Inland nw routes |
BLOG |
|
The below is research that I found on how hiking helps our well being. Enjoy and get yourself ready for next Spring.        David and I would like to thank you for using our website, and hope you find that the trails hold such joy and inspiration, that you will want to experience them for your self and your well being.
Chic David https://www.inlandnwroutes.com/
0 Comments
There are amongst us, those that don’t hike year round.
Or even get out in the Winter to enjoy the Winter Wonderland. And that’s mildly okay. But you are missing out on some incredible beauty. So as Winter approaches, I have a suggestion. Being prepared for next Springs hiking season, is easy and very informative. You could go from being a couch potato to an enthusiast, on your own couch. Below are ideas, on our website that will teach you things that you may not know, or you may find interesting. WRITINGS First, I would suggest you go to MORE…then to WRITINGS, in the drop down menu. Over the last seven years of building our site, I came upon many Nature quotes, Adages, Essays, Notes, Writings, Stories, and included some of my personal writings. They may inspire you to visit Nature. Unlike many websites, we don’t explain the Trail foot by foot. Experiencing Nature, as you come upon it is a great part of going on a hike. OUR TRAIL STATS When you read the distance and elevation gain or loss, they are not from personal GPS unit, unless I state that or you see the word “about”, before the numbers. On a hike, if several people have GPS units, none of them will match each other. DO NOT RELY ONLY ON THEM. THEY ARE NOT A MAP AND COMPASS, HENCE THEY ARE JUST A TOOL TO HELP. Also, a GPS unit has batteries that can die, leaving you without a reliable source of where you are, and how you can get back to the trailhead. But if you see them without “about”, they are from the U.S.F.S. The F.S. has high end gear, and their numbers are accurate. TAKE A MAP & COMPASS, AND KNOW HOW TO USE THEM Please take a map and compass on every hike in the mountains you do. By map, I mean a Forest Map of the forest you are hiking in, and a Topo map of the specific area you are visiting. But more importantly, learn how to use them. If you are unfamiliar, take a look at the below url. https://www.ewoc.org This local organization can teach you all you need to know. Even some of the members of the Spokane Mountaineers, have gone thru their courses. The more you know, the safer and more enjoyable, your hikes can be. DO YOUR RESEARCH What do you think, is the most important thing you can take with you, into the mountains? It isn’t necessarily, extra clothes or food. Or even your GPS unit. IT’S KNOWLEDGE. Having said that, when you read the information in our Resources, Hints, Medical Information, Trail Etiquette, or the Weather, Thunderstorms and Lightning sections, they are areas that you should research more thoroughly. TO GET ENTHUSED To get you enthused, go to HIKE, in the drop down menu. Choose an area, and skip the write up for the hikes, and go to the PHOTO GALLERY at the bottom of each write up. When you look at the images, use them as a Travelog. They can inspire you to get ready for Spring, Summer, and Autumn, hiking. Altho we don’t describe the trails, foot by foot, the images that David and I have posted, are in order of what we saw as we hiked the trails. An old adage says, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Our goal in creating our website, is to show you the beauty you can find, all around us. SCIENCE Science has proved that even a five minute hike on a trail, (not concrete or pavement) will improve your state of mind, work your muscles, and improve your spirit and well being. REAL DANGERS I would be remiss if I didn’t say there are real dangers in the mountains. But with proper research and learning how to behave, you too can see the wonders of Nature, first hand. That’s why we do what we do. Thank You All, for reading and using our local website. Chic David https://www.inlandnwroutes.com It has snowed at Stevens Peak already so it’s time to discuss late Autumn and early Winter hiking or snowshoeing.
Please remember, because the sun is shimmy bright in the mountains, means that you have to have pack for the cold temperatures you will find, even on hikes close to Spokane and beyond. The below are some ideas to make your hike more enjoyable. Over Dress Year round I carry an old pair of down ski mittens in the bottom of my pack. On several occasions, I’ve pulled them out because my fellow hiker(s) didn’t have adequate gloves. Other things you might consider taking . Down pants and Down jacket. They stuff into very small stuff sacks and can be of great importance, if needed. Even stopping for lunch can chill us to the bone.
Always carry what you may need, just in case. I’ve been in circumstances where I was very happy to have extra gear. Keeping safe is paramount. Another good thing to have on your phone, is the AirFlare app. It is a rescue app that weighs nothing, and it could just save your life. All you have to do is push the SOS button, and STAY WHERE YOU ARE. If you move, and the rescuers can’t find you, it could mean your life. The very cool thing about AirFlare, is it only cost $4.99 a year. If you are a skier, you will most likely see the resorts suggestion to download the app. Like any hike, snowshoe, or climb, if you have this app, it could save your life, or a buddies life. But be aware. Once you push the button, it take rescue personnel many hours to get to you. To see what a rescue looks like, please read the below BLOG. https://www.inlandnwroutes.com/blog/what-does-a-rescue-look-like Please arm your self with knowledge and the gear you need to make it thru the night. Stay safe, and take care. Chic David https://www.inlandnwroutes.com Hi Hikers,
With Fall colors about to explode, we all want to be in the outdoors. But there are real hazards that we all must be aware of. Dress in bright colors that are not the same colors as the foliage around you. Hunters orange is a color that Nature doesn’t necessarily make. Wearing a hunters orange stocking cap is wise. If a hunter sees that color, there’s less chance of someone mistaking you for an animal. Staying on trails is wise, because hunters rarely hunt where they know people will be walking. But they may be in a position to shoot animals that are avoiding humans, that may be on trails. As any hike in bear country, make lots of noise. Yell like you are talking to a person 200’ from you or if the bear is near a creek, or you surprise it around a corner. MAKE NOISE!! Observe any car or truck that is not parked in regular parking areas. Be very observant during hunting season. If you have other ideas, please feel free to email them to me. At the bottom of each page is an envelope directly to me. Be safe and enjoy our Fall colors, Chic David InlandNWRoutes.com Below I will list the hikes in our region that will cause oohs and ahs at every turn.
When you plan for Autumn hikes, please be sure to have extra clothes, food and water, and traction devises for your boots. By the end of September, you may find light snow on many trails. With the amount of foliage I have encountered, this Autumn may be the best fall colors in some time. Below are low land trails, that will offer fall colors. Red Top Mountain and Hidden Lake. https://www.inlandnwroutes.com/red-top-mountain-6266-trail-102.html The hardest part of this hike is the drive. It’s about 3 hours to the trailhead, via Copeland, Idaho. Once on the trail, you will walk a forested ridge line, that lights up in the fall. The trail will hike to the top of Joe Peak, then down to Hidden Lake. All along the trail, the fall color will amaze you Marie Creek Trail # 241 https://www.inlandnwroutes.com/marie-creek.html This hike is located north of Wolf Lodge Bay, and takes you along Marie Creek after you walk thru the forest for about a mile. It is an easy hike to the washed out creek at about 2 miles. On your return hike, stop by the cliffs off to the right (north) of the open field, and look at the campsite built out of rocks from the near by cliffs. Spokane Conservation Future Properties https://www.inlandnwroutes.com/spokane-county-conservation-futures.html In Spokane County you will find 17+ hiking areas to choose from. By clicking on the above url, it will take you to the Spokane County Futures Tax Properties, website. These properties are usually easy to moderate, and hike thru very diverse terrains all around Spokane County. Saltese Uplands and Flats https://www.inlandnwroutes.com/saltese-flats-wetland-trail.html This hike has some up hill hiking but nothing serious. The views of Mica Peak and the surrounding wetlands, will light up earlier than the high country Wallace L. Forrest Conservation Area url….. BLM wallace l forest conservation area The Wallace L.Forest Conservation Area is managed by the BLM. It contains 736 acres of forest and open grassy terrain, and has a cool overlook on its south border. On it’s west side, is a day use area with a dock and picnic area. The road that skirts the south side, was once Hwy 10, but now along the Wolf Lodge Bay is I-90. Way back in the NW corner is a small section of the famous Captain John Mullan Road. The John Finch Arboretum https://my.spokanecity.org/urbanforestry/programs/finch-arboretum/ As you drive west on I-90, headed towards Seattle, on your right, next to the freeway, as you are on the longup hill road is the wonderful John A, Finch Arboretum, to enjoy. This arboretum has every tree, shrub and bush that is native to our region. If you call the arboretum soon, you can find when they start raking up the fallen leaves. If you go just before they rake, the entire area is covered in 6+ inches of fallen leaves. Along Garden Springs Creek are a few small waterfalls. If you can make it by mid Roctober, you will be amazed. MORE MODERATE HIKES Mount Spokane State Park https://parks.wa.gov/find-parks/state-parks/mount-spokane-state-park Mount Spokane has many trails that have great fall colors. Log onto the above url and examine their trail system. But don’t forget to hike to the summit. The Vista House and the views are exceptional. Don't miss the Quarts Mountain fire lookout, that has excellent views of Spokane and the valley. RIVERSIDE STATE PARK https://parks.wa.gov/find-parks/state-parks/riverside-state-park RSP is a very large area along the Spokane River. The Bowl and Pitcher hike crosses a bridge that spans the river. Once across, you will be hiking in a blackish basalt wonderland. When the colors are at their best, the contrast is amazing. STRENUOUS HIKES The next two hikes are so incredible, you won’t want to miss either of them. Upper & Lower Stevens Lakes, Idaho https://www.inlandnwroutes.com/upper-and-lower-stevens-lake.html This hike is located 3.5 miles SSE of Mullan, Idaho, up Willow Creek. The hike to the upper lake is 5 miles round trip, with 1780 feet of gain. Don’t let the moderate distance and gain fool you. This trail is complicated to hike. The Fall colors at the lakes are the best in our region. But do not miss this hike in the next 30 days, providing it doesn’t snow or have a freeze event. At the bottom of the of this write up are three historical articles, worth reading. Lone Lake & the Upper Sanctuary https://www.inlandnwroutes.com/lone-long-lake-lakes.html Don’t miss this fall color hike. From the lake, looking SSE, is the most dynamic face of Stevens Peak 6838’ After spending some time at the lake, walk the west shore line to the back of the lake and a small waterfall. The “trail” is near the waterfall, and skirts the small stream, up past a long pond. Walk the left side up into the Upper Sanctuary. Up in the Sanctuary, there are two rock mounds. Choose the right mound and you will be in awe. The face of Stevens Peak in the fall is more than spectacular. COOL DRIVES Hwy 20 Drive north on Hwy 20 out of Newport, Wa. towards Boundary Dam. The entire drive, lights up in brilliant colors. Along the way, by Ione, DO NOT MISS the waterfalls at the Sweat Water Rest area. Hwy 56 Drive to Sandpoint, and take Hwy 200 into Montana. At about 17 miles turn north up Hwy 56. On the east side is the Cabinet Mountain Wilderness, while on the west side is the Proposed Scotchman Peaks Wilderness. When you get to Hwy 20 in Montana, take a right (east) to Kootenai Falls. AUTUMN HIKING SAFETY Because it’s Autumn, please dress for cold weather, and the possibility of rain or snow. Wear waterproof boots and carry traction devises, and be safe. A thermos of hot chocolate would be wise. Where ever you go, be safe and enjoy our fall colors. David and I would like to thank you for reading and using our local website. Chic David https://www.inlandnwroutes.com Ever since the corona virus affected all of us, many people have turned to the mountains, lakes and trails to satisfy our need to get out.
Altho that’s okay, it has caused some popular destinations to be overcrowded. Overcrowding will diminish ones hike, and may cause some damage to the areas visited. Some places we all love, are being loved to death. Below are some of those areas: Lower & Upper Stevens Lakes Lone Lake Scotchmans Peak Star Peak Leigh Lake Rock Lake Harrison Lake Beehive Lake Hunt Lake Little Spar Lake Roman Nose Lakes Chimney Rock ( both trails) Pyramid Lakes Two Mouth Lakes When considering where to go on your next hike, please look at other options. Mount Pend Oreille. Incredible views all around. DO NOT MISS THIS IN THE FALL Fault Lake. You get to walk in a real earth fault Abercrombie Mountain Views of the Pend Oreille River Upper Priest Lake Trail #308 On the hottest day of the year, cool off here Hall Mountain. High peak with great area views Blacktail Mountain The view is of the 35 miles of the American Selkirks & Priest Lake Blacktail Overlook 220 degree views of Pend Oreille Lake with PSPW & CMW Granite-Roosevelt Waterfalls and cedars. Cool waterfalls and giant Western Red Cedars Navigation Trail A trail to a pristine lake Red Top Trail #102. A nice hike near the US & Canadian boarder Parker Peak A great ridge line hike with views West Fork Lake, Ridge, and lookout A most spectacular ridge line to walk. DO NOT MISS THE RIDGE. Long Canyon The largest area in Idaho that has never been logged or mined Fisher Peak A high peak overlooking the Crreston Valley Burton Peak An old lookout cabin with views of the spectacular Purcell Trench Myrtle Peak Great views of the Selkirks Bottleneck Lakes & Peak The peak offers great views of the American Selkirks Snow Lake & Peak Can be looped with Bottleneck Lake & Peak The Mollies The view is south down Priest Lake Lions Head Group It has waterfalls, slides, excellent climbing and big bragging rights The Wigwams The very best views of the American Selkirks Standard Lakes Tucked away south of The Wigwams Cedar Lakes Beautiful Lake with towering peak Little Ibex Lake Isolation is in this lakes description Granite Lake A rugged, fluted peak above a pristine high country lake St. Paul Lake The lake is cool, but the many waterfalls are unbelievable Engle Peak A nice hike into the CMW, with views all around Wanless Lakes Secluded high country lakes with a waterfalls Lower & Upper Geiger Lakes & Lost Buck Pass. Views from Lost Buck Pass of Wanless Lake Moose Mountain Views of the PSPW & CMW Pillick Ridge A pleasant hike to Pillick Ridge with outstanding views of the CMW If by chance you do go to any of the listed hikes, please do all you can to preserve the environment. Pick up others trash. Flick branches and twigs off the trails. Check every fire pit for smoldering campfires. (Always carry many plastic grocery bags to extinguish fires) DO NOT EVER CONFRONT LESS THAN CLEAN CAMPERS I’m afraid that areas like Stevens Lakes or Lone Lake are being overused, and new fire pits are scaring the lakes shore lines. HUMAN & DOG WASTE At Stevens Lakes and Lone Lake, their water are used for household purposes in Mullan. Like drinking water. Please take along many dog bags to gather your and your dogs waste. Then double or triple grocery bags to carry your waste out. With all the cuts to the USFS, BLM and other agencies, WE MUST TAKE AFFIRMATIVE ACTION TO PRESERVE OUR FAVORITE PLACES. By doing so, you may be responsible for the next hikers, to enjoy their favorite places. Your help will enhance others outings. And just maybe, you may be the recipient of others work. There is nothing like doing trail work or cleaning up campsites. It will, in your heart, make you feel like a steward of our lands. Thank You for any help you can give our lands. David and I wold like to Thank You for reading and using our local website. Chic David InlandNWRoutes.com Every year we are plagued with some sort of closures.
2025 is no exception. In each of our hikes write ups, we have included the USFS websites ALERTS URL. This url spells out what closures, causes, and expected rescind date for the various USFS activities. PLEASE REFER TO THESE ALERTS OR CALL THE RANGER DISTRICT, LISTED IN THE FIRST SECTION OF EACH HIKE. By doing so, days in advance of your hike, you can make informed decisions on the area you wish to hike in. PLEASE take heed of the punishment for violating the USFS notices. As you can see, the cost of violating these orders is steep and can cause jail time. If by chance you can not reach the USFS, or their ALERTS, pick a different area to play in. For instance….Bunco Road north of CDA, has a timber sale about to begin. That means North Chilco Mountains Roads BUNCO ROAD, # 332 and # 385 are closed to the north access. Years ago, a hiking buddy and I drove more than 3 hours, only to find the road to where we were going to, was closed. We had to drive an extra hour to get to the trailhead, via an alternative route. PLEASE click on ALERTS for each hike, or contact the RANGER DISTRICT listed above our ALERT NOTICE, at least 3 days in advance of your trip. For BLM LANDS, click on this url....https://www.blm.gov/info/notices Centuries ago, Benjamin Franklin said this…. "IF YOU FAIL TO PLAN, YOU ARE PLANNING TO FAIL." Thank You all for reading and using our local website. Chic David InlandMWRoutes.com PLEASE EVERYONE, READ THIS BLOG AND ACT TODAY.
MAPS
I have been putting USFS Topo maps on each of our hikes. It is of courses, a work in progressed. In order to find maps I have to do a lot of research on National Forests websites. Something to keep in mind as you read our hikes, I only use USFS distances and elevation gain/loss. They are using the best equipment. If by chance I couldn’t get the numbers, I use personal GPS units If you see the word “about” before a elevation or distance, they are not USFS numbers. LOST & FOUND After a hike to Leigh Lake, Montana, I left my tent poles and a bag of tent stakes at the trailhead. Then last week after hiking Stevens Lakes, I found a bag of clothes that someone left at the trailhead. As I posted it on our HOME PAGE, that gave me an idea… Why not add a “LOST & FOUND” section. In this section anyone that finds lost items, can contact me. I will keep the specifics about what was found, to myself. If some one calls to claim the item(s), they will have to describe the container and its items in detail. If that is completed, I will work with the finder, to get the person who lost their stuff back. If a recovery is made, the owner may be responsible for any cost, like postage, etc, to get their things back. Every year I find things that are lost and wished there was a way to get the items back to the owners. Now with all our readers help, we can make this work. COMMUNICATIONS David and I would like your feedback on all aspects of our website. If you have questions, corrections, additions, and especially criticisms, I want to know. Our goal is a website that you can rely on. Every hike, paddle, or outing, has been done more than once. And extensive research is done to make sure we are correct. But we are human and mistakes happen. Please feel free to contact Chic directly by using the envelope at the bottom of each page of our website. Thank You All, for reading and using InlandNWRoutes.com Chic David InlandNWRoutes.com The 13 ESSENTIALS are one of your most important items to take with you whenever you go into Nature.
Way back in 1993-4, when I was President of the Spokane Mountaineers (SMI), I argued that the 10 ESSENTIALS were not adequate. We adopted the 13 ESSENTIALS so our members would be prepared for many situations that occur in the woods 0r on glaciers. So, why does a hiker to any of our spectacular locations, need bandages or fire starter, etc.? STUFF HAPPENS IN THE MOUNTAINS. Benjamin Franklin once said…. “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” I’ll tell you a personal story that happened to me in 1986. A group of SMI climbers were at Chimney Rock in the American Selkirks, to scale this unusual monolith. I was foolish to say the least and eventually fell 15’ and broke my fight talus. The talus is the ankle bone the your leg bone sit on. During the fall, I bounced three time, all over 6 feet. The area I fell on was vertical strata. Fortunately, there were 11 other climbers that came to my assistance. One of the climbers was a P.E. Teacher, and she had my climbing shoe off, ankle bandaged and my approach shoe on before I felt too much pain. Another climber was just back from climbing Denali, and had some great pain killers for me. One of the odd things I had was a set of high quality plastic rain pants and jacket. They became very important in my rescue. They delayed me down a steep slope using ropes to control my descent. If it weren’t for that rain suit, I would have had to walk down those slopes. About 3 years ago, I led a hike on a nice Sunday afternoon to Gold Peak? When we got to the summit, I noticed one of the girls was in physical pain. She was trying out a new pair of boots that were too small and laced too tight. She had quarter size blisters on both heels. I asked her to take off her boots and lay on her stomach so I could treat her blisters. For many decades, both privately and for the SMI, I’ve always carried in my 13 ESSENTIALS, SPENCO 2nd Skin BURN PADS. Not 2nd Skin patches. After sterilizing her blisters I cut and placed the 2nd Skins over her blisters and taped them in place. Yes, she was embarrassed, but when we descended, I saw her skipping down the trail. What you carry is your choice, but take it from me, if you do not have what you need, you could be in danger, and possible put others in danger. Check out our section on medical issues at https://www.inlandnwroutes.com/13-essentials.html But there is something even more important EVERY HIKER NEEDS TO CARRY. It weighs nothing, but can save your life or another’s life. That items is KNOWLEDGE, AND HOW TO USE YOUR KNOWLEDGE/13 ESSENTIALS. Because I lead trips, my 13 ESSENTIAL is only part on my personal ESSENTIALS. On average I carry 86 of MY PERSONAL ITEMS. Yes, it’s simply a check list that covers all situations and needs. But I can tell you…many have thank me for being prepared. PLEASE read our sections under RESOURCES AND HINTS, for additional important information. Under RESOURCES is a section on Medical Information Card (MIC). If you are found unconscious and can’t tell rescuers your name, person to call, medications and medical information, it may take precious time for EMT’s to figure out how to treat you. Years ago, I skied off a 12’ embankment and broke my heel bone. When I was taken to the Aid Room, I simply handed the patroller my MIC. It had everything they needed to process me and treat me. Going into Nature is one of our greatest pleasures. Please be prepared. That includes having your spouse carry their own emergency supplies, map, water and food. If you wander off to pee and stumble and knock yourself out, what is your spouse going to do? If your spouse stab themselves on a sharp twig, how are they going to treat their wound? Each of us, when we wander, are responsible for our selves and our fellow hikers. BE EXTRA AWARE OF YOURSELF. Everyone else becomes secondary when injured. If you have any questions or comments on anything on our website, use the envelope at the bottom of each page to contact me personally. David and I would like to thank you for reading and using our totally free, local website. Chic David InlandNWRoutes.com |
AuthorWe would like to engage our users so we have started this blog so that we can interact with you. Please do not hesitate to comment on our posts if you have questions or things to add. Archives
November 2025
Categories |
RSS Feed