Growing up in the Spokane area, it’s kind of hard to believe that I hadn’t done more than hike or drive along the edges of Lake Spokane before an Avista-inspired boat tour of the 24-mile-long lake last summer. The reservoir, which is formed by the Long Lake Dam impounded waters of the Spokane River, is […]
For Paddlers and Boaters, There’s a Lot to Explore at Lake Spokane Read More »
When a friend asked me to take a few days off to race the Kootenay Sufferfest mountain bike race, I laughed at him. Suffering should be something you get paid to do, not something you pay for, I thought. It turns out I was dead wrong. After some convincing on his part, I found myself
Kootenay SufferFest — A Little Bit of Suffering & a Whole Lot of Fun (Sept. 5-7, 2015) Read More »
The Northwest has hundreds of lakes ranging from tiny alpine tarns to giant pools that sprawl for miles through the mountains. The region’s many diverse lakes each have their own unique feel and personality. While public land and access is limited at some, others like Priest Lake, nestled in the Selkirk Mountains, are a near
The Best of Priest Lake: Hikes, Resorts, Paddling, Fishing, and More Read More »
A well-known local hiker and trail maintenance project leader, Lynn Smith, ends his emails to other trail maintenance volunteers with these words: “Days spent on a trail are not deducted from one’s lifetime.” Another Spokane Mountaineers member and volunteer coordinator for Washington Trails Association, Holly Weiler, is famous among many U.S. Forest Service and state
Pitching in for Trails — Our Local Trails Need You Read More »
In 1968 the Spokane Mountaineers hosted then-Congressman Tom Foley at the club chalet on Mount Spokane to discuss conservation issues and other hot topics. Another piece of big news during this period included the opening of the North Cascade Highway to the public. On the skiing front, club members skied at Jackass Ski Bowl (aka
Looking Back at the Spokane Mountaineers (1968-1976) Read More »
Editor’s note: The first official Mount Spokane Hucklebeary Epic mountain bike race was scheduled to take place on Saturday, August 8 (due to extreme fire danger). This article was written for the July 2015 print issue of Out There Monthly and is a good preview of the course we hope you’ll get the chance to
Mount Spokane Hucklebeary Epic 2015 (CANCELED DUE TO EXTREME FIRE DANGER) Read More »
Back before the Internet, it was more difficult to break out into new outdoor sports than it is today, especially technical ones like climbing that usually require someone to show you the ropes. The local outdoors community coalesced around clubs like the Spokane Mountaineers and Spokane Canoe and Kayak Club, where people who were into
See You at Spokatopia Read More »
I consider myself a pretty strong rider. But, despite their best efforts, the trio of Canadian cyclists who have volunteered to show me the highlights of road biking in the West Kootenay region of southern B.C. area are casually kicking my ass. The small alpine community of Rossland is one of the highest-elevation towns in
The West Kootenays on Two Wheels Read More »
Bikes, dogs, beer: Sadly, something’s gotta give. I just finished a big triathlon last weekend, so we choose the dog over the bikes, giving my legs a rest and making Milo’s tail thump in triumph. We’re camping our way down central Oregon in search of great beer and confirmation that Bend is as dog-friendly as
Bend, Oregon: Where Beer-lovers and Dog-lovers Unite Read More »
Paddling a canoe on a quiet lake, especially when sunset colors splay across the western sky, is a great way to spend a summer day. “A canoe moves more smoothly and quietly than any other watercraft,” says Brook Swanson, board member of the Spokane Canoe and Kayak Club. “I think it’s the most comfortable way
The Beautiful Simplicity of Lake Canoeing Read More »
