Forest loses recreation ace

Winter recreationists may be the first to feel the impact from the retirement of a talented and active Colville National Forest staffer who was always willing to go the extra mile on skis, foot, snowmobile or mountain bike.

Keith Wakefield, 55, retired from his post as the Republic District recreation staffer in July after 31 years with the Forest Service. As of last week, forest officials were still looking to fill his job, which ranged in winter from coordinating snowmobile facility maintenance to mounting a snowmobile and grooming ski trails himself.

He went beyond his official duties to become an avalanche forecasting expert who shared his weekly observations with snow-country travelers.

When he came to the Colville in 1982, the forest’s recreation program was largely centered on state-sponsored snowmobiling and the downhill skiing concessionaire at 49 Degrees North.

Wakefield bucked bureaucratic inertia to help design and develop popular facilities and programs, including nordic ski trails at 49 Degrees North and backcountry cabins.

“I’ve been described as a rogue, but I’d like to think I’m progressively creative in trying to meet the public’s needs,” he said. “This area is so diverse in its four seasons of recreation opportunities; that’s what excited me and kept me here.”

Wakefield said he aimed his career at expanding recreation on the forest and emphasizing backcountry safety.

He teamed with other Forest Service employees to develop new four-season trails plus Sno-Park areas and nordic recreation at Deer Creek Summit east of Curlew, at Frater Lake east of Colville, and the Geophysical Area near Newport.

“The key was to get the support of ski clubs, horse groups, mountain bikers, snowmobilers and other recreation people,” he said.

Snowmobilers chipped in to improve facilities at areas such as Hall Creek and Empire Lakes.

“ATVing has been growing in leaps and bounds,” he said. “With good planning, the forest will be able to accommodate it in certain areas. New snowmobile facilities should be located for dual use by ATVers.”

Linda Fee, Republic District ranger, said Wakefield went beyond his job description to provide services.

“He became an expert in avalanche systems and put together training and advisories,” she said. “That was a specialty he groomed because of his personal interest. I’m not sure we’ll be able to find a new person that has all of that background. We may have to try to recruit Keith as a volunteer.”

“You work hard and try to do the best you can,” Wakefield said. “I’ve been fortunate to have great volunteers. They are the strength of the program because there’s never really been enough money to get things done.

“I’ve tried to raise an awareness that avalanche can happen here and get people looking at weather and snow conditions. It’s an ongoing process I still plan to help the agencies with.”

Fee said Wakefeild’s job and another recreation position vacant for two years, should be filled soon.