than themselves. Join us today—help protect Spokane’s wild heart, forever. More info: Dishmanhills.org.

For over 59 years, Dishman Hills Conservancy has worked to safeguard Spokane’s wild heart from development and loss. Every acre we protect is a gift—for wildlife, for clean air and water, and for future generations.

Your partnership can be part of this legacy. Join us today and help keep the Hills wild, forever.

LOVING A PLACE TO DEATH

VISITOR IMPACT IN GLACIER NATIONAL PARK

BY JEAN ARTHUR

With so few boots on turf this morning, it’s hard to imagine the significant increase in visitation that Glacier has endured. In 2024, more than 3.2 million people entered Glacier, its third-highest visitation year ever and an increase of 300,000 visitors from 2023.

SUNRISE PROMISES A SPARKLING MIDSUMMER morning at 6,644 feet elevation at the summit of Going-to-the-Sun Road at Logan Pass. A dozen vehicles snug into parking spots on an August morning as hikers lace boots for early starts on Glacier National Park’s famous Highline Trail. My family plans to hike another popular trail from the parking lot at Logan Pass, the Hidden Lake Trail to Hidden Lake Overlook, a 2.7-mile climb among wildflowers, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, ermine and the occasional grizzly bear.

We know from experience that the parking lot—all 236 spots—fills by 8 a.m. on July and August mornings. Until about 7 p.m., drivers will troll the parking lot to find a spot, testing patience and pleasantries. Occasionally arguments break out and rangers must intervene.

The bustle begs the question: Are we loving our national parks to death? Between resource depletion, crushing roadway overuse, damaging pollution, and resource defilement due to garbage, trampling and theft, park lovers are demanding changes.

Rangers and park staff can barely keep pace. Since the beginning of 2025, permanent park staff positions decreased by 24% for all parks according to the nonprofit National Parks Conservation Association. In Grand Teton National Park, the Trump administration’s budget cuts eliminated 16 of the park’s 17 supervisory positions.

Glacier, which is America’s 10th national park and spans 1.2 million acres in northwest Montana, has experienced explosive visitor numbers in the past decade, as have other public lands, challenging the resources, park staff and visitor restraint.

I have frequented Glacier National Park for five decades. My group and I hit the park early to try to beat the new summer crowds. Tailgate coffee, locally grown fruit and prebaked muffins entice our sleepy crew out of warm vehicles to our truck where my husband cranks up the camp stove and makes a couple of bistro’s worth of coffee. To my family, this morning is reminiscent of two decades ago when there was available parking, room to hike without crowding and lots of wildlife.

We lock up leftovers and head up the paved trail that climbs to a boardwalk, then dirt, and then a snow-covered route with just a few other humans. Brilliant pink heather hugs the ground. The higher we climb, the more glacier lilies—yellow sprites of the high country—shiver in the breeze. A sizable herd of bighorn sheep skitter across rocks then settle for naps with their lambs.

Glacier’s 40 percent increase in visitation from 2012 to 2024 is not an anomaly. According to Zion National Park Superintendent, Jeff Bradybaugh, in a letter to Congress, “There are 423 park units in the National Park System encompassing over 85 million acres across our nation, but visitation trends among the individual parks greatly vary. In 2020, overall visitation dropped to a 40-year low due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.” And then spiked.

In his statement titled, “Lessons from the Field: Overcrowding in National Parks,” Bradybaugh notes that a third of the national parks saw record visitation during the pandemic as people sought outdoor spaces. In 2021, visitation across all NPS units reached 297 million recreation visits, a year when Utah’s Zion National Park alone saw 5 million visitors for the first time in its history and double the number from 2010. Some mitigation efforts are working. Several parks now use timed entry and ticket systems, including Glacier, which piloted vehicle reservation systems for summer months. Because my crew and I visit Glacier often, we know to use Recreation.gov to purchase a park pass and a Going-to-the-Sun Road ticket.

On our glorious August morning, the road remained quiet at predawn; we only encountered a pair of motorcyclists who cruised the Sun Road to Logan Pass. But by the time we hiked up to the Hidden Lake Overlook, snapped a few photos and walked back, the parking lot was full and the trail overworked.

“Pack your patience and plan ahead,” reads Glacier National Park’s webpage, “Tips for Dealing with Crowds.” We’ve also packed out other people’s candy wrappers, broken sunglasses and bad attitudes—a visitor aggressively urged us to rush so they could have our parking spot. We left feeling squeezed and a bit Grinchy about sharing our favorite park.

For national park gateway communities, the tourism boils down to dollars. According to economists at the University of Montana in Missoula, annual nonresident spending in the state totaled $5.82 billion, a two-year average for annual spending. The Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research found that the region surrounding Glacier saw $2 billion in revenue, while the region surrounding Yellowstone averaged $1.3 billion. Yellowstone’s borders also include Idaho and Wyoming. The two Montana regions collectively saw 57% of nonresident travel spending.

Oregon park visitor Barbara Nelson and her husband encountered long waits when they entered the park’s west gate at West Glacier this summer, even though they had booked tickets for the road and activities in advance. This was not their first park visit, and they’ve witnessed growing wait times at entrance stations, parking lots, trail heads and concession restaurants.

“We got stopped in the hot sun and felt crowded,” Nelson recalls. “That morning, we started about 9 or 10 a.m. from West Glacier. A busy, August day. Getting behind those red buses is annoying. We got stopped at [the] top of [the] pass and there was still snow. So we had a snowball fight as we were waiting in traffic.”

The Red Busses offer interpretive tours on Going-to-the-Sun Road. Free shuttles between Apgar near the west entrance and St. Mary at the east entrance alleviate some vehicle traffic,

but hour-long standstills still occur, and not always where snowball fights can ensue. There are just many people who want the Glacier experience—including my crew. The park is on pace for another record-breaking summer as of early August 2025, with early counts showing a sizeable increase of more than 12 percent over 2024.

Overtourism is defined as the phenomenon whereby certain places of interest are visited by excessive numbers of tourists, causing undesirable effects for the places visited. The global nonprofit Responsible Tourism offers a platform for change, helping travelers and communities take responsibility for making tourism more sustainable.

Locals grasp at reasons for overtourism: short-term rentals alluring and available which push out long-term renters, post-pandemic need for healthy outdoor travel, alluring Instagram images sans mega throbs of tourists, and the Yellowstone Effect, in which people watch Kevin Costner’s television drama “Yellowstone” and visit Montana, Wyoming and Idaho believing a fictional tale of the American West—and wanting a piece of it.

The “Yellowstone Effect” brought 2.1 million visitors to Montana in 2021, according to the University of Montana’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research. Fans spent $730 million, yet caused some locals to channel Beth Dutton and mean-mug away visitors—it didn’t work.

The Tourons of Yellowstone Instagram page, dedicated to documenting bad behavior and egregious offenses, stir up locals’ ire too. The Tourons videos often involve humans (and sometimes their pets) getting too close to wildlife in parks or illegally traipsing near Yellowstone’s extremely hot and fragile hot spring features—and sometimes not surviving.

Thoughtless visitors trample delicate flora, leave trash and feces, and cause congestion and environmental degradation also felt in housing and infrastructure. Instagrammers sometimes position themselves in precariously dangerous spots for the glory, monetizing the public places. My family witnessed a woman who waded through a swift stream below a waterfall for her ego-driven photo taken by an accomplice. Other visitors, who had to wait 20 minutes for an Instagrammer-free view, did not wish her well.

The organization Responsible Tourism writes on their website that tourism has breached a tipping point: Hosts and guests are often dissatisfied. “The challenge is to make all destinations sustainable and to avoid spreading the problem. For local government and protected area managers, the key question is: Will the destination use tourism or be used by it?” Gateway communities are trying to help visitors find their inner angels. In Jackson, Wyoming, the tourism board adopted a “selfie control” campaign after many tourists got too close to wildlife. Jackson’s “Take care of what takes your breath away” includes signage, advertising and smiling reminders from locals. Bozeman, Montana’s “Becoming Outside Kind” campaign encourages trail etiquette by educating new and longtime residents about how to behave outside. Whitefish, Montana created the “Be a Friend of The Fish” campaign to promote visitor stewardship.

As Responsible Tourism notes, a global backlash to overtourism and bad behavior has resulted in violence. Protestors in Barcelona, Spain attacked tourists with water guns and called for visitor-accommodation restrictions. Protests against mass tourism and gentrification in Mexico City turned violent, damaging storefronts. Venice banned cruise ships from the city center and instituted a tourist tax. Some cities and attractions now limit the number of visitors, such as Bruges, Belgium, which capped the number of cruise ship arrivals and instead encouraged daytrippers. Solutions remain elusive. Summer 2025 saw particularly challenging crowding in Glacier, in part because the much-loved Many Glacier Valley, with its lodge, lakes, campgrounds and

OPPOSITE PAGE: A CROWDED LOGAN PASS VISITOR CENTER.

TOP: FOR VISITORS WILLING TO WAKE AT 5 A.M. AND DRIVE TO LOGAN PASS BEFORE SUNRISE, GLACIER NATIONAL PARK APPEARS NEARLY VACANT—MUCH LIKE A MIDDAY VISIT TWO DECADES AGO.

RIGHT: AN INFLUENCER POSES IN FRONT OF BARRING FALLS AFTER A DANGEROUS COLD-WATER CROSSING IN 2024. OTHER VISITORS HAD TO WAIT SEVERAL MINUTES TO TAKE THEIR OWN PHOTOS. // PHOTOS: JEAN ARTHUR

trails, underwent extensive utilities reconstruction. Limited parking forced limited access. The reward for patience, however, includes spectacular views, cool evenings with remarkable sunsets, and incomparable trails. My crew will wait to camp and hike during the slower season, late September, to avoid the crowds and try to be good stewards of our favorite park.

Jean Arthur hikes and bikes and boats on public lands and waterways with family, friends and dogs. This fall, she's picking huckleberries after the early frost sweetens up the hucks and the hues of the backcountry.

Fossils, Golden Forests, and One Long Trail Road trip to Republic, Wash., this fall for the ultimate weekend adventure

A FALL TRIP TO FERRY COUNTY, if you time it right, begins with a stunning display of golden western larch trees blazing across the mountains as you climb up and over Sherman Pass on Highway 20. Larches typically turn on their brilliant foliage firework display in the first two weeks of October. There are several historic sites, scenic overlooks and trailheads along this stretch of often empty highway where you can stop to soak up the views and stretch your legs on a winding singletrack trail.

When you arrive in Republic, find your way to the Stonerose Interpretive Center & Eocene Fossil Site located right downtown. Spend some time at the interpretive center checking out the fossils on display and learning about the fossil site before paying for your admission. You’ll need to rent or bring your own rock splitting tools, then walk the short distance to the Boot Hill Fossil Site. Spend the afternoon digging and splitting your way through shale in search of 49 million year old fossils. Common fossil finds include leaves and twigs,

with more rare discovery of insects and ancient rose fossils possible. Stonerose is open Wednesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Oct. 31. Spend the evening exploring Republic on foot, enjoying a pint at Republic Brewing Company, and hunting down a tasty meal before hitting the pillow at your hotel or campground of choice.

Bring your bikes for the following day and take advantage of the cooler fall weather for a ride on the Ferry County Rail Trail west of Republic. The mostly gravel-surface trail stretches for 28 miles through upland forest and along wetlands, Curlew Lake, and the Kettle River. There are several trailheads where you can start your out-and-back ride of whatever distance you want, but be sure to include riding the 770 foot trestle over Curlew Lake. After your ride, enjoy the scenic drive home up and over Sherman Pass. The Stonerose website (Stonerosefossil.org) has a visitor page with lodging, dining and other visitor info for planning your Republic road trip.

Fall in Love with Montana

MANY HAVE LOST THEIR HEART to the peacefulness and beauty of autumn in Montana. Dark greens and rustic browns transform into a rich palette of gold, orange, and red. The air becomes crisper, and sounds become richer. Experience fall in Whitefish, Mont., and be swept off your feet.

Glacier National Park

During fall, Glacier National Park offers visitors the opportunity to drive, hike, or bike amid majestic peaks, pristine waters, and magnificent wildlife without the hurried flow of summer tourists. Additionally, while you still need a park pass to enter, vehicle reservations are no longer required after Sept. 28, 2025.

The Whitefish Trail

Over 47 miles of natural-surface trail and 15 trailheads offer a variety of easy-tolocate and easy-to-navigate recreation opportunities on public and private lands. The trail is perfect for surrounding yourself in color while you bike, hike, or explore by horseback.

Fish Trails

Hop on a cruiser bike and explore Whitefish on two wheels. Paved bike and pedestrian trails meander throughout town. A segment of the trail runs along the river between various parks and to City Beach, making it an ideal route to enjoy the fall foliage.

Paddle

There's no better way to take in the brilliant fall colors than from the water. Glide across the calm surface of Whitefish Lake in a canoe, where golden aspens reflect in the glassy surface, or paddleboard with the gentle flow of the Whitefish River surrounded by vibrant foliage.

Fishing

Autumn fly fishing yields some of the best action of the year. Sparse fishing pressure, cooler temps, and a slew of fall hatches make for happy fish and happier anglers! Guides are available on Whitefish Lake as well as surrounding lakes and rivers.

Sky Tours

Take to the skies with Backcountry Flying Experience. An autumn floatplane tour over Northwest Montana offers once-ina-lifetime views! Tours run through midOctober and depart from the docks at The Lodge at Whitefish Lake.

Downtown Whitefish

Fall's cooler temps mean fewer crowds— the perfect time to enjoy Whitefish's mountain town scene. Downtown offers boutique shops, art galleries, restaurants, bars, and more.

Fall Events

Fall events enhance the season with fun and festivities. Check out the Whitefish Songwriter Festival, Sept. 19-21, two weekends of the Great Northwest Oktoberfest, Oct. 2-4 and Oct. 9-11, or Halloween and the return of the Whitefish costume contest, Oct. 31.

There's no shortage of ways to savor autumn's beauty—whether from the trails, the water, or the sky. After a day of exploration, retreat to the comfort of the Whitefish Riverfront Hotel, where cozy riverside accommodations place you amid the colors and charm of fall. Here, relaxation meets Montana's natural beauty, making it the perfect place to fall in love with the season all over again.

FALL PADDLING IN WHITEFISH // PHOTO COURTESY OF THE WHITEFISH RIVERFRONT HOTEL

A Close Call in the Mountains Life Flight saves adventure photographer at Mt. Hood Meadows

PHOTOGRAPHER RICHARD HALLMA n lives for the mountains, their beauty, their wildness, and the chance to capture fleeting moments of adventure through his lens. But on one sunny day at Mt. Hood Meadows, that passion turned suddenly into a life-threatening emergency.

It began with a moment of miscommunication between Richard and a group of snowboarders he was photographing. “It was an unfortunate accident, plain and simple,” he shared. “There was some faulty communication—100% on me.”

Standing in the wrong place at the wrong time, Richard was struck by a rider in a violent collision that left him in immediate, excruciating pain. His ribs were shattered—15 fractures in total—and he was soon diagnosed with flail chest, a rare and serious injury in which a segment of the rib cage becomes detached from the chest wall.

Additionally, he had a deviated trachea, and cardiac and pulmonary contusions. The result was intense pain, paradoxical breathing, and the constant threat of complications.

Fortunately, Richard wasn’t alone. His friends leapt into action, calling for help. Mt. Hood Ski Patrol and the staff at Providence Meadows Clinic responded swiftly, stabilizing him on the slopes and requesting Life Flight Network.

Life Flight Network arrived on scene quickly and immediately went to work, managing Richard’s pain and preparing him for the flight to Portland.

“The outstanding professionalism of Life Flight—just incredible,” Richard wrote. The flight crew delivered ICU-level support in the air, shortening the time it took to get him to definitive care at Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland, where the trauma team took over.

As he began his recovery in the

hospital, Richard learned that while surgery wasn’t required, the road ahead would be long. “I’m definitely going to be sidelined for a few months,” he said. “The primary goal now is to manage the pain and regain mobility.”

The recovery wasn’t just physical. Emotionally, Richard was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from friends, family and followers. “I got extremely lucky,” he wrote. “It could’ve been a lot worse. A LOT worse. I firmly believe things would have been potentially dire without timely intervention by Life Flight Network. I never imagined I’d be one of their patients but am so grateful they were there when I needed them.”

He promised to take time to reflect, heal, and share what he learned: “Accidents happen, especially when we’re adventuring in the mountains. We need to treat them with reverence and great respect. Like everything

in life, this is a rare and profound learning experience.”

Twelve weeks later, that journey came full circle. Richard visited Life Flight Network’s base in Dallesport, Ore., where he met with the pilot and flight nurse who were with him on that fateful day. “It was a big, full circle moment,” he wrote. “I got to thank Eileen, my primary caregiver, and Brian, my pilot, face to face. I can’t thank Life Flight Network enough for helping me in my time of need.”

Though still not fully recovered, Richard estimates he’s about 90% back to normal and feeling strong. He ended the visit with a heartfelt recommendation: “I highly encourage everyone to have a Life Flight Network membership—it’s money well spent, and, more importantly, it gave me peace of mind.”

Now, with gratitude in his heart and the mountains still calling, Richard is ready to keep moving forward. “To all who supported me—thank you from the bottom of my heart. Here’s to getting back to 100%.”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF LIFE FLIGHT NETWORK

Trails for Tykes to Teens in the Nelson and Kootenay Lake Region Family-friendly hikes from creekside strolls to alpine summits

THE MOUNTAINS ARE CALLING, and I must go. But with a family? You bet. Whether you’ve got tots or teens, the Nelson and Kootenay Lake region has a hiking trail for you.

Located naturally off the beaten path between the Rockies and the Coast, the hiking is just as impressive as in Banff or Whistler, but without the crowds. Most visitors use Nelson as their base to explore the region. Multiple lodging options suit every budget and taste, ranging from waterfront resorts to family-friendly campgrounds.

Stroll along historic Baker Street and go beyond window shopping for your recreation needs. Local shops offer a curated selection of top brands and the latest gear. If your hiking objectives are toddler-sized, grabbing a few treats can help keep the kids motivated on the trail. For the grown-ups, stock up on local produce, organic goodies and in-house meals at the Kootenay Co-Op, the largest independent cooperative grocery store in Canada.

For those with wee ones, micro adventures can be the way to go. Hiking close to town has the advantage of being “out there” while still being able to easily pull the chute if things go sideways. The network of trails immediately above Nelson feature fun little bridges and water features with just enough elevation gain for a kiddo-sized challenge.

Sproule Creek is a popular family-friendly hike just 10 minutes from Nelson. Offering one of the few genuinely flat trails in the area, it follows a gentle stream under a lush canopy. It’s an ideal hike for hot days, shoulder

seasons and during the autumn when the leaves perform their colorful ritual. The out and back is up to 9k (5.5 miles) with 200m of elevation gain.

Mention hiking in Nelson, and you’re sure to hear about Pulpit Rock and Lions Bluff, the most popular trails in town. Located a short drive over the iconic Big Orange Bridge, it’s common to find children (and parents) huffing up these steep trails. A sense of accomplishment and great views are guaranteed, and it’s a quick trip back to town to celebrate. Both trails are about 3.5k (2 miles) round trip with over 300m of climbing.

The Kaslo River Trail is another great family option, weaving through the shady forest with hidden sculpture surprises to keep kids curious. The twin crimson covered bridges add to the appeal, creating a 3.5k (2 mile) fairy-tale-like kids’ loop with the trailhead only a block from downtown. Or, connect with the scenic waterfront trail, passing the skate park and playground to add another kilometer and link with the main street. The trail is snow free for most of the year, but is particularly scenic in October, when the charming town of Kaslo becomes radiantly beautiful.

If you’re looking for a day trip that isn’t all about hiking, head across Kootenay Lake on the free ferry to discover the Pilot Bay Provincial Park trails. Watch for osprey and admire the fjordlike views between Balfour and Kootenay Bay on the boat. Choose from the super-short hike to the lighthouse or explore

the easy low-elevation trails from early spring to late fall. And don’t miss a stop in Crawford Bay, a small community with a variety of unique artisans (the kids will feel like they’ve stepped into a Harry Potter set at North Woven Brooms).

From the lakeshore to the alpine, Kokanee Glacier/Creek Provincial Parks have trails for everyone. Nearly 10k (6.2 miles) of mellow pathways meander through the peninsula at the region’s most popular family campground. Feel the intensity of the spring runoff from the Canyon Trail, head to the beach via the Grassland Trail, or count the spawning salmon from the main trails near the visitor center in the fall.

Drive up the forestry road for some of the best hikes around, including Kokanee Old Growth Cedars. The trail may be short (1.5k and 100m of elevation) but the trees are enormous. See if your family can bear hug one of these ancient giants (probably not!).

Continue to the end of the road for 15 minutes to the main trailhead toward the alpine. Gibson Lake Loop Trail is an easy 1.5k circuit, or, lace up your hiking boots and head towards Kokanee Lake and beyond. Patience and snacks are your best friends; the trail climbs 400m over 5k (one way), passing through dense forest before offering sweeping views of the mountainous terrain as you approach the lake. From there, it’s a cruisy 3.5k (2 miles) to Kaslo Lake campground, or the Kokanee Glacier Cabin. Maintained by the Alpine Club of Canada, it’s regarded as the

most luxurious (and affordable!) public hut in the country, complete with showers, flush toilets and power. It’s the perfect base for exploring alpine trails or just relaxing in the comfort of the hut with kids.

Renowned for its deep powder in the winter, Whitewater Mountain Resort continues to open its terrain to summer activities. Ascend the summit face for panoramic views towards Valhalla Provincial Park, or head up the Silver King side below the iconic Ymir Peak. Families with older kids can continue on, following the ridgeline and connecting to White Queen, then looping back to the start for a full-day adventure. Fuel up at Hummingbird Lodge, serving some of Whitewater’s famous pow chow from Thursday through Monday through the end of the summer season.

For the more dedicated adventurers, Monica Meadows offers a true wilderness experience. The long forestry road near Meadow Creek takes you way up to the trailhead at 1,800m (6,000 feet), letting you spend more time hiking in the glorious alpine plateau. Lakes, wildflowers, waterfalls and glaciers provide plenty for the kids to see. Head there in the early fall for golden larches and a chance to witness the first dusting of snow. The 10k (6 mile) out-and-back hike climbs over 650m and is a two-hour drive from Nelson.

From towering cedars to quiet creeks, serious summits to backcountry huts, the hiking trails in the Nelson and Kootenay Lake region offer a memorable outdoor experience for any family.

FONT: VERVeineFALL

FALL HIKING NEAR NELSON, B.C. // PHOTOS: KARI MEDIG COURTESY OF NELSON KOOTENAY LAKE TOURISM

Each fall, the Nelson Kootenay Lake region is lit with the golden hues of alpine larches, turning mountain ridges into breathtaking wonderlands. From family-friendly lakeside strolls to challenging summit scrambles, the trails here are made for every kind of adventurer; families, first-timers and seasoned hikers alike. With waterfalls, wildflower meadows and sweeping lake views, there’s no better place to lace up your boots.

Scan to learn more!

STAKE YOUR CLAIM FALL ADVENTURES IN IDAHO’S SILVER VALLEY HIKE

9 Fall Adventures in Idaho’s Silver Valley

Run the Jackass Half Marathon and 5k on Oct. 4

The Jackass Half Marathon and 5k Race offers a scenic run or walk along the Coeur d’Alene River on the paved Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes. Both courses are pointto-point and mostly downhill between Wallace and Kellogg. While the 2025 half marathon is already sold out, there were still a few spots left for the 5k in late August. That course starts farther along the trail, also ending in Kellogg. This is the perfect race for beginners or casual joggers or walkers and a fast course for competitive runners.

Ride the Route of the Hiawatha

This stellar 15 mile rail to trail ride includes seven sky high trestles, 10 tunnels, and a spectacular journey under the Bitterroot Mountains via the 1.66 mile Taft Tunnel. It is typically open through late September. Lookout Pass offers trail passes, bike and gear rentals, and shuttles to simplify logistics so that you can focus on riding this historic route.

Explore Lesser-known Rail Trails on Your Bike

If you are looking for a new rail-trail route to ride this fall, spend a few days exploring the Old Milwaukee Railroad Trail, Northern Pacific (NorPac) Trail, or the Route of the Olympian. These routes offer quiet gravel or mixed surface rides through forest and mountains and are best ridden on mountain or gravel bikes. Find routes and other information at Friendsofcdatrails.org.

Ride the Sierra Silver Mine Trolley and Tour a Real Mine

Ride an open air trolley through Wallace’s historic district up to the Sierra Silver Mine. Retired miners lead you into a sideways cut in the mountain. The tour typically runs through mid-October.

Bike the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes

The 73 mile paved Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes unfurls across evergreen forest, autumnal wetlands, and river corridors, offering a quiet, wildlife rich ride through fall color. You can roll directly from your Wallace lodging, pedaling east toward Mullan or west through Silver Valley. Out and back rides are popular, or you can arrange a shuttle. Deer, elk, swans, moose and other wildlife are often spotted along the way.

Take a Walking Tour of Wallace Mining Museums and Historic Sites

Wallace, Idaho, has multiple museums and historic sites in town that you can explore on foot, as well as a walking tour of the many buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. Museums include the Mine Heritage Exhibition, Northern Pacific Depot Museum, Barnard-Stockbridge Museum and Wallace District Mining Museum.

Go for a Hike and Check Out Local Craft Breweries

Spend the day hiking one of many trails in the Bitterroot Mountains above Silver Valley and then hit up one of the valley’s craft breweries. Take your pick from Stevens Lake near Lookout Pass, Elsie Lake out of Kellogg, Revett Lake near Thompson Pass, or other hikes in the area. Once you’ve worked up a thirst, pay a visit to Wallace’s City Limits Brew Pub, Wallace Brewing, or Radio Brewing in Kellogg.

Tour the Crystal Gold Mine in Kellogg

Step back into Idaho’s mining past with a visit to the Crystal Gold Mine in Kellogg, the first hard-rock gold mine in Idaho that opened in the 1880s. After being abandoned for nearly a century, the mine was opened to the public for guided underground tours. Visitors will see veins of gold and other minerals still visible in the rock, learn about early hard-rock mining methods, and hear the mine’s story. Kids especially enjoy the chance to pan for gold and gems at the end of the tour. Tours typically run through the end of October.

Take a Scenic Gondola Ride at Silver Mountain Resort

Silver Mountain offers the longest gondola ride in North America. Just off I-90 in Kellogg, the scenic ride travels over three miles as it climbs 3,000 feet up the mountain to the Mountain House Lodge. The ride takes 20 to 30 minutes each way, and you’ll want to plan time for a hike and fall huckleberry picking. The gondola runs on a few weekends in September before closing down for the season.

Find places to stay and other adventures in Idaho’s Silver Valley at Silvervalleychamber. com.

A short drive north from the Spokane area, Colville is a captivating small town that blends natural beauty, rich history and vibrant community spirit. Tucked in the heart of the Colville Valley, it’s surrounded by lush forests, rolling hills, and rugged mountains—an ideal setting for all types of outdoor pursuits. Hiking, mountain and road biking, fishing, camping, hunting and birdwatching are just a few of the fall adventures that draw visitors to this corner of the Inland Northwest.

One of the biggest highlights is the nearby Colville National Forest. Spanning more than 1.1 million acres, the forest offers incredible scenery, diverse wildlife and the kind of solitude that’s hard to come by in busier destinations. Trails wind through mountains and forests for hikers and bikers, while quiet lakes invite fishing, paddling or a peaceful picnic. Scenic day trips include three waterfalls within a short drive of town

and the Selkirk Loop, a world-class international driving route.

Colville also offers a strong sense of history and culture. The Stevens County Historical Society Museum highlights the area’s Native heritage and pioneer past, while annual events bring the community together in celebration. Visitors can join the fun at the Northeast Washington Fair, enjoy live music and art at the Yep Kanum Celebration, or take in the sounds of the FarmJam music festival.

A fall road trip through the Colville area is the perfect escape for anyone craving outdoor adventure, relaxation and authentic small-town charm. With its uncrowded lakes and trails, stunning landscapes, and welcoming community, Colville stands out as an off-the-beaten-path gem in the Inland Northwest. Learn more at ColvilleChamberofCommerce.com.

Adventure—or Relax—on a Road Trip to Stunning Mt. Baker

ONLY A SHORT DISTANCE from Bellingham, Wash., a glaciated volcano called Mt. Baker rises from the Earth. Known as Koma Kulshan by the Lummi people, a.k.a. "Great White Watcher,” the mountain and its snow-capped peak can be spotted from various points in the city and surrounding Whatcom County, but there’s nothing quite like a trip to Mt. Baker to understand why its beauty has captured the imaginations of people since time immemorial.

Regardless of the season, Mt. Baker offers astounding views, world-class recreation, and an escape from the daily hustle and bustle. The mountain makes for a great road trip destination in part because of its proximity to Bellingham, a lively college town offering incredible dining, entertainment, and its own selection of world-class recreation. Begin in Bellingham and make your way east toward the mountain on Mount Baker Highway—one of Washington’s designated scenic byways—a stunning adventure in and of itself.

If you're planning a visit during the colder months, the Mount Baker Ski Area gets some of the most snowfall in the world and consistently ranks among the most affordable resorts in the country. Rugged mountains, incredible 360-degree views, and challenging terrain make it a snowsports paradise for

skiers and snowboarders alike.

For a gentler winter vacation, the area is also great for sledding, snowshoeing, or just building a snowman with the family. When you’re ready to feel cozy and sip a cup of cocoa, book a cabin or mountain chalet with Luxury Getaways. Many of their rentals come with hot tubs and fireplaces, perfect for warming up on a chilly winter evening. If you visit on a clear night, you’ll also likely catch an incredible view of the night sky. You can also find other lodging options near the mountain, including hotels, bed and breakfasts, campgrounds, and RV sites. Mt. Baker RV Park & Campground is a great option for those travelling with a camper. They offer RV sites as well as tent camping, hot showers, laundry, and wi-fi at every site. They’re open for year-round adventures and even offer monthly stays, a great option for dedicated skiers planning to spend a solid slice of winter on the mountain.

In the summer, the mountain sheds its lower-elevation snow and becomes a haven for hikers of all skill levels. At the end of Mount Baker Highway, you’ll find Artist Point, a stunning area that serves as a nexus of alpine trailheads as well as an ideal place for families to snap photos, eat lunch, and stretch

their legs. Choose from multi-night backcountry trips, steep and rugged treks into the alpine, or flat, mellow trails perfect for all ability levels. Don’t forget to visit Picture Lake, one of the most photographed scenes in the world.

In warmer months, the highway also attracts road cyclists in search of a thighbusting ride and unforgettable views. Each year, the Mount Baker Hill Climb takes place in September and challenges participants to scale 4,000 feet of elevation as they race toward Artist Point.

When it comes to amenities, the closest town to the mountain is Glacier, located right on the highway and offering a modest selection of restaurants, services, and lodging options. For breakfast or lunch, try Wake ‘n’ Bakery in Deming. They offer certified organic and fair-trade coffee as well as handmade baked goods and meal items to help sustain your energy during adventures.

Be sure to visit the Glacier Public Service Center for essential trail information, maps, permits, Northwest Forest Passes (needed for parking at Forest Service trailheads), and a bathroom break before you enter the wilderness.

Before you get to Glacier, on

the way out from Bellingham, you’ll pass North Fork Brewery & Pizzeria in Deming, a great place to refuel after a long day of fun on the mountain. Enjoy barrel-aged Belgian style sours and lagers, a selection of steaming hot pizzas, or a bowl of stout French onion soup.

If you’re staying the night in Bellingham— or beginning or ending your mountain adventure with a couple of nights in town— be sure to check out the area’s cultural attractions. Prioritize visiting the SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention, featuring one of the largest Tesla coils in the world and one of three remaining incandescent lamps created by Thomas Edison. The Whatcom Museum is another must-visit cultural destination featuring contemporary and Coast Salish art, history, and more.

For accommodations, Bellingham and Whatcom County are home to a variety of lodging options, from waterside resorts to historic B&Bs to budget-friendly hotels. There are even hotels within walking distance of the Bellingham International Airport or the Amtrak station, allowing for a seamless mountain vacation no matter where you’re coming from.

Learn more about Bellingham and Whatcom County at Bellingham.org.

HIKING MOUNT

BAKER // PHOTO COURTESY OF VISIT BELLINGHAM

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: KAYAKERS ON ONE OF MANY SECLUDED BEACHES NEAR THE CLARK FORK DELTA // LAKE PEND OREILLE CRUISES, FRAMED BY THE CABINET MOUNTAINS, OFFERS ISLAND AND EAGLE TOURS. // EAGLE ON THE PEND D'OREILLE BAY TRAIL, WHICH EXPLODES WITH COLOR IN OCTOBER. // KAYAKERS ON A QUIET CHANNEL OF THE CLARK FORK DELTA // KAYAKERS AT SANDPOINT CITY BEACH WITH ITS LANDMARK STATUE OF LIBERTY REPLICA // MOUNTAIN BIKER AT SCHWEITZER // PHOTOS COURTESY OF VISIT SANDPOINT

A Fall Escape to Sandpoint Three Days of Lake, Mountain & Autumn Magic

WHEN THE HEAT OF SUMMER fades and cool mornings settle into the Inland Northwest, it's prime time to make a weekend escape to beautiful Sandpoint, Idaho. Barely 90 minutes from Spokane, nestled on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille and framed by the Selkirk and Cabinet mountains, Sandpoint can seem like a world apart.

September is warm and wonderful; October becomes crisp, and the cooling temperatures paint the landscape in golds with touches of scarlet. Autumn’s slower pace makes it easy to savor everything from mountain adventures to cozy cultural stops. Here are but a few ideas to mix-and-match for a perfect fall visit.

Day 1: Arrival & Lakeside Wanders

Plot your getaway for Friday after work—or heck, clock out early! Motoring north up Highway 95, farm fields give way to forested hills. As you reach the famed Long Bridge and cross Lake Pend Oreille into Sandpoint, you’ll be greeted by wonderful water and mountain views.

After you claim your room at one of the many lodging choices, stretch your legs with a stroll along the Pend Oreille Bay Trail, a lakeside path that begins at City Beach and winds a gentle 1.5 miles along the shoreline. In September there are rocky nooks for a brisk jump in the lake; in October, the

cottonwoods and birch trees create a fiery canopy.

With your hunger properly primed, head downtown. Try one of Sandpoint’s locallyloved eateries. Connie's Cafe offers classic American fare, or you can try the menu and craft brews at Matchwood Brewing. Both venues offer live music most weekends, as do many other establishments around town. Top off day one and catch a performance at the historic Panida Theater, a community gem that has been hosting films, concerts and stage productions since 1927.

Day 2: Markets, Lake & Local Flavor

Nothing beats waking up in Sandpoint for a languorous morning. Be sure to wander the Saturday Farmers’ Market in Farmin Park downtown, where vendors sell locallygrown produce, huckleberry jams, handmade crafts, and fresh flowers while local musicians entertain. It’s a vibrant community gathering spot that reflects Sandpoint’s creative spirit and agricultural roots. Next up, head for the water. Bring your kayak or paddleboard or rent in town, and explore the calm stretches of Sand Creek, which winds right through town, or venture out onto the lake from City Beach

Two more stellar paddling destinations are the Pack River

Delta and the Clark Fork Driftyard, both just minutes down Highway 200 East. Paddling in fall is serene—no summer crowds, just the sound of birds and the splash of your paddle in still waters. Another excellent choice, no paddling required, is a scenic cruise with Lake Pend Oreille Cruises, offering an island and eagle watching tour on weekends through October.

Back in town, explore the shops and galleries. Sandpoint has long been an artists’ haven, and you’ll find everything from fine art at local galleries to handcrafted jewelry, outdoor gear, and eclectic boutiques. As evening settles in, enjoy a fine dinner at 113 Main downtown or Sweet Lou's, just two miles north on Highway 95. Both offer warm ambiance and menus that highlight Northwest ingredients. To cap off the day, don't miss Sandpoint's premier live music venue, The Hive, where both local and touring bands serve up high-energy, highly accomplished concerts.

Day 3: Mountain Walks & Scenic Drives

It's departure day, but there's ample time to experience another standout attraction, Schweitzer, a 20-minute drive from town. In autumn, Schweitzer is a prime hikers’ and mountain bikers’ destination, with an extensive

trail system offering many sweeping lake and mountain views. Bring your bike or rent a bike locally. Lunch on the mountain is a splendid proposition; try the Crow's Bench or Chimney Rock Grill

If you’d rather enjoy the scenery from behind the wheel, take a leisurely drive along the Pend Oreille Scenic Byway on Highway 200 east to Hope. Pullouts and picnic spots give plenty of opportunities to admire expansive lake views. Tiny Hope, 15 miles east, is perched above the lake and has some great spots for lunch to complement the views.

Back in Sandpoint, you might linger downtown one last time for a savory bite, or browse the shops before heading home. Chances are you’ll be scheming your return visit before you even hit the highway.

Why Sandpoint in Fall?

Fall is fleeting in the Inland Northwest, but you’ll find the season’s beauty distilled in beautiful Sandpoint. The outdoor adventures are plentiful yet accessible—epic lake and mountain scenery without the crowds. The town itself offers the charm of historic streets, abundant live music and events, an artsy vibe and a food scene that punches above its weight. The proximity to Spokane makes for an easy weekend road trip... though frankly, it may take a few repeat visits to fit it all in. Get lodging, dining, activity info and more at VisitSandpoint.com.

don t misS tHESE fALL EVEntS!

Panhandle Overland Rally - Sept 12-14

If there’s an activity-oriented road trip in your future, here’s a little secret: Autumn is just possibly the finest time for a multi-sport visit to beautiful Sandpoint, Idaho. In early September, our magnificent Lake Pend Oreille is still at full summer pool, offering superb swimming, boating and paddle sports. For hikers and campers in our high mountains, the cooling nights have

Deep Roots Songwriter Showcase - Sept 13

Aaron Foster Stand-Up Comedy - Sept 17

Roll On Alabama Tribute - Sept 20

Sandpoint Showdown Rally - Sept 27

Babes in Canyon Album Release - Oct 10

Farmers Market Harvest Fest - Oct 18

put the chill on pesky summertime bugs. For cyclists, the occasional fall rains act to firm up our many outstanding MTB trails. And by mid October it’s the high season for fall colors All this, plus the fine dining, lodging and entertainment Sandpoint is known for. Make this autumn something special. We’ll see you in beautiful Sandpoint, Idaho.

Golf at the Idaho Club

Prime time for riding Western Pleasure Guest Ranch

OUT THERE SNOW

BIG TERRAIN. SHORT DRIVE. ENDLESS FUN.

From first-timers to seasoned shredders, Mt. Spokane has it all—1,700+ acres, 53 runs, epic terrain parks, lessons, tubing, and the longest ski days around. Less drive time, more slope time.

Book winter learn-to-ski camps and programs today! Space is limited.

WHEN YOU CAN’T WAIT FOR WINTER LOCALS DITCH SUMMER FOR BIG MOUNTAINS AND THE STOKE OF SNOW IN THE ANDES

CHASING POWDER AND GOOD VIBES IN CHILE AND ARGENTINA

BY T. GHEZZI

CHILE, ARGENTINA, the Andes Mountains, a rental truck, 1,800 miles of driving, four friends, eight different resorts, 15 days of riding, countless Royal Guards, asado, chimichurri, cactus, donkeys, woodfire stoves, DEEP pow, empanadas, snow parakeets, steep T-bars, lengthy pommel lifts, hot springs, foxes, sopapillas, active volcanoes, vibrant music, border crossings, and so much more.

The vision of the trip was to chase powder all year round, ride new resorts, and soak in the culture and “buena onda” or “good vibes” wherever we went.

Leaving Spokane and flying into Santiago, Chile, in August 2024, the trip kicked off fast as we scooped up the rental truck, tossed our gear in the back, and headed northeast to stay in Los Andes. After spending a few days in the Andes Mountains east of Santiago, we cruised south to the Chilean mountain town of Las Trancas. Leaving Chile, we dropped southeast into Argentina and did some cat skiing. We then rented a house in the super cool lakeside town of Bariloche before

drifting back west into Chile, exploring more resorts and ending in Puerto Montt for our return flight home 17 days later.

The first day on snow was a cat skiing trip with Ski Arpa. The operation is located two hours northeast of Santiago. The snow was horribly memorable, but our guides did their best to get us the goods. Thankfully, we did find pockets of soft snow later in the day as it warmed up. The biggest eye-opener was that the cat had no cabin or seats! Metal railings like a pen kept us "safe" as we stood in the elements, holding tight so we wouldn't slide around once the cat started climbing up the steep terrain.

The next part of our trip led us to Tres Valles and we got skunked. With no new snow, flat light, and death ice, we explored the resort of La Parva. Storm tracking and intel from local guides had us eagerly opting to leave two days early to chase snow five hours south at Nevados de Chillán (and we scored big). The highlights of this part of the adventure were ripping runs with pro surfer Ivan Florence, mid-lodge beers, the sunset looking over the Santiago, dinner with Ivan and Alex Florence and catching lunch with Chilean pro snowboarder and backcountry guide JP Audisio, where I got to learn firsthand how he made his way to Stevens Pass

and the Pacific Northwest.

Pivoting south to Nevados De Chillán was the right move. We stayed in the little mountain town of Las Trancas. I loved it there, as the vibe reminded me of a bigger Glacier, Wash. The night we arrived, Nevados De Chillán got dumped on and it continued through the next day, totaling more than two feet of cold smoke pow in just over 24 hours. The two days we rode there were insanely epic, and it would not have happened without our friend and local guide Sebastian.

In Argentina, we started off by staying at the bougie backcountry lodge of Baguales. The inclusive cat skiing operation is located in the northern region of Patagonia, and, because of its price and remoteness, we basically had everything to ourselves. We experienced all kinds of terrain with prime snow conditions. With no more than five of us in the cat, we were burning laps. In two days, we had 20 bumps in the cat and would have gotten even more runs if the second day didn’t start off with a wind and snow delay.

The laid-back vibe of Bariloche and quick access to Cerro Catedral made it easy to settle in for a week. La Laguna is a zone at Cerro Catedral that will forever live in my memory. It was a bluebird day when we

hiked into this backcountry area. The giant amphitheater-shaped bowl surrounded us, and its towering rock spires seemed to fill the air with magic. Looking from below, I picked my line and boot packed to the rocky ridge above.

The view from the sketchy ridge was next-level, providing a full panorama of Lake Nahuel Huapi and across the valley to the east. The terrain looked gnarly, with unrelentingly steep chutes slicing all the way down to the narrow valley below. Strapping in, I cautiously executed my first few turns before alternating my lane choice. Threading the needle of a rock section, I aimed for a sweet, wind-loaded drop that spit me out into the apron.

I must shout out to my travel friends— snowboarders Carl Montoya, Ashleigh Montoya, and Travis Knoop, from Wenatchee, Wash.—because this trip couldn't have happened without them! For a deeper dive of the trip, please check out the Wild Cannons podcast, Episode 7 on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube.

T. Ghezzi has been writing snowboard articles for Out There since 2018. Keep up with his adventures on Instagram @northwest_raised and @wildcannons

LEFT: T. GHEZZI ON A BLUEBIRD DAY AT LA LAGUNA ZONE IN CERRO CATEDRAL, ARGENTINA // ABOVE: POW DAY WITH THE CREW AT NEVADOS DE CHILLÁN, CHILE // PHOTOS: T.GHEZZI

PORTILLO AND BEYOND: FINDING SKIERS’ MAGIC IN THE ANDES

BY LISA LAUGHLIN

AS THE CLOSING DAY of ski season at Mount Bachelor neared in May of 2024, ski friends Rebecca Hurlen Patano and Susan McBurney booked their rooms for Ski Portillo, an iconic resort in Chile. The goal: get on skis during summer and experience legendary terrain in the Andes Mountains. The two packed their gear and left Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and Spokane, Wash., in mid-August.

Both women are passionate, lifelong skiers in their early 60s who have hit many of the usual ski bum milestones, including 100+ day ski seasons. But neither had skied the Andes. When I spoke with them at my dining room table after their trip, there was one word they both used to describe the experience: the scale. The scale of the mountains was incomparable.

McBurney and Hurlen Patano spent a week at Ski Portillo, a bright yellow lodge with wooden accents perched at 9,500 feet among some of the most dramatic mountains on earth. Highly sought by international skiers and World Cup athletes in training, Portillo is unique in its old-world style that makes the ski experience the main focus. There are zero televisions, and not much else to do other than ski and chat with others who booked some time in the middle of snowy nowhere. Which is precisely the point.

“Portillo is magic. It’s skiers’ magic,” says

Hurlen Patano, who brought a mini snow globe adorned with the Chilean flag and bottles of wine to her interview with me. She thinks of Ski Portillo as a magic snow globe of its own.

McBurney, who had wanted to travel to Chile ever since learning our seasons were reversed as a grade-schooler, says she bawled when she first saw the mountains on the drive up from Santiago. The van driver pulled over while the women tried to explain they were happy tears. Despite a language barrier, he nodded; he understood how the impact of the mountains could hit the first time.

The women soon found themselves skiing above treeline looking at glaciers in one of the most stunning mountain ranges in the ski world. They had fog on day one, but clear weather after that, and even caught a powder day. They skied into Tio Bob’s, a ski-in bar at the top of the world. They rode the unique and unnerving slingshot-style Roca Jack surface lift. They skied off-piste. They chewed cacao leaves to mitigate headaches from high altitude.

In addition to Portillo, the friends skied at the Valle Nevado resort out of Santiago. They soaked in hot springs in the chilly Atacama Desert at 8,000 feet. They enjoyed pisco sours, the national drink. They listened to the music of many languages in the hot tub after a day on skis. They were surprised by a flock of Andean condors during a hike in Patagonia. They found generous people, excellent food, and a community connected by a love of skiing. Both women said they woke up this summer thinking again about

“Looking at the Andes, being in the Andes, is a great experience that seeps into our body and mind,” says Hurlen Patano. “Just looking at the rock formations, colors, and glaciers and the extreme steepness. It was life changing and mesmerizing. And we got to ski it!”

McBurney continued on solo after Chile for six days of skiing in the Argentine Patagonia near Bariloche. There she found more tree skiing, lower elevations, and

smaller resorts. She gelled with a group of seven strangers and two local guides for a highlight experience. “It felt more culturally connected to me, as a ski destination,” she says. Her group visited three lift-served resorts and their guides showed them their favorite backcountry ski spots.

McBurney thought that maybe once she went on her dream trip, she’d be satiated. But she found the opposite to be true. “There’s something about that country and its stunning diversity and the styles of food from

First chair still means something

north to south,” she says. “I will go back.”

While Japan is also on Hurlen Patano’s ski list, the pair loved the opportunity the Andes presented to ski in an incredible place while the Inland Northwest sweated through a heat wave. What skier wouldn’t?

Lisa Laughlin is the managing editor of Out There Outdoors. This fall, she will be running the trails in Riverside State Park, looking forward to the changing brush and calling geese.

• Adult $549 (ages 18-64)

• Youth $399 (ages 7-17)

• Senior $399 (ages 65-79)

• College $159 (full time 9+ credits, ages 18-35)

• Transferable Season Pass $1250

Ski Portillo.

LEFT: SKI TRAIL VIEW OVERLOOKING LAGUNA DEL INCA // THE ANDES ARE CALLING . . . COME SKI! //

PHOTOS: REBECCA HURLEN PATANO

REBECCA HURLEN PATANO

ABOVE LAGUNA DEL INCA, SKI PORTILLO, CHILE // PHOTO: SUSAN MCBURNEY

Pray For Snow party

LOGISTICS AND TIPS FOR PLANNING A SOUTH AMERICAN SKI TRIP

HURLEN PATANO and McBurney used a travel planning service called Kimkim, which set them up with in-country travel agents that are vetted and use Kimkim's platform for communication. It fit their budget, which wasn’t extreme, and took all the stress out of trip planning in a foreign country. The travel agency planned all the transport, their connecting flights, and they never wasted a second in getting to the ski hill or getting stressed wondering if they were on the right path.

They also worked with a company called Responsible Travel, which partnered them with an in-country Chilean guide who catered to their travel wants. Swimming? In winter? Sure, said the guide, and jumped in with them. They got an inside look at the local farmers’ market and food scene, and were able to communicate the want for an entry-level hike in Patagonia. Their guide hit the mark every time.

The pair would also recommend finding a private van and a good driver for the trip from Santiago up into the mountains. While a bit more costly, they were able to get on the snow and ski for two hours on their first day while other skiers in shared vans had to stop for pick-ups all along the mountain.

At Ski Portillo, it was important to pack your bag strategically before check-in so you could ski the same day you arrived. Hurlen Patano had her ski bag packing down to a science.

McBurney used a service called Powder Quest in Argentina to schedule a tour that included six days of skiing with local guides. They visited three lift-served resorts, showed the group their favorite side-country ski spots, and took care of ordering food at each meal for a great experience.

Ghezzi’s best travel tips are to make sure you have all the required paperwork to drive across the border if you plan on renting a vehicle. He used a rental company called Wicked South America. He also recommends asking about phone charging options or packing a portable charger, downloading maps to access offline before you go (Google Maps, HERE WeGo, or Maps.me), packing Ziploc bags for snacks on the mountain, and bringing a 10-foot extension cord with three outlets to charge multiple electronics while resting. (Lisa Laughlin)

WHAT’S NEW AT YOUR LOCAL RESORTS

THE COUNTDOWN TO SKI SEASON is on, and Inland Northwest resorts are rolling out fresh deals, events and upgrades to get stoke levels rising. From new lift projects and lodge makeovers to discounted passes and expanded lesson programs, there’s plenty happening before the first flakes fly. Here’s what’s new at these Ski the Northwest Rockies Association resorts.

49° NORTH MOUNTAIN RESORT CHEWELAH, WASH.

SEASON PASS SALES

49 Degrees North’s Fall Season Pass Sale runs from Sept. 16 through Nov. 15, giving skiers and riders their last chance to lock in lower pricing before winter. Passes are $669 for adults, $449 for youth ages 7-17, $549 for seniors (62-69), $399 for super seniors (70-79), and $479 for young adults (18-23) and college students.

PRESEASON EVENTS

• Pass pickup events will be held throughout Spokane and Chewelah this fall.

• The biggest preseason celebration, Rocktoberfest, returns with a Saturday Oct. 4, brew fest, Oktoberfest-themed menu, live music and family activities. On Sunday, Oct. 5, runners can hit the trails before enjoying an autumn-harvest brunch with more live music.

LEARN TO SKI PROGRAMS AND CLINICS

• Big savings are available through Oct. 1 for the resort’s FAST and Freeriders competition programs, which focus on racing and freeskiing while building friendships, responsibility and a lifelong love of skiing.

• Registration for the Adventurers multiweek youth lessons opens Oct. 1, with four-week sessions for ages 5-13 that typically sell out quickly.

• For older kids, the Junior Instructor Program (ages 12-15) offers training,

mentorship and behind-the-scenes experience.

• 49 also partners with schools to make the mountain accessible through affordable group programs.

MOUNTAIN UPDATES

• Resort improvements continue across the mountain, including the big news that the Payday Lift will be replaced by a new fixed-grip quad from Doppelmayr, scheduled to open for the 2026-27 season.

• The lodge’s lower level has been remodeled to provide more guest seating and new family restrooms.

• On the slopes, a Prinoth Leitwolf groomer joins the fleet, bringing 530 horsepower and the ability to lay down 22-footwide corduroy in a single pass.

LOOKOUT PASS SKI & RECREATION AREA

MULLAN, IDAHO

SEASON PASS SALES

Lookout Pass is still keeping skiing affordable with its season pass sale, but prices jump after Nov. 22. Deals until then start at $159 for full-time college students, $399 for youth ages 7-17 and $549 for adults.

WHY CHOOSE LOOKOUT PASS

With an average of 450 inches of snowfall each winter and no need for snowmaking, Lookout Pass delivers more powder days and a vibe that’s hard to beat. The mountain offers 1,023 acres of terrain, 52 trails, plus eight glades and a vertical drop of 1,650 feet. Five lifts, including two quads, move skiers and riders around the mountain with ease, and Lookout offers affordable lift tickets, unique events and a familyfriendly atmosphere just 200 yards off the I-90 freeway.

TICKET DEALS

From discounted 3-pack tickets to appre-

ciation days for teachers, first responders, and health care workers, Lookout stacks up plenty of ways to save. Highlights include a free lift ticket on your birthday, half-price tickets midweek with another mountain’s season pass, Bring a Friend Thursdays with two tickets for $75, gift card bonuses tacked onto a card purchase and other fun perks, like $20 tickets for anyone who dresses like Santa on Dec. 23.

SKI SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Lookout’s Free Ski School, running since 1942, remains the oldest and longestrunning free ski program in the nation, offering a limited number of free ski and snowboard lessons for kids. Additional offerings include a $199 Learn to Ski or Ride package, senior workshops with early-morning first tracks, women’s clinics and kids’ programs like Mini Moose (ages 4-6). Season-long rentals are also available.

MOUNTAIN UPDATES

Guests this year will notice new Forest Service bathrooms near Chair 5, two added Prinoth groomers and a fresh “Welcome to Lookout Pass” entrance sign.

PRESEASON EVENTS

Lookout staff will be at regional ski swaps, colleges and community events in Spokane and North Idaho this fall to help skiers conveniently pick up passes and ticket packs.

MT. SPOKANE SKI & SNOWBOARD PARK SPOKANE, WASH.

SEASON PASS SALES

Mt. Spokane’s Summer Pass Sale runs through Sept. 10, with prices increasing after that. The Last Chance Fall Pass Sale follows and ends Nov. 10. Buying early offers the best savings and the most flexibility, with season pass benefits including night skiing and free or discount skiing at partner mountains.

LIFT TICKET DEALS

For those who aren’t ready to commit to a full season pass, 5-pack lift ticket bundles go on sale at the Mt. Spokane Ski Patrol Ski Swap and continue through November. Quantities are limited, so picking them up early is the best bet.

PRESEASON EVENTS

• The winter buzz kicks off with the Mt. Spokane Ski Patrol Ski Swap at the Spokane Fairgrounds Oct. 25–26.

• On Nov. 9, the Winter PreFunk Party returns to Lodge 2 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Job seekers can head up to the Seasonal Employee Job Fair on Nov. 1 in Lodge 1, from 8–11 a.m., where the mountain looks to fill nearly 400 seasonal positions ranging from guest services to lift ops and ski school.

LEARN TO SKI PROGRAMS AND CLINICS

• Registration for Learn-to-Ski Camps and Multiweek Programs opens Sept. 10. As the region’s largest ski school, Mt. Spokane offers programs for kids and adults, with multiweek sessions filling quickly each year.

• This season, the popular Friday Night Club Shred expands to include both little kids (ages 4–8) and big kids (ages 9–13). Running Dec. 26-March 13, the program includes lessons, dinner and activities for $49 a night or $99 for a club entry that includes two adult night skiing tickets, making it a great drop-and-go mountain date. Ladies can rally Friday, Feb. 13, for the mountain’s one-day Galentine’s Day Clinic featuring personalized instruction, meals, après fun and prizes.

SILVER MOUNTAIN RESORT KELLOGG, IDAHO

SEASON PASS SALES

Silver Mountain’s season pass sale is underway, with prices increasing after Sept. 15. Passes purchased before then lock in the best deal, and payment plans are still available. Do you have Mondays or Fridays off? New this year, Silver is offering Friday-only and Monday-only passes for $215 for adults and $165 for youth (available Sept. 16 through Dec. 20).

LEARN TO SKI PROGRAMS AND CLINICS

First-timers have two strong options for getting into the sport: the EZ Ski or Ride 1-2-3 package or the Flex 5 Pak. Both include lift tickets, lessons, and rentals, with the main difference being the number of lessons—three or five. The Flex 5 Pak comes with an extra perk: once completed, participants earn a free season pass for the remainder of the season, plus 50 percent off next year’s pass.

MOUNTAIN UPDATES

The tubing hill at Silver Mountain just got better. For the coming winter season, tubing sessions expand to five days a week, Thursday through Monday, including holidays. With four lanes to race down, it’s a fast-paced option for families and groups. Silver Rapids Indoor Waterpark has also extended its hours, offering more time to splash, surf, sip and unwind.

LODGING DEALS

Through Nov. 23, fall lodging is discounted 15% with code “Fall”. Starting Sept. 15, the popular Save Big package returns, combining a midweek stay, lift tickets and waterpark access. Prices start at $79 per person based on quad occupancy in a family studio.

SPONSORED BY

MY BROWSER HISTORY

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but nothing so poignantly illuminates what goes on in a skier’s mind this time of year like their browser history. My better half looked at mine and seriously wondered how she ended up with me. My recent history includes:

“Skis I want but can’t afford.” Seems I spent a total of 200 hours reviewing over 600 websites, drooling over the latest and greatest hardpack carving skis and powder sticks. Now I happen to have these in my quiver, but I can rationalize damn near anything. Until I compare the MSRP to my bank account . . . which never ends well.

“Best ski socks for sweaty feet.” I am quite certain that I own at least two dozen pair of high-quality ski socks, though I am also certain that I only use one or two pair, and never wash either . . . mainly because doing so is bad luck. When I queried the interwebs as to the best socks for my soggy piggies, it immediately asked how often I wash my current ones. I logged off, not wanting to face reality.

“Goggle technology for peeps who are colorblind and have poor vision.” Yeah, I really won the genetic lottery, didn’t I? It’s not my fault that I can’t see certain colors, and

don’t see well at all. It is of little wonder I ignore Ski Patrol when they yell at me to slow down, and it explains why I must beg mountain management not to pull my pass every year. The results of my web inquiry? Lasik eye surgery and special uber-expensive glasses to wear under my goggles. Not the answers I wanted to hear.

“Easy preseason workouts for lazy middleaged dudes.” I don’t run anymore, at least not unless I’m being chased, and lifting weights sure looks hard. ChatGPT was not kind to me when I asked for suggestions. It responded: “You ask that every year— please stop.”

MAKING A GEAR CHECKLIST

I like to think I have my poop in a group when it comes to having my gear ready to go for the season, and it seems every fall I make a new list. Doing so really gets my winter juices going. But here’s the thing: it doesn’t change year after year. As a matter of fact, it’s been the same since the latter part of the 20th century. This year, think I might farm out the task of putting the list together to AI—that will show ‘em.

Brad Northrup is a former ski racer, coach, and ski industry professional. It might be hard to believe, but he really does get excited when winter rolls around.

OUT THERE SNOW SKI SCHOOL

AFFORDABLE WAYS FOR FAMILIES TO HIT THE SLOPES

THE INLAND NORTHWEST SKI and snowboard scene is unique in that it still offers an affordable gateway for kids to learn to ski or snowboard. Parents can ski or snowboard with them, or even learn themselves for the first time, with relative affordability. These deals from the region’s five ski areas offer up a world of winter fun for the whole family on the mountain.

5TH GRADERS SKI OR SNOWBOARD FREE AT FOUR SPOKANE-AREA RESORTS

The Ski the Northwest Rockies Association’s 5th Grade Ski & Ride Passport allows parents of any 5th grader across the region to apply to the program, which grants three complimentary days at each participating hill. That includes familiar names like 49 Degrees North near Chewelah, Wash.; Lookout Pass near Wallace, Idaho; Mt. Spokane just north of Spokane; and Silver Mountain in Kellogg, Idaho. The program opens up multiple options to introduce a 5th grader to different local ski areas without paying for the student’s lift ticket (gear and lessons not included).

To register, submit an application to Ski the Northwest Rockies and pay a $28 onetime processing fee. You’ll then receive a digital version of the passport that can be printed or shown on a phone at the ticket window (parent must be present). Blackout dates may apply; check participating resorts’ schedules for details. As a bonus, some ski areas include special deals on equipment rentals and lessons with the passport.

The 5th Grade Passport Program is an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity

SPONSORED IN PART BY

to introduce your child—or your whole family—to exploring four of our region’s resorts on skis or a snowboard. Find more information or apply starting Oct. 1, 2025, at Skinwrockies.com.

FREE SKIING FOR 5TH AND 6TH GRADERS AT SCHWEITZER AND OTHER IDAHO RESORTS

Parents can also take advantage of Ski Idaho’s Peak Season Passport program for 5th and 6th graders to ski or snowboard multiple mountains for free. For a one-time $29 processing fee, the passport provides 5th graders with three free lift tickets and 6th graders with two free lift tickets at each of 17 participating Idaho resorts, including Schweitzer, Silver Mountain and Lookout Pass (some blackout dates apply). Families don’t need to be an Idaho resident to take advantage of the program. Parents must be present with participating children and need to present their passport in print or on a phone. Find details and register at Skiidaho.us.

THE MOST INCREDIBLE LEARN-TO-SKI DEAL FOR KIDS AND ADULTS

The four Ski the NW Rockies Association resorts around the Spokane area offer one of the most affordable and easy ways for kids or adults with no skiing or snowboarding experience to lock in an all-inclusive, total-beginner’s package. Sign yourself or your kids up and hit the slopes the right way for their first time. The EZ Ski 1-2-3 program is a three-visit package that bundles lessons, lift access and gear rental for one low price, typically $175-$300, depending on the resort.

The package is available at all four participating association resorts—49 Degrees North, Lookout Pass, Mt. Spokane, and Silver Mountain. Typically, the first two

days focus on beginner terrain and learning the basics, while the third may include exploring other areas of the mountain. The structured pace serves beginners of any age well—building skills, confidence and enjoyment in rhythm with the slopes. At the end of the program, some resorts

offer a discounted season pass for participants to continue learning their new winter sport at a bargain rate. Each resort handles pricing, program details and scheduling availability slightly differently. Find program details and sign up at Skinwrockies. com. (OTO)

WHERE TO FIND GEAR ON A BUDGET

Gearing up for a season of skiing or snowboarding doesn’t have to drain your wallet. From ski swaps to used gear shops, season lease programs, and rentals, there are plenty of options around the Inland Northwest to get the gear you need on a budget.

Ski and Outdoor Gear Swaps: One of the best ways to outfit kids and adults with gently-used skis and snowboard equipment, boots, outerwear and more, you can also sell your used gear at these swaps. The regional ski swap season kicks off Oct. 18 with the 49° North Ski Swap at the Colville Fairgrounds. The Mt. Spokane Ski Patrol Ski Swap follows Oct. 25–26 at the Spokane Fair & Expo Center. Find the final swaps of the season at the University of Idaho Nov. 6 in Moscow, Sandpoint’s SARS Ski Swap Nov. 8 at the Bonner County Fairgrounds and the Coeur d’Alene Ski Swap Nov. 15 at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds.

Used Gear and Consignment Shops: Gear Garage in Coeur d’Alene has hundreds of used skis and snowboards and a wide range of other winter-sports gear for sale at its shop on Sherman Ave. Spokane’s Evergreen Gear Exchange at 1003 E. Trent Ave. also carries gently-used ski and snowboard equipment, accessories and outerwear. Both shops will have plenty of winter gear for bargain hunters to check out later this fall.

Season Lease Equipment: Kids grow fast, making buying and selling new ski gear each year a waste of time and money. Spokane Alpine Haus offers the only kids’ ski equipment season-lease program in Spokane, with more new equipment added to the program this year. Starting at $160 for a complete setup, the lease ensures a comfortable, safe fit. Stop by either the South Hill or north Spokane Alpine Haus location to get your child fitted for their skis, boots, bindings and poles. Get your leased ski gear reserved early for best selection.

Rental Gear: If you or your kids only plan to spend a few days on the mountain this winter, renting equipment at the ski area or from a local shop can be a much more affordable option than buying or leasing gear.

DIAL-UP THE PRE-SEASON STOKE CAN’T

WAIT FOR WINTER? A FALL FULL OF SWAPS, SKI FILMS AND

PARTIES

MEANS YOU DON’T HAVE TO.

Long before lifts start spinning, fall fills up with gear swaps, film nights, parties and other gatherings that bring skiers, riders and those who dream of endless winter together to prepare for the season ahead.

SKI, SNOWBOARD AND WINTER SPORTS SWAPS

The region’s annual gear swaps are the place to score sweet deals on previously used and sometimes new gear. Shop for everything from alpine ski and snowboard equipment, backcountry gear, snowshoes and Nordic skis to technical outerwear and accessories such as goggles, helmets, hats and gloves.

OCT. 18: 49° NORTH SKI SWAP (COLVILLE)

Kicking off the region’s ski swap schedule, head to Colville, Wash., for your first shot of the season to pick up new-for-you ski and snowboard gear. This low-key swap offers deals without the crowds. 49’s swap runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Colville Fairgrounds.

OCT. 25-26: THE MT. SPOKANE SKI PATROL SKI SWAP (SPOKANE)

This swap staple has been on repeat for decades and remains one of the region’s largest pre-season swaps with over 25,000 new and used items. This year, the region’s largest swap lands at the Spokane Fair & Expo Center, with racks of skis, snowboards, boots and outerwear ready for a new home. There’s also typically a great selection of discounted new gear available. Most of the region’s resorts are usually at the swap for season pass purchase and pick up.

NOV. 6: UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT SALE & SKI SWAP (MOSCOW)

Celebrating its 50th year, the University of Idaho’s annual swap is one of the longestrunning in the region, outfitting students, families and the wider outdoor community for the season ahead. The Thursday night event from 6–8 p.m. at the Student Rec Center in Moscow, Idaho, always draws a big turnout. With a wide range of outdoor gear in addition to ski and snowboard equipment and outerwear, it’s well worth the drive from Spokane or Coeur d’Alene. Admission is $5 per person from 6–6:30 p.m., $1 from 6:30–7 p.m., and free after 7 p.m. Full-time U of I students and kids under 12 get in free anytime. Those looking to sell gear can grab a spot for $10, with setup beginning at 5 p.m. Hosted in partnership with the U of I Vandal Ski Team, all proceeds from admission support the team. Shoppers can expect to find a wide range of outdoor equipment—everything from skis, snowboards, and snowshoes to tents, rafts, bikes and climbing gear.

NOV. 8: THE SARS ANNUAL SKI SWAP (SANDPOINT)

Sandpoint’s 2025 swap, put on as a fundraiser for the Schweitzer Alpine Racing School (SARS), is set for the Bonner County Fairgrounds from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. This mountain-town swap packs a punch with some great deals on high-quality gear. Mark your calendar even if you live in Spokane in case you miss or don’t find what you were looking for at the Mt. Spokane swap.

NOV. 15: COEUR D’ALENE SKI SWAP (COEUR D’ALENE)

The Lake City’s swap at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with public check-in for selling equipment the night before. Admission is free for those looking to buy gear. Follow the swap’s Facebook page for updates and more information.

PRESEASON EVENTS AND PARTIES

One of the best ways to rally your stoke for the snow to start falling is to commune with other skiers and riders. Here are a few options planned around the region this fall, with more sure to pop up as the leaves begin to turn.

OCT. 4–5: ROCKTOBERFEST WEEKEND AT

49 DEGREES NORTH

49 Degrees North hosts its 2nd annual Rocktoberfest Weekend with live music, a brewfest, a 5k trail run on Sunday, games and the chance to grab season passes early. Live music includes the Johnny Rosado Experience, Denver Rhiannon and Northwest Breeze with DJ Evergreen mixing it up between sets.

NOV. 7: SOLNIX PARKING LOT PARTY WITH SKI & SNOWBOARD MOVIES

This second-year event takes over the Solnix ski and board shop parking lot on Division Street in Spokane. Enjoy an evening with your skiing and riding buddies with beer from local breweries, food from Hapa Hawaiian Grill food truck, and a selection of ski and snowboard films on a massive screen. Solnix will also be raf-

fling off some killer gear, with all proceeds benefiting the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center’s avalanche forecasting work. The season’s latest gear will be available in the shop, along with 30% off last year’s skis and snowboards while they last.

NOV. 21: 10TH ANNUAL PRAY FOR SNOW PARTY AT SPOKANE’S PERRY STREET BREWING

This annual bash pays homage to the ski gods in hopes of bringing on an epic season. The Friday-night celebration of ski and snowboard culture includes ski films, festive retro attire, beer specials, raffle drawings and music that brings a lively community together before the lifts start spinning. All funds raised support the South Perry Neighborhood’s T.E.A.M. Grant program.

SKI AND SNOWBOARD FILMS

Film nights, another fall ritual, bring fresh stoke to the screen and the local ski and snowboard scene. Many of our ski film screenings sell out, so get your tickets while you can.

SEPT. 11: MOUNTAINFILM ON TOUR SPOKANE

The Jess Roskelley Foundation is bringing this powerful lineup of adventure and activism films back to Spokane, headlined by the film “Trango,” which documents the first ski descent off Pakistan’s 20,623-foot Great Trango Tower. Canadian ski mountaineer Christina Lustenberger, whose team of three made the climb and descent in 2024, will be at the screening in person at Gonzaga University’s Myrtle Woldson

LEFT TO RIGHT: 2024 PRAY FOR SNOW PARTY AT PERRY STREET

BREWING // MT. SPOKANE SKI PATROL SKI SWAP // UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT SALE AND SKI SWAP // LAST YEAR’S SKI MOVIE NIGHT IN THE SOLNIX PARKING LOT

Performing Arts Center. The evening includes a Q&A with Lustenberger and legendary Spokane climber John Roskelley, who was part of the team that first climbed the same peak in 1977. The film brings to life one of the most difficult ski-mountaineering feats ever attempted, with stunning drone footage and raw storytelling. The event starts with a silent auction at 5:30 p.m. followed by the films at 6:30.

OCT. 15 & 16: TETON GRAVITY RESEARCH’S NEW FILM “PRESSURE DROP”

The latest film from Teton Gravity Research (TGR), “Pressure Drop,” is part of TGR’s 2025 ski and snowboard film tour, which is making stops in Sandpoint at the Panida Theater, Oct. 15, and Spokane’s Bing Crosby Theater on Oct. 16. The film features top athletes like Kai Jones, Jeremy Jones, Maggie Voisin and others. “Pressure Drop” doesn’t just showcase athletes pushing limits; it digs into the camaraderie, humor and grit that bind the community together. Viewers can expect TGR’s signature mix of high-octane freeride action, big-mountain lines and creative backcountry segments shot around the globe. With a soundtrack built to match the energy of the riding, the film promises a theater experience that channels the stoke of winter’s return.

NOV. 8, 12, & 13: WARREN MILLER’S NEW FILM “SNO-CIETY”

Warren Miller’s new release, “SNO-CIETY,” tours through the region with multiple stops, kicking off at Sandpoint’s Panida Theater Nov. 8. A Nov. 12 showing follows at North Idaho

College’s Schuler Performing Arts Center in Coeur d’Alene, with your last chance to catch the film on Nov. 13 at the Bing Crosby Theater in downtown Spokane. Expect an amped-up crowd, giveaways and plenty of hype for snow.

MATCHSTICK PRODUCTIONS’ “AFTER THE SNOWFALL”

Matchstick Productions’ new film “After the Snowfall” blends awe-inspiring ski footage with a deeper look at the culture and community that define life on snow. Shot in places like Norway’s Lyngen Alps, British Columbia, Japan, and North America’s extreme-mountain terrain, the film follows world-class athletes and highlights everyday skiers and mountain-town locals, weaving themes of risk, camaraderie and joy. Last year, Saint George’s School’s outdoor club sponsored a Spokane screening, but stay tuned for details on this year’s Inland Northwest tour stop.

BACKCOUNTRY FILM FESTIVAL

The 21st Annual Backcountry Film Festival is a celebration of backcountry skiing, splitboarding and other human-powered winter sports and the culture that make them thrive. Produced by Winter Wildlands Alliance, film nights featuring this year’s films are in the works for Spokane, Sandpoint, Moscow, and Chewelah between this fall and spring 2026. Spokane Mountaineers typically host the Spokane show, with Selkirk Outdoor Leadership & Education bringing the tour to Sandpoint in past years. Keep an eye out for dates and details. (OTO)

GETTING YOUR BODY READY FOR SKI SEASON BY

DERRICK KNOWLES

MAYBE YOU ARE ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE who started having dreams about skiing or snowboarding sometime in the summer. Or you got your boards tuned before the kids went back to school and bought your season pass back in April. If you fall into one of those early bird categories, you’re probably feeling pretty ready for the approaching season, but how prepared for the sport’s dynamic, physically demanding movements is your body?

To get a better understanding of how we should ideally be preparing for the coming ski and snowboard season, we shot some questions off to Spokane physical therapist and NW Movement Co. owner Trey Nichols. A good sign in any interview, Nichols launched into an anecdote before responding to any of our questions.

“Do you know what is worse than getting two speeding tickets on your way to the mountain because your ski buddy didn’t wake up on time?,” he asks? “Having a seasonending injury on the first run of the day! Such was the unfortunate fate for my brother and me on a powder day that was so good that it closed down our college for a couple of days.”

“Believe it or not,” he continued, “there is something worse than that season-ending injury. It’s a sad moment when lifelong skiers stop by my office and tell me that they just don’t have it in them to ski the way they want to, and they’re considering hanging up their skis for good this season. I say ‘moment’ because oftentimes, with a little bit of elbow grease, we can get them back on their skis with confidence.”

OTO: HOW IMPORTANT IS IT REALLY TO DO SOME KIND OF TRAINING FOR THE SEASON?

Nichols: Pre-season strength training for skiing is just as important as oil changes for the car that’s driving you to the mountain and tune-ups for the skis or board that you’re riding. Depending on how aggressive you ski or ride and what runs you stick to (groomers, trees, moguls or powder), a lot of load can go through your legs and core. If you don’t have the strength to counter that load, you’re going to either be slower than you want, tire out too soon or possibly injure yourself. A sad reality is that after 30, we naturally start losing muscle mass. If we want to continue enjoying winter sports anything close to the way we used to and avoid injuries, our best shot at that is through strength training.

OTO: IF SOMEONE DOESN’T HAVE TIME OR THE BUDGET FOR A CLASS OR GYM, WHAT CAN THEY DO AT HOME?

Nichols: My go-to exercises that can be done anywhere are lunges, squats and Romanian deadlifts. Once you can do them without wobbling, load them with weight. The next progression is quick movements or jumping after I can do the loaded movements without wobbling. It’s the loaded exercises and plyometric exercises that best prepare us for the demands of skiing.

OTO: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF PRE-SEASON TRAINING?

Nichols: My personal motivation for pre-season strength training is to keep up with my three boys as long as I can. They’re only getting faster! Strength training has certainly helped me keep up with them and still feel good at the end of the day.

OTO: TELL US ABOUT YOUR POWDER READY PROGRAM AT NW MOVEMENT CO.

Nichols: If you're a skier or snowboarder who isn't getting any younger, our Powder READY Program is designed just for you. Built by a Doctor of Physical Therapy who has kept many clients enjoying the slopes, each exercise has a very specific purpose for keeping you enjoying the mountain. Our four-week program will guide you through four workouts each week with sessions lasting 20 to 30 minutes each that will help make this one of your best seasons yet. This year we’re offering a discounted Powder READY evaluation that allows us to truly customize a plan to ensure you have enough strength and endurance in your legs and core to power down the mountain and motion in your hips and back to carve through the powder. (Learn more at Nwmobilept.com.)

ROSSLAND, B.C.’S WINTER PLAYGROUND FOUR

WAYS TO SKI IN ONE RAD MOUNTAIN TOWN

BY MELISSA THOMPSTONE

PLANNING YOUR DREAM SKI vacation shouldn’t feel like work—we do enough of that already. Luckily, Rossland, British Columbia, Canada makes it easy, so you don’t have to choose between untouched lines, chairlift laps or groomed tracks. Whether you are into cross-country, backcountry, downhill or cat skiing, Rossland, B.C., offers you a winter playground fully loaded with fresh powder, no lineups and a terrain for every taste, all just minutes from downtown. In Rossland, ski days often start with a good coffee and a decision—skate, skin, groomer or glades?

XC

SKIING AT BLACK JACK

If Nordic, skate-skiing or biathlon training is your idea of a perfect morning, Black Jack Ski Club proves that skinny skis can deliver big adventure. With 31 miles of trails ranging from flat beginner to World Cup difficulty, Black Jack has something for everyone—even your dog, with 2.5 miles of pup-approved trails. Typically running from early November through May, Black Jack offers one of the longest ski seasons in Canada. Once the snow hits, the groomers are out, and stay out all season long, with daily grooming and reports. If that doesn’t get you here, Black Jack is also open 24 hours with 1.5 miles of lit trails for night skiing, or you can do what the locals do and grab a headlamp or ski under the full moon. With three cozy day-use

warming cabins along the trails, one at the lower trailhead, and a brand-new base lodge opening this winter, you might just want to make a whole day (and night) of it! For more info on Black Jack visit Skiblackjack.ca.

ALPINE TURNS AT RED MOUNTAIN RESORT

Once you’ve had your fill of corduroy classics, head across the highway for a little (or a lot) more elevation and legendary powder laps on repeat at RED Mountain Resort. It’s the oldest resort in Western Canada, and one of the top 10 size-wise in North America, with 3,850 skiable acres. If you don’t find what you’re looking for here, then it probably doesn’t exist. From epic tree skiing, pristine powder, glorious groomers and in-bound cat skiing, there is something here for everyone. Not sure where to start? No problem—join one of RED Mountain’s free, guided tours with a local Snow Host, who will lead you across one or all of the five peaks, each offering a 360º descent. As a part of the Ikon Pass, you won’t want to miss this hidden gem only 123 miles from Spokane. But don’t take our word for it—you can find all the convincing you need right here at Redresort.com.

CAT SKIING AT BIG RED CATS

If you think RED’s in-bounds terrain is impressive, wait until you see what’s hiding just beyond its bounds. Big Red Cats

is one of the largest cat ski operations in the world, with over 700 named runs, eight peaks, and 137 miles of snowcat roads spread out over 20,000 acres of terrain. The staging area is about 25 minutes down the highway from RED Mountain Resort, and from there it’s a quick cat ride to the top of your first of many runs. It would take at least two years to ski it all, so you know you are going to get a taste of that sweet B.C. champagne powder that will leave you wanting more. Big Red Cats offers different trip levels for different abilities. Staff will run you through an on-site safety training prior to skiing, as well as provide you with high-quality backcountry equipment for the day. The only thing left for you to do is get your friends or family together and book your trip at Bigredcatskiing.com.

BACKCOUNTRY TOURING AT STRAWBERRY PASS

If you’re craving some extra cardio, trade the cat for a climb and head to the Strawberry Pass, where uphill thrills and downhill bliss are all part of the adventure. Just 12 miles North of Rossland, you’ll find a network of winter routes and a chain of unique, day-use cabins to explore in the Rossland Range. This is genuine backcountry terrain, so you will need avalanche gear, the skills to use it, and the know-how to read the maps and mountains’ moods and

sneaky surprises before you skin up and drop in. Be sure to check Avalanche.ca/ map for current local snow conditions and visit Rosslandrange.org for downloadable maps, route info and a link to donate, as this area is managed by a group of dedicated volunteers. You will definitely earn your turns while taking in the beauty of the range, as Strawberry Pass delivers a backcountry experience that is just as rewarding as it is breathtaking.

This little mountain town serves up four ski styles in one tight radius, and you can switch between them faster than your skis can fly. With plenty of accommodation options in town and at RED Mountain Resort, Rossland is closer than you think and is the ultimate hub for winter adventures. From freshly groomed cross-country trails at Black Jack, to adrenaline-pumping laps at RED, to untouched cat skiing with Big Red Cats and backcountry exploration at Strawberry Pass, there’s something here for every level of skier. Add in cozy cabins, local shops and cafés, and that unbeatable small-town charm, and you’ve got a winter playground that keeps you moving—and coming back for more. Or maybe you never leave.

In Rossland, the mountains are always close, the powder is always fresh, and the never-ending adventures are just outside your door. So, besides the first snowfall, what are you waiting for?

Miles and Meaning An Ultrarunning Journey in Tanzania

HAVE YOU EVER run 140 miles across East Africa? Me neither, but I tried. In June, I flew to Tanzania to recon an ultrarunning event called Traverse Tanzania. Red Knot Development, the nonprofit that organizes the event, needed a handful of creatives to test their concept: a 140-mile trail run over five days from Simba Lodge to Lake Natron.

Prior to the experience, I had only ever run a marathon. That was at the age of 24—I’m now 35. I’ve dabbled in half Ironman triathlon, two-day team running events, and 24-hour races, but nothing of this caliber. But I have a deeply rooted confidence in myself to give things a go. Not necessarily to complete them, but to try. The worst that might happen is failure, and I can live with that. What I can't live with is not testing myself, not trying.

From February to June, I slowly ramped up my training, then hopped on a plane from Spokane to Seattle, Seattle to Amsterdam, then on to East Africa landing at Kilimanjaro International Airport. Another runner, Carey, was flying in from Los Angeles. She sent me a message earlier in the year that read, “Hi!! I’m running [Traverse Tanzania] too. It’s my first ultra and I have no idea what I’m doing so…cheers!” We arrived at the Kilimanjaro airport late at night and made the 1.5-hour drive to Simba Lodge through scattered villages with bonfires ablaze and people hanging in doorways, getting haircuts, playing roadside pool.

The following morning, we woke at 6 a.m. to seven other participants and a huge buffet breakfast full of crepes, potatoes, beans, watermelon and other goodies. Illuminated in the distance was Mount Meru along with other scattered hills that we would eventually run over and around. Before heading west, however, we would run a 50km (33-mile) loop to the east that peaked at the Shira Plateau on Mount Kilimanjaro. The stage was fittingly titled: Assault on Kili. As a tactic when attempting hard things,

I tend to reduce the monolithic goal down to bite-sized chunks. In the case of stage one up Kili, five feed zones were set up for us, which made it easy to break the day down: Lemosho Gate at 7.5 miles, Shira 1 at 15.4 miles, Morem Barrier at 17.7 miles, Londorosi Gate at 26.1 miles, Forest entry at 29 miles, Simba Farm finish at 33.2 miles.

We were given a start time of 6 a.m. rather than the intended 5:30 a.m. due to two buffalo attacks that happened in Mount Kilimanjaro National Park. Apparently attacks were rare, but the race director thought it was a good idea to give everyone a bit more daylight before entering the park. We all looked around at each other, nodding our heads vigorously and agreed.

The morning of stage one I woke at 4 a.m. to a rooster screaming in the distance. A goat bleated. Other than that, silence. I unzipped my tent and at that moment swore I was the loudest human on earth. As dawn approached, we toed the start line, giddy with energy. We flicked on our headlamps—it was 6 a.m. and would be dark for another half an hour. The horn signaled our departure and we quickly broke into groups. Carey, Chris, Aaron, and myself up front, Ari, Ricardo, Cristy close behind.

Immediately, I realized that this day would be a formative memory. Unlike shorter, faster paced events, I was able to take in the scenery, hold conversation, and stop to snack and make needed adjustments. Chris and Aaron pulled ahead, leaving Carey and I to chat amongst ourselves.

You’d think that a long day out would be filled with small talk, but it’s incredible how easily you get into deep conversation while doing something challenging with other people. We went straight to the depths of our being. Why were we here? What challenges have we faced? Which relationships broke us? Made us stronger? Who are we doing this for? Ourselves? Someone else? Who we hope to be? Though we had only met 48 hours ago, it was as if we’d known each other for

By Sammy Berryman

decades.

Right then and there, we decided that we’d stay with each other and finish the day together. Run, walk, talk, eat, drink—for 10 hours, that was our day. We got into a flow as we climbed 7,000 feet to the Shira Plateau, saying “mambo” to porters as we passed them and receiving “pole pole” in response.

“Pole pole” (pronounced po-lay) in Swahili translates to “slowly slowly.” What it really means however is, “go as slow as possible, trust the process, it works.”

Spoiler alert: I finished the 33 miles of stage one; ran 20 of 28 miles on day two; 15.8 of 27.2 miles on day three; 13.5 of 29.3 miles on day four; and loaded up on ibuprofen to run the full 28.5 miles on day five. Total accumulation: 110 out of 140 miles.

Perhaps if I had understood the meaning of “pole pole” better, I would’ve taken it to

heart and slowed my pace, made smarter decisions, and been more tactical in order to complete each stage. As it stands, I didn’t fully understand “pole pole” until returning home and reflecting on my trip.

During Traverse Tanzania, they were just words with a definition but no personal meaning. I see now that it fits into all aspects of life. Move slowly, put one step in front of the other and trust the process. As I look to future goals—athletic, work, creative—I will remind myself, pole pole. Go slowly. Trust the process. It works. And maybe I’ll even return to Africa next year to finish some unsettled business. Pole pole.

Sammy Berryman is a writer based out of Sandpoint, Idaho. She’s currently training for Lauf Gravel Worlds 300-mile bike race while wondering why she agreed to go.