Along the Centennial Trail in Riverside State Park. Photo: Derrick Knowles

Bowl and Pitcher, Riverside State Park (Spokane)

If you want a classic that feels like an actual “hike” without leaving town, start here. The Bowl and Pitcher loop is a short but scenic 2.1-mile route with river views, basalt outcroppings and the iconic footbridge over the Spokane River. A Discover Pass is required for parking. Tip for shoulder-season winter: if the trail is icy in the shade near the river, traction can make the walk immensely more safe and enjoyable. Learn more about trails around Riverside State Park here.

Dishman Hills Natural Area (Spokane Valley)

When the high country is socked in, the Dishman Hills can deliver quick forest strolls ponderosa pine forest and viewpoints that feel surprisingly wild for being on the edge of the city. Routes to destinations like Enchanted Ravine are short (2-miles round trip) and popular. Note that this natural area prioritizes wildlife and native plant preservation, and dogs must remain on a leash. This is one of the best places to catch a winter sunset on a clear day from a high point—just bring a headlamp for the hike back to your car.

When planning a winter hike, avoid muddy trails or trails transitioning between freezing and thawing when hikers can damage trails. Try hiking when trails are frozen or dry or choose trails with trails that drain better. Plan your Dishman Hills adventure here.

Saltese Uplands in late winter. Photo: Derrick Knowles

Saltese Uplands (Liberty Lake area)

Saltese is a strong winter pick when you want open views and a more “wide-sky” feel. The conservation area has more than 7 miles of trail exploring canyons and ridge tops, with views that can stretch toward Liberty Lake and Mount Spokane on clear days. Because it’s more exposed, it can dry out faster than shaded forest trails—but it can also be breezy, so layer up. Learn more about this Spokane County Conservation Futures area and trails here.

Slavin Conservation Area (southwest of Spokane)

For a mellow, low-elevation ramble with wetlands and a pine forest that attract many types of birds and waterfowl, Slavin is a great option. The Slavin Conservation Area is an expansive, rolling landscape with many trail options to create loops of varied length. It’s a nice option when you need to get out of the house in the winter and move your body in a beautiful place without committing to steep climbs and challenging trails. Find more info and a map here.

Post Falls Community Forest and Q’emiln Park (Post Falls)

Right across the Spokane River from Post Falls, this trail network offers lots of choose-your-own loops with river access, basalt rock features and a real “get out of town” feel without a long drive. This park and community forest is also a popular rock-climbing destination but come winter, hikers will generally have the trails to themselves. Find directions here.

Tubbs Hill (downtown Coeur d’Alene)

For a winter hike that pairs perfectly with coffee downtown, Tubbs Hill is hard to beat. It’s a 165-acre natural area owned and maintained by the City of Coeur d’Alene, with multiple access points and a trail around the perimeter. Enjoy views of downtown and Lake Coeur d’Alene on a loop around the hill or create your own extended hike incorporating other trails and loops. You can find a map of the trail system here.

Check out more winter hike recommendations around the region here or read up on the recommended essentials for winter hiking.

The post The Best Winter Hikes Near Spokane and Coeur d’Alene appeared first on Out There Venture.

By Justin Short 

Riverside State Park offers some excellent terrain when it’s time to roll the fatties, so I haven’t been in the habit of driving anywhere when there’s snow in town, but I figured it was time to give the (Almost) Annual Methow Fatbike Festival in Winthrop, Wash., a go. 

I’m calling this thing a festival because I like the alliteration, but you must know it’s a low-key affair that, in line with the event’s official name, is more of a “meetup” to keep the production costs as sustainable as possible. Erratic winter conditions have required a few cancellations over the years, and event organizers can no longer count on winter to stay wintery, even in the blustery north of the Methow Valley.  

It’s as much a gamble to attend a fatbike event as it is to organize. The festival is a long-weekend affair, so you’ve got to reserve a room well in advance given that Winthrop hosts a youth hockey tournament the same weekend. All you can do is book your stay and hope for the best. Worst case scenario, the weather goes to hell and you have to reschedule your reservation for a week or two later or come back for the spectacular summer riding.  

Managing the uncertainty is definitely worth the risk, because if you should happen upon the Methow Valley in prime winter conditions you will be confronted with what Jessica Robinson of Sandpoint, Idaho, describes as a veritable “Disneyland for fatbikes.”  

The Methow Valley is known far and wide as a mecca for Nordic skiing, but it has also got a phenomenal network of separate groomed fatbike trails at multiple locations. Of course, by now you’ve noticed that I’m using the term “fatbike” as a single word. While it’s not technically correct, it has kept me from running afoul of social media community standards. We will tolerate no hate speech, not even against bikes.  

The good folks at Methow Cycle & Sport in Winthrop kick this thing off Friday night with a fire pit meet n’ greet before a night ride on the town trails. That’s when you find out how many of your friends from Spokane are regulars at this thing, and you notice riders from the west side having a similar experience. The temperatures plummet as the sun disappears over the ridge, so dressing to stay warm while you’re standing around yacking with folks ends up being the perfect layering strategy for zooming around in temperatures that dipped very quickly down into the lower teens when I was there. Somehow, cold is always less cold when you’re having fun. 

Saturday is the main event, and many riders come out just for this. Riders gather before 10 a.m. at the Pearrygin Lake lower trailhead for a pre-ride introduction to the trail system as well as words of wisdom for those new to fatbiking. A demo fleet is also typically on hand for riders to try some of the new fatbikes available at the bike shop. Riders scatter in all directions after cramming in for a group photo by the lake, and the adventure begins.  

Rolling climbs reveal breathtaking, expansive views over the lake framed in by the surrounding mountains. The climbs themself are somewhat breathtaking as well, but none too daunting and totally worth the groomed flow trail descent that awaits. Zooming back down to valley floor amidst the jubilant hoots and hollers of my friends, I think this may be my best day ever on the big squishy wheels. Returning to the lot for hot refreshments next to the fire pit deepens the social element before heading out to explore another segment. We didn’t explore everything Pearrygin Lake has to offer, but it was still a very big day.  

At 4 p.m. riders regroup at the bike shop for charcuterie, snacks and fizzy beverages until a fireworks show out by the fire pit. Afterwards, my friends and I rode across town to devastate the menu of one of the fabulous Winthrop restaurants. Then we went out for an exceedingly fun evening bonus ride on the town trails as the temperatures dipped into single digits. I was feeling no pain, as I had bought a magic flannel that was on sale at the bike shop—Club Ride, if you must know—and it has become my go-to layer for all rides outside of the dog days of summer.  

Sunday wraps up the weekend with a ride in other areas such as Big Valley or Gunn Ranch. We went somewhere else that was chosen on the fly because it was an area that is not normally open to fatbiking. You may find yourself soaking in the reverie over post-ride burgers in town, vowing to make the Methow Fatbike Festival a tradition. For more info, contact Methow Cycle & Sport or check out their socials. 

Justin Short is a world fatbike traveler, if by the world you mean Riverside and the Methow Valley.  

The post Methow Fatbike Meetup: Winter Riding in Winthrop appeared first on Out There Venture.

By Holly Weiler 

Cover photo courtesy of Lara Gricar

Outdoor Reminders 

• Winter conditions can impact access to high-elevation trailheads, so it’s time to double-check your vehicle’s emergency kit to make sure it contains helpful extras for snowy conditions (for instance, a folding snow shovel). It is also a transition time to winter parking permit season, when some high-elevation parking lots have snow removal funded through the purchase of seasonal parking passes. In Washington, Sno-Park season begins Dec. 1 and lasts through March, with over 100 Sno-Park locations across the state, including popular spots like Mount Spokane State Park and Sherman Pass. In North Idaho, a Park N’ Ski permit is required for access to seven maintained winter trailheads, including those at Priest Lake and Fourth of July Pass. Oregon maintains its own Sno-Park system as well but has a reciprocal agreement with Idaho. Purchase a permit for the state you visit the most. 

Free Outdoor-themed Entertainment 

• Chelan-Douglas Land Trust (CDLT) is hosting an outdoor clothing and gear exchange Dec. 13 from noon to 3 p.m. (location TBD; check the website). This is a free event; no registration required. Please bring clean, functional outdoor clothing and gear to swap. Those who would like to donate without attending the swap may drop off equipment at the CDLT office during the week before the event. It is not necessary to bring trade items in order to participate the day of the event; if you need outdoor gear, please attend.  

• Additionally, Chelan-Douglas Land Trust is hosting a Winter Solstice Walk at Castle Rock in Wenatchee’s Lower Castle Rock Natural Area Dec. 20 from 7 to 9 a.m. Advance registration is required to join this 2-mile round-trip hike. 

• Fee-free days at Washington State Parks are scheduled for Jan. 1 and Jan. 20. Additionally, a variety of free First Day Hikes will be offered at Washington State Parks on New Year’s Day (advance registration is required). Please note that Mount Spokane State Park does not fall under fee-free days during Sno-Park season. If you don’t have a Sno-Park permit, watch for the offerings at Riverside State Park and Columbia Plateau State Park Trail instead, where no Discover Pass will be necessary on the holiday. 

• Free Idaho Park N’ Ski Day is Jan. 3, with a chance to visit Idaho’s Nordic and snowshoeing trails without the usual parking fee. Several areas mark this event with activities, including free lessons and guided snowshoe hikes at Indian Creek State Park near Priest Lake and the Idaho Panhandle Nordic Club’s annual Best Hand Poker XC-Ski and Snowshoe fundraiser. There is a nominal fee to enter the poker competition, because it’s a fundraiser to help support grooming efforts at the Fourth of July Pass trail system; sometimes there are nearly as many raffle prizes as participants! 

• Methow Trails’ Backyard Ski Day is Jan. 30, with free winter trail access across the valley’s vast trail system. There will be free group beginner ski lessons for both classic and skate skiing, free fat bike demos and a free ski wax clinic. A few local businesses are even offering a limited number of free ski rentals for the day. 
  
  

Fundraisers, Contests and Events 

• Inland Northwest Land Conservancy will host its Common Ground annual meeting at CenterPlace Regional Event Center Dec. 9. Registration is required and space is limited. 

• Have you visited a National Recreation Trail this year? It’s time for American Trails’ annual photo contest. Photographers can submit up to 10 photos per trail under categories like trail use, trail management, trail features and artistic merit. Be sure to check the database of National Recreation Trails in our region to ensure the trail you visited qualifies. Photos are due Dec. 15, and winners will be announced in February. 

• The Backcountry Film Festival – Winter Wildlands Alliance offers several regional screenings of festival films highlighting human-powered winter recreation. Each showing serves as a fundraiser for the host organization. Catch it in Spokane Dec. 6, hosted by the Spokane Mountaineers. SOLE will host the film festival in Sandpoint Jan. 9. The University of Idaho Outdoor Program will bring the show to Moscow Jan. 28. On Feb. 3 the film festival will be shown in Whitefish, hosted by Wild Montana. Chewelah Valley Land Trust, Montana Backcountry Alliance (Missoula) and El Sendero Backcountry Ski and Snowshoe Club (Wenatchee) also plan to host the film festival this winter (check online for dates). 

• The Wenatchee River Institute will be the beneficiary of “Benevolent Night” at München House in Leavenworth Jan. 6, with 25% of sales donated to support the nonprofit. The event will run from 4 to 8 p.m.  

• Banff Mountain Film Festival returns to Spokane Jan. 9-11. Saturday night’s VIP ticket sales will benefit the nonprofit of your choice among several worthy local organizations. This event sells out every year, so don’t procrastinate! 

• Spokane Nordic will host Winterfest Jan. 18, featuring $10 Nordic ski lessons for both adults and children, plus a scavenger hunt for kids and a skijor clinic at Selkirk Lodge at Mount Spokane State Park. Additional not-to-be-missed events include the annual Langlauf Nordic ski race Jan. 25 and the BarkerBeiner Skijor Race, tentatively scheduled for Feb. 22. 

Stewardship, Conservation, and Volunteer Opportunities 

• Many of our region’s stewardship and conservation organizations take a short break during the winter season, but those looking for an opportunity to do some winter trail maintenance should watch for offerings from Washington Trails Association. Most of WTA’s winter projects are on snowshoe trails, snow depth permitting. Watch for opportunities within Mount Spokane State Park and on Spokane County Parks’ Conservation Futures properties. A limited number of snowshoes are available to borrow. Contact the crew leader if you’d like to try a project but need to borrow snowshoes. Check the WTA website for the full schedule. 

• Spokane Nordic hosts multiple events throughout the winter and is always seeking volunteer assistance to make those events run smoothly. Tasks may range from helping visitors park safely and efficiently to assisting with event check-in or serving as an on-course race marshal (typically on skis). Check out the Spokane Nordic website for opportunities. 

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Stories connect us. That’s nothing new. But I’ve been thinking about the way stories connect us to place, specifically outdoor places, and the use of telling stories that are anchored in the natural world.  

When I’m outside, it usually starts with movement. Stories unravel as I walk with a friend on the trail, muscles at work. But stories also come to me at times of sitting: particularly around a fire (the oldest of storytelling places), or under a pine tree covered with snow, breaking for cold sandwiches after snowmobiling in the backcountry, feeling alive and alert just for existing in that remote, snow-bright place. 

Perhaps we’re at our most story-ready when we’re outside because we’re away from television and traffic, already looking to connect with something transcendent. Maybe we crave stories when we’re outside because the world feels bigger there, where the snow-muffled silence is both beautiful and hard to sit with, where we feel small on the face of a mountain. Maybe we go to these places to find stories, to sharpen the ones we know or are still discovering. To go into the wilds and come back with fresh-foraged tales.  

I have certain places that are story-anchored: an alpine lake and set of trails in the Cascades always bring up stories of past backpacking trips. If you’ve connected deeply enough with a place, I’ll bet you’ve cached the threadworks of stories there, too. I believe places can hold stories in a near-physical way, like how a familiar creek crossing or a wave of fireweed in bloom might trigger your story recall with their place-based cues. We could call these “story cairns.” Why follow them?  

The stories of the outdoors that we tell are bigger-than-us stories. They’re of-the-earth and environment stories. They’re stories that show we’re paying attention. And those stories are worth megaphoning these days. Grounding those tales on a set of skis, sleds or snowshoes makes them ring specific to our outdoors community.  

Each time we put together this magazine, we’re rounding up those stories that feel megaphone-worthy. Stories of celebration, mishaps and near-misses—all the things that amaze and surprise us when we go out into this complicated world.  

In this issue of Out There, we look back at the making of “Ski Flakes,” the regional ski videos that started at Schweitzer in the ‘90s, to consider how storytelling can both shape and preserve a culture. We share the adventure of an 89-year-old who bagged the last trail on his 100-hikes list, a story of perseverance. And, for the first time, we’ve included a handful of poems, a storytelling form that might be considered a journey in its reading.  

In each of them? A celebration of the ways you can get out there this winter in pursuit of the connections that make us human. 

• Lisa Laughlin, managing editor 

The post The Stories of Outdoor Spaces   appeared first on Out There Venture.

Photo courtesy of Lara Gricar

Mount Spokane Nordic Skiing & Snowshoeing: Groomed Trails and Winter Routes

Mount Spokane remains the heavyweight of winter trail systems in the Inland Northwest. With 37 miles of groomed Nordic skiing, dedicated snowshoe routes, warming huts, and dependable early-season snow, it’s the closest thing we have to a full-service Nordic and snowshoe winter recreation area. Skate skiers, classic skiers, and snowshoers each get their own space, and grooming is typically excellent thanks to the park’s volunteer-supported program. Please note that snowshoeing and fat biking are not allowed on Nordic trails. You can check the Nordic trails grooming report here.

Location: 45 minutes northeast of Spokane
Passes: For Nordic skiing on the groomed trails you’ll need a Washington Sno-Park Pass plus Special Groomed Trails sticker. For snowshoeing when parking in the snowmobile/snowshoeing/backcountry touring lot before heading up to the Nordic area parking lot at Selkirk Lodge warming hut, only a standard Sno-Park Pass is required.

49° North Nordic Trails: Groomed Cross-Country Skiing & Snowshoe Routes

Tucked into a quiet corner of the Colville National Forest, the 49° North Nordic Center is smaller than Mt. Spokane but offers scenic forest trails. The trail system includes roughly 13 kilometers of groomed skate and classic routes that are also open to fat biking, plus a couple marked snowshoe trails that wind through the woods. With rolling terrain and a laid-back vibe, it’s often less crowded than Mount Spokane and great for intermediate skiers.

Location: A little over an hour north of Spokane near Chewelah
Passes: Washington Sno-Park Pass plus the Special Groomed Trail sticker

Riverside State Park Snowshoeing & Nordic Options Close to Spokane

When you only have a short window to get outside and there’s snow on the ground, Riverside is tough to beat. Snowshoers can explore existing paths that are often groomed for fat biking near Seven Mile or connect with the Centennial Trail after storms. In some past winters, the park has groomed a small Nordic loop usually in the Equestrian Area—when snow depth allows. Grooming isn’t guaranteed, but when the coverage is good, it’s one of the easiest ways to fit skiing into a busy week if you live in the Spokane area.

Location: Within Spokane city limits
Passes: Washington Discover Pass

Fourth of July Pass Nordic Ski Trails: Groomed Classic Loops in North Idaho

Fourth of July Pass is one of the most approachable winter trail systems for beginners. Managed by the Panhandle Nordic Club and the Forest Service, the area offers 12–15 miles of groomed classic Nordic trails, along with open snowshoe access on most of the forest roads and surrounding terrain. Routes like the Lodgepole Loop provide mellow grades and plenty of space to cruise in the trees.

Location: 20 minutes east of Coeur d’Alene along I-90
Passes: Idaho Park N’ Ski pass required; voluntary donations support grooming

Lookout Pass Cross-Country & Backcountry Ski Touring Routes

Lookout Pass is one of the most reliable places in the region to find deep winter snow, and while the ski area is known for its chairlifts, the surrounding terrain offers several quiet Nordic and touring options. Trails follow old railroad grades, snowmobile trails and Forest Service roads, creating long, gentle routes ideal for classic skiing, skate skiing on firm days, or easygoing tours. (Note: The Route of the Hiawatha is not open to Nordic skiing.)

A favorite outing is along the old Northern Pacific rail grade in either direction from the Lookout Pass ski area parking lot. It’s a wide, groomed snowmobile corridor with big views and mellow terrain. From Lookout Pass, skiers looking for more mileage can head east toward Taft or west toward the Hale Hatchery on the same rail bed—both long, scenic glides with shuttle or out-and-back options. Snowmobile grooming provides a consistently packed surface on these shared-use routes.

Location: Right off I-90 at the Idaho–Montana border
Passes: No Park N’ Ski pass required at the Lookout Pass ski area base parking lot but parking may be limited on weekends.
Notes: Expect mixed-use traffic; some short walk-through sections at tunnels or underpasses

Palouse Divide Nordic Area: Quiet Idaho Backcountry Skiing & Snowshoeing

For skiers looking for a more remote classic, skate and backcountry trails and routes, the Palouse Divide north of Potlatch offers wide, rolling ski routes on old forest roads. The area typically has groomed classic tracks and plenty of room for snowshoers to wander. It’s quiet, uncrowded and surrounded by deep forest—perfect for skiers who prefer solitude.

Location: 1 hr. 20 min. south of Coeur d’Alene or east of Moscow
Passes: Idaho Park N’ Ski Pass required for winter parking

Whether you’re gliding across fresh corduroy or tromping through untouched powder, the Inland Northwest delivers some of the best winter Nordic ski and snowshoe days in the Northwest, and the season always rewards the ones who show up. For more cross-country ski and snowshoe trail recommendations, check out our 2014 guide to North Idaho’s winter trails here.

The post Inland Northwest Winter Trails Guide: Best Places to Snowshoe and Cross-Country Ski appeared first on Out There Venture.

By Jon Jonckers

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

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

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

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

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

The post Spokane County Parks See Major 2025 Upgrades with New Trailheads and Accessibility Improvements appeared first on Out There Venture.

How does a river city turn natural beauty into everyday well-being? In Spokane, the answer is the Centennial Trail, a paved corridor that links neighborhoods, parks and river views.  

The route now stretches about 63 miles. It runs roughly 40 miles in Washington, from the Idaho border through Spokane Valley to downtown Spokane, Riverside State Park, and west to the Nine Mile Falls Recreation Area. Another 23 connected miles of trail continue in Idaho, through Post Falls to Higgins Point on Lake Coeur d’Alene. The Washington section, known as the Spokane River Centennial Trail and managed as a Washington State Park, was recognized as a National Recreation Trail in 2010, underscoring its regional significance. 

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

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

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

The post Keeping Spokane’s River Path Thriving  appeared first on Out There Venture.

The park’s history runs deep. Riverside was developed in 1933 and 1934 by members of the Civilian Conservation Corps, and visitors can still see evidence of their work today. The Spokane House Interpretive Center highlights the area’s past, with exhibits about the Spokane Tribe of Indians, early pioneers, fur trappers and trading posts dating back to 1810. 

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

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

The post Riverside State Park and the Foundation That Helps It Thrive  appeared first on Out There Venture.

Decades ago, SAS helped the Inland Northwest Land Conservancy (INLC) secure what became the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Reardan Audubon Lake Wildlife Area. Several years ago, SAS helped Dishman Hills Conservancy add the Wilson property to the natural area in Spokane Valley. Just this year, SAS contributed to INLC’s campaign to acquire the Glen Tana property on the Little Spokane River to connect the Waikiki Springs Nature Preserve to Riverside State Park. 

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

If you care about public lands like SAS does, you care about birds. Learn more at Audubonspokane.org.  

The post If you Care about public lands, you care about birds appeared first on Out There Venture.

Cover photo courtesy of Holly Weiler

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The post Lands of Exploration   appeared first on Out There Venture.