Out & About

OUTFIELD

These climbers have a cause

Because it’s there, many charities are looking up to the biggest mountain in their area.

For example:

•Linda Venters of Spokane plans to climb Mt. Adams, July 18-20, with volunteer guides as part of the Climb to Fight Breast Cancer. Venters, a first-time climber, is close to reaching her goal of $5,000 in pledges. Since its inception 11 years ago, the climbing program has raised more than $3 million for breast cancer research conducted at Seattle’s Hutchinson Center.

Info: (800) 279-1618.

•The Summit for Salmon climb of Mount Rainier, Aug. 22-25, is recruiting participants to raise funds for protecting wild salmon in the Columbia and Snake rivers. Rainier Mountaineering, Inc., guides will lead the group.

Info: (206) 286-4455; www.wildsalmon.org.

OUTBOUND

Bikers, hikers rule

Starting Monday, the Mount Spokane Park Road will be closed to the public for a summer-long reconstruction project. The road has open three days a week during preliminary work in June.

The road closure will begin just inside the state park boundary at the first trailhead, where there will be room for a few vehicles to park. Additional parking is available down from the park entrance at Bear Creek Lodge.

Hikers and bikers still have full access to the park’s trails, either from the entrance trailhead or from the end of the Day Mount Spokane Road.

“You’ll have to carry your bike over a washout on the Kit Carson Loop Road, but other than that, it’s clear,” said Steve Christensen, park manager.

OUTSKIRT

Barker access restricted

Barker Road Bridge will be closed starting Monday, forcing a short Centennial Trail detour onto roads and restricting a popular paddling access through the 2009 season.

Boaters will be allowed to float under the bridge except during possible temporary full closures when construction poses a hazard. Closures will be announced in advance.

Paddlers who still want to access the river here can use county property just upstream. From Barker Road north of the river, turn east on Buckeye, then turn south on McMillan and drive to the county access at Montgomery Avenue. Carry your boat through the pedestrian gate about 100 yards to the river.

OUTLOOK

Best fishing times

Lunar tables from the U.S. Naval Observatory. Be fishing at least one hour before and one hour after peak times. Applies to all time zones.

(* indicates best days.)

Through July 13

Today: 4:35 p.m., 4:55 a.m.

Monday: 5:20 p.m., 5:40 a.m.

Tuesday: 6 p.m., 6:20 a.m.

* Wednesday: 6:45 p.m., 7:05 a.m.

* Thursday: 7:30 p.m., 7:50 a.m.

* Friday: 8:10 p.m., 8:35 a.m.

Saturday: 9 p.m., 9:20 a.m.

Next Sunday: 9:45 p.m., 10:10 a.m.

See the Hunting-Fishing Report every Friday in Sports