The Spokesman-Review
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Stories tagged: national forests
Hells Canyon boating fee proposal caught public off guard
The citizen’s council with the power to decide if a Hells Canyon river fee should move forward learned about the proposal more than 18 months before the general public.
Colville Forest plan will ration recreation on 1.1 million acres
Something is at stake for everyone from mountain bikers to loggers in the 1.1 million-acre Colville National Forest as the July 5 deadline approaches for public comment on the draft …
Landers: Most forest recreation areas open for holiday with some restrictions
Most of the region’s public lands campgrounds are opening just in time for the Memorial Day weekend – the unofficial opening of the camping season. However, some roads and trails …
Expected bumper crop of mushrooms spells new rules, permits
Inland Northwest national forests swept by 2015 wildfires are gearing up with rules, permits and educational pamphlets as officials expect a spring rush of mushroom gatherers. A bumper crop of …
Field reports: Nez Perce working to reintroduce condors to Hells Canyon
BIRDS – Idaho’s Nez Perce Tribe has been awarded a $200,000 federal grant to pursue reintroducing California condors in Hells Canyon. The Nez Perce grant is a share of nearly …
Rich Landers: Pet dogs caught up in Idaho’s wolf-control effort
Mary Franzel and her pets almost made it through Idaho’s 2015-16 wolf trapping season unscathed. On Friday, the Clark Fork resident was cross-country skiing north of town on Lightning Creek …
National forest road hazards spring up in wake of 2015 fires
Landslides occurring on the region’s national forests are prompting warnings from Forest Service officials that anyone traveling in the snow-free areas of low-elevation mountains should have an exit plan.
Mount Hood’s Timberline Trail to fully reopen in 2017
One of the most spectacular trails in the United States – and perhaps the most iconic pathway in Oregon – is scheduled to reopen in full by the summer of …
Fire-related closures affect winter recreation
Wildfires
Field reports: State laws ban hunter harassment
Field reports: State laws ban hunter harassment
Motorized users sue Kootenai Forest for more access to proposed wilderness areas
Snowmobile clubs and advocacy groups from Montana and Idaho are suing the U.S. Forest Service and its plan that bars motorized access in certain protected areas of the 2.2 million …
Fourth-graders can get free Christmas trees from national forests
Fourth-grade students are eligible for a free Christmas tree permit from local national forests as part of an initiative to get children outdoors.
Spokane Mountaineers celebrate centennial with 100 miler in Pasayten
A 100-mile backpacking trip is a good start for sizing up a wilderness area as well as understanding what makes a century-old outdoors club tick. The Spokane Mountaineers, celebrating their …
Field reports: WATV lawsuit filed as forests open routes
ORV-ING – Six routes for wheeled ATVs (WATVs) were opened June 26 across the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. However, on Thursday a lawsuit was filed seeking to bar street-ready all-terrain vehicles …
Out & About: National forests hurdle language barrier
OUTSPOKEN – A pilot “on demand” phone interpretation service to enhance public service to non-native English speakers has been announced by the Pacific Northwest Region of the USDA Forest Service …
Recreationists will find summer-like conditions for holiday outings
Campers, hikers, boaters and anglers should be thinking of the 2015 Memorial Day holiday weekend as taking place in mid-to-late June rather than this Saturday through Monday. The region’s snowpack …
Lake Chelan hikers earn sweet reward in 18-mile trek to Stehekin
Stehekin is a Northwest classic backcountry destination at the end of Lake Chelan, accessible by boat and floatplane and, most deliciously, by foot. Hikers who tough out an 18-mile trail …
Out & About: Mudders trash restored national forest meadow
OUTLAW – Colville National Forest officers are looking for tips in the case of a four-wheel-drive vehicle that left deep marks in a restored meadow this month. After the meadow …
Montana trail managers and rangers travel long distances to measure remote snow sites
Snow courses, which are spread throughout the Montana’s mountain ranges, are one tool the Natural Resources Conservation Service uses to measure snowpack and predict stream flows. Many of the state’s …
Bonner County board backs Scotchman Peaks wilderness proposal
Bonner County commissioners unanimously passed a resolution on Tuesday calling for the U.S. Congress to designate the Idaho portion of the Scotchman Peaks as a wilderness. “The Scotchmans is a …
In brief: National Forest officials advise caution as roads open early
A skimpy snowpack is opening roads in the region’s national forests earlier than normal, but it’s not judicious to drive up every seemingly open road. In some cases, it’s illegal, …
Some outdoor trips require advance planning
Winter is the season for thinking ahead to summer adventures that require a special permit or reservations. Campers seeking to stay at popular national park or national forest cabins, lookouts …
Landers: Over-snow vehicle rule seeks backcountry balance
Snowmobiles and other over-snow vehicles eventually will be allowed to ride only on roads, trails and areas specifically designated for their use, according to a rule being adopted by the …
U.S. Forest Service honors Joel Sather of Cabinet Ranger District
A Western Montana man and former wilderness ranger recently received a national award for tending to the recreation programs in the Cabinet Mountains and wilderness area. Joel Sather, recreation technician …
Scotchmans’ student ranger grooms public on ways of the wilderness
The Scotchman Peaks roadless area northeast of Lake Pend Oreille isn’t an official wilderness, but it was served by a “wilderness ranger” this summer and gained a standout new trail …
Huckleberry Haiku celebrates year’s bumper crop
The best huckleberry picking season in years has inspired hikers, campers, pie makers, teachers, scientists, a TV weather reporter and an internationally acclaimed
Peaking in Wallowas
As we stood on the top of Oregon’s largest wilderness area, looking down upon mountains that spread across the horizon like rows of jagged teeth, we made a plan to …
In brief: Recreation areas reopen to public after wildfires
As crews continue to harness wildfires in the Methow Valley region of northcentral Washington, the U.S. Forest Service has been able to reopen more recreation areas this week. Most backcountry …
Rich Landers: Berry-picking readers enjoy penning purple prose
One of the best huckleberry crops in memory is leaving stains on fingers and smiles on faces throughout the region. Berries are so thick in some mountain areas, a serious …
Resolute ‘String Bean’: Seattle man sets new Pacific Coast Trail record
A 23-year-old Seattle man has set speed record for running the length of the Pacific Crest Trail supported by a team of helpers. Joe McConaughy crossed into Canada on Sunday, …