Adventure
Inspiration 34 Summer Trip Ideas It’s easy to go back to the same favorite trails, campgrounds, and lakes year after year, but there’s nothing quite like experiencing a new place for the first time. We asked some of our friends in the Inland NW outdoors community to share their go-to adventures in hopes that others will find some inspiration to get out there and explore someplace new this summer. (OTO) BY CAROL CORBIN
PAUL KNOWLES, SPOKANE COUNTY PARKS SPECIAL PROJECTS MANAGER
The Cube Iron Roadless Area. Take a hike through hemlock-cloaked mountains and up to alpine pocket lakes. Located north of Thompson Falls, Mont., a few hours from the Spokane area, the trails in the Cube Iron benefit from more active trail maintenance than other areas due to the Cube Iron Cataract Coalition and its volunteers. Hiking into Cabin Lake is great for those transitioning from day hiking to backpacking for the first time.
KATIE WISEMAN, OUTDOOR PROGRAMS AT REI
BLM Rock Creek Management (Escure Ranch). Hike some of the lesser-travelled old roads for some solitude or stick to the popular hike or mountain bike ride to Towell Falls. The Backcountry Horsemen and BLM have significantly improved the trailhead and parking area, which now sports toilets, water for horses, corrals, and over 13,000 acres of shrubsteppe and hiking on old, gated ranch roads. This time of year wildflowers are in full bloom and Towell Falls is at its peak. Keep a look out for ticks and rattlesnakes, and make sure to bring water, sunscreen, and a hat as there is very little shade.
LINDSAY CHUTAS, MOUNTAINEER AND LOCAL CONSERVATIONIST
Glacier Peak, Chair Peak and the Tatoosh Traverse. Accessed from the east Cascades, this backcountry route offers climbing variety and is “more adventurous than slogging up Adams or St. Helens,” adds Chutas. Tatoosh offers beautiful views of Mt. Rainier while still being more removed from crowds of visitors. Chair Peak is an alpine climb that gives you the flavor of bigger climbs, yet it’s not too far from the road. Because of a long hike in, Glacier Peak quickly limits the number of users to this wild and remote place. 32
OUTTHEREOUTDOORS.COM / MAY-JUNE 2021
