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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Out & About: Mount Spokane staff eyes vehicle passes

OUTLAW – Does a snowshoer need a $40 Washington Sno-Park permit plus a $40 nordic ski area grooming sticker to park at Mount Spokane?

Not necessarily.

But park rangers say they are clamping down on cheapskates who park in the snowmobile lot and walk up to the nordic skiing trails to avoid paying their fair share of the grooming costs.

Most Mount Spokane State Park visitors have caught on to the new “winter season” rules that require vehicles to have a Sno-Park permit anywhere in the park except at the downhill ski area when lifts are operating.

The season Discover Pass is not valid at Mount Spokane from Dec. 1-March 31.

The exception is one-day users, who will need to buy a one-day Sno-Park permit and display a Discover Pass, too.

Otherwise, a season Sno-Park permit plus a grooming validation is required on vehicles in the Selkirk Lodge parking area for the groomed nordic trails.

A season Sno-Park permit without a grooming sticker can be used in the other lots, including the snowmobile parking lot and along the road where parking is allowed.

However, if visitors have skis in their vehicle, they must have a season Sno-Park and grooming sticker in order to be in the snowmobile lot below Selkirk Lodge.

Snowshoe trails marked on mountain

OUTGOING – The Friends of Mt. Spokane State Park have posted a list of snowshoeing routes on the group’s website, mountspokane.org.

The latest route, marked last week, is a 1.3-mile trail that starts near the nordic skiing trails.  

Fishtrap loop trail proposed by BLM

OUTROUTE – Improvements to the non-motorized trail system to form loop routes on the west side of Fishtrap Lake are being proposed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.

The plan, which is open to public review through Jan. 9, would add 6.3 miles of new trail and improve 1.8 miles of existing trail.

Info: BLM Spokane office, 536-1200.

Programs explore fishing, camping

OUTSEE – Free outdoor recreation programs in Spokane this week include:

• “Wild Rainbows of the Upper Columbia,” 7 p.m., Wednesday at St. Francis School, 1104 W. Heroy. Program by Kelly Laatsch of St. Mary Angler Fly Shop in Cranbrook for the Spokane Fly Fishers.

• Basics of winter camping, 7 p.m., Thursday, at REI. Preregister at rei.com/stores/spokane.

Nordic skiing events

OUTSKI – A special two-day Telemark turn clinic for kids age 6-14, with junior free-heel downhill ski gear provided by “Tele Ned” Ryerson, is set for next weekend at 49 Degrees North. Sign up: (509) 935-6649, ext. 610.

• Depending on snow conditions, a fun-style nordic ski race, featuring a 5k classic event and 10k skate, is set for next Sunday at Western Pleasure Guest Ranch near Sandpoint.

See details on this event and others coming up in the Sandpoint area at sandpointnordic.com.

Fly-tying classes

OUTDO – A series beginner and advanced fly-tying classes is set this month at Silver Bow Fly Shop in Spokane Valley.

Info: (509) 924-9998.