Out & About: Groups to update ‘State of the Trails’
OUTGOING – The Inland Northwest Trails Coalition has rounded up a dozen local leaders in trails-related efforts for the annual “State of the Trails” presentations Thursday starting at 5:30 p.m. at Mountain Gear Headquarters, 6021 E. Mansfield Ave.
“Every year the coalition invites land managers to give a report on what is happening with our hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, biking, kayaking, canoeing outdoor adventure areas,” said Lunell Haught, INTC coordinator. “We all come together in one big meeting so that you do not need to go to 10 different meetings to find out the latest news.”
Hear about trail issues and learn which trail projects need volunteers.
Natural areas will be covered, including updates on Spokane County Conservation Futures areas – a new Antoine Peak trail and access plan is developing – and progress on the proposed Dream Trail corridor heading north from the Dishman Hills.
Popular paved routes and rail-trails, such as the Centennial Trail, Ben Burr Trail and Fish Lake Trail, will be reviewed.
Two Washington State Parks that provide roughly 200 miles of trail opportunities – Mount Spokane and Riverside – will be represented by park rangers.
The impressive Spokane River Water Trail website will be discussed and the Washington Trails Association will detail this season’s trails maintenance projects from Spokane County to the Salmo-Priest Wilderness.
The Beacon Hill mountain biking trail system and terrain park will be covered.
Geological routes through the region’s channeled scablands will be covered by the Ice Age Floods Institute and local U.S. Bureau of Land Management staff will highlight plans for new trails in the Fishtrap Lake area.
Haught said the consortium of outdoor recreation and conservation groups has pulled together to encourage city and county governments to engage in regional trail planning.
She said the group’s vision “is a system of paths, trails and open space corridors that connect neighborhoods, community and regional parks and conservation land in our region to engage people in muscle-powered recreational and conservation opportunities, promote active transportation and preserve open space to enhance our region’s quality of life.”
Little Spokane shuttle debuts
OUTRIDE – A Little Spokane River shuttle service for paddlers will run Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. July 5 through Aug. 30, operated by Spokane Parks and Recreation Department.
The van will run between the Nine Mile take-out and the St. George’s put-in. Cost: $8. Vehicles must have a Discover Pass. Info: 363-5418.