Out There Outdoors / May-June 2024

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WHETHER YOU’RE HIKING, RELAXING AT THE BEACH, ATTENDING OUTDOOR FESTIVALS, OR ENJOYING WATER SPORTS, THERE’S A PERFECT STRAIN FOR YOU.

WHETHER YOU’RE HIKING, RELAXING AT THE BEACH, ATTENDING OUTDOOR FESTIVALS, OR ENJOYING WATER SPORTS, THERE’S A PERFECT STRAIN FOR YOU.

SPOKANE OTIS ORCHARDS MOSES LAKE

SPOKANE OTIS ORCHARDS MOSES LAKE

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SUPPORT ALL OF THE ADVERTISERS THAT MADE THIS ISSUE POSSIBLE!

Out There Advertiser Spotlight: NORTH DIVISION BIKE SHOP

THE INLAND NORTHWEST is fortunate to have an abundance of really great bike shops. There’s at least one in every urban corner of our region that is full of quality bikes, gear and experts ready to help. But what really makes a bike shop stand out so much that people go out of their way to shop or just stop in to say hello? Is it the variety or abundance of bikes? Is it all the accessories and clothing (with loads of women-specific gear)? Is it a shop cat? My favorite shop has a beautiful feline named Moto and the other mentioned attributes, but that’s not why it’s my go-to bike shop. It’s the people, of course.

I met Brenda Mangine of North Division Bicycle Shop when we bought “Out There Monthly” 11 years ago. She was the manager of the store and my contact at the shop for all things advertising related. Not only was she easy to work with, she was fun and laidback. In 2015 Brenda and husband Scott Willegalle bought North Division Bike Shop and continue to provide excellent customer service.

Usually you will find Brenda, Scott, or both of them near the front counter of the shop, ready to assist the stream of loyal customers. The feeling is not one of condescension or high-pressure sales. They truly listen to what a person needs and provide real answers and solutions. I took a friend into the shop and though the interaction was fun and playful, they assessed her riding situation and found the perfect bike. What struck her the most was the customer service. “Within a week, I received a handwritten note thanking me for the purchase and reminding me I had a free tune-up when I’m ready,” says Alana Livingston, who also writes for Out There.

The bike industry can be intimidating to many of us who like riding bikes but lack mechanical skills and don’t geek out on the latest bike tech. The array of bikes available and the sales jargon can be confusing, sending some to the local big box store to find a much lesser-quality entry level bike. Brenda and Scott create a warm and welcoming

space for all types of riders and even have a great “used bike” section in the back room.

Over the years as we’ve made many trips to North Division, bike mechanics have welcomed us into the shop, even letting our kiddo see what was being done to his bike to help him understand how it works. A visit to the shop feels like checking in with family, and it’s obvious that many other longtime customers feel the same way. When we are there for any length of time, we usually run into other acquaintances or friends. Brenda and Scott are widely loved and respected in the Spokane biking community, and if you haven’t had the pleasure of meeting them yet, stop by and say hello.

We are grateful for our relationship and friendship that has spanned over a decade, and their consistent advertising has helped make creating each free issue of Out There possible. We hope you’ll thank them with a visit for your next bike or biking gear need! (Shallan Knowles)

2024 WWW.OUTTHEREOUTDOORS.COM

Q: What’s your favorite planet, constellation, or celestial object?

Lisa: W-shaped Cassiopeia

Bri: The Perseid meteor shower!

Sammy: I love Jupiter and Mars in the summer.

Alana: Orion, and the Big and Little Dipper.

James: I use the Big Dipper to find the North Star.

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Out There Outdoors is published 6 times a year by Out There Monthly, LLC.

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

©Copyright 2024 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.

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Amy: The Milky Way

Brad: The Big Dipper

SCOTT FITS A HELMET SO THIS KID CAN TEST A BIKE. // BELOW LEFT: MOTO THE SHOP CAT. // BOTTOM RIGHT: BRENDA AND SHALLAN AT SPOKATOPIA

An Enlightening Backcountry Encounter

WHEN MY BROTHER AND I finally carved out a weekend last summer to meet at an alpine lake in the Cascades, stargazing became a goal for our hike. Imagine what the night sky will look like up there, we mused, the wilderness area being far from the lights of even the nearest town, Twisp. We expected bright scatterings of stars. We expected the Milky Way. We anticipated awe.

As we wended our way through recent burn-out, crested to the lake, and set camp

alongside the July mosquitos and mayflies, the relief that night would bring was on my mind. We shared a two-person tent, zipped in early to do crosswords, and set the alarms on our phones for midnight.

On past backpacking trips, our exhaustion from hiking had outweighed leaving the tent; the alarm would go off and we’d each agree that stars were stars, and that we should stay in our sleeping bags. But on this hike—damn our midnight selves—we were going to get out of the tent to look at the sky.

It felt more important, perhaps to me, because I saw my brother less often now that we were adults. Because it was the only backpacking trip we would make that summer. Because I expected the wilderness to provide a more transcendental experience than the suburbs.

When our stargazing alarm went off, we donned beanies and coats and stumbled out into the mild July night. We were at 8,000 feet, the sky was clear, and the stars were . .

. underwhelming. I thought I could see the Milky Way, if I squinted.

Determined to make an experience of it, I went muddling around camp to find a prop for my phone to take photos of the night sky. I reached for what I believed to be a chunky piece of wood, possibly a good length of pine bark, picked the item up, and then dropped it, immediately, in horror. It took my midnight brain a moment to process: I had just picked up a human turd.

In dream-like disbelief, I returned to where my brother stood and tried to laugh it off as he laughed long and heartily like any brother would at such cosmic, comic misfortune. I tried to forget about the turd. I tried to forget that I did not bring hand sanitizer into the mountains. I took a photo of the Big Dipper, the way it tipped precariously between the summer larches, and compared star photos with my brother. I crawled back into my sleeping bag and tried to go to sleep. But damn if that turd didn’t haunt me and become the most memorable part of my hike. It was seared into the brain-space that I had expected to fill with stars.

I never intended to tell another living soul that I picked up human feces in a beautiful place in the Cascades. In truth, the experience stayed with me and provoked a different sort of wonder: at the impact we humans

leave on these wild, distant places, not to mention the close places, and how we might reckon with travel when we expect to find something pure or enlightening and are met with something ugly or unexpected instead.

I still consider stargazing a worthwhile pursuit, which is to say, it will always be worthy to seek a sense of wonder. Chart the constellations; put the next meteor shower in your calendar. Look up, look outward, and look outside of yourself. And maybe prepare for a let-down, since these places we seek are not immune to the everyday pitfalls and waste that life creates. (Though I hope your let-down will look different than mine.)

In this issue, we’ve included a feature on summer stargazing and the many ways you might learn about the stars in our region: from visiting the planetarium at SFCC to using apps that can tell you which stars you’re looking at. We’ve compiled a list of local night hikes and camping spots that are great for one-night stays to catch the stars. Learn what to bring, where to go, and how to judge your light pollution.

I’ll still set my alarm to look at the stars the next time I’m in the backcountry. I feel the experience can only go up from here, after all.

Lisa Laughlin, Managing Editor

DISPATCHES

GET READY FOR HIKING SEASON WITH FREE WORKSHOPS

SPOKANE, WASH.

Hiking and backpacking season is best started by preparing your body slowly for carrying a pack down long, winding trails and up and over mountains. Physical therapist Trey Nichols with NW Mobile PT has experience guiding inner-city youth on backpacking trips in the Cascades and treating and training backpackers, mountaineers, and hikers to address pain and weakness, and he’s bringing that back-

ground knowledge to free Trail READY workshops May 29 and June 5 from 7-8 p.m. The workshops will cover how you can prepare for the hiking season, including strength-building exercises and trailtested tips. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of anatomy and proper movement to set them up for a successful hiking season. More info at Nwmobilept. com. (OTO)

OUTDOOR SHAKESPEARE PERFORMANCES JUNE 20-22

COEUR D’ALENE, IDAHO

A great way to enjoy a summer evening is with a bit of outdoor entertainment. On the weekend of the summer solstice, catch a free, live, outdoors performance of Shakespeare’s A "Midsummer Night’s Dream" at the Riverstone Park Amphitheater in Coeur d’Alene at 6 p.m. This classic work will be performed by the Shakespeare Coeur d’Alene group, a new, nonprofit theatre company. The entire cast is from the local community, with mostly adults and two teens. “Shakespeare, when done well, elevates the mind and lifts the spirit,” says Shakespeare Coeur d’Alene executive director Maggie Johnson. “The

beauty of his language and the timelessness of his stories still have the power to delight, to challenge, to move, and to provoke audiences.”

In addition to plays, the company offers table readings, actor’s workshops and summer camps for teens. This summer, the group will offer a two-week camp for middle and high school students to develop performance skills while being led by seasoned educators and professional actors. The goal of Shakespeare Coeur d’Alene is to make timeless pieces of theatre resonate with modernday audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Learn more at Shakespearecda.org. (OTO)

SPOKANE’S SHRED SPORTS CHANGES NAME TO SOLNIX

SPOKANE, WASH.

Longtime Lilac City snowboard, ski, skate, wake, and bike shop, Shred Sports, recently announced an unexpected name change after a prolonged legal battle. Behind the scenes for some time, a similarly-named corporate outdoor sports retailer with 30+ stores in the eastern U.S. has been challenging the Spokane shop, even though Spokane’s Shred had the trademark for the name. Opting to avoid further legal and financial uncertainty, the Spokane shop’s new owners Ben and Kacey Deakins chose to pivot in a positive direction with a unique and memorable new name. They are excited to continue to offer the same large selection of snow- and sun-oriented outdoor sports gear under a new shop name—SOLNIX.

The new name, explains Ben, is a combination of the Latin words sol and nix, which translate to sun and snow. “We love

the Spokane community, and we know they will support us regardless of the name. We want to provide the best gear, best service, and best deals to anyone who might venture into the sports we love, beginning or expert.”

The Deakins family sees the new name as an opportunity to cater to even more outdoor activities. With small, independent outdoor gear shops folding elsewhere in Spokane, options for a locally-owned outdoor retailer experience are fewer and farther between, says Ben. “We hope Spokane will rally around us to save a shop that's been serving the outdoor community for over 27 years!”

Pay SOLNIX a visit for your next outdoor adventure needs and mark your calendar for the shop’s huge yard sale on Memorial Day weekend at 4505 N. Division Street in Spokane. Follow their social pages or find more info online at Solnix.com. (OTO)

OUTDOOR GEAR AND CONSIGNMENT SHOP RAMBLERAVEN CLOSES

SPOKANE, WASH.

April showers typically bring spring flowers, but this April ushered in some unexpected news and heartfelt sadness to the Inland Northwest outdoors community as well when Rambleraven Gear Trader announced it was shutting down. So much more than a gear shop, for seven years Rambleraven was the locally-owned go-to stop for both new and used outdoors sports equipment and apparel and also filled a role as an outdoor community gathering place, much like predecessor gear shops Mountain Gear and Mountain Goat Outfitters that once served the community. For many of us who frequently walked through the front door of the always wellstocked shop, the experience often included a friendly greeting from shop dog Mazzy and staff, as well as frequent run-ins with gear shopping friends or impromptu conversations with fellow patrons. Rambleraven was a place to recycle your quality used outdoor gear in exchange for cash or gear credit; shop for new and used gear; get your bike or boards tuned; and arguably more importantly to engage with others who are as passionate about the outdoors.

Rambleraven founder and owner Mark Schneider, friend and adventure partner of several Out There contributors and staff,

put his heart and soul into the shop, and after several successful years of growth and diversification, an insurmountable chain of business challenges, including a postCOVID-era outdoor retail sales slowdown, the cost and difficulty of finding a badlyneeded larger building in the right location, and other economic obstacles eventually persuaded him that it was time to hit the brakes, permanently.

Pulling the plug on any dream, let along one that involved a risky career change to start and run an outdoor consignment and gear shop in a new town, is undeniably difficult. During the shop’s final weeks, Schneider expressed gratitude to his loyal customers for their patronage and understanding as he navigated the closure process. “I have so much appreciation for the community support over the years and especially enjoyed getting to know so many of the customers as well as helping to raise thousands of dollars for many local non-profit conservation and outdoors organizations,” he says. “Closing Rambleraven definitely wasn’t the decision I wanted to make but was truly my only option in the end.”

Rambleraven will be sorely missed, but we hope to see Schneider, Mazzy, and other shop staff out there on our trails, mountains, rivers, and crags for years to come. (OTO)

CLEARWATER PAPER HELPS REPLACE STOLEN CONSERVATION EQUIPMENT

SPOKANE, WASH.

In February 2024, a break-in at the Inland Northwest Land Conservancy’s (INLC) gear barn resulted in theft and damage totaling $30,000 in tools and equipment crucial for their conservation work at Waikiki Springs Nature Preserve. This loss disrupted their stewardship activities and community events, impacting both the organization and local wildlife enthusiasts. Upon learning of this setback, Nikki Penna of Clearwater Paper rallied support by securing up to a $20,000 match donation

for a crowdfunding campaign. This initiative aims to replace stolen tools and equipment by matching community donations 2:1 through May 2024. Clearwater Paper's commitment reflects their dedication to supporting local conservation and preserving natural areas like Waikiki Springs. INLC is grateful for the partnership and hopes for community support to reach their funding goal and continue caring for these cherished lands. Donate or learn more at InlandNWLand.org/ClearwaterPaper-Match-Campaign. (Carol Corbin)

RIP RAMBLERAVEN. YOU’LL BE MISSED.

DISPATCHES

NEW MTB TRAILS COMING TO RATHDRUM MOUNTAIN

RATHDRUM, IDAHO

For decades, there has been talk of new hiking and mountain biking trails on 5,000-foot-tall Rathdrum Mountain, which rises up from the north edge of the Rathdrum Prairie roughly halfway between Liberty Lake and Coeur d’Alene near Rathdrum, Idaho. With around 540 acres of city-owned land on the mountain, visions for trails began to unfold along with forest management projects in 2019. John Bowman, a mountain bike trail builder who helped build the Empire Trails near Spirit Lake and the owner of Mountain View Cyclery in Hayden, Idaho, was awarded the initial trail planning contract and soon after worked with local volunteers to build the first several miles of singletrack trails. Fast forward through COVID, and Bowman has once again been awarded the contract for building the next phase of trails, thanks to funding the City of Rathdrum received from Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation. This time, he has teamed up with Coeur d’Alene trail builder Evan Frantz, who recently finished the new Cancourse flow trails adjacent to Canfield Mountain in

the Lake City.

Construction of 3.5 miles of new trails on Rathdrum Mountain will begin this spring, with hopes of having at least some of them rideable this season, says Bowman. The project will include three new trails as well as upgrades to existing singletrack in what’s been dubbed the StormKing trail system. Two new flow trails, the beginner Skyline Trail, and intermediate Hi-Frequency Trail will be accessed by riding up the main StormKing access road. A new cross-country connector, the Monarch Trail, will bridge the gap between the existing trail miles on the eastside of the mountain (the Westwood Loop NE Trail) with the new trails on the mountain’s westside. The current vision includes a total of 12 miles of mountain bike trails to be built as funding allows, with trails ranging from beginner to expert.

To check on the progress or ride or hike the existing trails, park at the Rathdrum Mountain City Park trailhead. Look for updates on the Mountain View Cyclery and Friends of Rathdrum Mountain social pages. (Derrick Knowles)

SPOKANE ROWING CLUB OFFERS LEARN TO ROW CLASSES

MEDICAL LAKE, WASH.

Spokane River Rowing Association opens this season with a move from the Spokane River to Silver Lake near Medical Lake, east of Spokane. “We look forward to having more days on the water at the lake location and a great place to launch our boats,” says Gayne Sears, association president. “On the river, the rowing season usually started in June, as the river is quite swift with spring runoff. With our new site, we look forward to getting on the water in May of this year,” she adds.

Rowing is a growing sport in the Northwest and the association is a welcoming club with members who are excited to share the sport at upcoming learn-to-row

classes. Course participants will learn all about the parts of a rowing shell, how to get in and out of a boat, safety issues, and the basic techniques of rowing. The classes include experience sculling, which means rowing with two oars, as well as sweep rowing (an even number of people each using one long oar).

The program for new rowers includes three classes that will each run for three hours on either Saturday mornings May 4, 11, and 18 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. or Monday mid-day sessions on May 6, 13, and 20 from 12-3 p.m. The total cost for the series is $125, with financial assistance available. For more info or to sign up, visit Spokanerowing.org. (OTO)

INAUGURAL NORTH IDAHO PADDLE SPORTS GEAR SWAP (JUNE 8)

The North Idaho Kayaking group and the Coeur d’Alene Canoe and Kayak Club are putting on a North Idaho paddle sports information and equipment exchange event at Fireside Park in Spirit Lake, Idaho, on June 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Find deals on a range of paddling gear and talk with veteran kayakers ready to showcase the equipment and field any gear-related questions.

Anyone interested in kayaking, paddle-

boarding, or canoeing will also find valuable information from several paddling professionals. Resources will include life jacket fitting assistance, nautical safety regulation and best practices info from the Coast Guard; information on correct paddle craft cleaning methods to prevent invasive species from affecting our waterways, from Invasive Species of Idaho; and advice on where to paddle in Idaho from Idaho Parks & Recreation. (OTO)

SPIRIT LAKE, IDAHO

CULINARY EVENT CRAVE! NW RETURNS

JULY 11

SPOKANE VALLEY, WASH.

Crave! NW is back for 2024 and patrons can choose between three themed evenings of culinary brilliance, delicious pours, and exciting music. This 21+ event is held on the west lawn of Centerplace Regional event center in Spokane Valley and runs July 11-13. Crave! is an opportunity for chefs from all over Spokane to engage with the community while showing off their own creative skills. There’s a familiar camaraderie among the chefs that adds to the atmosphere; when they get a chance, you’ll find them sneaking off to try another chef’s plate or passing food back and forth between adjoining stalls. While the chefs

banter and work over grills, guests stand in line, holding glasses of chilled wine and icy beer in one hand, while unabashedly licking their oil-coated fingers. It’s a foodie’s dream, with unlimited trips (until the chef runs out, of course) to your favorite food stall while live music plays.

Eventgoers can expect a tapas-style menu featuring a diverse palate experience with gluten free and vegetarian options. Some of last year’s delectables included French toast bites with crème and freshly-foraged snapdragon flowers, Asian buttered sweet chips, and a spicy corn bread bite. Find more info and tickets for this awesome event at Cravenw.com. (Bri Loveall)

HERITAGE NETWORK BUILDING A COLUMBIA BOAT

COLVILLE, WASH.

History can sometimes feel lost to the past. It’s the challenge of historians, museum curators, and historical societies to help bring the stories of years gone by to life in the present day. That’s the spirit behind the Heritage Network’s effort to build a “Columbia Boat,” a unique watercraft with a connection to the history of the Inland Northwest.

The Heritage Network is an association of museums and historical societies centered around Northeast Washington. Member organizations share resources and information and collaborate on regional projects. One such project is the upcoming 200th anniversary of the establishment of Hudson Bay Fort Colvile, which was built as a fur trading outpost in 1825 by Governor George Simpson of the Hudson’s Bay Company. At the time, the main trading outpost in the area was Spokane House (established in 1810), but Simpson felt that its location on the Spokane River was too far from the Columbia River. So Simpson abandoned Spokane House and moved his operations north to a location on the Columbia near Kettle Falls. The area had been an important salmon fishing site for Native American tribes for generations.

But the traders still needed a way to move their goods up and down the river. Enter legendary explorer David Thompson. Years

Undiscover this Idaho gem.

earlier, Thompson had adapted the design of a birchbark canoe, popular east of the Rocky Mountains, to Northwest materials.

Built using planks split from a cedar tree and seams sealed with pine pitch, the Columbia Boat became the shipping barge of its day, spacious and stout enough to carry a load of furs and other materials from Kettle Falls to the mouth of the Columbia, and light enough to be paddled all the way back upstream and portaged around waterfalls and rapids.

As part of the bicentennial celebration of Fort Colvile’s founding, The Heritage Network plans to build a replica of a 30-foot Columbia Boat. They have contracted with an Olympia-based boatbuilder named John Zinser to oversee the boat’s construction and have the boat ready by the spring of 2025 to take part in the 200th anniversary festivities. According to Joe Barreca, President of the Heritage Network, the hope is that a group of volunteers will coalesce around the boat to paddle, maintain, and use it for educational opportunities in the future. For the time being, they are focused on raising the final $30,000 to fund the boat’s construction. Anyone interested in the Columbia Boat or the 200th anniversary celebration of Fort Colvile is encouraged to join the Heritage Network’s mailing list by emailing Joe.Barreca@gmail.com or visiting Theheritagenetwork.org. (Chris Maccini)

A hidden gem that is Post Falls, Idaho... majestic trails winding through lush forests, local dining spots that can satisfy any hunger, and parks so secluded, even Bigfoot would need a map to find them. And don’t even get us started on the serene beaches... Pack your bags, grab your sense of wonder, and get ready to undiscover Idaho.

DON’T MISS CRAVE! 2024 IN JULY.

EVERYDAY CY

A$$ Hatchets

By Justin Short

THE BIKE SEAT is a curious piece of equip ment. If you ride bikes and the seat never crosses your mind, congratulations, you have the right saddle for the job. Many of us, unfortunately, have at one time or another considered them to be more like medieval torture devices than a pleasant place to rest our rumps while pedaling. The fair weather is here, and it’s time to turn some carefree pedals in the sun—or maybe that’s the fur thest thing from your mind on account of a bad experience with a bike seat. In any event, let’s have a conversation about the part of our bike that contacts a vulnerable part of our anatomy; it’s time to talk about what to do if your bike seat is an A$$ Hatchet.

“Everyone’s pelvis is different, you can’t just measure it,” explains world-renowned bike fitter Paul Swift as he holds up a model of a human pelvis to demonstrate the change in width of the ischial tuberosities, aka “sit bones,” according to the forward inclination of the rider. Almost no one sits bolt upright on a bike seat, and that’s the measurement you get from sitting on that thing that some bike shops have to measure your sit bones, a device called the “ass-ometer.”

Swift continues, “You can’t just stick your thumb into a saddle and expect to know if it’s the right one, you have to try it out.” Some bike shops can have 30 or more saddles hanging on the wall, and now you’ve got to pick one? That’s an intimidating prospect. That’s why Swift helped develop the SwitchIt, a quick-change tool that allows a customer to switch saddles in a matter of seconds to get an impression of how one saddle feels compared to another right where it counts, mounted to a fit bike or on the customer’s own bike.

This begs the question, why don’t bike companies just put good seats on the bikes they sell to begin with? Even very high-end bikes are spec’d with throw-away saddles because a bike seat is such a nuanced piece of equipment, the chance of a bike company correctly guessing what will work with your butt is pretty minimal. So companies can

keep prices in check by including a placeholder saddle. It’s the same with pedals; high end bikes don’t come with pedals at all, but it’s difficult to imagine test riding a rack full of bikes without seatposts.

The general rule of thumb when saddle shopping is that the longer you intend to ride, the more firm your saddle must be. If you’re looking at a 10- to 15-mile range, one of those couch cushion beach cruiser saddles will work perfectly. But it’s the fleshy part of your rump that supports your weight with this kind of saddle, and that can be comfortable for only so long. For longer rides, you want something more firm so your sit bones can support your weight. The faster you intend to ride, the farther you will incline forward into the handlebars, and that requires a narrower saddle because the sit bones angle inward as you lean forward.

You don’t want to lean too far, though, or go too narrow with the saddle. This isn’t good for men or women. A bit of history here: back in the late ‘90s, the editor of

Bicycling magazine announced to the world that he had been suffering from erectile dysfunction on account of pudendal nerve damage from his bike seat. Immediately, a bike company released a saddle with a cut-out center. I bought one and very quickly dubbed it “The Emasculator” early into a 500-mile trip. Specialized hired a doctor who designed their Body Geometry line of saddles that came out soon after. It was a big, ugly thing and way softer than it should have been for how comfortable it was. The leather saddle I use on my two long distance bikes is pretty good, but that Specialized BG saddle was the comfiest thing I’ve ever ridden, and I sometimes cry myself to sleep wishing Specialized hadn’t fired their doctor so they could make more fashionable bike seats that suck. I say this in jest; clearly the Specialized Power Saddle works for some riders who probably aren’t riding triple centuries. My neighbor Sam has one of those ancient BG saddles on his bike, and I have to meditate daily on the deadly sin of envy.

But, never fear, there’s a seat that will help you do whatever it is you want to do on a bike without trying to get a signed confession out of you, and most bike shops will give you 30 days to form an educated opinion about it. If your bike goal is getting groceries, commuting to work, or finishing a century, the right saddle is out there. You can book an appointment with Paul Swift at Thecyclepoint.com. Swift looks at the rider’s point of contact on a bike—saddle, handlebars, and pedals—not as bike parts, per se, but more like things a bike wears, and sometimes these things need to be tailored to fit your needs. He’s developing his own brand of saddles called Ninety K; I have one on my commuter and another on my fat bike. But there’s no pressure to choose those. Your butt will decide what it likes.

Justin Short’s been dulling A$$ Hatchets on his nether regions all through the winter and spring in preparation for the Idaho Panhandle Ramble in June. Look for that epic tale in a future issue of OTO.

ILLUSTRATION: JUSTIN SHORT

A ‘Grande’ Way to Go Rafting Oregon’s Grande Ronde River is an ideal entry-level multi-day raft trip.

By Paul Delaney

MAKING THAT FIRST DIP of an oar or paddle to experience the right river for a multi-day excursion can be a daunting task. There are many in the Pacific Northwest from which to choose, including the wild ones like Idaho’s Salmon, Hells Canyon or Selway— your biggest challenge is first to land the permit. But one of the best wilderness

experiences not dictated by a lottery is northeast Oregon’s Grande Ronde.

While the river offers other sections, this prescribed Minam to Troy section is just shy of 50 miles long with most of those being roadless. It’s an ideal intro river for the newbie who wants to fine-tune rowing skills and is perfect for families. However,

like other wilderness destinations, everyone seems to have discovered this Class II stream.

The run officially begins on the Wallowa River at Minam along Oregon State Route 82. This is where the Minam River merges and offers the best—but likely very crowded —access. This is also where self-issue permits need to be filled out. Members of the Oregon State Patrol will likely be on the river checking for those, as well as toilets, firepans and invasive species tags.

The Wallowa section might have the best “spunk” of the 46-miles with a series of five Class II rapids including Minam Roller, House Rock and Blind Falls. The runs are all very straight forward.

A suggested strategy is to try to find a camp before the Wallowa’s confluence with the Grande Ronde at Rondowa (marked by the railroad bridge), but those spots are quite slim. Once on the Grande Ronde, the next 10 miles have the only notable rapids, a pair of Class II’s in Sheep Creek and Martin’s Misery.

Camps are plentiful on both sides of the river, but again, be mindful that everyone seems to have discovered this river. If one

is fortunate to have found a great camp and has a bit of time to kill, schedule a “layover day” where you can laze around and soak in the experience.

Like many favorite wilderness settings, this canyon with large stands of timber has its share of wildfire in recent years. It does not, however, spoil the on-the-water experience.

The run to the take outs, either Powwatka Bridge (river mile 53) or Troy (RM 45), have no whitewater to speak of, but do have constant flow. Shuttles, while seemingly short as the crow flies, involve plenty of elevation gain both coming and going. It is slow going on winding and dusty gravel roads.

While there is plenty of information available on the Internet, if possible, try to locate a priceless copy of John Garren’s “Oregon River Tours” or the latest edition of “Soggy Sneakers” for more info.

Paul Delaney has now been whitewatering for 44 years. He encourages rafters to be part of the Northwest Whitewater Association, a Spokane-based organization dedicated to the sport.

FLOATERS ENTERING THE GRANDE RONDE AT RONDOWA AFTER STARTING THEIR JOURNEY ON THE WALLOWA RIVER. // PHOTO: PAUL DELANEY

The Trailhead

Inland NW Trail & Outdoor News

By Holly Weiler

FREE OUTDOOR ENTERTAINMENT

• Chelan-Douglas Land Trust is hosting a free Hike for Health series throughout the year, with offerings near Leavenworth on May 18 and Wenatchee on June 15. A guided interpretive walk will be available, or participants can opt for a self-guided hike.

• The annual Wenas Audubon birding campout will take place the weekend of May 31-June 2 at Wenas Creek campground. The event will include evening campfire chats and daytime birding field trips in the area. Camping is free with a Discover Pass.

• Dig out your fishing pole! Washington free fishing weekend is June 8-9, where fishing for rainbow trout and bass at lowland lakes across the state will not require a fishing license. All other regulations will remain in place, including number and size limits and special equipment rules. This coincides with fee-free days for areas normally requiring a Discover Pass, including Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife water-access sites. Idaho will host its free fishing day on June 8.

• Many parks will have entrance fees waived in observance of Juneteenth, June 19. It is a free entrance day for all National Parks, and a free day for recreation sites in Washington that normally require a Discover Pass.

CONSERVATION, STEWARDSHIP & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

• Help The Lands Council mark the 50th anniversary of Expo ‘74 with a massive SpoCanopy tree planting effort from May 7-11 as the nonprofit works to plant 500 trees over the course of five days! The trees will be planted in urban areas that currently have low tree canopy coverage. Anyone can sign up online for a volunteer time slot to help plant trees, and Spokane residents can request a SpoCanopy tree for their neighborhood.

• Wallowa Mountains—Hells Canyon Trails Association is offering a broad range of early season stewardship opportunities in May and June, from brushing work parties to multi-day log-out trips. A unique oppor-

tunity includes registering for sign scouting trips within areas impacted by recent wildfires, where volunteers will work in small groups to document damaged and missing trail signage that needs to be replaced.

• Join Spokane Riverkeeper in Riverfront Park on June 8 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. to mark the 50th anniversary of Expo ‘74 with a cleanup event focusing on the Spokane River in the downtown area. Advance registration is required so that enough gloves and bags are available for everyone.

• Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness will be hosting a series of day work parties for late spring, including a log-out trip to namesake Scotchman Peak on National Trails Day, June 1!

• Pacific Northwest Trail Association is offering a variety of front country (day trip) and backcountry (camping or backpacking) projects in northeast Washington. Two unique project days will be devoted to Intro to Crosscut Sawing, with offerings on June 1 at the Mill Pond site near Sullivan Lake, and June 15 on Flume Creek Trail northwest of Metaline Falls.

• Washington Trails Association will be offering a mix of day trailwork trips to Spokane County Parks and Mount Spokane State Park, as well as several backcountry trips within the Colville National Forest.

A new project destination will pair car camping with trailwork on South Fork Silver Creek and Sherlock Mountain on June 21-23.

•Idaho Trail Association is offering both one-day and multi-day trail maintenance trips within the Idaho Panhandle National Forest. The nonprofit also has a fun Backpacking 101 event that pairs webinars and group sessions on backpacking with a culminating trail maintenance trip to Plowboy Campground at Priest Lake on June 8-9.

Holly Weiler is the Eastern Washington Region Senior Coordinator for Washington Trails Association and will be alternating morel hunts and trailwork trips this spring.

HIKE OF THE MONTH WENAHA RIVER TRAIL

THE WENAHA RIVER TRAIL in northeastern Oregon has long been a popular spring backpacking destination, but, following the loss of the bridge over Crooked Creek during the 2015 Grizzly Complex Fire, access became extremely difficult until spring run-off subsided. This left hikers facing a tricky and potentially dangerous ford or an early turn-around at the 6-mile mark. Fortunately for hikers and backpackers alike, the bridge was rebuilt last last fall.

The new bridge is a steel structure with wooden decking and high railings, restoring safe early season access to the remote and rugged Wenaha River canyon. The trail follows the river upstream for 30 miles, so backpackers can choose a turn-around point for trips of various distances. It’s the perfect place for a weekend getaway or a full week of adventure on this designated Wild and Scenic River.

The years without safe bridge access also created a backlog of maintenance needs along the trail, so early visitors to the trail system may find increasingly difficult conditions farther up the river drainage. Already this year, both USFS and volunteer crews have made it as far as the 8-mile mark. Conditions beyond that point are potentially quite brushy. Take it from someone who learned the hard way: wear pants, not shorts, to hike this trail. Crews will be following up with more maintenance, including completing the approaches to each side of the new bridge. It may take several years to complete the full backlog of maintenance needs, and additional trees continue to fall within the burn zone. Plenty of green trees remain, and spring wildflowers put on a fantastic color display. Don’t forget to pack binoculars to spot wildlife in the canyon, where bighorn sheep and elk herds are frequently seen along the trail.

Maps: Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness map, USFS

the first switchback in the road.

Getting There:The Wenaha River Trail is accessed from a small trailhead on the outskirts of Troy, Ore. When entering Troy from the east, turn right at the stop sign and drive a short distance up Bartlett Road. The trailhead is located on the outside edge of

NEW BRIDGE ON THE WENAHA RIVER TRAIL // PHOTOS: HOLLY WEILER

DON’T MISS FREE FISHING DAY // PHOTO: DIANE KNOWLES

RUN WILD

Becoming a Morning Person Running Edition

By Sarah Hauge

I’VE FAILED at reaching the same goal for the past several years: becoming an early morning runner. Wake up, get dressed, run—it seems so simple, and yet I can’t do it. Years ago, I often ran early, but between various kid and dog demands, lifelong night-owl tendencies, and a work schedule that allows me to run whenever, that’s gone out the window. When my alarm goes off, I can barely scrape myself out of bed, let alone run several miles.

I want to be different. I know running early would make me more productive, avoid the heat, and leave me more available for my kids this summer. Here are the tips I’ll be reminding myself of as I attempt (again) to make this goal my new normal.

PREP EVERYTHING THE NIGHT BEFORE

Lay out clothing and sunscreen, choose your route, edit your playlist, and fill your water bottle. Set the coffee maker and prep your pre-run meal, too. Your fuzzy morning brain will thank you.

GET THE TIMING RIGHT

Find your a.m. rhythm: How long do you realistically need to wake up, get ready, and leave? Allow time for food, the bathroom, and potential disruptions. Some early risers prefer running on an empty stomach, but that leaves me depleted and headachy. Figure out what fuel works for you. Many runners choose easy-to-digest snacks like half a banana, PB toast, or overnight oats. Eating and hydrating well the day before can also reap big benefits on morning runs.

WARM UP

Shake out groggy bones and loosen up creaky joints with a brief warm-up—think leg swings, torso rotations, walking lunges. (See the last issue’s interview with orthopedic physical therapist Rebecca Thompson for more on the benefits of a dynamic warm-up.) Bodies are usually sluggish and stiff first thing, so don’t stress about your pace for a while—you’re unlikely to set any

REWARD YOURSELF

Habits can be broken down into chains of events: cue, response, reward. With a habit like early-morning running, the biggest benefits might take a while to be obvious. In the meantime, build in immediate rewards to cement the “early morning runs are worth it!” feedback loop in your brain. The reward doesn’t have to be elaborate: getting a smoothie or coffee on your way home, eating your favorite breakfast while playing a brain game (my new obsession is the New York Times’ Strands), using the percussive massager, taking a leisurely shower. Before long, your cue (the alarm clock going off) will not only lead you to your response (going for a run), but will remind you of the reward that will immediately follow.

DON’T EXPECT IT TO BE EASY

Be real with yourself: This is going to be hard for a while. Set a specific goal for how many mornings per week you want to run early and celebrate when you meet it. Don’t beat yourself up when you occasionally oversleep or just can’t make it happen. Ask someone to keep you accountable. My best friend and I regularly text each other when we tackle difficult or annoying tasks, knowing the other will respond with an over-the-top celebration. Her: “I drank a whole Nalgene of water today; praise me!!” Me: “You did it!!!! You’re a hero!” Somehow, this solicited affirmation really helps—try it! On your own, reflect on the benefits you’re seeing even when things aren’t yet easy: productive mornings, quiet roads, more flexibility later in the day. Your body will adjust. Don’t let the hard part that comes first keep you from what you really want.

Sarah Hauge is a writer and editor who lives in Spokane with her husband and two children. She is excited to run her 21st consecutive Bloomsday this May.

Start Training for a Road or Trail Running Event

From paved 5ks to trail marathons, these races and running or walking events offer something for all ability levels, whether you’re just getting into running or are a seasoned ultra-racer. Lace up your shoes and get in on the fun race-vibe energy of one of these events. All of them advertise in Out There Outdoors and help make this free magazine you’re holding in your hands possible. Show them your thanks by signing up for one of their events!

ROAD RUNNING RACES & EVENTS

Long Bridge Half Marathon, 10k, & 5k (May 11): This Sandpoint, Idaho, race on paved roads and trails includes over 3 miles of running over beautiful Lake Pend Oreille with a start at Sandpoint City Beach Park.

Windermere Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k & 5k (May 19): Flat, point-to-point course along Spokane County’s Centennial Trail. Boston marathon qualifier, hosted by Negative Split. Kids’ challenge and fun run available.

Coeur d’Alene Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k & 5k (May 26): Scenic race with a start/ finish at McEuen Park in downtown Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Hosted by Negative Split. Kids’ challenge and 1-mile run available.

Priest Lake Spring Fun Run, 10k & 5k (May 26): Run along the lakeshore at beautiful Priest Lake. Kids’ dash offered.

Metaline Falls Bigfoot 5K (June 15): Takes place in the historic town of Metaline Falls in Pend Oreille County, with a course that includes mountain views and follows along the Pend Oreille River before finishing at Busta Park.

Dad’s Day Dash (June 16): Family-friendly 5k run/1-mile walk on Father’s Day in downtown Spokane’s Riverfront Park. Fundraiser for SNAP, a Spokane-based community action agency.

Wallace Huckleberry Festival 5k Walk/Run (Aug. 18): Family-friendly run in Wallace, Idaho, with vendors, music, and optional huckleberry pancake breakfast before or after. Strollers and leashed dogs welcome.

Newport Autumn Bloom 5k/10k Fun Run (Sept. 21): Proceeds benefit Newport Hospital’s Healthy Kids Snack Bag Program and Reach Out and Read.

Boulevard Race (Sept. 22): This is the second year for the 4-mile race benefiting the Community Cancer Fund. Run or walk the streets of downtown Spokane on this fun (and relatively flat!) course.

TRAIL/GRAVEL RUNNING RACES & EVENTS

Priest Lake Spring Fun Run 5k, 10k & Kids’ Dash (May 26): Part of Priest Lake’s Spring Festival. Start/finish at Coolin Community Park at Priest Lake, Idaho; free 1k Kids’ Dash (ages 10 and younger).

Hiawatha Trail Run (June 9): Organized by Negative Split at Lookout Pass, Idaho. Choose from 10k, 15k, 25k and 50k timed runs on North Idaho’s Scenic Hiawatha Trail, running along crushed-rock rail trail that includes running through railroad tunnels by headlamp.

Race the Wolf Ultramarathon & Trail Race (June 22-23): Takes place at Schweitzer Mountain in Sandpoint, Idaho. 5-mile trail race and 1-mile “sky climb” (a run straight uphill) on June 22; trail marathon and half marathon on June 23. Part of The GRIT North Idaho trail run series.

Mountain Magic Trail Run 5k, 10k and 25k (June 30): Winding run along wide ski trails begins from Selkirk Lodge at Mt. Spokane, with peaks to summit and rewarding views.

The “Original” Bare Buns Fun Run (July 28): Clothing-optional 5k trail run/walk at the Kaniksu Ranch Family Nudist Park near Loon Lake, Wash.

Mt. Spokane Trail Run 25k, 10k and 5k (Sept. 8): This Negative Split trail run has three scenic course options that start and finish at Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park’s main lodge. 25k and 10k courses updated for 2024.

Priest Lake Marathon, Half Marathon & 50k (Sept. 14): Wilderness trail run in the Panhandle National Forest. Walkers welcome, excluding ultra. Part of The GRIT North Idaho trail run series organized by Priest Lake Multisports.

The Cougar Chase Trail Run (Oct. 6): A new 7-mile and 5k trail run at Schweitzer Mountain Resort put on by Priest Lake Multisports.

Sekani Trail Run 10k, 5k and 1k Kids’ Run (Oct. 20): Adventure run/hike/walk on trails at Camp Sekani Park in Spokane; this annual fall trail run is a fundraiser for Franklin Elementary School’s A.P.P.L.E. program.

(Sponsored)

PRs until this new habit becomes old hat.

PHOTO COURTESY OF NEWPORT AUTUMN BLOOM

Primitive Skills

Wild Foraging Know What You’re Eating!

By Karie Lee Knoke

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE this time of year as the fresh plants spring forth, marking the time to forage for food! I find that there is more food in the forest than what is ready in my garden. Not only that, the majority of weeds in my garden are delicious and edible. I think it’s insane to pull the weeds just to make room for more food to grow. Why not eat your weeds first, while waiting for your garden to grow?

We are so fortunate in the Inland Northwest to have few poisonous plant varieties. If you were to look out across the natural landscape, you would find that roughly 90 percent of what you see is not poisonous. Therefore, it is edible, right? Well, maybe. A plant may be edible, but perhaps not palatable. Some plants are fine in small amounts, but can give you a tummy ache or make you sick in larger quantities.

In my foraging classes, I like to rate plants on an edibility continuum from Yummy to Palatable, Survival, Toxic and Deadly. The Survival food category means it tastes horrible, but you probably won’t die.

The best way to learn wild foraging is to focus on the poisonous plants first. The poisonous plant list is much shorter and the most important to learn. Ingesting the wrong plant can cause immediate death, so take the time to learn these first! Once you know these, the forest becomes a haven for finding dinner ingredients.

Let’s start out with water hemlock (Cicuta maculata) and poisonous hemlock (Conium maculatum). These are the deadliest two plants in the Inland Northwest. One nibble of the plant and you may not live long enough to make it to the hospital. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after handling them to ensure you don’t accidentally put your fingers in your mouth. I would even go so far as to say not to pick any other edible plants that shares the same water. If you see water hemlock in a ditch, I would not pick the violet flower that’s growing next to it, just to be safe.

These two plants are in the carrot family (Apiaceae) and can be mistaken for wild carrots, otherwise known as queen anne’s lace. Make sure you know the difference! Wild carrot tends to grow abundantly along roadsides and the root is quite edible. The flowering umbel is useful as a medicine as an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, migraine remedy, expectorant, and antihista-

mine and makes an excellent flower essence that imparts profound wisdom, love and understanding. Consult your clinical herbalist before consuming as a medicine.

Of course, there is the infamous death camas. Death camas and its relative blue camas will often grow next to each other. The bulbs of the blue prairie camas were a vital food source for Indigenous peoples. They are easy to identify when blooming, but once the flowers die off, you are left with a dried-up stem and leaf pattern that looks very similar to death camas. I wouldn’t bet my life on deciding which one to dig up!

To help you start your journey down the path of wild foraging, here are some other poisonous plants that I suggest you learn first before you pick up your harvesting basket: red or white baneberry, arnica, tansy, lupines, milkweed, deadly nightshade flower and berries, foxglove, larkspur, monkshood, and pokeweed, just to name a few. But please note, even if the plant is poisonous, it may be useful as a medicine or have a utilitarian purpose. Dogbane and milkweed make excellent cordage and arnica makes a powerful topical remedy for sore muscles.

Stinging nettle is one of my all-time favorites, because the whole plant is useful. The leaves are edible and medicinal, and the seeds make a great shampoo for hair loss. The stocks make excellent cordage, and the roots can be used in a sitz bath for arthritis.

In my wild foraging classes, I rate whether a plant is edible, medicinal and/or utilitarian. I create a chart where the Y-axis represents these categories. If a plant is edible or medicinal, is it yummy, palatable, a survival food (yucky, but edible), toxic or deadly? Keeping in mind that different parts of the same plant may reside in several placements on the chart.

To learn more, please join me for a day of foraging at my Wild Edible & Medicinal Foraging class on May 18 or June 8.

Karie Lee Knoke is a wilderness/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/Netflix. Go to www.karieleeknoke.com for more information, or follow her on Facebook @ SacredCedarsWildernessSchool or Instagram @karie_lee_knoke.

CHILI-LIME CAULIFLOWER QUESADILLAS

INGREDIENTS:

1 head cauliflower // 3 Tbsp. olive oil, split // 1 tsp. salt // 1 clove garlic // 1/4 - 1/2 tsp. cayenne chili flakes from Hayshaker Farm // 1/4 tsp. black pepper // 1/2 lime, squeezed // 1 bunch chives, sliced thinly // 1 cup grated queso enchilado from Lake Wolf Creamery or other cheese of choice // 4 tortillas

DIRECTIONS:

1. Heat a skillet to medium-low heat with 2 Tbsp. olive oil. Slice the cauliflower into quarter-inch slices, forming thin “steaks.” Add to the pan, stirring occasionally.

2. Meanwhile, place the salt and chopped garlic clove into a small bowl. Using a spoon, mash into a coarse paste. Add the remaining 1 Tbsp. olive oil, chili flakes, black pepper, and lime. Stir until combined.

3. Once the cauliflower is tender, add the chili lime vinaigrette. Cook for another 5 minutes until the vinaigrette has evaporated.

4. Put together your quesadillas, layering cheese, chives, and cauliflower on half a tortilla. Fold the tortilla in half and grill on the skillet until browned.

5. Serve with a sour cream and chives dip or a side of rice and beans. Enjoy!

(Courtesy of LINC Foods — The Local Inland Northwest Cooperative @ lincfoods. com.)

AIR FRYER MOREL MUSHROOMS

Morels are among the best-known wild mushrooms in North America. They grow in forests under both hardwoods and conifers, in abandoned orchards, around tree trunks or wood piles and in landscaped areas. Two of my favorite places to look for morels in eastern Washington are the cross-country ski trails and trail 100 on Mount Spokane.

I would like to make two very important points before I go any farther. One: never, ever eat any morels raw, and two: make sure you never undercook your morels. Having a good mushroom guidebook, like “Fruits of the Forest” by Daniel Winkler, can be very helpful. If you are lucky enough to find some morels, you can either use them fresh, as with this air fryer recipe below, or dry them for later use. This recipe serves four.

INGREDIENTS: 20 medium to large morel mushrooms // 4-6 blocks of cream cheese // 3/4 cup breadcrumbs.

DIRECTIONS: Gently wash your morels and cut the stems off. Mix softened cream cheese and 2 T of the crushed cracker or breadcrumb mixture. Gently, using your fingers, stuff the mushrooms with the cream cheese mixture. Gently roll the stuffed mushrooms into the remaining crushed cracker mixture. Place the mushrooms into the air fryer basket. Air-fry the breaded mushrooms at 370 degrees F for 5-6 minutes. (Rich Leon)

FRESH AND FORAGED

Spokane’s Fresh and Foraged owner Chere Perrigo isn’t just serving up delicious food in compostable to-go containers, she’s paving the way for a new type of fast-food industry: one that’s actually healthy. Chere is Fresh and Foraged’s newest owner; after nearly 30 years standing behind a salon chair, she set aside her scissors and picked up a different kind of apron. “I’ve been a vegetarian for 40 years,” she says, adding that she always had a vision of finding faster, more readily-available food to fit her dietary needs.

Fresh and Foraged’s menu features housemade soups, salads, and baked goods, and, while they are not a certified gluten-free kitchen, they have gluten free, vegan, and dairy-free options for most of their menu items. I (with the help of my spouse and children) personally sampled their soup and salad combo, an acai bowl, mushroom coffee, smoothie, and coconut bliss bites (a concoction that is both wild and delicious).

With farmers’ market weather approaching, Chere is hoping to begin ordering more of their produce from local growers. “We go through a lot of lettuce,” she laughs over the phone. Some of their most popular menu items are the Cobb and Caesar Salad, although baked potatoes in the colder months are also a big hit.

Patrons of Fresh and Foraged will find a build-it-yourself type menu bar and can feel good eco-friendly packaging on a hike through nearby Haynes Estate Conservation Area. (Bri Loveall)

COLE’S FREEZE-DRIED MEALS

Although convenient, freeze-dried meals tend to be expensive, lacking flavor and are generally small portions. Add the challenge of any food intolerances or allergies, and you could literally be up a creek. But there is a new tasty, locally-made alternative.

Cole’s Bakery & Café in north Spokane has added freeze-dried meals to their repertoire, stopping at nothing to ensure the same quality and goodness from the cafe goes into each meal.

Offering everything from breakfast classics like Peaches & Cream Oats and Corned Beef Hash to hearty dinner staples such as Chicken Teriyaki and Bulgogi Bowls, Cole’s freeze-dried meals are packed with flavor and adhere to their commitment of preservative-free nutritious meals, made in-house that are always 100% gluten and peanut free. Available in both individual and family-sized portions (4 servings), just add hot water for a satisfying meal.

Echoing the café’s ideology for accommodating diverse dietary needs within a shared dining experience, their freeze-dried offerings cater to various dietary preferences and restrictions without compromising on taste or portion size. Facilitating a shared meal among families with differing dietary requirements is not only a convenience, but a profound gesture of inclusivity. Making it easy to pack on a trail is a miracle. In addition to savory offerings, Cole’s Bakery & Café extends its freeze-dried line to include desserts, candy, produce and more.

(Alana Livingston)

PHOTO:ALANA LIVINGSTO N

PHOTO:BRILOVEALL

PHOTO:RICHLEON

PHOTO:LINCFOODS

The American Pine Marten

By Adam Gebauer

I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE in my rambles and work to have encountered most of the mammals of North America, but there are a few that have remained elusive. This past March, that list got a little shorter. On a backcountry ski trip in the Wallowas, I encountered the American pine marten, Martes amaericana.

Pine martens are part of Mustelidae, or the weasel family, and are closely related to fishers but smaller in size with a distinct bib of contrasting colored fur under its chin. They have long, slender bodies with sharp, curved claws used for climbing. Martens have large, rounded ears and dark eyes, which make them look very alert. They can range in size from 1.5-2.2 feet in length and weigh up to three pounds, with males being larger than females.

The individual that crossed my path was living among some backcountry yurts. Particularly, it had made its burrow in the deep snow up next to the cook yurt. One member of our ski party slept in the cook yurt and reported each morning whether the marten was running across the canvas roof or trying to pry open the door at night.

These animals are opportunistic feeders, and, although voles are one of their primary food sources, they will scavenge the yurt compost pile if not secured. They also hunt animals larger than themselves, including snowshoe hare and red squirrel—two species that are particularly important in winter. In the summer, their diet may switch to more fruits, seeds, and nuts, and they are thought to be important seed distributors. A study in Alaska found that blueberry seeds that were passed by marten in their scat had higher germination rates than those that fell to the

forest floor.

I got a few glances at the marten and its triangle face and sharp eyes over our five-day stay. It would stare at me from behind the cook yurt or the wood pile and then quickly disappear into one of its many burrows. As we used our long skis to stay on top of the snowpack, the marten relies on its large feet to act like snowshoes. Every morning, our skin tracks were crisscrossed with the bounding tracks of martens. Frequently, the back paws land on the imprint of the front paws, leaving the track to look like there are two large prints instead of four. This bounding gait, along with their large feet, helps them move easily across deep snow.

Like many fur bearers, martens were heavily trapped in the early 1800’s, depleting their populations. Their winter coats are lush with a thick under coat and longer guard hairs. The inquisitive marten that I saw had a golden coat with a white bib on its chest. In most of their range, the American marten populations have rebounded after the fur trade, but there are still areas of the Northeast like Pennsylvania and Ohio where they have not fully recovered.

Adam is excited for spring flowers and adventures. He will be skiing at least one volcano, running his first 25k and mucking around in streams for work.

ON THE PLANET

OUT THERE READS

BY MARGARET RENKL (Nature/Essays, 2019)

Margaret Renkl, author of “Late Migrations: A Natural History of Love and Loss,” was asked once whether she was a trained naturalist. Renkl admitted that she was not, she was more of a Googler. But, she said, “I am good at astonishment.”

This book of essays, illustrated by her brother Billy, is a surprising and beautiful look at the cycles of life and death in Renkl’s own backyard, in her community, and in her family. With essays dedicated to the behavioral patterns of backyard wildlife and essays about love and loss in her own family, Renkl weaves a story that, over and over, finds universal meaning in small, exquisite moments. She does it by allowing herself to be astonished.

It’s the lone vulture in her front yard on the day her youngest son’s Selective Service notice arrives in the mail, for example. “I know a vulture is only a bird, only a bird and not an omen . . . ” she writes. And yet by the end of the essay, maybe it is an omen, and that “maybe,” so gently, so obliquely laid on the page, is the beauty of the essay.

Every one of her nature essays benefits from a Googler’s attention to precision and detail. And every family essay benefits from Renkl’s ability to be as astonished, curious and compassionate about human nature as she is about the nature of plants and wildlife around her.

Renkl, who writes a weekly column on nature and politics for the New York Times, is a deceptively simple writer about a deceptively challenging topic: love and loss, life and death. Her clear summations of the sometimes-paradoxical lessons inspire her reader to recognize that astonishment is available to all of us in our own backyards, in our communities, and in our own families. (Caroline Woodwell)

WOHL (American West/Nature, 2022)

As a trail worker, my days often revolve around fallen and dead trees. So when I spied Ellen Wohl’s “Dead Wood: The Afterlife of Trees” in Bonners Books (a cozy haven in Bonners Ferry), I was instantly intrigued.

In just 168 paperback pages (the perfect size to slip into your overnight pack), this slim volume touches on plate tectonics and glacial dynamics, microbes and fungi and mites, songbirds and salamanders and flying squirrels, diatoms and gribbles, deep-sea hydrothermal vents, and more. Every page of “Dead Wood” holds a wealth of natural knowledge, offered in prose as elegant as it is approachable. Wohl describes Canada’s lower Mackenzie River as “a braided rope starting to unravel” and a black bear as “darker than the heaviest shadow.”

And all of it connects to the postmortem travels of trees. “Dead Wood” follows three trees—an Engelmann spruce in the Colorado Rockies, a western redcedar in the Olympics, and a balsam poplar in British Columbia’s boreal forest— from before germination to long after death. Through each tree’s life story, Wohl illustrates the myriad ways it shapes, and is shaped by, its surrounding ecosystems.

Dead Wood is rich with potential metaphor (“the growing sapling thrives to the degree that it can develop its own, interior ecosystems”) and quietly profound. Wohl writes of how logjams—those places of stuckness, the clutters of debris that slow a stream’s flow—create rich and fertile habitat for creatures from sport fish to aquatic mosses, the same way nurse logs nurture young seedlings, standing snags house songbirds, and driftwood supports its own communities of unique plants. Wohl encourages us to shift our aesthetic perspective, to see beauty in the “fecund messiness” of dead logs—and to think differently about the afterlife of all beings, including ourselves. (Claire Thompson)

As a seasonal visitor to Hells Canyon Recreation Area, I am intrigued by the region’s vast human history. There are numerous books devoted to this topic, some of which are available for sale at the historic Kirkwood Ranch site on the Snake River Trail. Many a hiker has exited the canyon with a new book tucked into their already-stuffed backpack. On a recent trail maintenance trip to Hells Canyon, Pamela Royes’ memoir Temperance Creek was recommended to me as one of the best recently published books on the canyon and the mark it leaves on those who make it home, at least for a time.

Royes’ memoir traces her suburban upbringing in the flatlands of North Dakota, to college in Oregon, to a decision to abandon the conventional direction her life was taking in exchange for a move to full-time sheepherding and dude ranch work from the depths of Hells Canyon to the heights of the Seven Devils and Wallowas. She transitions from a young girl who rode her horse through fallow fields in North Dakota to a young woman who learned to ride narrow canyon trails and ford rivers in Hells Canyon while following and falling for a Vietnam War veteran.

Royes paints a vivid picture of life in the canyon, from the beauty of spring and fall appreciated by so many seasonal recreational visitors, to the harshness of working within the canyon walls through the height of summer heat and the extreme solitude of winter, while leaning into a relationship that mirrors all of the rocky yet flower-lined paths along the way. For anyone who has ended a trip to Hells Canyon with a bit of wistfulness and a wish to remain longer, Royes offers a peek at what it is like to make a living in this harsh yet beautiful environment. (Holly Weiler)

“LATE MIGRATIONS”

“DEAD WOOD: THE AFTERLIFE OF TREES” BY ELLEN

“TEMPERANCE CREEK” BY PAMELA ROYES (Memoir, 2016)

James Krueger Attorney

Shallan Knowles Mediator

Looking Around, and Up

By Ammi Midstokke

LAST AUTUMN, I was winding my way toward a ridge in the Salmo-Priest Wilderness when a shadow cast briefly over my head once, twice, then thrice. The trees were thinning out as I climbed higher, but whatever was flying about was taking a pass, then settling safely in the camouflage of those towering, gnarled conifers.

I heard nothing, no beating of wings of warning of other birds, just that soft sound wind makes when you've climbed beyond the tree line and the wind is heard from below rather than above. After the third shadow-casting, I stopped to wait for friends and watch for the curious but clandestine fowl.

Within moments, an enormous owl appeared in the blue sky, suspended between treetops, then swooping in large circles overhead. I didn’t know what kind of owl, because I’m embarrassingly unfamiliar with the native inhabitants of most places I go. But one doesn’t see an owl in broad daylight without assigning it some kind of mythical significance or anthropomorphized relationship.

What was this owl trying to tell me? Was it symbolic of something? Do white women of European decent and urban birth have spirit animals?

I had no answers, though I assumed the latter was, “Yes, multiple domesticated cats.”

I didn’t even know why an owl would be out in broad daylight, though I was fairly certain the thing was getting a good look at me. Or maybe riding the wind? I rarely to never see owls when I’m about, but then again, I’m

always looking down. And owls are incredibly good at hiding, I have since learned.

They are also playful and territorial and have been known to sink their talons deep into the skulls of runners and hikers and researchers on many occasions. I learned this and much more by greedily reading Jennifer Ackerman’s new book “What an Owl Knows.” That being said, I also learned much about people who study owls and one might argue they are equally, if not more, fascinating. And owls are definitely fascinating. They are also vicious killers. They even eat other birds! They fly essentially silent, having evolved wings with particular feather architecture. Their hearing is so acute, scientists suspect it is connected to the visual part of their brain allowing them to “see” what they hear in the dark of the night. And they hear everything. A mouse walking across leaves is an easy target.

The thing about owls and so many of the creatures of the forest is that we often underestimate their ubiquitousness. They are everywhere—or at least everywhere we haven’t decimated their habitat. Some owls love to nest in tree snarls. Some love the top of a broken-off trunk. Some nest in the ground. All of them appear particular about their needs for breeding. Yet most of us are unaware of their presence, and in my case, just about everything else about owls.

There is a way our consumption of nature as recreation fosters a kind of obliviousness to it. We rally on our mountain bikes and take pictures for our Instagram. We log miles of trail and tell harrowing tails of epic adventure, but are we really paying attention to what we are witnessing?

After consuming much owl literature, I worriedly told my husband to stop cleaning up the snarled trees on our property. “We have to check them for nests first!” I pleaded, pointing out a broken-off ponderosa. “That is a perfect owl nest right there!”

It is only with a deeper understanding of nature that we can contribute to the preservation of it. We can read books, of course, but we can also just pause to observe the wonders when we find ourselves within it. Maybe you’ll even see the owl watching you.

Ammi Midstokke is searching her property for owl sign this spring and hoping to find a few bird condominiums in her dead standing pines. Next issue, she’ll be dispatching from the shores of the Aegean Sea or the summit of Mount Olympus.

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Are you up for what may be the most comfortable hiking short for men or women that you’ve ever worn? This fabric is truly light and airy; it breathes and stretches with your movements; and the super soft, anti-odor boxer brief liner makes walking commando a dream. It has other features you might need, but noth-

ing more, including a wide, comfortable elastic waistband with drawstring, hip pockets that are sewn down to limit key or phone bounce, and one small rear zip pocket. They are also pretty slick looking with a modern style. MSRP:

$84. Freeflyapparel.com (Wil Wheaton)

OUTDOOR RESEARCH FREEWHEEL MTB COLLECTION

By Will Wheaton

Outdoor Research has been making gear that’s great for mountain biking for years, but the new Freewheel Collection steps up the game with functional features specifically for mountain bikers and the latest, durable material construction. The end result is biking gear that fits well, looks good, and does its job out on the trails. Below are reviews of three pieces of gear from the eight-piece Freewheel Collection. Outdoorresearch.com

OR Freewheel Half Zip Hoodie: This breathable, tough-feeling and quick-drying layer will keep you warm and dry in the wind and light rain while still working with your body’s dynamic movements, thanks to stretchy, double-weave fabric. The top features include a drop-tail hem that helps keep unwanted plumber’s crack at bay, a front zip that’s

OR Freewheel Ride Shorts: Are mountain bike shorts pretty much all the same? Good question. At a quick glance, the Freewheel shorts check the usual boxes: flexible fabric, venting where needed most, a couple of pockets. But the Freewheel shorts have added innovations. What looks like hipster bike bling on the outer hems is really a 3D-printed overlay that adds extra abrasion resistance. A higher waist back

deep enough to make layering adjustments easy, and, my favorite, the expansive hood that will fit over or under a helmet for temperature regulation options. I like the jacket’s simple design, with only one small chest pocket, but would gladly welcome the additional weight required to add hand pockets for warming up cold fingers. MSRP: $179.

offers better coverage when seated, and they have unique, low-profile waist size adjustment tabs. Also different, which might take some getting used to, is the slide lock snap closure on the fly of these shorts, seemingly more resistant to accidental opening than snaps. Finally, while I’m stoked with these shorts, the fly zipper isn’t as deep as I would like when it comes time to answer nature’s call. MSRP: $115.

SEA TO SUMMIT TELOS TR2 BIKEPACKING TENT

I took the Telos TR2 two-person tent on a four-day bikepacking trip in Central Idaho last fall and was struck by several features of this popular Sea to Summit backpacking tent that’s been retrofitted for bikepacking. First, it comes in two waterproof, highly durable dry sacks that, with the included stretch straps, allow you to attach them to various bike parts, including front forks, handlebars, or elsewhere thanks to shorter tent pole segments. I love having this option, but since I was rolling with voluminous paniers on that particular trip I opted for less weight and left the dry sacks behind. By far the best tent I’ve used while bikepacking, the Telos TR2 is roomy, freestanding, and has side-opening doors with vestibules that allow for comfortable, in-

bed cooking in bad weather. While there’s plenty of space for two, I will happily carry this 3-lb., 11-oz. package on future solosleeping rides just for the extra room to sprawl and stretch sore legs. The construc-

tion seems exceptionally solid, and colorcoded poles make it easy to set up when you are exhausted or in the dark. Venting was excellent, and it’s built to withstand the worst of three-season weather. MSRP: $524-$699. Seatosummit.com (Derrick Knowles)

OR Freewheel Hip Pack: If you’re old enough, you may call this back-liberating bike gear storage bag a fanny pack, but OR’s Freewheel Hip Sack is a far cry from the nylon waistsatchels people used to stow combs, chewing gum, and other items in back in the ‘80s. The big differences are the modern construction built for outdoor abuse, its lightweight and comfort,

and the 5L storage capacity that’s enough space for most short and mid-range rides. There’s a water-bottle holster on one side, a large main compartment that’s hydration bladder compatible, a smaller compartment on the back for sunglasses, and a mesh net that you can stuff jackets and other bulky light items into. MSRP: $85.

Cooler backpacks are a great invention for so many reasons, and the Gateway Cooler is no exception. With a 25-liter capacity, there’s plenty of room for beverages and food you want to keep cold on day-trip outings to the beach, park, or backyard barbeque. It’s also the perfect place to keep all of your drinks cold on longer camping trips or while traveling. We use ours when walking to the grocery store in the summer to keep everything chilled on the way home. Best

At five ounces, this is the ultimate hoodie when it comes to packable, windprotecting layers. Stash it in your biking gear, hiking pack, or climbing bag and its compact footprint will barely be noticed, that is until the weather turns or a day trip accidently extends past dark. The real beauty of this shell is

of all, the shoulder straps and sternum buckle let it all ride on your back comfortably enough when it’s time to move. The roll-top closure keeps the cold inside, and the dry-bag material ensures that cooler water won’t be spilling out all over your vehicle or gear. Built-in attachments for the included hooked webbing straps can be used to secure the cooler to your rig, boat, or camper. MSRP: $125. Islesurfandsup.com (Derrick Knowles)

that it’s actually comfortable to wear while moving and doing things, due to the stretch-woven material that OR uses. The pareddown, simple and light design still has three zipped pockets (two hand and one chest) and the hood is stowable. MSRP: $129. Outdoorresearch.com (Derrick Knowles)

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.

THE GATEWAY COOLER ROLL-TOP BACKPACK BY ISLE

OUTDOOR RESEARCH SHADOW WIND HOODIE

Building a Better Bird Sanctuary Starts at Home

By Bradley Bleck OUTDOOR LIVING

FOR THOSE WHO DON’T KNOW, birds are in trouble. In 2015, the Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution and Systematics estimated that 234,000 birds are killed annually by wind turbines, another 6.6 million by communications towers, a whopping 659 million by building collisions (think window strikes) and an astonishing 2.4 billion, with a “B,” by cats. Annually. As dire as these numbers are, each of us can help by building bird sanctuaries in our yards. In the process, some of us just might become birders.

According to Alan McCoy, president of the Spokane Audubon Society, “The key thing for anybody wanting to attract birds is to make your yard safe for birds.” If you are a cat owner, keep the cats inside. When it comes to neighbor cats, if you can’t fence them out, consider motion activated sprinklers, prickly scat mats, or crumpled wire fencing where cats might like to hide, such as under shrubs where they are also hidden from view.

A second part of creating a safe space is to minimize window strikes by making windows visible to birds. One approach is to string monofilament (think fishing) line spaced three inches apart running the length of the window. Birds see this and it will only minimally affect your view, if at all. Another option is to drape more visible parachute cord the length of the window, spaced every four inches. Stickers are another option, mostly for smaller windows, as they need to cover the window and be spaced no more than two inches apart. More elaborate options include acid etching and ceramic frit.

Preventing cat predation and window strikes will save countless birds. McCoy says “For me, if I can contribute by just saving a few birds, multiply that by the millions, tens of millions, hundreds of millions of [people doing the same], that’s a lot of birds.”

Once the dangers have been addressed, birds need water. McCoy says that providing water is more important than providing food, especially in the fall when the ground is drier. It can be as simple as a birdbath, but if it’s a pond, you’ll want it to be deep enough for fish so the standing water doesn’t become a mosquito incubator.

When it comes to attracting and feeding birds, it’s all about the bugs. McCoy says, “Attract pollinators. Even seed eaters will eat insects. Hummingbirds in particular are insect eaters. The more native plants, and less lawn, the better. That’s what really supports the birds.” And, he adds, no toxins to kill bugs! If there are no bugs to eat, the birds won’t stay. McCoy suggests following the advice of Doug Tallamy, co-founder of Homegrown National Park, and to turn your yard into a Homegrown National Park, planting gardens that support life and feed pollinators.

If you are going to put up birdhouses, McCoy says rule number one for those living in the city is an entry hole no larger than 1-¼ inches. This will keep out house sparrows and starlings, two of the more aggressive breeds that will drive away other songbirds. Rule number two is no perches outside the entry hole, because predator birds will perch there and reach into the cavern and harass or kill the birds that have set up housekeeping. So, if you want more birds in your yard, it’s safety first. Water second. Food and shelter third. Then start watching the birds that visit, and, who knows, you may become a birder.

Bradley Bleck is happy to feel the warmth of the sun on his skin again. He last wrote about the Climb for the Cure gravel bike race in the March/April 2024 issue of OTO. Bradley teaches English at Spokane Falls Community College and really, really, really loves Spokane.

No worrying about full tanks or� running out of water.�

Families, hermits, hikers, bik-� ers, urban refugees welcome.�

Sit on the patio by the fire and� star gaze.�

Killer mountain biking out the� back door.�

NO PERCH MEANS AGGRESSIVE BIRDS

WON'T HASSLE THOSE WHO NEST IN THE BOX. // PHOTO: BRADLEY BLECK

Street Music Week Elevates the Arts for a Good Cause

By Alana Livingston URBAN OUTDOORS

STREET MUSIC WEEK is the brainchild of retired columnist Doug Clark of the Spokesman Review. Clark says he was bothered by the lack of street performers in Spokane compared to other cities. To address this, he played his acoustic guitar every day for a week in 2002, collecting money that he then donated to the food bank. The next year, he invited some more people to join him, and the rest is history.

Street Music Week, which now takes place in the second week of June (Monday-Friday,

12-1 p.m.), benefits 2nd Harvest Food Bank.

Lunch hour is the perfect time to step outside to view this vibrant music and art scene.

Street Music Week is for everyone, and participants do not need to have musical talent; they only need to show up and provide some kind of performance in the time allotted. Everyone from jugglers, comedians, and mimes to famous musicians have performed. Performers can do the whole week, a single day or multiple days.

Carey Eyer, the current coordinator of

Street Music Week, began participating in 2012 along with his two preschool-aged daughters. Eyer states that Street Music Week has been a solid part of his children's musical growth, and, as a family, they derive much more from the event than they contribute. His family has started to become more involved with the other side of the event through 2nd Harvest. They have witnessed the impact of access to healthy food in our community while participating in food delivery and distribution. “It’s important for kids to understand not everyone eats as well as we do,” Eyer says. Eyer mentions how great is to see the kids count the donations and actually figure out how many pounds of food they raised (Food bank officials state $1 provides six pounds of food).

During Covid, the in-person Street Music Week event was brought to a halt, causing the need for online donations, something that has proven to be a blessing. “Not everyone is available during the timeframe the performances take place, so the addition of online donations and videos is great for people to still take part,” Eyer says. Other than the online addition to the event, Street Music Week has stayed the same—simple and straightforward. Keeping it simple is something that Clark has always believed

makes it such a great success.

Now in its 22nd year, Street Music Week has expanded from just the downtown location to include the Garland District and Sherman Avenue in Coeur d’Alene. This fun event is a way to get outside, get involved, give back and have a blast doing it. The organizers of this event would love to help other cities re-create their own street music week. “All it takes is a bit of organization and a dash of desire,” claims Clark.

Street Music Week will take place June 10-14. Participants do not need to sign up beforehand—simply show up at one of the locations around 11:30 a.m. to collect a donation bucket and badge. Online donations can be made at 2-harvest.org/streetmusic. Doug Clark will return to Spokane to perform both Thursday and Friday.

Street Music Week Locations: Downtown Spokane (Main and Post, a few steps east of Starbucks); the Garland District (733 W. Garland, outside The Gathering House); in Coeur d’Alene (415 Sherman Ave, in front of Art Spirit Gallery).

Alana Livingston is looking forward to continuing her outdoor adventures by running 365 miles and completing 52 hikes in 2024.

FORMER EVERYDAY CYCLIST COLUMNIST HANK GREER, PARTICIPATES IN STREET MUSIC WEEK.

SPOKANE COUNTY LIBRARY DISTRICT

The Buzz on Bug Repellant

candles, lotions, sprays. All I know at 11 p.m. when they whine past my ear and I smack my tentmate in the chest with my headlamp for the fifth time, trying to squash them before they gorge themselves on my blood, is that I. Hate. Mosquitoes. My significant other isn’t bothered by mosquitoes. They sometimes bite him, but rarely, and when they do, he says it doesn’t itch. I, on the other hand, am ready to murder someone by the third bite as it swells, gets red, and itches (sometimes for days!). He says it’s because I use bug repellant and he doesn’t, that the chemicals are actually an attractant. But the science seems to indicate that I just smell better. And I’m hotter. To mosquitoes, anyway.

Mosquitoes are drawn to body heat, exhaled CO2, and kairomones–chemical signals that attract one species to another, for the benefit of the former. These kairomones are sensed using olfactory (smell) receptors. And mosquitoes have olfactory receptors that can sense carbon dioxide, lactic acid, ammonia, organic fatty acids, ketones, aldehydes, alcohols, and esters. The combinations of those smells are a strong attractant for them. There are many other factors at play as well, such as one’s number of skin glands, skin pH, metabolic rate, body mass, one’s breathing rate and intensity, as well as the microbes living on one’s skin.

Figuring out the right solution to protect your flesh, blood, and sanity gets more confusing all the time. After some research, though, here’s my take on the 411 for avoiding these tiny terrorists on your next outdoor adventure.

makes it through comes out in urine. Picaridin doesn’t damage clothing and lacks the sticky residue of typical bug repellants.

Cons: It is mildly toxic to fish. Because it has only been approved in the US since the early 2000s, it’s not as readily available as its prime competitor, DEET. And, in my experience . . . it doesn’t work on mosquitoes.

DEET

Uses: This tried-and-true anti-bug chemical has been used for years to keep the skeeters at bay. It comes in sprays, creams, and wipes. But not all DEET-bearing products are created equal. Many products splash “DEET” all over their label, but ultimately contain only 30% of the insect-fighting substance, padding the rest with alcohol or additives that try to mask the caustic smell reminiscent of endless summer nights, sticky sleeping bags, and burnt marshmallows.

Cons: It stinks! It’s easy to understand why the bugs hate it. No one likes it. No one! And it’s sticky. Once you spray it on, you’re committed to being campsticky, and stinky, in a big way until your next shower. It can degrade and discolor technical fabrics. You know, like your tent, your hiking boots, your top-of-the-line zipoff hiking pants, and the promotional logos on your swag freebie sunglasses. Some people also have lingering concerns about potential health risks from using DEET, even though the widely-used product has a long track record as a safe and effective topical mosquito repellent.

While there are plenty of other bug repellant options on the market, from coils to bracelets, crystals, seances, and the blood of a goat, I’m not going to justify those options with space in this magazine. They don’t work. And while you either love or hate DEET, it’s the one thing that reliably keeps the wicked bloodsuckers away, and the only thing I trust with my delicate porcelain peel.

Uses: A spray or wash-in option for clothes, footwear, tents, sleeping bags… any outer fabric that will be joining you on your trip. The treatment will last through several washes and is a staple for international travelers headed to places where malaria is common. Permethrin is the main ingredient used in clothing that is sold touting insect repellency.

Pros: The treatment can be done ahead of time. Once fabric is treated and dry, there is no odor. It repels not just mosquitoes, but most other bugs as well. It doesn’t typically damage technical fabrics.

Cons: The spray or wash is toxic to pets when it’s wet. It can be difficult to ensure thorough coverage with the spray and may take more than one treatment. Manufacturers recommend washing permethrin-treated clothing separately from other clothes, since it is designed for outer fabrics and should be kept away from other articles of clothing like underwear.

PICARIDIN

Uses: Picaridin was developed in the 1980s as a less offensive-smelling option to DEET. It is available in sprays, creams, and wipes. It’s touted as a synthetic compound that mimics substances in plants used to produce black pepper. It’s believed that picaridin works by blocking insects’ ability to sense their prey, but it doesn’t kill insects.

Pros: It’s odorless. Well, not completely (in my opinion), but almost. Very little of it absorbs through the skin. That which

Pros: Simply put, mosquitoes hate it. Even Yellowstone mosquitoes. Even Great Lakes mosquitoes. Even (dare I say it?) Alaskan mosquitoes! They sell it everywhere, so when you run out (like on a kid-friendly, overnight bikepacking trip to Harrison on the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes), it’s easy to replenish.

Carol Corbin commits the first 5-10 minutes of every overnight stay in a tent to hunting mosquitoes with all available light sources, and once carried the slaughtered carcass of a Yellowstone mosquito on her kayak for a full day, just to deter other would-be bloodsuckers from attacking.

They’ll hit the ground (trail) running.

With a student checking account from STCU, kids get real-world money management experience under the watchful eye of a parent or guardian. They’ll also get a free debit card, online and mobile banking access, and thoughtful features and safeguards designed for young spenders.

For details, call (800) 858-3750, or visit your nearest branch today. stcu.org/studentchecking Insured by NCUA.

Find Off-the-Radar Fly Fishing on the Kootenai River

By Brad Naccarato FISHING

AS SUMMER FAST APPROACHES, many local anglers are itching to wet a line after being holed up for most of the long winter. When we think of classic freestone river fly-fishing, the Coeur d’ Alene basin, the Spokane River, and the St. Joe River are three triedand-true local flavors that always come to the front of anglers’ minds. There is one particular drainage in the northern Selkirk/ Cabinet basin though that may not be at the top of your list: The Kootenai.

An international watershed encompassing roughly 18,000 square miles of British Columbia, Northwest Montana and Northern Idaho, The Kootenai River originates deep in the Canadian Selkirks and from there flows 485 miles south through Montana and Idaho, eventually returning north to Canada.

Aaron Gordon, owner of Long Drift Outfitters out of Sandpoint, Idaho, has been guiding this river since 2017. According to Gordon, Long Drift is the only true local guide service in North Idaho for the Kootenai River. “The Kootenai holds redband rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, bull trout, burbot, a few brown trout, kokanee, and sturgeon,” says Gordon. “It’s really a classic dry-fly fishery, but, with its size, it’s best fished from a drift boat.”

One of the benefits of the Kootenai’s size is that it is less affected by the spring runoff that can put fish down during its peak. As for the best time of year to hit the water, Gordon says it’s now. “Spring and early summer can bring great fishing days. With the Kootenai, we use a variety of techniques to target fish. Spring nymphing can be extremely productive with very aggressive fish and then July and August bring bigger bugs, great dry fly

action, and, of course, beautiful days,” he says.

Aaron Black, fisheries research biologist for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG), has been closely monitoring the progress that the Kootenai River has made over the past few years. “Currently, we’re seeing fish counts that are higher than they’ve been in recent years due to the nutrient addition program that we incorporated back in 2005,” says Black.

“Drip stations are set up at strategic locations throughout the watershed. Those stations drip nutrients vital to fish health into the water that are then absorbed by aquatic plants. The bugs absorb the nutrients when they eat the plants and the fish absorb the nutrients when they eat the bugs,” explains Black.

The region’s native redband rainbow trout—prized for its size and fighting spirit, and a local legend amongst Spokane River anglers—has been the river’s fish population that has been most positively impacted by IDFG’s nutrient efforts. When explored a little deeper, these nutrient addition programs truly are a “bottom to the top” operation.

With ample opportunities for threeseason, on-the-fly action, the Kootenai has plenty to offer if you’re itching to try some new water without having to spend days on the road to get there. You can reach Long Drift Outfitters at 303-917-2822 or Longdriftoutfitters.com.

Brad Naccarato is a North Idaho native who’s been contributing to Out There since 2012. Chasing trout, waves, snow, dirt, and microbrews keeps him sane.

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A 34-Day Road Trip with My Kids

By James P. Johnson

Five “See Washington” Road Trip Stops with Kids

By James P. Johnson

UNLESS YOU COMMUTE BY FERRY, it’s a special occasion to ride one. We took the Anacortes to Orcas Island ferry and enjoyed island vibes and the summit of Mt. Constitution, the highest point in the San Juan Islands, where a stone tower with a lookout gives great views of the Salish Sea and its many islands. You can drive there or do a 7-mile round trip hike.

Crawford State Park near Metaline Falls has the longest limestone cave in Washington. On the warm July day we visited, it was refreshing entering Gardner Cave, which is a chilly 39° to 42° year-round. Coming out at tour’s end was a refreshing change in reverse. Tours are given Thursdays through Mondays, May 16 to Sept. 15.

If you’re doing a tour of Washington, you’d be negligent skipping Mt. Rainier National Park. We hiked, camped, spent a day stopping at roadside attractions and features, and got lots of good looks at the massive mountain that’s the biggest volcano in the contiguous U.S.

Where to camp was a challenge when we visited Seattle. A hostel on Vashon Island met the need. A short ferry ride from downtown, we got to interact with fellow travelers and sleep in a teepee. The hostel has since been sold and converted into an Old Westthemed camping and lodging facility called AYH Ranch. The teepees are still available for camping May 1 to September 30.

We spent a night at Fort Worden State Park near Port Townsend. An army base from 1902 to 1953, my children explored the interiors of the concrete gun batteries. We visited the Port Townsend Marine Science Center and Aquarium, also on state park grounds. To plan a stop at a state park on your Washington road trip, visit parks. wa.gov and bring a Discover Pass.

“DADDY, I DON’T THINK I want plastic surgery,” my 8-year-old daughter Tricia stated as we drove through Central Washington. An interview about the topic I’d tuned into on the radio earlier apparently caused her to contemplate it. Her thoughtful expression produced a follow-up statement. “But I think witches need it.” Tricia, my 6-yearold son, Eric, and I were on an epic 34-day road/camping trip.

Now adults, we still chat occasionally about incidents. Early into my career as an elementary school teacher and married at the time, my wife was taking summer classes. I’d be watching the kids anyway, so I envisioned some adventure to know our state better. Labeling it the “See Washington Tour,” my wife wasn’t happy about not seeing our children for so long. I still have the journal I kept detailing what we did each day.

With little route planning, yet a goal to hit all regions of the state, just two of 33 nights were spent at a motel. My young ones became proficient at putting up and taking down our 8-person, fair weather tent, tall enough to stand in, but requiring tarps in case of rain. They also helped unload supplies and pack them back into the car. I prepared meals using an old Coleman stove as they explored the surroundings or involved themselves in an activity, this before the age of personal electronic gadgets.

Tenting had a downside: High winds caused a broken pole and a one-night motel stay. A store-bought sprinkler riser substituted perfectly. At an oceanside campground, a tall tree next to the tent compelled me to carry the kids to sleep in the car when a thunderstorm struck in the middle of the

night, and a heavy, nightlong rain in the Olympic rainforest caused water to pool on the tent roof, which grew and sagged so low I could push and empty it with my legs. I had to do this repeatedly to prevent collapse and slept very little. The kids had a restful night. We would stop at a park in the towns we visited, and I’d often prepare lunch as the kids took to the play equipment. Sometimes I joined them. Small town museums were a frequent stop. The two-headed calf at the Douglas County Museum in Waterville was a memorable exhibit.

I’ve always had an affinity for hiking; my young ones had resistance. I tried packing treats with a promise to serve mid-hike and again at hike’s end. It brought only a slight improvement. Yet, while visiting Artist Point near Mt. Baker, an alpine environment with paved trails and rocks lining the edges, they didn’t just hike—they ran with glee.

Our trip was enjoyable enough that the following summer we did another, covering Montana. It’s been stated that traveling is inherently educational. I can’t say precisely the impact our trip had on their intellectual development, but I corrected a misconception Eric had, who commented time to time about very large or especially fancy CDs. Not knowing what he was talking about, I let it slide until about the third or fourth time.

“Eric, what is a CD?” I finally asked. He pointed at the road ahead. In the opposite lane, coming toward us, was an RV.

After much analysis and experimentation, James P. Johnson learned that grabbing the end of the sleeping bag and shaking was the best way to get kids up and going.

ERIC AND TRICIA AT FORT CANBY STATE PARK // MIDDLE: PALOUSE FALLS // FAR RIGHT: EXPLORING NEAR CHINOOK PASS AT MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK // PHOTOS: JAMES P. JOHNSON

GARDNER CAVE TOUR. // PHOTO: SHALLAN KNOWLES

Historic Linder’s Lodge on Mount Spokane Begins a New Chapter

By Chris Maccini

WHEN JOHN D. LINDER set out to build a new lodge on Mount Spokane, he was inspired by the recent opening of the world’s first double chairlift, the Riblet Tramway that began operating on the mountain in 1947. Over the course of the next five years, Linder and his family oversaw construction of “Linder’s Lodge” alongside the mountain road. When it opened in 1952, the lodge was another architectural and engineering marvel of its day, the widest span wood structure west of the Mississippi.

The lodge included a restaurant, hotel rooms and dormitories that catered to the skiers who flocked to the mountain during the winter months. Linder even opened his own ski hill on 25 acres behind the lodge. He installed a rope tow to serve the terrain and, eventually, lights that allowed for night skiing.

Linder and his wife, Dorothy, operated the lodge until the late 1970s. Following John Linder’s death in 1984, the family sold the property to Gordon and Linda Kirk.

The new owners rebranded the building as “Kirk’s Lodge,” refurbished the facilities, and added a snow tubing hill across the mountain road from the lodge.

In 1996, the Kirks passed the lodge to new owners. Over the next six years, the building changed hands four times as a series of owners struggled to find the right business model. It was briefly known as “The Resort at Mt. Spokane,” then “Falk's Lodge,” and finally “Bear Creek Lodge.”

Sam Deal purchased the lodge in 2002, and for more than 20 years, he and his family operated Bear Creek Lodge as a 15-room hotel, event venue, restaurant and snow tubing hill. Then, last September, a note appeared on the Bear Creek Lodge website announcing Deal’s retirement and that the lodge had been sold to Washington State Parks. The $3.1 million purchase included the lodge and 110 acres of surrounding land, including the snow tubing hill.

State parks did not offer many details on their plans for the lodge at the time, but Lara Gricar, Inland Northwest region manager for Washington State Parks said in an email, “One of our main motivations for purchasing the properties was to protect and maintain Mount Spokane State Park’s trail network. Many of the trails on the property already weave into the state park’s trail system.

Additionally, the property provides much needed parking and a potential opportunity to develop a transit hub for shuttle service up the mountain.”

During the 2024 legislative session, which concluded in March, the state received funding to begin the assessment process for Bear Creek Lodge. According to an email from Rex Schultz, Washington State Parks community engagement manager, “The results of those assessments will provide insights into potential costs to repair, run, maintain and staff the lodge in the future.”

Shultz noted that the state parks department has also begun a master planning process for Mount Spokane State Park, which will include planning for the future use of Bear Creek Lodge and the surrounding property. The department plans to solicit public input during that master planning process.

As the historic lodge nears its 75th anniversary, it continues to serve the mountain community. Its latest owners, Washington State Parks, hope to continue that legacy.

Chris Maccini is a writer and audio producer based in Spokane. This summer, you can find him hiking the trails and sailing the waters of the Northwest.

Message in a Bottle on a Mountain Top

By James P. Johnson

HIKING FOR EXERCISE and the scenery is plenty of justification to hike. However, when I find an additional purpose, hiking is even more satisfying.

In the mid-1990s, I compiled a list of the 50 highest mountains in eastern Washington and then hiked to the top of them, hoping to get a hiking guide published. This purpose-adding caused a lot of hiking over four summers, more than I would have done otherwise, and it was a lot of fun and adventure. When the guide came out in

2003, it occurred to me certain peaks might be hard to identify because of lengthy offtrail hiking and/or nearby high points. A summit register would provide confirmation for hikers they’d reached the correct peak. And, coincidentally, another reason for me to go hiking.

I made a summit log and put it inside a clear, plastic jar with a bright lid. At the summit, I made a rock cairn, placed the jar inside and put a covering rock atop, leaving the bright lid visible through gaps between

rocks. I placed them at less prominent and less visited summits for the most part. In future summers, I revisited to read them and do maintenance, if needed.

I’ve had experience with other registers. Seemingly more common in Canada than the U.S., finding a register on a hard-to-reach or remote peak adds interest and enjoyment. It’s like joining an exclusive club. There aren’t that many signees, usually. It’s neat seeing how many people hiked up in a season, where they’re from and their comments.

Checking my registers, it’s satisfying to find that others decided to hike the summit and are willing to provide information. I was once especially pleased at a summit, difficult-to-reach because of distance and numerous blowdowns blocking the route, when one comment started with, “I can’t believe this register is here.”

When I hike, I bring sharpened pencils and extra pages to add, but usually the register is in good shape. I once found one drenched, moldy, and difficult to read. Someone must have perused it during a rain or snow storm. I replaced the register and its container.

Several years ago, checking on a few registers in the Salmo-Priest Wilderness, I found they’d all disappeared along with the

rock cairns. Returning to the trailhead, I ran into a couple of volunteers doing trail maintenance work. Joining me on the hike out, I mentioned my missing registers. Another member of their group noted that they did not like them, especially the ones in the wilderness area, and got rid of them. Registers were also missing from peaks nearby that weren’t in the wilderness area.

One rule for wilderness areas states that you can’t store personal property in within their boundaries. I think it’s a stretch to say that leaving and maintaining summit registers falls into that category; however, the goal of wilderness areas is to limit human impact, so I chose to respect that ethic and decided not to reestablish ones in wilderness, even though I feel they build camaraderie among hikers. I was disappointed too not being able to read those confiscated registers.

After the high-elevation snow melts, my dual-purpose hiking will resume. If you’re out on the trail and hear pencils bouncing inside plastic jars, be at ease. It’s just summit register maintenance man coming your way.

James P. Johnson’s hiking guide, “50 Hikes for Eastern Washington’s Highest Mountains,” went out of print in 2011, but you can still find summit registers atop certain peaks.

Spring & Summer

AHow and where to geek out on our night-time skies - by

n evening spent stargazing can be the perfect activity during the mild late spring months. Local opportunities range from a short night hike before returning home to spending a night under the stars within developed campgrounds, to backpacking to a remote mountain location. I love to watch for special nocturnal events like lunar eclipses, meteor showers, and high aurora forecasts, although any chance of a clear night sky and an opportunity to view the Milky Way can be enough to send me out the door. Here are some tips on what to bring and where to catch some starry nights.

WHAT

TO BRING STARGAZING

I like to pack a headlamp with a red light option to help protect my night vision when I go, and I usually bring either a picnic blanket or a hammock for kicking back to watch the stars with an unobstructed view. It can be helpful to plan enough in advance to treat a picnic blanket with permethrin to help prevent ticks, as some of the best regional stargazing opportunities are to locations where they may be present. Aside from those items, I change my gear for each outing to match the amount of time I will spend outside. Some of my trips are limited to an evening stroll under a dark sky just after dusk, where I might not need much more than a water bottle, a snack, and a jacket, while others require camping or backpacking equipment and perhaps more than a day of advance planning. If I am spending the entire night outdoors, I usually set an alarm to ensure I’m nudged awake at the darkest time of the night or just-in-time to view the peak of a meteor shower.

WHERE TO GO IN MAY AND JUNE

It’s important to consider where the snow-

line is currently, as some trips are appropriate year-round, and others may have limited access until closer to summer solstice. Here are a few of my favorite places to go to catch the stars.

Fishtrap Recreation Area: Located just west of Spokane and accessed off I-90, this Bureau of Land Management (BLM) property is my go-to spot for last minute plans, like when the predicted aurora activity is high, but I have a 9 a.m. meeting to get back to the next morning. If I don’t want to stay out late, I start a sunset hike on the trail system and exit under the stars. If I can spend the night, the entire area is open to either dispersed camping or backpacking. I have spent several weeknights at Fishtrap over the years, stargazing all night before making a cup of coffee in the parking lot and hurrying home for a morning meeting. My access point is the Folsom Farm site, since there is an outhouse in the parking lot and picnic tables near the old farm barns. There is also lots of bird activity at Smick Meadows at dawn and dusk.

Farmer’s Landing on the South Loop Trail is a great backpacking option for this large recreation area of over 9,000 acres. The Hog Canyon Loop is located within this property, with a lovely overlook near the waterfall (note that the waterfall itself is on private property). The major selling point—proximity to Spokane—is also the one detractor, since this one can have a little light pollution from city lights and is on the flight path of most approaching planes heading into the Spokane International Airport. Know that it will not be the darkest of dark skies, but for anyone looking for a short, easy, and free option close to Spokane, this is fantastic.

Riverside State Park, Mount Spokane State Park, and Liberty Lake Regional Park: While night hiking isn’t possible at the State Parks, which close at dusk, and is very limited at Liberty Lake, which closes at 10 p.m., each of these have fee-based campgrounds that can offer prime night sky viewing with excellent proximity to Spokane. Riverside’s Bowl and Pitcher campground is open year-round, giving this park the widest range of opportunities, although it has the most light pollution as well.

Liberty Lake Regional Park’s campground opens June 1. When camping at Liberty Lake, I like to walk from the campground to the outdoor amphitheater and use the wooden benches as a perfect platform for viewing the night sky. A comfy sleeping pad or yoga mat can provide a little cushion.

Mount Spokane’s Bald Knob Campground (or Quartz Mountain Lookout for those lucky enough to manage to book it) has both the best view of the night sky and also the surrounding lowlands with its location at over 5,000’ elevation. Mount Spokane’s campground opening date varies each year, however, based on when the snow melts from the summit road; it’s early- to midJune most years.

Telford and Swanson Lake Wildlife Area: These are actually two different properties, with Telford managed by BLM and Swanson Lakes managed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). Note that a Discover Pass is required for accessing any of the WDFW parking lots, but BLM requires no parking permit. Most of the public land here is located just south of Highway 2 east of Creston, where the two proper-

ties connect and provide nearly 33,000 acres of fantastic exploration options with numerous wetlands and several small lakes accessed via several different trailhead options. There are very few trees on either parcel, so leave your hammock behind and prepare for the possibility of ticks. These two properties are not near any major population centers, so there is very little light pollution. On a clear night, this can be some of the best lowland stargazing in Washington.

Douglas Creek Canyon: Located farther west and south of Highway 2, Douglas Creek Canyon is another BLM property open to both camping and backpacking. It is just southeast of the Waterville Plateau and has nearly 15,000 acres of public property with multiple trailheads. An old railroad grade runs through a portion of the canyon, or visitors can explore off-trail to find areas to spend the night under the stars. Much of the area was originally used for dryland farming and sheepherding, and the ruins of old homesteads still exist on portions of the landscape. There are a few trees for hammock options, although these are mostly located in the draws and along streams. It’s easier to bring a picnic blanket to spread on an open area of ground, although this is another location where ticks can be found.

The Kettle Crest: The spine of the Columbia Highlands is one of my favorite locations to visit in all seasons, and for several reasons. In addition to prime stargazing, the Kettle Crest also has some of the best local lupine displays shortly after the snow melts. But note that sometimes the snow lingers into June. Prepared backpackers planning trips to the right trailheads can take advantage of year-round stargazing, such as Sherman

holly weiler

Pass in the middle (accessing Sherman Peak and Columbia Mountain, or Snow Peak Cabin, which is rentable) and Deer Creek/Boulder at the north end (accessing Profanity Peak). Both main trailheads are accessible in the early season, even if the snow sometimes lingers through May.

Wait until June and car camping possibilities begin to open up at the free campgrounds along Albian Hill Road on the east side of the Kettle Crest. Jungle Hill, Wapaloosie, Old Stage, and Stickpin all offer free car camping options (limited facilities). There is also a fee-based campground at Sherman Overlook. All these campgrounds have nearby hiking trails that connect to the main Kettle Crest National Recreation Trail, a portion of the Pacific Northwest Trail, so this is a great area to plan a longer visit and do some exploring.

Salmo Priest Wilderness and Sullivan Lake: This far northeast corner of Washington is a great area for choosing your preferred comfort level, although those who are willing to get by with the least comfort (backpackers) may also need to wait for the snow to melt for the best access. Sullivan Lake has fee-based campgrounds at both the north and south ends of the lake, which will open for the season beginning May 17, and where the picnic table can double as the prime stargazing location. There are also numerous free dispersed campsites in the area with limited amenities, most of which are nicely treed for relaxing in a hammock while still providing a nice view of the night sky. Moon Flats, just north of Sullivan Lake, has the most apt name for stargazing, but the dispersed sites also extend up Sullivan Creek Road where the creek provides a

lovely soundtrack to nocturnal viewing.

As the snow begins to recede, more strenuous options become available. A night trek up Noisy Creek to Hall Mountain is among the earliest options, since the road to the trailhead is usually snow-free even if the summit is not. For June, one of my favorite spots is to hike a portion of the Salmo Loop counterclockwise to Little Snowy Top. There is one perfectly-placed tree at the top for attaching a hammock connected to the remaining pilings from the former fire lookout. Enjoy unobstructed views in all directions and especially overhead.

Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness and the Blue Mountains: The far southeast corner of Washington also has spectacular dark skies. The Tucannon River drainage is accessible in May and has several free (with Discover Pass), first-come/first-served campgrounds located on Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife property just outside the National Forest boundary. I once spent a fantastic night under the stars at one of the campgrounds following a meeting in Walla Walla, then finishing my drive home early the next morning. But hikers and backpackers also have many options here, especially in June as the snow melts from the high country. The views, day or night, from Oregon Butte and the Mount Misery Trail cannot be beat. This is the best place to try glamping paired with stargazing, with several historic Forest Service guard stations available to rent in the area.

Holly Weiler is the Eastern Washington Regional Coordinator for Washington Trails Association and is fortunate enough that sleeping under the stars in the wilds of eastern Washington is part of her job.

What is Light Pollution?

- by Lisa Laughlin

HAVE YOU EVER hiked away from a city and noticed the glow that remains in the sky above it? Or how it’s harder to make out the stars when your porch light is on? Light pollution is excessive artificial light in the outdoors, and it carries environmental and health impacts in addition to obscuring the natural night sky.

As animals, our human bodies are attuned to the amount of light we detect throughout the day (and night), and our bodies respond to it. When extra light disturbs us, it messes with things like the production of melatonin. Animals who are guided by moonlight for migration patterns are also disrupted by light pollution, often getting directionally confused and ultimately dying.

Decreasing light pollution may not only give you a better view of the stars, but a health reset as well. You can help lessen light pollution by closing the blinds on your home in the evening, so indoor light does not track outside, and by positioning outdoor lights to point away from the sky.

So, where should you go to find some truly dark skies? First, check out the World Atlas of Night Sky Brightness, an online map showing light pollution levels around the world (Lightpollutionmap.info). There’s a fair amount of low-light-pollution territory in north-central Washington state, and much in Idaho.

The International Dark Sky Association is working to preserve the natural night sky around the world, and they keep a compendium of dark sky places at Darksky.org, which includes natural reserves, national parks, sanctuaries, and communities who have regulations on night lighting. Luckily, in the Western United States, we have a handful of Dark Sky-certified reserves and parks within road-trip distance: the Craters of the Moon National Monument (Idaho), Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park (Canada), and the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve, which includes the city of Ketchum, Idaho, who updated their city lighting code to meet Dark Sky Community standards.

After checking the evening forecast for cloud cover, finding a place with low light pollution is your best bet at a spectacular summer display of the night sky.

Lisa Laughlin is the managing editor of Out There and grew up on a wheat farm with low light pollution. She lives in the suburbs of Spokane, where the stars, unfortunately, are lesser.

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How to Become

Favorite apps and resources to get to know the stars and other

My introduction to stargazing came from friends of my parents who knew about constellations and how to find them. I was gifted a book, a flashlight with a red light, and took an occasional tromp out into a field with a sleeping bag to learn a few constellations. Though the iconic Orion is still an easy find, the other constellations I learned have slipped from my memory over time. Now, with the advancement of our pocket computers, we can search the night sky with astronomy apps to learn more about the little dots of light we see.

NIGHT SKY APPS

Camping can be an excellent time to learn about the night sky, as we are often away from lights. This year, to keep spring break from being a TV fest with our 9-year-old, we headed south to the Moab, Utah, area to ride mountain bikes. Our BLM boondocked camp spot provided for a perfect view of the sky and an opportunity to test out a few of the many apps available to better understand the stars and planets we can see.

The first app we used was SkyView Lite, which is the free version. When holding the app to the sky, you can see both your surroundings and the planets and stars above you. The feature I loved about this app is the option to tap to learn more about what you are seeing. On this night, Jupiter was just coming up as the sky turned dark. When clicked, the planet turns large and information about the object is displayed at the bottom, telling us that one day on Jupiter is about 10 hours long. These little tidbits of info are easy to understand and create a richer experience. However, the app can show so much info so that it’s confusing, such as two planets, a satellite, the horizon line, the path of said planets, the time of night and a constellation over the top of what’s currently happening in camp, making it less kid-friendly or tough for the distractible. The free Sky Map app provided a better representation of the constellations, with lines and graphics. This app is a complete representation with the direction and large stars highlighted along with the constellation that has been touched. It is easier to navigate and softer on the eyes. Both apps were fun

Become a Sky

other celestial objects

- by Shallan Knowles

to play with to see the night sky and helped connect kids and adults with the twinkling stars and not-so-twinkling planets above our camp.

SPOKANE FALLS COMMUNITY COLLEGE PLANETARIUM

To start as a sky explorer, consider heading to the Spokane Falls Community College planetarium. About once a month (paused during summer break) they show a short movie about space. But the best part is before the film when professor of astronomy John Whitmer introduces the audience to that evening’s night sky. His introduction will orient the viewer to true north, certain constellations, planets and the moon. If you are able to catch a show at the SFCC planetarium, be ready for an informative experience. After entering the circular room, you can slide into a reclining chair as the warm light bathes you. Once the show starts, the dome ceiling puts on a 3D viewing experience that takes you right into outer space. (The effect can cause motion sickness for the sensitive.) Shows run one weekend per month with a special movie for younger

kids. This May 17-19 SFCC is showing “Solar Superstorm.” Showings are only $7 per per son or less with a student ID.

Looking at the stars in a dark night sky fills the mind with a sense of the vastness of space, wonder and the reality of how small our human existence is compared to the Milky Way and the universe beyond. Summer skies and camping provide a great opportunity to contemplate our place in the cosmos. Take advantage of technology, find a spot in the dark sky, gather the kids or adult friends, and take a visual tour of the visible galaxy.

Shallan Knowles is the creative director and publisher of Out There Outdoors. She is looking forward to lying on the dock on a warm summer night to listen to the water and watch for shooting stars.

Your fuel to bike everywhere this month.

WHITEWATER RAFTING THE ORIGINAL ECOTOUR

By Maia DeGaetano

As adventurers of the great Northwest, we recognize the imperative to embrace ecotourism as a way of life—a commitment to exploring our planet responsibly while safeguarding its irreplaceable wonders. As we venture forth into the realm of eco-conscious travel, one adventure stands out as a beacon of sustainable travel: rafting.

Long before "ecotourism" became a buzzword, the rhythmic pulse of the river and the silent glide of the raft epitomized the harmony between human endeavor and natural preservation. This human-powered activity uses strictly non-motorized rafts, eliminating pollution in freeflowing waterways. It’s a quiet and non-intrusive means of adventure travel, with only the sounds of the natural world and your river guide calling “All Forward!” as your soundtrack.

Since its inception in 1979, ROW Adventures has championed the spirit of whitewater rafting not merely as a thrill-seeking escapade, but as a testament to a commitment to conservation and connection. ROW’s trips reflect the high standards of stewardship that rafting upholds, both as a recreational and commercial activity. These journeys unfold along the banks of rivers steeped in history, where the presence of Indigenous cultures run as wide as the river.

At the heart of all river-running ethos lies the practices of Leave No Trace; designed to minimize the impacts of visiting fragile outdoor ecosystems. Whether it’s plastic wrappers or food waste, whatever goes on a river run comes off the river. Since 1974, rafters have been carrying containers to properly dispose of and carry out human waste, which would otherwise contribute to the environmental degradation of riverine environments. Minimizing impact on environments traveled has been at the forefront of good rafting practices for over 50 years.

To further discovery on the river, many rafting trips include engaging and educational

discussions, drawing on the experience and knowledge of local guides and communities. These focus on river ecology, native wildlife, wildfire management, geology, and the area’s Indigenous communities, as well as the human impacts on our river environments. By fostering dialogue and hands-on experiences centered around river-related issues, rafting with ROW promotes environmental awareness and give travelers the tools they need to take their conservation efforts home.

Many rafting outfitters also collaborate with local conservation organizations to engage the general public in river advocacy initiatives. This may be through donations, sponsorships, or even hands-on clean-up events. ROW Adventures is actively involved with several conservation groups operating in the areas the company travels, including the Rogue Riverkeepers, the Native Fish Society, and Idaho Rivers United.

As an adventure-filled and sustainable way to travel, rafting has an everlasting and enduring appeal as ecotourism. So, dear travelers, as you contemplate your next odyssey into the heart of the wild, remember the humble raft as more than a vessel of exploration—it is a symbol of our collective responsibility to protect and preserve the wonders that define our great outdoors.

Originally from Seattle, Maia grew up trail blazing, fishing, climbing, and seeking new heights in the Cascade mountains. She carries her love for the outdoors into her writing and professional work as the content coordinator for ROW Adventures.

(Sponsored)

Ride Like the Wind

ONE DAY LAST SUMMER, I took off from home for a ride on my bike when I was suddenly struck with a vivid flashback of riding as a kid down the middle of my street on my pink bike sporting a flower seat and streamers on the handlebars. Strangely, at that moment the memory and actual sen-

sation of riding somehow felt one and the same. It took me a few minutes to make the connection that because I had forgotten to put on a helmet, the wind blowing through my hair and accompanying sense of freedom had triggered it all. As short-lived as it was (I turned around and went back

By Shallan Knowles

home to get my helmet), it was a poignant reminder of the power of bikes.

At least for me, the days of un-helmeted hair-flying riding are gone, but I still seek out that sense of freedom and ecstatic joy that riding a bike can elicit like nothing else. Not all of my two-wheeled experiences have been so positive and pure, however. My first adult bike was a pretty heavy hard-tail that I rode and walked on many challenging rides orchestrated by my now husband and Out There co-publisher Derrick. There was the peak summer heat attempt to ride from downtown to Spokane to Coeur d’Alene on the Centennial Trail, one of my first mountain bike rides ever on steep bike park trails (there were tears), challenging singletrack climbs and descents on trails far above my ability level from B.C. to Bend, but, somehow, I persisted in marriage and with a love for the unique sense of freedom that rolling down a trail or road on a bike can evoke. And I learned more about my relationship with riding a bike and what type of experiences are most fulfilling.

Eventually I upgraded to a lightweight, full suspension 29er mountain bike that has made riding more fun than ever. That move convinced me that riding the best bike you

can afford is a worthy investment. And while the quality of the bike you’re on is undeniably important, just getting out on whatever bike you have is more important, and riding with the right people matters most of all. Some of my best days this warm season will be on bikes with friendly, familiar faces and likely a pack of our kids leading the way. That flow of people and pines, of whooping and laughter as we wind down forgiving trails to fulfilling conversation back at the trailhead defines most of my adult bike rides of late. Those days often transcend even the formative feeling from memories of riding carefree as kids down empty streets at dusk, hair flying wild with nothing to lose.

We hope this 2024 bike issue will stir some inspiration to get out and ride more this year. In this section, we cover a wide range of cycling activities and culture, from MTB to BMX, from the rise of e-bikes to the pros and cons of bikepacking, and the many biking events that bring people of all abilities and backgrounds together via their love of pedaling on wheels. As this spring creeps along into summer and then fall, don’t miss an opportunity to grab a bike (and helmet) and ride like the wind.

OUR CRAZY CREW ROLLING THROUGH RIVERSIDE ON

ST. PATTY'S DAY.

// PHOTO: LARA GRICAR

Road & Gravel?

Oh yeah!  In addition to closeouts on remaining 3T stock, we made a special deal with Pinarello to bring you more incredible deals!  Closeout Grevils w/GRX or Grangers w/AXS for $2899 (other options available). For the petit roadies, we have Prince road w/ Ultegra Di2 for $3500 w/Fulcrum aluminum wheels (reg $7K) or $4000 w/Most Carbon wheels (reg $8K) half off, but limited stock!

Deals on eMTBs

Bulls HT Step-Thru from $2899 (Bosch)

Bulls FS from $2999 (Bosch)

Marin Rift Zone (Trail/140) from $3599 or less

Marin Alpine Trail (AM/160) from $3899 or less

Want Acoustic?

We've got great deals on in-stock Marin and Jamis mtbs...or...come in and make us a reasonable offer on remaining Nukeproof mtbs!

Top 20 Aventon Dealer

Mountain View Cyclery is proud to be awarded as one of the top 20 Aventon dealers in the country!  Come in and check out the new Ramblas, a new mid-drive offering from Aventon with 100nm  of mind-blowing torque and a full Sram/Rockshox build!

E-Savings

More E-Savings on Discos and Overstocks from our showroom!

Marin Sausalito mid-drive

Shimano, sub-40 lbs: $1199 (reg $2400)

Aventon Pace 350 (medium): $999 Only one left!

Denago Fat Tire small: $1499

Denago City 1 small: $999

Denago City 2 S/M: $1299

Biking the Bitterroot 300

And other trails worth exploring in the Idaho Panhandle

IS IT SUMMER YET, or is it just my bike saddle saying, “ride me?” It’s time to get our legs pedal-ready and lungs expanded for the climbs soon to be before us. The Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, both sides of the Centennial Trail, Fish Lake Trail and some other eastern Washington trails are open. The Route of the Hiawatha will be rockin’ with an opening date of May 24 for another sensational season of tunnels and trestles. In chatting with folks online, on the phone and at different bike events, more people are looking for expanded, multi-day rides, especially as bikepacking takes off. The is where the Bitterroot 300 comes into play. The B300, as it is known to its fans, is a 300-kilometer loop ride that takes in the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, Route of the Hiawatha, NorthernPacific (Nor-Pac) and the Milwaukee Road Rail-Trails all in one adventure. The ride is a good four- to five-day pedal while camping or staying in hotels, cabins, BnBs, etc.

The suggested starting point on day one for the Bitterroot 300 is Historic Wallace, Idaho. Lodging opportunities abound, from the Wallace Inn to the Stardust Motel, Brooks Hotel, or vacation rentals. From Wallace, one takes the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes to Mullan, where the multi-use, non-paved Nor-Pac goes up and over Lookout Pass into Montana. The Wallace to Lookout ascent is 2,000’ over 19 miles, but is all rail trail, so the incline is all under three percent. It is wise to get the biggest climb on the entire route out of the way first.

Coming down the Montana Nor-Pac,

HEADING OUT ON THE NORPAC TRAIL. // MIDDLE: ONE OF THE HIAWATHA TUNNELS

// RIGHT: START OF THE HIAWATHA SECTION

// BOTTOM: THE MORNING AFTER A LATENIGHT ARRIVAL AT OUR FINAL DESTINATION, THE PINES MOTEL // PHOTOS COURTESY OF

the closed Borax Tunnel is encountered. Hundreds of feet prior to this trail block is a detour around the tunnel that can be ridden or walked. At Taft, there is a 2.3-mile uphill pedal on USFS-506, Rainy Creek, up to the east portal of the Hiawatha. 10 tunnels and seven trestles later, passing through Pearson, is the end of the Hiawatha on the way to Avery on the Milwaukee Road rail bed.

Cyclists can choose to continue on the direct rail bed 10 miles to Avery with six more tunnels or drop down to the North Fork of the St. Joe River alternative route that traverses along a splendid stretch of waterway on a jeep road passing riverside campsites. In Avery, there are cabins, hostels, BnBs and food to accommodate travelers.

On day two, head down the wide and scenic St. Joe River on the Milwaukee Road for 48 miles. Check ahead to see if the café in Marble Creek is open for some good eats and beverages. Possibly stop off at the Marble Creek Historical Area. The Milwaukee Road is a made up of a looser aggregate and is multi-use. In St. Maries, there are many lodging and eatery options available as well. Out here, there are more deer and elk in residence than people, so enjoy the ride.

Day three—having arranged ahead of time a shuttle from St. Maries to Heyburn State Park on the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, as Idaho State Route 5 is not advisable to ride. To cover the entire length of the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, then pedal up to Plummer and then return back to Harrison at

By Rick Shaffer

ride to Harrison from Heyburn State Park for a shorter pedal. Enjoy some watersports at the beach in Harrison or just relax with ice cream in the sun. There are restaurants and bars and lakeview motels and BnBs available here.

Day four is a 50-mile pedal back east through the Chain of Lakes, i.e. “Moose Country,” passing the towns of Cataldo, Enaville and Kellogg, where tasty and eclectic food and board can be found. At mile marker 42, with time permitting, take a short pedal over to the Old Mission State Park (the oldest standing structure in Idaho) and trail headquarters for a great historical stop with cyclists being welcomed free of charge. The second half of the ride is chock-full of Silver Valley history, passing the Bunker Hill smelter site, Sunshine Mine Disaster Memorial, and more. Soon, one arrives back in Historic Wallace with tales to tell. Anywhere along the B300, the

path described above may be expanded by reducing the daily miles you ride to soak up the local scene. Stopping in Saltese, maybe camping in Marble Creek, or stopping in

Kellogg would only improve the adventure. The B300 is a thrilling adventure through the wilds of North Idaho. For more information, a free trail map, and trip planning assistance, contact the Prime Minister of Wallace at rick@thewallaceinn.com or 208-691-9169.

(Sponsored by Friends of the Coeur d’Alene Trails)

JESSICA BOATMAN

Spokane-Based Revolutionizing Cycling

Gore Bike Signals

DAN GORE WAS BIKING down a steep street in Spokane, about to make a right turn with cars approaching, when the need for an easily actuated bike turn signal struck him.

“Removing a hand from the brake lever to wave a right turn felt unsafe,” Dan explains. It was that epiphany that led him down a 10-year path to create a one-of-a-kind, fullyfeatured bicycle lighting and signaling system.

What became Gore Bike Signals uses smart technology to achieve effective animated turn signaling packaged in two lightweight units that are radio linked and touch activated. The system’s group ride mode and a police-light model for law enforcement, he says, distinguishes the product from any other.

Of the many factors that result in bicycleautomobile collisions, visibility and change of direction top the list. “I designed this signaling and lighting system to save my ass and it does,” says Dan, who has been bike commuting around the Spokane area through all seasons and all types of weather for 40 years.

“When drivers see that animated arrow signal, they get it and yield.”

As well as being a hardcore bike commuter, Dan, who recently retired from a career in product engineering, is an avid mountain and gravel bike rider with a passion for getting others to bike commute more for work or other errands. “I really want bikers to be safe and get out of their cars and try riding more,” he explains. “If a turn signal makes them feel safer on city streets, hopefully that can be part of the solution.”

A 50 YEAR QUEST FOR THE PERFECT BIKE SIGNAL

People have been trying to create a bike signal product for 50 years, says Dan, and some of those less-than-perfect attempts created some bad perceptions. “I designed mine to be a complete system with a good headlight, turn signals, a brake light, and even a group ride mode where the lead rider’s signaling triggers the following rid-

By Derrick Knowles

ers’ units to signal automatically.”

The reception from cyclists as well as law enforcement and airport security who have tried it has been super positive, says Dan. “When I started using my signal to turn or change lanes, it came to me instinctively because of driver’s ed, and everyone who has ridden with my signal system says the same thing.”

Unfortunately for riders reading this who may be eager to buy one, Gore Bike Signals only exist as a prototype. All that’s needed to make Dan’s technology available to consumers, he says, is the right partner. “The Gore Bike Signals working prototype holds great potential for the right bike industry partner that picks it up,” he says. “All of the engineering documentation necessary to make custom and adaptive modifications comes with it. There is not any one configuration we could have produced in quantity that would meet the many particular needs of the market. Color, size, mounting, actuation, and the many software options are left to the product engineers who wish to work with us.”

To achieve his breakthrough technology, Dan worked with quite a few engineering groups that could engineer any changes and manufacture units for versatile integration into e-powered or conventional bike frames. Dan says that his system will distinguish the bicycle brand that incorporates it into their bikes or biking products in the crowded and competitive cycling market.

WHAT SETS GORE BIKE SIGNALS APART

The Gore Bike Signals system is incredibly well-thought out and designed. The system can be manufactured with three ways to allow riders to turn on the signals or brake light to work with a range of handlebar and frame types, including on-board touch points on the front and back signal units; a motorcycle-style button switch that is connected to the front unit and mounts to the handlebars; or remote touch points that can be mounted where the rider can quickly touch one or the other while maintaining control of the bike. The headlamp is comparable to the brightest conventional headlamps available, and the taillight on the rear signal unit is lit from 15 high brightness ruby-red LEDs. The front and rear units are digitally linked with a radio protocol to form a peer-to-peer network that is engineered to be proprietary and safe from hacking.

Learn more about Gore Bike Signals or reach out to Dan Gore with inquiries at Gorebikesignals.com/contact. (OTO)

GORE BIKE SIGNAL IN ACTION

The Great Bikepacking Debate

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Bikepacking is a method of recreation that entails riding your bicycle loaded with all of your camp gear across potentially wild terrain to get to and from a predetermined campsite. “The Packfiller Podcast” host and creator Pat Bulger went on his first bikepacking trip last summer, and he did not fall in love. Pat’s “against bikepacking” argument has been met with a spirited rebuttal from Out There’s “Everyday Cyclist” columnist, Justin Short. Read on for “pro backpacking” arguments from cyclist and regular contributor Carol Corbin, and North Idaho bikepacking guru Eric Deady. Carefully review these arguments and make an educated decision on whether bikepacking should be your next great summer adventure.

AGAINST ARGUMENT

A CYCLIST’S FIRST BIKEPACKING TRIP

BY PAT BULGER

Freedom to explore. At one with nature. Off the grid. Simple. These are just a few of the comments I regularly hear from cyclists who have entered the world of bikepacking. Long gone are the days of “tourists” who would load pound after pound of camping gear, clothing, and personal items onto their bike to slowly, arduously, pedal to some chosen destination to sleep on the ground and painfully do so again the next day. Bikes are lighter. Camping gear is packable and efficient. Bike bags are waterproof, rugged, and creatively designed. Bikepacking is here to stay.

Then why do I dislike it the way a school librarian dislikes childhood joy? Last summer, I assigned myself the task of an overnight bikepacking trip. I had already purchased most of the equipment needed on, well, let’s be honest here, some random evenings with a glass of adult beverage and an open shopping web browser. The destination was decided upon as a “medium” distance to test everything out, stay the night, experience the “joy,” and pedal home the next day. The destination, beautiful Lake Benewah, was just outside of St. Maries, Idaho, about 45-50 miles each way depending on the route loaded into my GPS.

Fast forward two days later, in 98-degree heat, on a rear flat tire that I had no energy to change for the last three miles, massive heat exhaustion, a sore back and neck from the “sleeping pad” I endured, GPS mistakes, and, I have to say that bikepacking can, well, take a hike.

HERE ARE MY REASONS WHY I’LL TAKE A PASS ON BIKEPACKING.

1. I ride my bike for the feeling that I experienced as a child. The feeling of flying. The wind in my face. The speed. Bikepacking, as a close friend once said to me, is “like you’re a bird who’s had their wings clipped.” A fully-loaded bike with all of my gear was over 50 pounds. Fifty! Why not just give me a classic Schwinn Varsity with rubbing brakes?! Getting out of the saddle to climb, accelerate, or even relieve sit bone pressure was impossible, and maintaining any type of momentum was akin to pedaling with flat tires in tapioca pudding.

2. Camping is great. Heck, even tent camping is great. But, after four hours in the saddle maintaining a scant 14 mph, I would have happily traded for a subpar hotel and a pizza place. Every time I moved the next morning I emitted verbal sounds that could only be described as “old man grunts.” This being said, I do have to attest to the great food and coffee options that have been made available to those adventuring out into the woods. Give me a proper RV and day trips from a campsite instead, please.

3. Once arriving at your destination, there is little chance of obtaining any extra provisions. My wonderful camp host informed me that, should I want to grab some cold beverages or additional snacks, my closest option was a “short 17-mile drive” away. Yeah, I wasn’t about to add 34 miles to my adventure.

I now fully understand why many bikepacking social media groups I follow tend to have a multitude of equipment for sale. Anyone want to buy some bike bags?

AGAINST REBUTTLE

“HOLD YOUR HORSES, PAT” BY JUSTIN

SHORT

Don’t go selling your bikepacking gear just yet—we haven’t even been on an overnight adventure together. But before we go, we’ve got to talk about your route. I think you learned the hard way why you should never ever under any circumstances go bikepacking in the Palouse during the dog days of summer. There’s no amount of water you can carry that won't be instantly vaporized along with all of the moisture in your body in that treeless hellscape.

Heyburn State Park is a lovely destination, though, and there’s a much better way to get there when the Palouse has reached the temperature of the sun. Ride out the Centennial Trail to Coeur d’Alene; you’ll probably carry enough speed coasting from the South Hill to get halfway there. Get a good cup of coffee and a devastating pastry at the Bakery by the Lake, then make your way over the saddle to the far side of the lake for a delightfully scenic pedal to Beauty Bay Campground, where you’ll refill water bottles from the crusty old cast iron pump with the most delicious and refreshing water sipped by anyone ever.

Okay, the climb over Caribou Ridge is a ball-buster, but it’s a cool, shady ball-buster. Ride the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes down to Harrison, jump in the lake, get some ice cream, and then stock up on the much longed-for provisions, such as fizzy beverages and snacks for the return trip. You’re 11 miles from camp.

And that brings me to my next point: never take directions from the camp host. I’ve listened to a well-intentioned camp host pore over my map for a half hour about some scenic route I needed to take; the map was upside down. Your host obviously wanted you killed if they recommended the 17-mile ride into St. Maries. Never mind the bike, that road is terrifying to drive in a semi. If you’re needing the services of a major metro area, Plummer, Idaho, is much closer, and the entire ride is on the bike trail.

“Crunchy old man back” is a thing with which I am well acquainted. All I can say is, experiment with air pressure. My wife carries an inflatable body pillow and a feather pillow with her now, and I hear far less grumbling from her side of the tent these days.

Finally, 14 mph is slow?!! That is literally flying by bikepacking standards. If I ever hit a double-digit average speed, it’s like 10 or 11 mph, tops. And I don’t even want to know how much my bike weighs when it’s loaded, but it’s a lot closer to ALL THE POUNDS than 50 pounds.

So, let’s set a date during the fair weather for a fun and easy overnighter with the Gravel Braintrustees. I promise, there won’t be much bushwhacking, but one of us will definitely make you laugh so hard you’ll shoot fizzy electrolyte water out of your nostrils.

FOR ARGUMENT

“PEOPLE AND PUFFY PANTS”

BY CAROL CORBIN

It was only 37 miles, and mostly flat, but after only four “base-building” rides in the last three months, it was a relief to be out of the saddle. My tent, pad, and sleeping bag were set up for the night with clean, warm socks and a cozy base layer. As my travel companions gathered deadfall for a campfire, I wriggled into my puffy pants and was engulfed in warmth. But not just physical warmth. A soul warmth. A warmth that comes from a physically demanding day fading into a magical, starlit night.

When I discovered bikepacking half a dozen years ago, it combined two things I love the most about being outside. Pedaling a bicycle and having everything I need to survive–and sometimes even be comfortable–in whatever level of wilderness in which I might find myself. Since that first ride with my five-year-old on the Palouse to Cascades Trail, I’ve spent many nights in tents, my faithful gravel bike outside, my dusty Revelate bags crowding around me, and another day in the saddle awaiting when I wake up.

Over the years, I’ve come to know intimately that bikepacking is hard. Really hard. Throwmy-bike-off-the-side-of-a-mountain hard. On nearly every trip, there is at least one moment when I cry out in anguish, “Why can’t I be indoorsy?!” And yet, I still go. This particular trip, my puffy pants accompanied me on my fifth annual “Fishtrap Shakedown,” where a few intrepid bikepackers pedal from our front doors in Spokane to the “wilderness” of Fishtrap Recreation Area in the channeled scablands for an overnight review of just what this activity requires.

“Why are you doing this?” For every time I’ve been asked this question by others, I’ve probably asked it of myself at least twice. And it’s hard to put into words. The meditative process of making a packing list, and then assembling dusty, trail-worn and intimately familiar gear, is blissful! As I press sleeping bag and tent into compression bags, zip headlamp and powerbank into a frame pack, and carefully tuck a fuel canister into my steel cup, cushioning it with a wool beanie, I picture myself reveling in the simplicities of life away from . . . everything. Everything but my tent, my bike, my people, and, ultimately myself.

Through the years, my most memorable and empowering experiences have been bikebased. As have many of my closest friendships, and most memorable transient ones. From Melinda and Sue, my ride-or-dies for years, to Jean, who shared a Canadian campsite with us one night in July on her way to Mexico, these are friends whom I can suffer with, laugh with, cry in front of, and maybe even share a freeze-dried pasta meal with at the end of even the roughest trail days.

Bikepacking strips away everything that isn’t essential. Not just things like furniture and climate-control, but personal insecurities, body image issues, work and family stressors. When I’m making camp after a long day in the saddle, it’s when I feel the most alive, the most connected, and the most, well, me.

One doesn’t have to look far to find the cons of bikepacking. There is very little comfort and ease. The trail rarely ends in a cold beverage and a hot meal. There’s cold and wet, hot and dry. Mechanical failures, forgotten niceties and necessities, and no easy outs. Sunburns, bug bites, bear encounters, blocked trails, wet feet, cold fingers, cramped legs . . . the list goes on. There are a thousand reasons not to load up your bike and pedal into the wilds. But that warmth of the puffy pants and the friends who are the same kind of crazy as me? I’ll pedal a helluva lot farther than 37 miles for that.

FOR ARGUMENT

“BIKEPACKING MAGIC”

BY ERIC DEADY

Bikepacking can mean many things to many people, but for me, the best way to describe it is “transformative.” I have seen magic happen on bikepacking trips. The kind of magic that gives you a warm-fuzzy feeling and forces you to look within for its cause. I have seen nervous wrecks transformed into the kind of peaceful pedalers that we all wish we could be. I have seen bodies and minds transformed in ways that beg the question, why can’t I always feel this good?

You could chalk it up to endorphins, dopamine, and a soup of brain chemicals, and you would be right to credit our biology for some of it. But not all. There is a magic that I have only been able to see and feel on bike trips that can sustain me for months or even years with its power, and it always leaves me yearning for more.

So, you want some of that magic, eh? All you need to do is go take it! It’s there waiting for you on the top of mountains after a grueling climb. It’s there when your fingers threaten to stop working from the cold of a long, wet descent. It’s there whispering to you from the trees and rivers and clouds and dirt. It’s there when you least expect it and will always leave you a better person.

You don’t need much to start bikepacking. Bikepacking, in its most basic form, is a person on a bicycle carrying their own camping gear, food and personal items, usually off of paved roads. How that happens, and with whom, is up to you. Of course, there are some things that can make your journey more comfortable, or less traumatic, but it’s all on a scale, and if we wanted easy, we would get in our cars and drive.

Get the bike that’s comfortable to ride, and make sure it’s tuned, lubed, and loved. Plan a route that sounds fun, or challenging, or beautiful, and get that route onto your phone or GPS. Pack a backpack, or panniers, stuff sacks, or even burlap sacks full of whatever you might need for the time you’ll be out and start pedaling. Keep your senses alert, and your body in tune. Be safe and smile. No matter what happens, you will find magic.

BIKEPACKING 101 SEMINAR & GROUP RIDE & CAMPOUT

If you are bikepacking curious, mark your calendar for Friday, May 17 at 6 p.m. for a bikepacking for beginners seminar at Two Wheeler bike shop in Hayden, Idaho. Topics will include bike choice, how to carry gear, mapping and route finding, and more. The following day, Saturday, May 18 at 2 p.m., put what you learned into practice on a group ride from Two Wheeler to Farragut State Park to camp out, eat, drink, and tell lies about the day's ride. There are two route options, a mostlyflat 22-mile paved ride or a not-so flat mixed surface ride of 24 miles up and over a nice woodsy mountain. Call Two Wheeler at 208-772-8179 with questions or to sign up.

Month Events Bike Everywhere

THE MONTH OF MAY is bike everywhere month in many communities around the Inland Northwest, with events planned to encourage more people to get out on their bikes for commuting, running errands, or pedaling for fun with friends and family. In Spokane, the Spokane Bicycle Club organizes cycling activities all month long that are free and open to the public. Find the full event schedule and all of the details at Spokanebicycleclub.org/SpokaneBikes and mark your calendar for these standout events. Note that helmets are required on all rides and bike locks are a must for many of the rides that include destinations.

May 1: Woolgathering Bike Ride.

Ride 10 miles at a leisurely pace from the South Hill Library to Liberty Park Library and enjoy knitting, biking, and socializing. Check out the library's newest offering of free yarn. (1 p.m.)

May 3: First Friday Gallery to Gallery Ride

Ride around 5 miles from Riverfront Park experiencing the growing number of bike lanes and bike racks and visit galleries in and adjacent to downtown. (6 p.m.)

May 5: Bloomsday Bike Corral Bike Parking

Ride your bike to Bloomsday and park it at the Spokane Bicycle Club’s free, secure bike corral parking area at Riverfront Park’s Big Red Wagon Meadow. Packs with food, water, clothing and biking gear can be left with bikes (subject to security inspection). (2 p.m.)

May 7: Latah Creek Trail Ride

Ride around 5 miles from the Sandifur Bridge parking lot to explore Latah Creek paths, Highbridge Park, and the quaint Vinegar Flats neighborhood and learn about trail plans for the area. (6 p.m.)

May 9: Perry Farmers’ Market & Neighborhood Bike Ride

Ride from Grant Park to this popular farmers’ market. Shop and then enjoy a 4-mile spin around the neighborhood. (6 p.m.)

May 11: Three Choose Your Distance & Pace Rides

Enjoy a coffee, then ride from Thomas

Hammer Coffee (3173 S. Grand) on one of three ride distances/speeds in the 15–31mile range. (8:15 a.m.)

May 12: Mothers’ Day Bike Ride & Tea Party

Ride from Riverfront Park on the Centennial Trail and on quiet streets to Central library's prettiest meeting room for tea and snacks.(1 p.m.)

May 13-19: National Bike to Work Week Ride to work all week knowing that thousands of other riders around the Northwest will be doing the same thing.

May 13: Pancake Breakfast in Riverfront Park

Enjoy free blueberry pancakes courtesy of the Spokane Bicycle Club and Roast House coffee with other riders celebrating Bike to Work Week (Riverfront Park’s North Picnic Shelter).(7-9 a.m.)

May 14: Southside Natural Areas Dirt Paths Ride

Ride 9 miles from Hazel's Creek (42nd Ave and Ray St.) on a tour of five little-known South Hill natural areas, plus Ben Burr Trail.(6 p.m.)

May 15: Ride of Silence

Meet at Riverfront Park, next to Rotary fountain, for a silent procession to remember cyclists killed on the road in the downtown area. A short dedication will precede the ride. More info: Rideofsilence.org (6 p.m.)

May 17: National Bike to Work Day & Energizer Stations

Celebrate Bike to Work Day by riding to work and take advantage of free snacks, coffee and other goodies at energizer stations around the Spokane area. (7-9 a.m.)

May 17: Ride with Spokane's Elected Leaders

Ride from Corbin Park with some of the folks who make key decisions about our biking infrastructure.(12 p.m.)

May 19: Bike Tour of Historic Neighborhoods Ride from Liberty Park Library with

Spokane Historic Preservation specialist Logan Camporeale on a tour of historic buildings in East Central and Rockwood areas. Leisurely pace with some climbing. (12 p.m.)

May 20: Spokane Bicycle Club Meeting

Meet at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church and hear from Jami Hayes with the Spokane County Public Works department about Spokane County's Bicycle Master Plan covering what they've done this past year, their goals, and next steps (public welcome).(6 p.m.)

May 21: Spokane Bicycle Advisory Board Mobile Meeting

Bike from Grant Park through the East Sprague/Ben Burr Trail area and provide feedback on new amenities (public welcome). (5:30 p.m.)

May 22: Kendall Yards Night Market & Neighborhood Bike Ride Ride from Olmsted Park to the night market, then ride a 5-mile loop on the Centennial Trail and South Gorge Trail. (6 p.m.)

May 25: Roast House Coffee Shop Ride Ride from Roast House headquarters to the Mason Jar in Cheney. More details online. (8 a.m.)

May 26: Lonely Picnic Table Ride Ride from Ben Burr Park 12.7 miles on the trail and through eight parks on the South Hill. Stop for snacks at several underappreciated picnic tables. (1 p.m.)

May 28: Children of the Sun Ride Ride 7 miles from the Columbia Ave & Market trailhead on the new trail and hear from Washington State Department of Transportation staff about the planned extension of the trail. (6 p.m.)

May 30: Bike Everywhere Wrap-up Party Head to Manito Park’s north gazebo (17th & Grand) to celebrate the wrap up of bike everywhere month with pizza, dessert and drinks provided. Meet other participants and be there to win door prizes.(5-7 p.m.) (OTO)

BIKE TO WORK WEEK EVENTS IN COEUR D’ALENE

Cyclists in the Lake City are also hosting events to celebrate Bike to Work Week. The Coeur d’Alene Resort is sponsoring a free breakfast for Bike to Work participants on May 13 to kick off the week of pedaling. Stop by the corner of 2nd and Sherman between 7 and 9 a.m. On Friday May 17 the resort is also sponsoring a post Bike to Work Week party for participants at Taphouse Unchained starting at 5 p.m. with music, beverage tokens and appetizers. Check the “Parks and Recreation Cd’A” Facebook page for updates.

Bike Events

SPRING & SUMMER GROUP RIDES AROUND THE INLAND NW

There’s nothing quite like cruising down the street or trail with a pack of fellow riders. Mark your calendar for one or more of these races or more casual rides, then get your bike tuned up for a season of fun and fitness. All of these races and rides are Out There Outdoors advertisers, so show them some love by signing up for their events!

WEDNESDAY MTB RACE SERIES AT RIVERSIDE STATE PARK (May 1-June 26): For nine consecutive Wednesday evenings, this popular annual event features a different race course each week. Free entry for age 18 and younger.

3/4 MINUS CYKELTUR (May 4): The ¾ Minus Cykeltur is a gravel gran fondo: a 52-mile route on asphalt and gravel roads and a 75-mile route on asphalt, gravel and some dirt singletrack trail. Followed by a party and award ceremony at Matchwood Brewing with food, drink and live music. This is the first stage of the Idaho Panhandle Gravel Series.

BIKEPACKING 101 SEMINAR AND GROUP RIDE & CAMPOUT (May 17-18): Learn about bikepacking at this seminar at Two Wheeler bike shop in Hayden, Idaho, at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 17. Then, join a group bikepacking trip on Saturday, May 18 from the shop to Farragut State Park at 2 p.m. Call 208-772-8179 for details or to sign up.

LILAC CENTURY & GRAVEL FLAMDANGLE (May 19): A variety of road ride distances: 25k, 50k, 66k and 100 miles, plus the 32-mile Lilac Gravel Flamdangle. Organized by Spokane Aurora Northwest Rotary Club. Races start at Big Barn Brewing in Green Bluff.

24 HOURS OF RIVERSIDE (May 25-26): A popular Memorial Day weekend 24-hour MTB team relay at Riverside State Park with racing and camping. Can also compete as a solo rider. Race is Saturday to Sunday, with a kids’ bike parade Saturday evening.

CHAFE 150 (June 15): Gran fondo scenic ride—not a race—starting from City Beach in Sandpoint, Idaho, and riding along Lake Pend Oreille into Montana. Route options include 150, 80, 55, 40 or 25 miles, and a family fun ride. The addition of a 75-mile gravel route is also the second event in the Idaho Panhandle Gravel Series.

SPOKATOPIA MTB FESTIVAL (June 14-15): New dates for Spokatopia 2024 will include a new family-friendly Saturday poker ride with prizes. This annual celebration of mountain biking includes bike demos, uphill shuttles, clinics, live music and

brews, kids’ camps and activities, a bike jump show and more!

CLIMB FOR THE CURE (June 15): A new Spokane gravel and mountain bike race that starts at East Valley High School and ends at the top of Mount Spokane, this course is a 29.5-mile ride with an ascent of 5,450 ft. This first-year event is designed to raise awareness and money for the work being conducted by the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

NORTH AMERICAN ENDURO CUP (June 15-16): Silver Mountain Bike Park in Kellogg, Idaho, hosts one of the North American races that qualifies for the Enduro World Series. Many race catego ries and levels of difficulty; no beginner category.

SPOKANE SUMMER PARKWAYS (June 18): A four-mile route for bikes, pedestrians, skaters, and other human-powered transportation in the South Hill Manito/Comstock neighbor hoods. Family-friendly event with fun, snacks and entertainment along the way.

CYCLE CHELAN

for every rider with four options of varying difficulty, including the Metric Century Challenge (100 km, with 4,000 feet of eleva tion gain), Lake Loop (45 miles), Cycle di Vino (30 miles), or the Butte Blast (38 miles of gravel/pavement).

MONARCH GRIND

gran fondo starts and ends just outside of Clark Fork, Idaho, and loops behind the green Monarch Mountains, the iconic peaks overlooking Lake Pend Oreille. This 70-mile ride has a lot of climbing and eleva tion changes on forest service roads. This is part of the Idaho Panhandle Gravel Series.

TOUR DE WHATCOM

tance options include Century (100 miles), Metric Century (62 miles), 44 miles, or 22 miles. A scenic course with start/finish in downtown Bellingham, Wash.

SPOKANE VALLEY CYCLE CELEBRATION

28): Organized by Valleyfest, ride options TBA soon.

MT. BAKER HILL CLIMB

Last Year Model Bikes DealsGreaton

miles, with 4,462 feet of elevation climb, along Mt. Baker Highway, one of the most scenic paved roads in the country. There are three divisions—social, recreational and competitive.

SILVERROXX MOUNTAIN BIKE FESTIVAL

(Sept. 22): Hosted by Silver Mountain Resort, this festival includes group downhill and super-d races, plus kids’ events.

(Sponsored by these Out There Outdoors bike event advertisers)

When a Trail is Art Biking Tungsten Trail

The Tungsten Trail is a little-known gem of North Idaho, tucked in the mountains north of Bonners Ferry. However long your drive to this destination may be, it will be worth it.

Most riders access the trail from Brush Lake, making for an ideal weekend getaway, particularly for families. There is a dock on the waterfront and a family-friendly (intermediate) trail that circumnavigates the lake in a 5.6-mile loop, along with a fantastic campground. While that short loop is lovely, those looking for a longer ride and epic views can venture up the Tungsten Trail.

Tungsten was designed by Scott Rulander, a name well-known amongst the pedalers

of the region for his contribution to many local trails. But Tungsten, a 20-ish mile outand-back, up-and-back-down adventure was manifested by the generous efforts of the US Forest Service and Rulander’s mountainbiker-creativity. If asked about the efforts, Rulander is eager to talk about all the people from individuals to the youth groups who made the project possible with their support. The trail begins on the Brush Lake Loop. Going counter-clockwise, one bumps into the connector to Tungsten after about a mile. Another two miles and it crosses road 397. Some riders park on road 397 and catch the trail at this junction, but the crossing is only marked by a flag between trees and difficult

to see. From the road crossing, one winds through sloped clearings and birch patches before beginning the mellow but consistent climb up Tungsten Mountain.

The trail ascends through forested areas, shady much of the day, gaining the northern ridge then winding its way upward. Rock features and granite slabs provide the occasional patch of technical challenge. While it’s a steady incline, barring a few rock shelves the author didn’t want to chance and one ridiculous short section her legs were too smoked to attempt, it is all ridable. (Rulander noted that they spent hours trying to find a less steep grind at that 100-foot slope and finally succumbed to the will of the mountain.)

The blend of towering coniferous and deciduous trees and the expansive views across the Purcell Trench to the Selkirk Mountains are breathtaking (though that could also be the elevation gain). Beyond the incredible views, the rolling, curving, undulating trail is everything that appeals to a biker’s soul. The descent will leave your face sore from grinning. It is a playful, expertly designed rollercoaster of whoopdiewhoo, hootin’-and-a-hollerin’ kind of trail that makes you feel like a kid all over again.

As you make your calendar of destinations

By Ammi Midstokke

for the riding season, be sure to add Brush Lake and Tungsten to the schedule. And on ride day, pack your snacks and beverages, because it’s a doozy!

Getting There: Drive north of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, for approximately 18 miles on US Hwy 95. Turn right (southeast) on Forest Service Road 1004 (Brush Lake Road) and go about 3 miles to Brush Lake. The campground is to the right, a parking and picnic area are at the lake. There is also trailhead parking and signage between the two.

Trail stats: From the lake, approximately 10 miles and change, each direction, with 2,979 feet of gain.

Camping details: Sites are free, first comefirst serve, and there is a vault toilet. You can jump in the lake post-ride!

Ammi Midstokke lives in Sandpoint, Idaho, where the local bike clubs, Forest Service, and trail lovers continue to create places for her to have fun in the wild, with less likelihood of getting lost.

DAY TRIPPING OR BIKEPACKING THE TRAILS OF THE COUER

Ride as a Family at Your Local BMX Park

By Rich Kimpel

BMX: BICYCLE MOTO CROSS. For some of us, a BMX bike was our first experience with cycling. These simple machines with one gear and 20” wheels were some of our first tastes of freedom and adventure. BMX racing has grown from its humble beginnings in the early ‘70s to become a full-fledged Olympic sport today.

Spokane is fortunate enough to have a national class BMX track located in the Lilac City. Founded in 2010, Spokane BMX is a 501c3 nonprofit organization operated exclusively by volunteers in partnership with the Spokane Parks Department. The facility is in the southwest corner of the Dwight Merkel sports complex. Spokane BMX is sanctioned by USA BMX, who provides event insurance and score keeping. The track facility is open seven days a week, weather permitting, from 9 a.m. until dusk, midApril until the end of October. Much like a public baseball diamond, unless there is an event, the track is open to the public to enjoy. BMX racing offers a huge amount of fun for the entire family. The positive vibes and the feeling of fun, camaraderie, and a high level of stoke is undeniable and infectious. Spokane BMX offers racing for boys and girls, men and women of every age, and riders of any proficiency. From the two-year-old balance bike racers up to the 60+ “cruiser” racers and everyone in between, there is race action to be had for all. Not a racer? Spokane BMX is powered by its volunteers and offers many fun and rewarding opportunities to participate as a volunteer.

BMX is a great way for both kids and adults to build their bike skills and move those skills into other areas of cycling. Some of the best cyclists in the world in nearly every

cycling discipline have a background in BMX racing. BMX is a sprint, with a “moto” typically lasting around 45 seconds or so. BMX racing demands efficiency. With every pedal stroke, pump, or carve, the sharp bike handling skills learned at the track all cross over into other disciplines of cycling. Many racers at the track are also mountain bike riders.

Interested in getting your kids involved in BMX racing? Spokane BMX offers the BMX Racing League. This is a five-week program that includes coaching, racing, a jersey, a number plate, an award party at the end of week five, a one-year USA BMX membership and five free “open” races. Kids are grouped by age and only race other kids who are also just starting out. The program also includes loaner bikes and helmets for anyone that needs them.

At $149, it’s a value that can’t be beaten in youth sports. Sessions are offered in spring, summer and fall. Find more info at facebook.com/SPOKANE.BMX/.

Visit Spokane BMX and experience for yourself what BMX racing is all about. Racing is on Thursday and Saturday from mid-April through the end of November. Bring your appetite, as Spokane BMX has a top-notch snack shack with goodies and snacks for everyone, all priced right for an affordable family night out. Racing starts at 7 p.m., always under the stadium lights. Once at the track, experience the feeling of fun and excitement, the action, and the stoke. You’ll be hooked before you know it!

Rich Kimpel is a BMX rider, racer, coach, organizer, administrator and has been an all-around purveyor of two-wheeled stoke since 1978.

Wed 1, 1:00 pm | Woolgathering Ride Fri 3, 6:00 pm | First Friday Gallery Ride

Sun 5, 7:30-2:00 pm | Bloomsday Bike Corral

Tue 7, 6:00 pm | Latah Creek ride

Wed 8, 6:00 pm | Perry Farmers Market Ride

Sat 11, 8:15 am | Coffee + Choose Your Distance & Speed Ride Sun 12, 1:00 pm | Mother’s Day Ride & Tea Party

Mon 13, 7-9 am | Pancake Breakfast in Riverfront Park Tue 14, 6:00 pm | Southside Natural Areas Ride

Wed 15, 6:00 pm | Ride of Silence Fri 17, 7-9 am | Bike to Workday energizer stations Fri 17, 12 pm | Ride with Elected Leaders Sun 19, 12 pm | Bike Tour of Historic Homes Mon 20, 6:00 pm | Spokane Bicycle Club meeting - all welcome Tue 21, 5:30 pm | Bicycle Advisory Board mobile meeting - all welcome Wed 22, 6:00 pm | Kendall Yards Night Market Ride Sat 25, 8:00 am | Roast House Coffee Shop Ride Sun 26, 1:00 pm | Lonely Picnic Bench Ride Tue 28, 6:00 pm | Children of the Sun Trail Ride Thurs 30, 5-7 pm | Wrap-up Party – pizza, treats, door prizes Join Spokane Bicycle Club on rides to farmers markets, art galleries, libraries, parks,

Pedal Power Plus

SUMMER DAY SOON, you or me’ll be grinding up Beacon or Iller Creek, or maybe slipping up the pea gravel on Five Minute Hill or Trail 140, moondust pooling in streaks of sweat from overwrought body parts raw with the sandpaper sting of third-degree chafe. Over the dusty rasp of labored inhalations will come the sunny chirp of a fellow rider interrupting his offkey rendition of “Bicycle Race” to yodel “On your left!” Absent audible groaning, grunting, or popping of knees, but maybe a soft button click, with the white-noise whir of an electric motor he’ll glide by midverse. He may be wearing boat shoes.

Cycling changes society. Women gained more independence from the invention of the bicycle than anything, to paraphrase Susan B. Anthony. Riding a “wheel” meant they could escape the stuffy confines of homebound man-dependence; cycling required even women riders wear pants, much to the ire of stodgy proponents of convention, men who deemed bloomers an effrontery to Victorian cultural norms. Adaptation continues rife with growing pains, in part because the pants have shrunk.

From bloomers to Spandex, penny-farthings to carbon fiber, the cycling industry is fickle as a feather in the wind, though recent bouts of déjà vu evoke its cyclic nature. The first patent for an electric bicycle was approved in the U.S. in 1895. Batteries were

cumbersome, charging nowhere, and the car, backed by Big Oil, rose handily to dominance. Forced into the backseat, electrically assisted cycles never completely disappeared, and are currently enjoying a comeback, with U.S. sales up about 270% since 2019, topping one million last year, largely due to improvements in battery technology.

THE E-BIKE BOOM

Who’s buying all these bikes? According to Cycling Industry News, the vast majority are sold to those 45 and older. These are people who want to commute to work without getting too sweaty, or run errands in a more environmentally conscious way than a singly occupied car. Or they’re retired and want a fun way to get to town without packing up their RV. A husband who couldn’t keep up with his wife before buying an e-bike. A war-wounded veteran with chronic back pain. Anyone, really, who wants to ride farther, keep up with friends, or see more trails.

Avid pedaller and peddler of e-bikes himself, Scott Willegalle, co-owner of Spokane’s North Division Bicycle Shop, says during his 38 years in the cycling industry he’s watched lower gear ratios expand access to more riders who ride more miles. But you can only spin so fast before you fall over.

“The e-bike is the new low gear. It’s easier to climb hills. You’re going to increase your

ONE

Navagating the E-Bike Revolution

By Justin Skay

distance by a third. The amount of riding you can do volume-wise on an e-bike means you will be less fatigued than riding the same distance on a regular bike,” Willegalle touts.

E-BIKE BACKLASH

Speed differential while sharing trails has also stirred contention among conventional cyclists. In part, that’s because they tend to be purists by nature and nurture competitiveness. That guy in the boat shoes is riding more miles than me.

Willegalle responds: “People who don’t have e-bikes are just jealous,” he says, while acknowledging that some people can’t afford them. “The whole thing about people being pissy about e-bikes is that they don’t have one.”

While no doubt true for some, lack of clarity or outright flouting of rules foments indignation as well. For their part, administrators of public lands where e-bike use is permitted should provide ample clear signage, educate the riding public in posts and through outreach events, and enforce rules more strictly on public lands. Riders should know where their class of bike is allowed, and adhere to speed and use prioritization.

KNOW WHERE YOU CAN RIDE DIFFERENT TYPES OF E-BIKES

Class 1 e-bikes are strictly pedal-assisted up to 20 mph. Class 2 e-bikes have an optional

throttle-only mode, and are also restricted to 20 mph. Class 3 e-bikes utilize pedal assistance up to 28 mph, and may have throttle assistance (without pedaling) up to 20 mph. Around the Inland Northwest, there are a lot of different rules and levels of enforcement depending on where you plan to ride an e-bike.

Currently, according to Washington State Parks, class 1 and 3 e-bikes are allowed on long-distance trails like the Columbia Plateau and Palouse to Cascades trails, as well as the Centennial Trail in Spokane. Those same classes are also allowed on roads within state parks, and on natural surface trails that allow bicycle use like the trail systems at Riverside State Park and Mount Spokane. Class 2 bikes are not permitted on trails in those state parks but are allowed on the same roads that cars can drive on.

On Spokane Parks and Recreation trails popular with mountain bikers, such as Beacon Hill’s 50-ish miles of singletrack and trails on the High Drive Bluff and at Indian Canyon/Palisades, the situation is less clear. According to city staff, e-bike use is similar to that seen on Washington State Parks trails, although there are currently no rules regarding the use of e-bikes on city park lands. Clarifying e-bike policy for city park trails and properties, however, is reportedly in the works.

Spokane County conservation areas that

ROUTE UNDER CONSTRUCTION

The Lithium Lifecycle

We’ve put our faith in e-vehicles to ward off climate change, but the solution isn’t an impact-free silver bullet.

Humble number three on the periodic table, lithium is a metal with low ionization energy, high electrochemical potential, and low atomic mass, making it Earth’s best commercially viable medium for lightweight battery applications in electric vehicles, e-bikes, and devices like smartphones.

Extraction of lithium is a water-intensive process, undertaken largely in arid areas of countries in some cases having lax environmental and labor standards. Together China, Latin America, and Australia produce more than 90% of the world’s lithium.

But the U.S. won’t be passed on this climb, and the Department of Energy considers securing domestic lithium production a national security imperative. They, General Motors, and other investors have put up three billion dollars toward development of the largest lithium deposit in North America at Thacker Pass in Nevada.

According to Protectthackerpass.org, a group opposed to lithium mining that has already begun in the area, the site of the proposed mine is sacred to Paiute, Shoshone, and several other First Nations, who conduct traditional ceremonies, honor massacre victims, and in the past gathered obsidian for toolmaking in the area. Ore processing equipment will draw four million gallons of water every day from an overtaxed aquifer in the driest state in the country. Mining machinery will burn 11,000 gallons of diesel fuel daily, contributing significantly to carbon dioxide and fine particulate emissions. Several threatened species, including golden eagles and cutthroat trout, currently call the Thacker Pass area home.

However, carbon emissions from the mine are expected to be around 40% less than equivalent endeavors, when processing is accounted for, according to a fact sheet from Lithium Americas, owner of the mine. An onsite sulfuric acid plant will generate carbonfree steam to make electricity for processing equipment. The mine will support 500 living wage jobs and pay approximately $8 billion in taxes during its 40-year lifetime. Lithium Americas is building a K-8 school in nearby Orovada, and will offer training and focus hiring efforts locally.

The mine is expected to produce enough lithium carbonate to supply portable power to millions of electric vehicles or e-bikes, or billions of cell phones or tablets. It will contribute significantly to domestic battery production, which is neck-and-neck with demand, according to the Environmental Defense Fund, with 90% of the projected 1,000 gigawatt hours per year by 2030 allocated to electric vehicles. But some of the other 10% will power the million-plus e-bikes that will be sold in the U.S. this year.

Clearly not an impact-free panacea, lithium-powered e-bikes will replace millions of car trips. They’ll pick up goatmilk from the natural market and your kids from school. They’ll save untold tailpipe carbon emissions, and replace sloggy car commutes with a fun frolic down the bike lane.

And, in five years, maybe seven if you treat it right, your battery will be more boat anchor than boon. The e-bike boom is on, lithium is hot like uranium in the ‘50s, and we are going to see a similar waste problem, in scale if not radioactivity, if we don’t figure out scalable battery recycling soon. Global annual recycling capacity is sufficient to process only about half of electric passenger vehicle batteries, let alone those from e-bikes, laptops, and smartphones.

One Ontario-based company is working to solve this impending e-waste wave. Li-Cycle uses a system capable of shredding intact, fully charged batteries, and with further processing claims a 95% recovery rate on marketable resources, with minimal air and other pollution. The Department of Energy recently loaned Li-Cycle $375 million to build a recycling facility in Rochester, New York. They also offer $192 million in grants for research and development of new battery recycling technologies.

AERIAL VIEW OF LITHIUM FIELDS IN THE ATACAMA DESERT IN CHILE, SOUTH AMERICA

sport popular hiking and singletrack bike trails, such as Iller Creek and Liberty Lake Regional Park, may also soon see clearer rules regarding e-bike use. While e-bikes of any kind are not currently allowed on any non-motorized Spokane County trails, the county is looking at that policy and planning is forthcoming that may make some clarifications and adjustments to existing e-bike rules.

With the varying e-bike rules and lack of signage and enforcement on many Spokanearea trails, local trail users report widespread pedal-assist e-bike use that seems to create little to no conflict with their “acoustic” bike counterparts. Throttle e-bikes, which are effectively electric motorcycles that can speed up and down trails at high speeds without requiring pedaling, are also on the rise, and pose more of a threat of increased user conflict, injuries and liability concerns.

Across the border on Idaho State Parks trails popular with mountain bikers, like those at Farragut State Park and pathways frequented by cyclists and walkers like the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes and North Idaho Centennial Trail, class 1 and 2 e-bikes are allowed, although speed limits are in effect on some trails. E-bike rules may vary a bit on some of the trails around Sandpoint, like the Syringa trail system, that have a dual

conservation and recreation purpose, so do your research before heading out on an e-bike spin.

On U.S. Forest Service non-motorized trails in Washington and Idaho, e-bikes of any kind are not currently allowed, although they can be ridden on any trails or roads open to motorized travel, and enforcement of restrictions are scant. E-bikes are allowed on many federal BLM lands and trails as well as on many bike-friendly National Park pathways, but check before riding.

E-BIKES ARE HERE TO STAY

Even as regulations change, there is no doubt the e-bike will remain an outdoor recreation fixture for the foreseeable future. “They’ve opened the Pandora’s box of e-bikes, and you aren’t going to close it,” Willegalle rightly predicts with the selfsatisfied smirk of the true believer. If you want to ride more miles, keep up with your friends, and “fear no hills or headwinds,” he can make you one too.

Justin Skay recently found out firsthand e-bikes are fun, and already has friends he can't keep up with, so his electric revolution might be just around the next bend.

Summer Bucket List

85 things to do in the Inland Northwest

Don’t let summer pass you by!

Use this roundup of things to do in the mountains, lakes, rivers, trails, and small towns around our beautiful corner of the Northwest.

1. Attend the Fur Trade Festival May 18 at the Kettle Falls Historical Center. Take a step back in time while enjoying a living history encampment and learn about the Pacific Northwest fur trade from reenactors discussing how traders lived, trapped, hunted, dressed, and communicated in the 1800s.

2. Rent a boat from Carefree Boat Club of North Idaho and go tubing, water skiing, or wake surfing.

3. Tube, kayak, or raft the mellow rapids of the lower Spokane River below downtown Spokane once the river level drops and the water warms up, typically in late June or early July. Be sure to end your trip at the TJ Meenach Bridge area to avoid large, more dangerous rapids downstream. Simplify your float by booking a shuttle and renting tubes from FLOW Adventures (509-242-8699).

4. Take a good book on a walk to a public park or natural area near you and relax and read from a real paper book or copy of Out There.

5. Ride or hike part of the Ferry County Rail Trail near Republic in Northeast Washington, then hit Curlew State Park for a swim.

6. Use public transit to go on a hike from your house. Get creative with the hiking and bus routes to pull off an all-day wander

7. Paddle Echo Bay near Farragut State Park on Lake Pend Oreille and bring a spotting scope or binoculars to look for the resident mountain goats that are sometimes spotted on and around Bernard Peak.

8. Run in your birthday suit (or fully clothed) at the clothing-optional Bare Buns Fun Run July 28. This annual tradition happens at the Kaniksu Ranch north of Spokane near Deer Lake.

9. Hike the 4-mile roundtrip Similkameen Trail near Oroville, Wash., a beautiful rail-trail with amazing scenery and wildlife viewing opportunities.

10. Round up some friends and take turns riding mountain bikes together at Spokane’s Riverside State Park for 24 hours at the 24 Hours of Riverside event May 25.

11. Ride the bike park at Big White Resort near Kelowna, B.C., and then taste wine in B.C.’s renowned Okanagan Valley on your way back to the states.

12. Take advantage of the some of the hottest or smokiest days of the summer to escape indoors to build on your rock-climbing skills at the Coeur Climbing Company gym in Post Falls.

13. Spend a day giving back to the trails you love by joining a trail maintenance or construction project by one of our region’s many trail organizations. Locally, the Washington Trails Association, Evergreen East, Pend Oreille Pedalers, Idaho Trails Association, and Lake City Trails Alliance each organize trail projects all summer long that need volunteers. There are many other regional trails organizations that work in Inland Northwest wilderness and backcountry areas.

14. Ride the new Cancourse mountain bike trails in Coeur d’Alene.

15. Get over your fear of jumping out of a plane and sign up for a tandem skydiving trip with Skydive West Plains west of Spokane.

16. Enjoy the traffic-free streets on Spokane’s South Hill near Manito Park for an evening of biking, walking, or rolling without watching for cars thanks to Summer Parkways, held June 18 from 6-9 p.m.

17. Ride the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes out of Wallace, Idaho, then enjoy a cold beverage and meal at City Limits Pub a few blocks from the trail.

18. Try mountain bikes, catch shuttles to the top of the Camp Sekani trails, watch a MTB jump show, and enjoy adult beverages June 14-15 at the Spokatopia Outdoor Adventure Festival at Camp Sekani Park. Or participate in the Spokatopia Poker Ride for the chance to win prizes (June 15).

19. Go road biking on one of the many scenic, low-traffic back road routes around Colville, Wash.

20. Book a rafting trip on the Clark Fork River in Montana with ROW Adventures. The fun class III rapids and plentiful swimming opportunities make for a great day trip from Spokane or North Idaho.

21. Hunt for Bigfoot in Northeast Washington then Run the Bigfoot 5K and check out the Metaline Falls Bigfoot Festival June 15-16.

PARK YOGA AND GRAB YOUR MAT FOR FOR A NATURE-FILLED OM. // BELOW: OLD GROWTH FORESTS ARE COOL ON A HOT DAY

22. Take a yoga class from Harmony Yoga in Spokane (check out their ad in this issue of Out There for deals).

23. Pedal a “RailRider” on retired railroad tracks along the Pend Oreille River near Metaline Falls, Wash.

24. Book a multi-day rafting adventure on Idaho’s Salmon River with a local outfitter like FLOW Adventures.

25. Park near the entrance to the 42,000-acre Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge near Colville, Wash., and ride your bike on the 10-mile auto tour loop, making stops at interpretive sites or for short hikes.

26. Visit an Inland Northwest old-growth forest grove, like the Ross Creek or Hobo cedar groves. Find an online guide at Outthereoutdoors.com/where-to-go-to-see-oldgrowth-forest-in-the-inland-northwest

27. Bike to a farmers’ market in a neighborhood near you and go shopping for fresh, local food.

28. Ride your bike from one of the Riverside State Park trailheads to Long Lake at the Nine Mile Recreation Area and go swimming or fishing. Campsites are available if you want to make it a bikepacking overnighter.

29. Hike the 7 miles of trails at Pend Oreille County Park between Spokane and Sandpoint off of Highway 2.

30. Surf the world’s largest standing wave at Lakeside Surf in Chelan. Whether you are an ocean surfer, river surfer, wake surfer, or have never surfed before, you’ll love getting out on this thrilling river-style wave. Book sessions in advance online.

31. Walk or bike the Children of the Sun Trail, a new paved path that parallels Spokane’s in-progress north-south freeway.

32. Buy a copy of the Washington State Birding Trail Palouse to Pines map from Audubon Washington and explore some of the best bird habitat in our area, documenting and learning about different species of birds as you go.

LEFT: TAKE A KID FOR A RIDE ON A LOCAL TRAL // RIGHT KASLO BEACH SUNSET ON THE B.C KOOT ROUTE. // PHOTOS:

33. Plan a bike tour on the low-traffic back roads of Eastern Oregon, like the 130-mile loop route through the Pained Hills and John Day Fossil Beds. Find info and other route options at Visiteasternoregon.com

34. Connect as many trails as you can in the Dishman Hills Conservancy in Spokane Valley to create an epic day hike.

35. After work, head to Post Falls to hike the trails in Post Falls Community Forest and then have a picnic dinner at Q’emiln Park or a pint at one of the breweries in town.

36. Hike Kamiak Butte, an island of forest in the Palouse near Pullman.

37. Raft some of the best whitewater in America on Idaho’s Lochsa River in May during peak runoff. These class IV and class III rapids are best experienced with a seasoned rafting outfitter like ROW Adventures.

38. Take a mountain bike road trip to Moscow and spend a day or two riding the trails at Moscow Mountain.

39. Learn to sail on a local lake by renting a boat with other sailing friends or taking a lesson. Fun to Sail offers sailing lessons for all abilities (Funtosail.com).

40. Spend a few days riding the many new mountain bike trails around the Sandpoint, Idaho, area, staying in town or at a nearby campground. Find trail info at Pendoreillepedalers.org.

41. Roadtrip the International Selkirk Loop that connects scenic byways and unique small towns in Washington, Idaho, and British Columbia, Canada.

42. Rent a campervan from Gusto Vans in Spokane Valley and live the van life for a weekend or longer while exploring iconic Northwest parks and public lands.

43. Take a kid or anyone with accessibility or disability requirements needs fishing at Post Falls Park Pond near Post Falls, Idaho. Fish easily from a bridge, shore, or fishing platforms with great odds for catching fish at this well-stocked pond.

44. Rally friends to pedal down old train tracks on a pedal-powered rail bike in northeast

DERRICK KNOWLES

LEFT: FIND SOME

FISH OFF OF AN ACCESSIBLE DOCK. // LEFT: TABLETOP ROASTING. PHOTOS: SHALLAN KNOWLES

Jump Into Summer

Washington with NPOV Lions Railriders. Make a reservation at Lionsrailriders.com.

45. Ride the new giant swing coming to Zipwallace near Wallace, Idaho, along with the superman zipline, and then stay the night in one of the new rental yurts!

46. Take a mountain biking trip to Nelson, B.C. and ride trails in the Morning Mountain and Kokanee Creek Provincial Park areas then hit the hot springs at Ainsworth.

47. Run wild on the Mountain Magic 5/10/25K Trail Run at Mount Spokane State Park on June 30.

48. Get up early and do yoga while the sun rises in a public park or natural area.

49. Backpack to an alpine lake you’ve never been to before. Find plenty of options in Rich Lander’s classic guidebook “100 Hikes in the Inland Northwest.”

50. Ride the Silver Mountain gondola in Kellogg, Idaho, to mountain bike or hike around the huge trail network at Silver Mountain Bike Park.

51. Walk or run the Dad’s Day Dash with dad on Fathers’ Day at Spokane’s Riverfront Park, June 16.

52. Visit 20 parks in the Spokane area to hike, bike, play or participate in other fun activities as part of the Greater Spokane Parks Challenge. Once you sign up and finish the challenge, you’ll be entered to win raffle prizes, including cash and gift cards. Scan the QR to download the app on page xx of this issue to get started.

53. Spend part of a day exploring the challenges in Mica Moon’s aerial park with bridges, tight ropes, and more in Liberty Lake, Wash.

54. Kayak or go tubing on a calm stretch of Idaho’s St. Joe River.

LEFT: . LAKE MORAINE IN BANFF NATIONAL PARK PHOTO: CAROL CORBIN. // BELOW: INDULGE WITH A GLASS OF WINE AND OLIVES IN NELSON B.C. AFTER YOUR ADVENTURES. PHOTO: SHALLAN KOWLES

Yes, dazzling Lake Pend Oreille offers exceptional paddling, boating, fishing and swimming. But you can go even deeper in beautiful Sandpoint, Idaho. For hikers there are 200-plus trails in the surrounding Selkirk and Cabinet mountain ranges, while mountain bikers will find seriously fine riding at the Schweitzer and Pine Street Woods trail systems. If golf is your game, challenge yourself at the Idaho Club’s championship course. And after a day of activity outside, Sandpoint’s vibrant downtown offers terrific shopping, fine dining and stellar entertainment. Come, and see how deep you can go, in beautiful Sandpoint!

MTB Schweitzer trails

Hiking Selkirk Mountains

Idaho Club golf

BELOW: RIDING ACROSS THE TRAIL OF THE COEUR D'ALENES TO HARRISON AND BEYOND. PHOTO: CAROL CORBIN // TOP RIGHT: DAY TRIPS DOWN THE SALMON RIVER CANYON // RIGHT: FIND A LINE TO ZIP // PHOTOS: SHALLAN KNOWLES

55. Mountain bike the Empire Trails that includes new trails near Spirit Lake, Idaho.

56. Go ziplining with Timberline Adventures in Coeur d’Alene and experience seven zip lines and two sky bridges, and then have lunch in a tree house.

57. Hike one of the many trails on Mount Spokane and hunt for huckleberries.

58. Kayak in a glass-bottom boat on Wallowa Lake near Joseph, Ore., to experience the underwater environment in a whole new way. You can rent kayaks or sign up for a tour, including a night tour with lighted kayaks that illuminate the fish, boulders, and lake bottom for a magical paddling experience. Info at Jopaddle.com

59. Canoe or kayak a stretch of the Pend Oreille River Water Trail in northeast Wash.

60. Ride the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes from Plummer to Harrison, Idaho, and go swimming at the beach.

61. Ride the Wallowa Lake Tramway, a 3,700’ gondola ride to the peak of Mt. Howard in the Wallowa Mountains near Joseph, Ore.

62. Ride the IMBA Epic Seven Summits mountain bike trail in Rossland, B.C.

63. Sign your kids up for an indoor climbing camp at Wild Walls Climbing Gym in downtown Spokane.

64. Bike to the Townshend Cellar tasting room in downtown Spokane to try some of their wines and get a “Wowler” wine growler filled to go.

65. Explore some of the sites along the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail.

66. Try kiteboarding or wing foiling on the Columbia River near Hood River, Ore.

67. Ride your bike to one of Spokane’s smallest and coolest bars, The Baby Bar, downtown behind Neato Burrito.

68. Run or walk the 5k at the Wallace Huckleberry Festival on Sunday, Aug. 18.

Learn About the Places Where We Play

Join one of these educational nature outings hosted by the Spokane County Library District, including some outings led by Out There Outdoors writers! Unless otherwise noted, outings are for adults and registration is required. More info and sign up at Scld.org.

81. NATURE JOURNALING HIKE: GLENROSE TRAIL (JUNE 13, 8–10:30 A.M.)

Take an invigorating hike on the Glenrose trail in the Dishman Hills Natural Area with a break for a nature journaling exercise. This hike is moderately difficult along a 5.5-mile loop with an elevation gain of 1,500 feet. Led by Out There contributor Heidi Lasher.

82. HISTORY HIKE: MT. SPOKANE STATE PARK (JULY 9, 8–10:30 A.M.)

Explore the upper elevations of Mount Spokane State Park and discover park history at Bald Knob Campground, the site of the Civilian Conservation Corps’ spike camp, and Cook’s Cabin Woodshed. This trail hike over uneven terrain is a 3.5mile loop with an elevation gain of 400 feet is led by Holly Weiler, Out There contributor and board member of the Friends of Mt. Spokane State Park.

83. MEDICINAL & EDIBLE PLANTS HIKE: LIBERTY LAKE REGIONAL PARK (AUG. 20, 8–10:30 A.M.)

Explore the trails at Liberty Lake Regional Park and learn about the medicinal and edible plants that grow wild along the

route as well as tips for locating them. This hike is led by Karie Lee Knoke, Out There contributor and contestant on the TV series Alone.

84. HIKING SAFELY NEAR BEARS PRESENTATION (JUNE 12 & JUNE 25)

Learn how to recreate safely in bear country by taking the right precautions, plus learn grizzly and black bear identification, basic bear biology and phenology, and how to respond if you encounter a bear in the field, from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife biologist Matt Brinkman (Cheney Library June 12, 6:30 p.m. and North Spokane Library June 25, 6:30 p.m.).

85.MEDICAL LAKE GEO-WALK & WATER SAMPLING: WATERFRONT PARK (AUG. 21, 5-7 P.M.)

Walk 3 miles along the trail around Medical Lake with Chad Pritchard, professor of Geology at EWU, and learn about the lake’s history and natural science and help gather water samples for stormwater research and pick up trash along the way (tween and teen friendly).

TOP: CANOEING ON STILL WATER // ABOVE LEFT: SPEND AN EVENING ROLLING AROUND SPOKANE ON BIKES // PHOTOS: SHALLAN KNOWLES RIGHT: SEVEN SUMMITS TRAIL PLAYS HOST TO HIKERS AND BIKERS.

PHOTO: CAROL CORBIN.

69. Ride the 15-mile Route of the Hiawatha Trail, named “America’s Crown Jewel of the Rails to Trails.”

70. Treat the family to a trip to Slide Waters water park at Lake Chelan in central Washington. There’s a lazy river, body slides, tube slides, surfing on the Lakeside Surf wave, downhill racer slides and more all with incredible views of the lake and mountains.

71. Go fishing or paddling at Fish Lake Regional Park, near Cheney, Wash.

72. Camp on Idaho’s Salmon River near Riggins, Idaho, or stay in town and go on a whitewater rafting day trip and enjoy the local nightlife in this cool river town.

73. Go kayaking or boating on Lake Roosevelt and picnic on one of its many sandy, primitive beaches.

74. Forage for wild berries, mushrooms, and plants that you know or use a guidebook to help you discover new ones.

75. Hike or bike the Columbia Plateau Trail State Park through Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge from trailheads near Cheney, Wash.

76. Go camping and tube the Touchet River at Lewis and Clark Trail State Park, near Dayton, Washington.

Canoe or kayak the Little Spokane River. Use the Spokane Parks & Recreation weekend shuttle service (reservations recommended).

78. Hunt for fossils by breaking open rocks at the Stonerose Fossil Site in the small town of Republic in northeast Washington (stonerosefossil.org) then check out the super cool interpretive center and go for a bike ride or walk on the Golden Tiger Pathway that starts in town. This is a great family outing!

79. Spend a few days swimming and chilling on the city beaches in Coeur d’Alene and Sandpoint.

80. Take a wildflower day hike on the Kettle Crest in late June, starting from Sherman Pass and hiking north toward Columbia Mountain.

Out There Writers’ Summer Adventure Picks

By Amy McCaffree

WE ASKED two frequent Out There contributors and our managing editor about their favorite summer adventures and how they make the most of summer on top of work and family responsibilities. We hope their outdoor-adventure motivation and goal setting will help inspire your own summer explorations, whether it’s a hiking trail not far from home, a personal physical challenge, or an epic road trip to a new place.

CAROL CORBIN’S DIY MULTI-SPORT TRIATHLON

Every summer, Out There contributor Carol Corbin completes her own adventure multisport triathlon at Riverside State Park that includes mountain biking, running and kayaking. “I love to do all of the summer activities, but [the season] feels so short—I get to the end and think: Why didn’t I bike more? Why didn’t I kayak more? With the tri, I get to do all the things I love in one experience,” she says.

Corbin schedules her Riverside Tri for a weekday, when the park is less busy. She begins at the Seven Mile trailhead with 10-15 miles of mountain biking on dirt trails in the Seven Mile and Bowl & Pitcher areas of the state park, and sometimes rides sections of the paved

Centennial Trail. Back at the trailhead, she loads her bike and drives to the Painted Rocks Trailhead where she unloads her paddling gear. She then hikes, carrying all her gear, to a designated water-access site for the Little Spokane River. Here she stashes her kayak and other essential gear, including a PFD, paddle, hydration and sunscreen.

Returning to her vehicle, she drives downriver to her planned takeout point to begin the trail run segment of her multi-sport adventure. She then runs upriver, returning to the Painted Rocks trailhead; gets into her kayak and enjoys a “mellow paddle back to my car, watching the ducks, moose, muskrats and beavers in the Little Spokane Natural Area,” she says.

Corbin’s personalized multi-sport challenge provides opportunity to enjoy “solitude, peace and meditation,” she says. “The element of doing it self-supported is [also] empowering to me.” She encourages others to create their own multi-sport challenge that includes their favorite activities. First identify which sports to include, then figure out a location or a few adjacent locations that provide routes or other accommodating space.

“Liberty Lake Regional Park would be a great place for a DIY multi-sport route,” says Corbin. Boulder Beach is another she proposes, because of its riverfront location and prox-

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imity to trails and even rock climbing at Minnehaha Rocks—all accessible off Upriver Drive, paralleled by the Centennial Trail.

“Our whole region lends itself to creating various [multi-sport experiences],” she says. “We’ve got many great connector-trails to help you go from point A to point B, like the Children of the Sun Trail and Fish Lake Trail.” For more information about these parks and trails, use the search toolbar at OutThereOutdoors.com.

LISA LAUGHLIN’S EVERYDAY FAMILY ADVENTURES

Adventure is an attitude, not just action. “As a mom of two kids under the age of four, I kind of have this mindset to just ‘send it’ every day that I can,” says Out There managing editor Lisa Laughlin. “We’re all happier and healthier when we’re outside, and that takes effort.”

Prioritizing outdoor time with young kids often means letting the laundry and dish piles wait, says Laughlin. Some of her favorite ways to teach her children about loving the outdoors are to visit their neighborhood park, dig in a garden box, walk on trails, and simply throw rocks into the river. “As a parent, I see it as my job to role model: I play and run and explore with them,” she says. “When my oldest son rides fearlessly over a ramp on his Strider bike or my daughter yells, ‘yay, running!’ from inside the stroller while I run, I know this is the right choice.”

To be adventurous also means trying new things and being spontaneous, like visiting a new park with your kids while doing errands in a different part of town, Laughlin says. But be prepared with band-aids, water bottles and snacks.

Incorporate the outdoors often enough and it becomes a fundamental lifestyle with new traditions. For example, on summer Sundays the Laughlin family visits the Centennial Trail. Lisa, a long-distance runner, and her triathlete husband trade off running while the other is biking and towing their kids in the bike trailer.

“From my perspective, parenting young kids is going to be tough anywhere, so you might as well be out on an adventure,” Laughlin says. “Our outdoor pursuits make us happier and healthier, and help manage stress, so we prioritize those activities. I hope my kids will fall in love with something to do outside that will give them the same life-long benefits.”

ALANA LIVINGSTON’S GUIDE TO GOAL SETTING

“I’m kind of an accomplishment junkie,” says Out There contributor Alana Livingston. “I like to feel active, like I’m working towards goals to accomplish during my lifetime. I used to be a long-distance runner, but I’m almost 50, so my body is telling me not to do that so much anymore.”

When Livingston’s 12-year-old son started running, they brainstormed goal-setting and decided to run one mile per day together for an entire year starting in 2024—which would total 366 miles for this leap year. “He lasted a week, but I’m still going!” she says. “I really hate running, but I’m really loving it now, because there is nothing lingering over me about how many miles I’m going or how fast I’m running. I’m just out there because [I want to be].” Livingston also committed to the 52 Hike Challenge, a global movement and online community that encourages people to better connect with the outdoors through hiking (52hikechallenge.com). With 52 weeks in a calendar year, the premise is for people to go hiking at least once a week; however, there isn’t a set schedule and people often finish the 52 Hike Challenge in less time.

KAYAKING WITH AN 18-MONTH-OLD ON THE LITTLE SPOKANE RIVER IN SUMMER. // PHOTO

COURTESY OF LISA LAUGHLIN

“This season of life I want to live to the fullest and find the most enjoyment, with a holistic approach to everything, whether recreation or travel,” says Livingston. “I never do resolutions, but this year, for whatever reason, I have multiple [ones].” Although her ambitious running and hiking may seem daunting, she feels encouraged with support from her family and friends, especially when they accompany her on hikes and runs.

Livingston encourages others to create their own goals to keep active and accountable, but to do so with a flexible mindset to maximize fun. With no set weekly goals, if she’s not able to run one day, she’ll make up for it on another. (As of April 19, she has completed 22 hikes and 110 running miles.) For the hike challenge, routes can be repeated as long as you hike at least one mile. Livingston’s favorite regional destinations are Liberty Lake Loop Trail, Bald Knob at Mt. Spokane State Park, and Waikiki Springs Nature Preserve, where she also volunteers as a Land Steward for Inland Northwest Land Conservancy. //

Amy McCaffree is a senior writer for Out There Outdoors.

2024 Schedule

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ALANA LIVINGSTON KICKING OFF A GOAL-SETTING SUMMER

BIKING Getting Girls Together on Mountain Bikes

By Amika Taniguchi

LINCOLN COUNTY

THE GRIT (Girls Riding Together) initiative is NICA’s (National Interscholastic Cycling Association) effort to recruit and retain more girls to mountain biking. The first nationwide program of its kind, GRiT focuses intentional effort on creating an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere for girls, who are underrepresented in the sport. Local NICA team, the Spokane Composite Mountain Bike Team called the “Bombers,” is looking to recruit more female riders this season through GRiT. Girls grades 5-11 can give the group a try with a leisurely ride on May 11 at Spokane’s Beacon Hill trail system.

According to NICA, girls’ self-confidence plummets 30% from ages 12-14, in stark contrast to boys, whose self-confidence remains largely unchanged through puberty. By age 14, 45% of girls say that they are afraid to try something where they may fail. Sports can fill this confidence gap. Charlie Bailey, a local youth mountain biker, likes that “GRiT allows participants to connect with other girls in the area who are on different teams. You can meet new friends and help other girls pursue mountain biking.” Through GRiT, we are committed to creating a safe space for girls to engage, build confidence, find belonging and thrive as members of a vibrant cycling community.

GRiT is about breaking barriers and redefining norms. Gender-related challenges are still one of the biggest reasons that girls drop out of sports at twice the rate of boys by age 14. GRiT empowers girls to challenge stereotypes, redefine what it means to be a female athlete, and push their own personal limits. Ella Olson, another local youth mountain biker, reports, “Riding with girls who want to ride is just awesome. Sometimes we underestimate ourselves, but the girls bring up our spirits.”

Mountain biking in a group fosters a sense of community and connection. It allows girls to meet like-minded individuals, join group rides and events, and become part of a community. Riding bikes together is a way to connect, empower, and inspire each other, while enjoying the many physical, mental, and social benefits that cycling has to offer. So, grab your bike, gather your friends, and hit the trails with NICA for an unforgettable experience this season!

RSVP for the May 11 ride by emailing spokanecompositebombers@gmail.com. Girls should bring a mountain bike, helmet and water bottle. For more information about the group, visit Bikesaretheanswer. com. The Bombers take riders of all levels, as long as they know how to ride a bike and have fun doing so.

TEAM MOTIVATION AT THE CROSSCUT RACE IN BOZEMAN, MT // PHOTO COURTESY OF KATHLEEN OLSON

A NEW GENERATION of outdoor adventure and nature lovers expect more from an RV resort or glamping experience. The owners of northeast Washington’s Ruby Creek Resort, Jake and Cody Abbott, have met that demand with vision that’s made their boutique, waterfront resort on the Pend Oreille River and Ruby Creek in Pend Oreille County an immediate success with over fifty 5-star reviews after last season’s first year of operation.

The Abbotts purchased the property, formerly a B&B, that is surrounded by public lands about 20 miles north of Cusick in 2022. “We wanted to share this unique property that’s on the river and right across the highway from thousands of acres of the Colville National Forest with the rest of the word,” explains Jake, adding that there are endless opportunities to hike, mountain bike, or explore fire lookouts and scenic back roads including the International Selkirk Loop, all just a short drive away. “And then you get to come back to the resort and jump in the river and swim or go paddling, fishing, or boating,” he says.

The resort’s amenities include 1,000 feet of river and creek waterfront; a 250-foot private beach with a new dock for boating and swimming; waterfront RV sites, including five with full hook ups and a couple with electricity and water; plus two fullyfurnished bunkhouses with bathrooms and

wireless Internet that each sleep six. When renting one or both bunkhouses, they come with private access to a downstairs mess hall featuring a full kitchen with a dining area for 12 people plus a tv and games.

Adding to Ruby Creek Resort’s natural beauty, quiet and uncrowded setting, and amenities, the Abbotts have curated a modern camping experience with everything from yard games, disc golf, and kayaks to a communal fire pit for guests to congregate. Participate in resort-hosted events, including outdoor movie nights, live music (July 20 with Wiebe Jammin’), and an outdoor painting night with a local artist (June 13).

The resort’s owners have a passion for making connections. “Our mission when we opened up was to connect people with all of the outdoor opportunities around us and with each other,” explains Jake. “We support many of the local events and giving back to the local communities is a big part of our business plan.”

Ruby Creek Resort is pet friendly, has pre-reservable dock mooring space for most sizes of boats (accessed from a launch three miles away), boat trailer and vehicle parking on site, and is available as a special event space. More info at Rubycreekresort.com or follow the resort’s social pages for event updates. Call 509-957-3331 or e-mail info@ rubycreekresort.com to make a reservation. (OTO)

SUMMER NIGHTS ON THE WATER AT RUBY CREEK RESORT // PHOTO COURTESY OF JAKE ABBOTT

The Evolution of Bike Coaching in the Kootenays

What makes Rossland, B.C. such a great mountain biking destination, especially for

women looking to improve their skills

By Sammy Berryman

JUST A SHORT two-and-a-half-hour drive from Spokane is the small town of Rossland, BC. Home to Red Mountain Resort, the famous Seven Summits mountain bike trail, and trails that take you along old railway beds and whisky running routes—Rossland packs a punch. With 200k of professionally maintained trails thanks to the Kootenay Columbia Trail Society, it seriously pays to have a local show you around. Betty Go Hard founder, Natasha Lockey, is just that. The kiwi-born adventure seeker seems to have her tendrils in every part of what’s deemed the mountain biking capital of Canada. With a resume too long for this wee article, let’s cut to the good stuff.

Over the last two decades, Natasha has developed a handful of businesses centered around helping more people get outdoors. Her earliest endeavor was creating a Facebook group for women who wanted to get out and ride together—an idea that sparked after having a chat with a friend who said, “you can’t be what you can’t see.” In 2007, she established a mountain biking business geared towards women under the name of Betty Go Hard.

At the time, the majority of female bikers in the area were known as the “Rossland Housewives,” aka gals who ride double black diamonds and throw themselves off jumps. Basically, if you didn’t have the confidence or the knowledge to enter into the world of mountain biking, you were SOL. Natasha could feel this firsthand. She got a lot of questions from friends and acquaintances asking, “What line would you take?” And “Can you show me how to do this?” So, she would give them some instruction, show them the line, and found that the confidence gained from this was enough for them to achieve it.

“When you have someone that can give you the key pointers, you can progress so much quicker,” Natasha says. "Confidence comes from your performance. If you’re not performing as well as you could be because you don’t know

how, then you’re not able to get that confidence. This quickly leads to people dropping out of the sport because they can’t get past that initial plateau.”

The combination of Natasha’s passion for coaching plus the close proximity to trails are a huge part of why so many riders in the area have been able to flourish. The Rossland trail system is maintained by a full-time trails crew that looks after the sprawling network of beginner to expert trails. This includes 34 easier trails, such as Blue Elephant and the new Mxiɬp Xewílh (Cedar Trail) that rolls, dips, and swoops through sections of old growth forest; 58 intermediate trails like Larch Ridge and Redtop; 32 difficult trails including local favorite SMD and the epic Seven Summits Trail, aka the crown jewel of Rossland; and 10 extra difficult trails, such as The Flume.

If you’re popping into town for the weekend, take a look at the “Bike and Stay” packages at Kootenay Mountain Biking—another rad business started by Natasha and her husband. They offer two and a half days of shuttle riding and two nights’ accommodation with breakfast, lunch, and dinners included. Want a private lesson? They offer that too. Women’s retreats? Absolutely. They literally Offer Everything. If you’re a female rider looking to gain confidence, progress your skillset, or meet likeminded gals— Natasha offers various retreats and camps, a women’s ride series, private lessons, and an online bike confidence mastery course. As all good rides must come to an end, so must this read. If you’re curious about joining Natasha for a ride or looking for more tips, check out KootenayGateway.com and BettyGoHard. com. Happy riding and see you out there!

Sammy Berryman is the new Programs Director for Pend Oreille Pedalers (POP), the Sandpoint based MTB non-profit. After interviewing Natasha, she was quickly convinced it's time for a visit to Rossland, B.C.

Rossland Biking Beta Headquarters: Revolution Cycles

Once you’ve visited Rossland, B.C., for a mountain biking trip, you won’t roll your eyes when you run across a proclamation of the Kootenay town being crowned Canada’s mountain biking capital. Seeing, and in this case, riding, is believing. One of the greatest joys of Rossland—in addition to the quality of trails, laid-back historic downtown with plenty of pubs and eateries, friendly people, and lack of corporate chain stores and restaurants—is that no matter where you stay, you can ditch the car and ride and walk everywhere!

Of course, you can spend days getting the town’s trails and other local secrets slowly dialed through trial and error, but why waste precious time? My first stop on a trip to Rossland is to Revolution Cycles, located downtown on Columbia Ave. conveniently next to Rossland Beer Company and across the street from the reliable provisions stop, Ferraro Foods. Revolution Cycles is the longtime purveyor of bikes, gear, and invaluable local biking knowledge, and a stop to chat up the staff about the latest trail conditions, closures, and new trails won’t be time wasted. Revolution is also a great place to pick up any biking supplies or parts, get a last-minute bike tweak, or find a cool bike shop t-shirt or bike-art souvenir. With the exchange rate continuing to favor the American dollar big time, it may not hurt to stock up on the critical supply staples that help keep your ride rolling. Check out the shop’s inventory and info at Revolutioncycles.ca. (Derrick Knowles)

(Sponsored)

BIKE COACH AND ENTREPRENEUR NATASHA LOCKEY

IN CANADA’S MTB CAPITAL, ROSSLAND, B.C. // PHOTO COURTESY OF NATASHA LOCKEY

Fernie B.C. A Treasure Trove of Outdoor Thrills

NESTLED IN THE HEART of the Canadian Rockies, Fernie, British Columbia, beckons travellers and outdoor enthusiasts with its stunning landscapes, fresh mountain air, and an array of activities that make every summer an unforgettable experience. Just a winding 250-mile drive northeast of Spokane, Wash., this gem of a town offers an outdoor playground that promises thrill and serenity in equal measure. For the adventurous traveller, the family of explorers, and the seeker of nature's quiet beauty; Fernie is your canvas for an extraordinary summer tale.

HIKING: FROM VALLEY TO ALPINE

Fernie and surrounding areas provide an extensive tapestry of trails that wind through lush valley floors, ideal for a family-friendly trek amid nature's splendor. The energetic hiker will enjoy the challenge of climbing the elevations leading to the alpine peaks of Mount Fernie, Mount Proctor, Mount Hosmer, or the iconic Three Sisters. These paths are not just routes to incredible vistas; hiking in Fernie is a summer ritual that brings an opportunity to connect with the beauty of the Rocky Mountains.

MOUNTAIN BIKING: TRAILS FOR EVERY RIDER

Fernie’s love for the outdoors is reflected in the impressive number of trails that are maintained by passionate local organizations. With hundreds of trails catering to all skill levels, mountain bikers can expect a variety of exhilarating rides. Each trail tells a story etched into the rugged landscape, whether it be a gentle introduction to

the sport you love in a truly spectacular setting. Feel the mountain breeze, take in the views, and enjoy the game.

EXPLORING HISTORIC DOWNTOWN AND BEYOND

Fernie’s historic downtown invites a wander along its streets, where every corner whispers tales of the past. Architecture admirers and casual explorers alike will rejoice in the century-old facades and charming storefronts. Join a guided tour or download the free Iconic Fernie mobile app to explore beyond with self-guided tours that unravel the town’s storied history and contemporary culture.

A VIBRANT COMMUNITY

the sport, or a high-octane descent. Here, every pedal stroke is a fun-filled exploration of nature's playground. Don’t fancy the effort of having to pedal up? Class1 e-bikes are allowed on Fernie’s trails, and a liftaccessed bike park is available from June 22 to September 2 at Fernie Alpine Resort.

DRY FLY FISHING AND WHITEWATER ADVENTURES

Historic coal mining towns (like Fernie), abundant wildlife, and Canadian wilderness are the setting through which the classic freestone Elk River flows, calling to anglers with its clear, cool waters and bounteous stocks of pure strain westslope cutthroat trout, monster bull trout and hybrid cuttbows. The art of dry fly fishing takes center stage here, where patience is rewarded with the dance of a fly rod and the potential catch of a lifetime. Local flyfishing outfitters provide guided trips, intel and all the gear one may need.

Water enthusiasts are also spoilt for choice with white-water rafting experiences churning through rapids, the serenity of SUP and kayaking excursions on gentler currents, and the nearby lakes that invite exploration and idle paddles under the summer sky. For added fun, opt for a float on a giant SUPSquatch, an oversized inflatable paddleboard for groups up to eight people.

GOLF WITH A VIEW

Swing amidst the backdrop of the towering mountains at the Fernie Golf Club—an 18-hole championship golf course. With fairways as inviting as they are challenging, golf in Fernie offers an opportunity to play

Those hungry for culture and connection will see their appetite satisfied. Fernie’s events scene is bustling with live entertainment for all ages. Staple summer events include popular evening live music at Wednesday Socials; Sunday Mountain Market, featuring fresh local produce and original gifts; Fernie’s biggest indie music celebration, the annual Wapiti Music Festival; various mountain biking, gravel biking and trail running races; gallery exhibitions; art experiences and more.

SAMPLING THE TASTE OF FERNIE

The dining scene in Fernie is a testament to the town's diverse community. From cozy pubs serving up hearty comfort food to upscale restaurants offering international flavors, and everything in between, there is

something for everyone in this mountain town. Fernie is also home to an awardwinning distillery, cherished local brewery, artisan bean-to-bar chocolate maker and boutique bakeries. But it's not just about the food—Fernie's local boutiques, galleries and artisan shops add another layer of charm and character to the town.

A PLACE TO STAY FOR EVERYONE

Fernie offers bespoke lodging for the discerning traveler. Choose from boutique hotels, cozy tiny homes, innovative adventure pods, serene RV and camping spots, or spacious lodges and condos. Each option promises comfort and proximity to the great outdoors.

CAPTURE

THE ESSENCE OF FERNIE

This guide merely scratches the surface of Fernie's summer allure. At its core, Fernie is a mosaic of outdoor experiences, each providing a multitude of possibilities for play, relaxation, and the pure joy of discovering the natural world. Adventure lies in the heart of this mountain town and in the spirit of those who yearn for stories written under the open sky.

Be it for the adrenaline rush or the peaceful retreat, Fernie calls out to all who seek to fuse their summer with adventure. From Spokane and beyond, cast your compass north, where the Canadian Rockies mark the gateway to your next great exploration. Plan your summer getaway at tourismfernie.com.

A TREASURE TROVE OF OUTDOOR ADVENTURES AWAIT IN FERNIE, B.C. // PHOTOS COURTESY OF TOURISM FERNIE

Unveiling Big White

A Stellar Summer Playground for Mountain Bikers and Outdoor Adventurers

ARE YOU THINKING of hitting the trails north of the border this summer? If you haven’t yet scoped out Big White Mountain, get this: it’s not only home to Big White Ski Resort, but when the mercury rises, the mountain totally flips the script. As the snow melts away in the alpine, what emerges is one of British Columbia’s topnotch, lift-accessible downhill bike parks and a treasure trove of outdoor activities to explore alongside the stunning Monashee and Selkirk Mountains!

ACCESSING ADVENTURE

Big White is just a quick 55-minute blast from Kelowna and a 111-mile scenic drive from the Oroville, Wash., border crossing. The drive along the scenic Highway 33 to Big White Road takes you right into the resort’s mountain village. Once you hit the spot, you'll find heaps of parking in both Happy Valley and the Village Centre.

BIG WHITE BIKE PARK: A THRILLING RIDE

From June 27 to Sept. 2, 2024, Big White Bike Park provides an epicenter for mountain biking stoke. The park rolls out the welcome mat Thursday through Sunday and on holiday Mondays, offering a variety of trails from 7,057 feet via the Bullet Chairlift. Newbies can sharpen their skills in the Beginner Skills Area at Happy Valley, where trails are decked out to pump up your confidence. Seasoned shredders will dig the gnarly advanced trails, loaded with steep descents and techy features that push your precision and control to the max. When you're ready to rip, dual-suspension bikes are the way to go for mastering the park’s mixed bag of terrain. Need to borrow a bike or safety gear? Swing by the Rental Shop for the latest rentals and bike armor. Level up your ride by downloading the Trailforks app to shred the park's routes with ease, boosted by free Wi-Fi in the Village Centre.

ABOVE: SOAK IN THE VIEWS ALONG THE 2.8-MILE RHONDA LAKE TRAIL, EASILY ACCESSIBLE FROM THE BULLET CHAIRLIFT. // PHOTO: JUSTA JESKOVA PHOTOGRAPHY // TACKLE BIKE BIG WHITE’S BADASS ROCK AND NATURAL FEATURES, A TRUE TEST OF YOUR DOWNHILL MTB MOJO! // RIGHT: THE WOODS' OPEN PATIO IN THE VILLAGE CENTRE IS THE ULTIMATE SPOT TO KICK BACK AFTER AN ADVENTUROUS DAY ON THE MOUNTAIN. // PHOTOS: BIG WHITE SKI RESORT

Tickets and Passes Available Online or On-Mountain

• Bike Park Tickets: Full-day access to the park and extended play on Friday and Saturday nights.

• 3-Day Dirt Pass: Flexible access for any three days during the season.

• Bike Season Passes: Includes unlimited park access and discounts on food, accommodation, and bike repairs.

• Sightseeing Chairlift Rides Tickets: Single round-trip, multi-ride day passes are available. Children 5 and under are free!

Key 2024 Summer Events

• Fiv’r Race Series (July 5 – Aug. 23): A series of Friday downhill races accessible to all skill levels.

• Summer Music Series (July 6 – Aug. 24): Enjoy live music in the village on select Saturdays.

• Craft and Country Mountain Festival (July 13): Local breweries and cideries highlight the best flavors of the Okanagan region.

• L'Alpe de Grand Blanc (July 21): This cycling road ride from Kelowna to Big White Ski Resort engages the rituals of the world's premier cycling event.

• Freeride Days (Aug. 8 - 10): A thrilling free multi-day event featuring top freeride mountain bike riders at the Slopestyle Course.

BEYOND BIKING: TRAILS AND VIEWS

Beyond the gnarly bike trails, Big White is a hiker’s paradise with extensive paths kicking off with a scenic chairlift ride. Here, you’re treated to killer views and primetime access to vibrant alpine wildflower blooms from early July to mid-August. Whether you’re up for a chill stroll that’s perfect for a family hangout or looking to tackle more intense routes, Big White’s got the trails to make it happen. Plus, with a dog-friendly vibe, you can bring your furry sidekick along. Birdwatchers and nature buffs will find their bliss here too, diving deep into some of the purest natural scenes out there.

REFUELING AND RELAXING

After shredding the trails, Big White's village scene has got you covered with some top-notch spots to refuel and kick back. Hit up The Woods for some open-air vibes on the patio, where you can smash into hearty burgers or snag some tasty flatbreads. Over at the Globe and Broken Anchor Cafe, get your fill of seafood and Italian goodness. Or, if you’re after a more chill scene, roll into Snowshoe Sam’s for a laid-back pub atmosphere that’s a hit with all ages. Looking to keep the stoke high? Check out the 9-hole Disc Golf Course—it’s totally

free! Need discs? No sweat, you can snag them at the Village Centre Mall.

ACCOMMODATIONS: FROM COZY TO RUSTIC Big White’s accommodation options range from swanky to back-to-basics. The Inn at Big White hooks you up with rooms starting at $130 a night, featuring a pool and primo access to village amenities. Plus, Big White Central Reservations regularly drops Hot Deals online, offering discounts on rooms including pet-friendly digs. Dive deeper into options on Bigwhite.com, where you can snag spots with private hot tubs or score massive pads for up to 26 people! And if you're all about that outdoorsy life, the resort’s RV camping spot is your ticket to sleep under the stars, with washroom facilities and a chill connection to all amenities via Lara’s Gondola for free rides on the weekends, or just a cool stroll to the village.

ADVENTURE AT YOUR DOORSTEP

Perfect for outdoor adventurers who dig both adventure and chill vibes, Big White packs in the thrills along with all the creature comforts you need, all just a hop over the border. Scope out the latest deals and deets at Bigwhite.com and get your getaway on the books!

(Sponsored)

Epic Trails and Authentic Mountain Culture Await in Nelson, B.C.

By Peter Moynes

I MET JASON AND ALICE in the Morning Mountain parking lot, just outside of Nelson, British Columbia. It was a beautiful Friday afternoon in mid-June. The two had just finished riding Blue Steel, and with wide eyes and wider grins, they pulled up

beside me as I was loading my bike into my truck. “I can’t believe it,” Jason said. “That is one of the flowiest trails I have ever ridden!”

I had just finished riding Turnstiles, which is one of my faves in the area. As Jason and

Alice set down their bikes and shed their protective gear, I offered them a cold drink from my cooler and asked where they were visiting from. “We’re from Spokane Valley,” Alice said.

They admitted it was their first trip to the Kootenays. They had heard so many positive stories about traveling to this area, both in winter and summer, but for some reason they had never made the journey. I pressed them a little, asking why they had never been up this way. I wondered about this because I make six or seven trips every year to Spokane since it’s so close and an easy getaway. I especially love checking out Spokane’s live-music scene.

Alice said she wasn’t sure if their yappy little Blue Heeler needed paperwork at the border, and she was always scared they might get turned away. She had done some research and found out it wasn’t a problem, because the dog was barking at the stick it had placed at my feet.

They had also done research on Trailforks and familiarized themselves with some of the riding in the area, but what they hadn’t anticipated was how easy it was to get here. “We decided to cut out of work early on Friday

and expected just to check in at our hotel and perhaps go for a pint,” Jason said. “But we got here just after 3 p.m. and decided to ride our bikes!” They had compiled a list of trails they wanted to explore over the weekend and peppered me with questions about what they could accomplish in two days.

I asked if they were looking to take in any sights or attractions while they were in the area, and they were keen to visit the hot springs at Ainsworth. They had tickets for a DJ playing at Nelson’s Bloom Nightclub on Saturday night, and they were told by a friend that they must go to Marzano’s one night for pizza.

I suggested when they head up to Ainsworth—along Kootenay Lake on Nelson’s north shore—they could stop at Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park and try the Glade Runner or Hitman bike trails. From there, they could continue to the hot springs or rally to the beautiful town of Kaslo and give the new Friendly Giant bike trail a go and stop for a soak in the hot springs on the way back to Nelson.

I also told them how lucky they were: the exchange rate means they are winning wherever they go in the Kootenays!

(Sponsored)

Photo by Kari Medig

RIDER ALEX VOLOKHOV

DEEP IN THE FLOW IN NELSON, B.C. // PHOTO: LINDSAY DONOVAN

COURTESY OF NELSON

KOOTENAY LAKE TOURISM

Summer Day Camps at Mt. Spokane

CHOOSE FROM MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE AND MOUNTAIN BIKE THEMED CAMPS.

Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park is the only nonprofit ski area in our region and serves as a steward of our cherished mountain. This organization is not only rich in teaching children winter sports, but in recent years their team has expanded to provide summer day camps on the mountain. These camps offer kids an incredible opportunity to embark on adventures, learn new skills, and form lasting friendships, all while understanding the importance of preserving our natural environment.

ADVENTURE DAY CAMPS

These camps span three unforgettable days where children discover the value of the great outdoors in the heart of Mount Spokane State Park. Through various games and outdoor activities, campers develop respect for the mountain and its wildlife. The camp agenda includes exciting activities such as climbing, hiking, and crafting, with a continuous focus on environmental stewardship.

MOUNTAIN BIKE SKILLS CAMPS

Four days of thrilling exploration of park trails are included in these mountain bike skills camps. Campers bring their own mountain bikes and learn to master jumps, negotiate dirt paths, and navigate roots and rocks. The emphasis is on improving technical skills, culminating in daily trail

rides. Campers also learn valuable skills like fixing a flat tire and the importance of trail maintenance.

Both the adventure and mountain bike skills summer day camps are offered for six unique weeks, beginning at the end of June and extending into early August. This diverse schedule is designed to accommodate families' busy summer plans with children aged 5 to 15. The cost varies, with prices starting as low as $189 and reaching up to $299, offering options to fit various budgets. Understanding that parents often juggle multiple responsibilities, the ski lodge is open to use as a workspace. This enables parents to remain productive while their children are engaged in various camp activities.

SPONSOR A CAMPER

Mt. Spokane offers a unique opportunity for you to make a positive impact by sponsoring a camper. Your generous donation can enable children from deserving families to experience the joy of camp. Scholarships funded by your contributions allow these families to send their children to camp, an experience that might otherwise be financially unattainable. Your support can help create unforgettable summer memories for a child. Donate by contacting the Mt. Spokane team. Find more info and sign up at Mtspokane.com/summercamps.

Explore Local Parks with the Greater Spokane Parks Challenge

OUR REGION has an amazing variety of parks, trails, conservation lands, pools and outdoor events. Regardless of your favorite way to get outside, there is a park for you!

It is with this in mind that Spokane City Credit Union (SCCU) and the Spokane Parks Foundation came up with the Greater Spokane Parks Challenge. Now in its third year, the 2024 challenge is packed with family-friendly activities throughout Spokane County. Participants can track their adventures, access park information, trail maps, and learn about upcoming events all in one convenient app.

“Our goal is to encourage people to

explore, appreciate our parks, public lands and community,” says Deanna Hanley of SCCU, “and maybe even find a new park, outdoor activity or event they did not know existed.”

The challenge is free and open to all. With 200+ activities all over the region, you can explore at your own pace. Simply hike, bike, or play in a park to participate. Visit 20 parks to complete the Challenge and you’ll receive a waterproof Greater Spokane Parks Challenge sticker to slap on your favorite adventure gear. Upon completion, you’ll be entered to win awesome raffle prizes, including cash and gift cards. Even better—it’s all

for a good cause.

SCCU has long supported the Spokane Parks Foundation, a local non-profit that provides resources for vibrant parks and outdoor recreational opportunities in Spokane County. SCCU will make a donation to the Spokane Parks Foundation for each challenger. The more people who join, the bigger the donation will be!

“We are thrilled to collaborate with SCCU again this year,” says Yvonne Trudeau, Executive Director of the Spokane Parks Foundation. “This challenge is such a fun way for families, friends, and visitors to explore our area and experience all the dif-

ferent ways that we can enjoy the outdoors. Last year we had over 400 people participate, and we look forward to even more people joining in on the fun this year!”

The Greater Spokane Parks Challenge is running from now until September 2, 2024. Download the app, grab a friend or your kids and start exploring our parks today!

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Investing in the Right Education for Your Kid

By Shallan Knowles

WE ARE FORTUNATE to have some amazing public schools and excellent teachers around the Spokane region, but some children will struggle more than others at their local public school for a variety of reasons, leaving those parents looking for alternatives.

Elementary school should be about learning the basics, but also—and arguably, more importantly—learning to love learning. It’s a core life skill that can be difficult to teach students with individual learning needs and challenges, especially in a large classroom with standardized curriculum.

For kids who might not fit well in a traditional school environment like that, there are a growing number of charter schools and experienced-based public schools out there that provide varied learning environments, although many fill up quickly.

There are also many excellent private school options. The smaller class sizes and specialized learning approach at some of these schools can be appealing but also cost prohibitive for many parents. Of course we want what’s best for our kids, and there’s nothing more worthy of investing in than their futures. That thinking played a huge role in our decision to find a school that was right for our son, especially since he takes after his father who struggled with deskbound school work as an elementary school student.

“We don’t know where Derrick is a lot of the time,” his third-grade teacher told my mother-in-law about my now-husband during a parent-teacher conference. This anec-

dote came up frequently when we began looking at daycares and then schools that might a good fit for our son. All of those years ago, Derrick was physically there at his desk, of course, but not really there. He recalls staring longingly out the window, lost in an imaginative world, waiting for the school bell to ring and then coming to life with delight on the rare days when learning meant watching a film, participating in arts experiences, getting out of the classroom on a field trip, or taking part in some cultural experience at an assembly. Once off to college, he finally learned to love learning. It was this history of struggling in a traditional classroom setting, and a realization that our son takes after his father in this regard, that informed our search for an elementary education that would work better for our imaginative, high-energy kid.

Enter Pioneer School, a pre-k through 5th grade elementary school in Spokane Valley that caters to highly capable students. This small, unpretentious private school with small class sizes is one of the few secular private schools around, leaving various religious or spiritual beliefs to the parents. The focus, instead, is centered around experiential and theme-based learning. Kids take on more interactive projects that make them active participants in their learning and spend less time working on packets at their desks. They go on more hands-on learning expeditions out in nature and in the community than sitting still staring at chalkboards. The desk work that is done is related thematically to the projects and learning expeditions based

on quarterly themes or topics that tie it all together and make learning meaningful, personal, and active. The learning topics range broadly from nature to history, current events, culture, music and art.

When our son started kindergarten at Pioneer, the topic was inventing, which according to him was what he wanted to be when he grew up. He came home from school gushing with facts, small invention projects, and a passion for learning that has only grown stronger since then.

The school is also dedicated to outdoor play in the school’s backyard play area in

all types of weather, as well as in seasonal outdoor sports including alpine and Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, ice and roller skating, hiking, biking, camping, nature exploration, and other outdoor activities. Our son often comes home talking excitedly about the surprising things he learned that day, his clothes dirty and shoes full of sand from intense outdoor play, confirming for us that we made the right school choice.

To learn more about Pioneer School and openings for the 2024/2025 school year, visit Pioneerschool.com or email office@pioneerschool.com to set up a tour.

Hunt for Fossils at Stonerose

Right on the edge of the old-West feeling downtown of Republic, Wash., sits the fossil site where families can search for real fossils trapped in sediment layers. Visitors need to check in at the interpretive center at Hwy 20 and Clark Ave. and pay the entrance fee ($18 for adults, $7 for youth, and free for kids 4 and under). Bring your own rock hammers from home or rent them when you get your admission pass, then head the short distance to the fossil site and start sorting through piles of rock. Once you find a promising-looking one

to split open, enjoy the thrill of discovery at being the first person to see inside a 50-million-year-old rock and possibly find real fossils, including leaves, twigs, and some of the earliest-known species of roses. Don’t miss the cool displays at the interpretive center. Open May 1 through the fall. Check online for info on how to prepare for your fossil dig along with hours and days of operation at Stonerosefossil. org. (OTO)

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Bikes, brews, tunes, the great Outdoors, & You!

SPOKATOPIA 2024

Friday & Saturday, June 14-15

Camp Sekani Park

Spokatopia is the annual gathering of mountain bike riding friends coming out for bike demos, a beer garden benefitting local trails, uphill bike shuttles, music, vendors, a bike jump show, and more outdoor fun in the beloved backyard paradise at Spokane’s Camp Sekani Park. Find all of the details at Spokatopia.com. See you at Spokatopia on Friday June 14 (5-9 PM) and Saturday June 15 (9AM-3PM)!

All about the bike magic

Bring your own bike for riding the trails or taking advantage of the uphill shuttle, then leave it in our free and secure bike corral while you test ride a demo bike from Pivot, Trek and other brands and then grab an adult beverage and food truck snack!

ENJOY UPHILL BIKE SHUTTLES & BIKE JUMP SHOW!

Hop on one of the Spokatopia uphill shuttles and give your legs and lungs a break before taking on a gravity-fueled descent on the trail of your choice from the top of Camp Sekani! And don’t miss the high-flying action of skilled riders hitting insane jumps at the Spokatopia Jump Show on Saturday.

KIDS’ ACTIVITIES & MINI ADVENTURE CAMPS

Bring the kids to ride the pump track or shuttled mountain bike rides, try BMX or Strider bikes, learn about insects and reptiles with live animals courtesy of Spokane’s Bugs n’ Snakes (Saturday morning only), try slacklining or play yard games, watch the bike jump show (Saturday afternoon) or sign the kids up for a 2-hour outdoor adventure camp while you hit the demo bikes and bike shuttle.

OUTDOOR FESTIVAL FUN

Check out adventure vehicles from Toyota and as well as booths from bike shops and other outdoorsy vendors.

MUSIC, BREWS & FOOD

Hit the Bikes n’ Brews adult beverage garden sponsored by Fat Tire Ale and New Belgium Brewing Company, listen to tunes, and grab a bite to eat from the Good ‘Dilla food truck. All proceeds from the beer garden go to Evergreen East and local mountain bike trail projects!

TRY THE LATEST MOUNTAIN BIKES FROM LOCAL SHOPS

SPOKATOPIA POKER RIDE

Saturday June 15

9 AM to High Noon

Play poker on two wheels! Ride to the Beacon Hill towers and back with stops for poker cards with challenges/spectacles along the way.

8-10 miles of green/blue XC trails with 800+ feet of climbing. Family & E-bike friendly.

Prizes for best hands and other categories

Register before May 31 and save $$. Registration available at Spokatopia.com through Friday, June 14 and on site Saturday morning.

The Dogs Who Helped Me Love the Outdoors

By Amy McCaffree

EMERSON WAS MY FIRST COMPANION. An all-white Siberian husky—a dog breed I specifically chose for its high energy and athletic endurance—Emerson came into my life at a pivotal time. I was 24 years old, recovering from heartbreak, and had read that having a pet decreased stress and one’s risk of depression. I also wanted a running partner.

Although research hasn’t proven that pet ownership prevents anxiety and depression, studies have shown that dog owners are more physically active. More exercise and time spent outdoors improves mental health. Emerson became my outdoor buddy not only for long-distance running, but also for hiking and mountain biking. With an always-ready, enthusiastic recreation companion, I was motivated to get out there no matter the weather. Emerson inspired confidence, a sense of protection, and kept me company on every run, even the 16- and 20-milers while I was marathon training.

When Emerson was four years old, he moved with me from the Seattle area to Spokane. Everywhere I went outdoors, Emerson came along, from backpacking in Oregon’s Eagle Cap Wilderness to biking along the Centennial Trail. Through grad school and early married life, he was a faithful companion, despite his mischievous tendencies and stressful situations that became funny stories.

When Emerson was almost nine years old, my husband, Judd, and I adopted another allwhite husky. Kenai energized old Emerson. With two outdoor buddies, we prioritized recreation and adventure travel where our dogs could come along. Naturally happy

and calm, they helped me through hard times. And while huskies are confidently independent, Kenai was especially attuned to my emotions—and wasn’t an escape-artist like Emerson.

A couple of years later, babies started joining our family pack. As Emerson approached his 13th birthday, his health quickly declined. This was my first experience making the dreaded decision. I worked through my grief while staying busy with mothering and caring for Kenai, then three. Especially heartbroken, Kenai would howl when left alone at home; thereafter, she came with us wherever dogs were allowed.

Kenai became my companion for everything outdoors: walking kids to school, sledding and snowshoeing, following me around while I gardened, going on hikes and long walks around the neighborhood. Inside, she always laid by my feet while I worked on my writing; overnight she slept in the kids’ bedrooms. Kenai loved camping. Even though she wasn’t a natural “water dog,” she did not like being left behind while I was paddleboarding or kayaking. It was doable because she was petite, weighed only 40 pounds, and wore a doggy lifejacket. Too soon, my kids grew into tweens and Kenai, now deaf, was becoming increasingly frail due to an inoperable lipoma on her hip. There was no way to protect my kids from the most horrible day of their young lives. Witnessing their grief compounded my own. I felt gutted. My children had never lived without a dog; I had never lived without one in Spokane. After nearly 15 years together, Kenai’s absence was disorientating, an inconsolable ache, as if my compass was

gone. Throughout all the ups and downs of marriage, pregnancy, parenthood, and my outdoor adventures, Kenai was there.

As the family dog, she was our constant common bond, despite diverging interests and activity schedules as the kids grew older and more independent. Kenai’s affection and unconditional love was a daily source of joy and reassurance for each of us. Our devotion to Kenai kept us connected; giving her the best life was our shared purpose.

“Once you have had a wonderful dog, a life without one is a life diminished,” wrote Dean Koontz. Which explains why we felt out of sorts without Kenai, fractured by the emotional and mental fallout. It was as if her death broke the family. My husband and I, especially, couldn’t imagine loving another dog as much as her.

Without a dog, heartbroken from loss, I wasn’t compelled to spend time in my backyard. After 23 years as a “dog mom,” I felt adrift. Long gone were my daily walks with Kenai, but I was also missing all the subtle ways that backyard time, my nature sanctuary—even just being among the trees—stimulated my senses and enhanced my mood. I didn’t realize how much of the everyday outdoors I had been missing without a dog until I stepped out my back door and into deep snow that first dog-less winter.

More than a year later, opportunity and timing aligned this past February for us to adopt an 8-week-old puppy—a miniAustralian shepherd and Labrador mix, aka an Aussiedor. Layla is cuddly, affectionate, whimsically playful, smart, and occasionally feisty, yet easy to train. My teens are learning new levels of responsibility, selflessness and

cooperation by raising a puppy—they have a new shared purpose. There is way less angst and a lot more laughter with a family dog. Layla makes them act like little kids again. And we’re all getting outside with renewed purpose.

A year without a pet revealed that my outdoorsy life is best lived with a dog by my side. Being a dog-mom boosts and sustains my emotional and mental well-being. Once again, I spend hours upon hours in my backyard—playing with Layla, supervising her, and simply being there as she explores.

As a family, we’re also spending more time together because of Layla. Whether playing with her on the grass, throwing balls, running around trees, or lounging in our hammock and chairs on sunny days. This summer, Layla will come along everywhere we go outdoors: on hiking trails, camping trips, and lake days.

Never truer is what my favorite poet (and fellow dog-lover) Mary Oliver proclaimed: “Because of the dog’s joyfulness, our own is increased. It is no small gift . . . what would the world be like without music or rivers or the green and tender grass? What would the world be like without dogs?”

For my world to be most wonderful, I need nature, outdoor recreation, and daily walks—each best shared with a four-legged companion.

Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Amy McCaffree is a senior writer for Out There and has been contributing to this magazine for more than 18 years. Find her on Instagram and see videos and photos of her dogs @adventure_amy_spokane.

LEFT: AMY WITH HER HUSBAND AND THEIR TWO HUSKIES AT UPPER STEVENS LAKE, ID. // AMY'S CHILDREN WITH KENAI AT LAKE PEND OREILLE // RIGHT: AMY'S DAUGHTER WITH THEIR NEW PUPPY LAYLA. // PHOTOS: AMY MCCAFFREE

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