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 tonight (March 21) starting at 6 p.m. at Mountain Gear Headquarters, 6021 E. Mansfield Ave. in Spokane Valley. 

This is the place for trail users to learn where they can get involved in trail projects.

Natural areas will be covered, including the Dishman Hills, Palisades Park and Spokane County Conservation Futures areas.

The Centennial Trail, Trolley Trail and Fish Lake Trail will be reviewed as well as the expanding hiking, biking and nordic ski trail systems at Mount Spokane.

Progress on the Spokane River water trail will be updated and the Washington Trails Association will detail this season’s trails maintenance projects from Spokane County to the Salmo-Priest Wilderness.

Lunell Haught, INTC coordinator, said the consortium of outdoor recreation and conservation groups has pulled together to encourage city and county governments to engage in regional trail planning.

The group’s vision, she said, “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.”

WINTER SPORTS –The Chelan Ranger District is offering free cross country skiing, snowshoeing or hiking at Echo Ridge Nordic Ski Area.

Trail grooming, conducted by the Lake Chelan Nordic Club, has ended for the year, but many trails still have enough snow for skiing, a U.S. Forest Service news release said Thursday.

Travelers should be prepared for snow, ice or mud on the Forest Service roads.

Info: Chelan Ranger District, (509) 682-4900.

• MOUNT SPOKANE nordic skiing trails were groomed this week but grooming has stopped until the snow on the mountain freezes again — likely not until Sunday night, park rangers say. Sno-Park permits are required.

WINTER SPORTS — Fat bikes, snow bikes…. whatever you call them, they're catching on year-round with a niche of the cycling community that's mobilizing on ballooned out tires.  Get a glimpse of from the saddle in this video: What's Up With Fat Bikes?

Heres a list of top recent outdoors stories in The Spokesman-Review:

Anglers Hook It and Cook It at Alaska fishing event

Nordic skiing trails sprout near Sandpoint

Out & About: Spokane native lands state-record mackinaw

Field reports: Coyote hunt eyed to protect wolf

Wolf hunts affect Yellowstone study

Study: Salmon get home using Earth’s magnetic field

Photo gallery: 35th annual Langlauf a hit at Mount Spokane

Fishing & Hunting Report for the Inland Northwest

WINTER SPORTS — The annual Langlauf cross-country ski race at Mount Spokane has equal parts of waxing anxiety, sweat, cheering, food — and a lot of hope for placing high in an age group or winning one of the many drawings for thousands of dollars worth of prizes. 

It's a colorful event that attracts participants spaning 80 years of age.

Check it out in this gallery of photos I shot today while skiing the race with 244 other participants.

WINTER SPORTS — This is no time to be a couch potoato:

Winter Wildlands Backcountry Film Festival at Gonzaga University, Wed Jan. 30 from 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Learn more at ibackcountry.org.

WINTER SPORTS —  Learn to ski with dog power in a skijoring clinic Sunday (Jan. 27), 2 p.m., at Mount Spokane State Park.

The Mt. Spokane Skijor Group will teach basic skills and etiquette for the trails that are open to skijorers at designated times twice a week.

Cost: $10, due by Thursday (Jan. 24).

Preregister: Diana Roberts, email dianaroberts21@comcast.net or call (509)570-8242.

WINTER SPORTS – Sign-up is under way for an annual event known for encouraging women to take an adventurous yet enjoyable step into winter.

The Women’s Souper Bowl VIII – which includes cross-country skiing and snowshoeing activities, treats, prizes and lunch – is set for 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Feb. 3 based out of Selkirk Lodge at Mount Spokane.

Activities end in time to avoid conflict with TV’s “other” Super Bowl.

Events are open to women of all ages and athletic ability. Free snowshoe rentals and lessons are available on site; discounted cross-country ski rentals available in advance.

New this year:

• An adventurous guided snowshoe trek from the hairpin turn back to the lodge.

• Round-trip shuttles on buses sponsored by REI. Buses will pick up and return at Global Credit Union offices in downtown and in Spokane Valley, with stops at Mt. Spokane High School. Cost: $5.

Back by popular demand are the Poker Ski and the Flamingo Road snowshoe trek, both on the nordic trails from Selkirk Lodge.

Tickets: A $30 minimum suggested donation is requested for the Women’s and Children’s Free Restaurant for registrations received by Friday. A $10 additional fee will be requested for late registrations.

Organizers say 280 women came out for last year’s event, enabling volunteers to raise $12,872 for the Free Restaurant.

Preregister: souperbowlspokane.org.

Sadie Bjornsen, Koos and Pokorny all have the distinction of winning top female or male titles as teenagers at the annual 10K Spokane Langlauf at Mount Spokane.

Four Eastern Washington were in top form in the U.S. National Cross Country Skiing Championship races this week at the former Olympic course at Soldier Hollow, Utah.

• Erik Bjornsen, 22, of Winthrop finished first in the men's 15-kilometer freestyle.
• His sister, Sadie Bjornsen, 24, finished second in the women's 10k freestyle and second in the classic sprint.
• Torin Koos of Wenatchee won the men's classic sprint, his seventh U.S. nordic title.
• Annie Pokorny, 20, of Spokane finished fourth in the women's 10k freestyle.

Pokorny, who developed her skills as a teenager with the Spokane Junior Nordic Ski Team, left Lewis and Clark High School to complete her senior year in Sun Valley where she trained with national-class junior skiers. She's skiing collegiately at Middlebury College and has a shot at being named to a U.S. international team.

Sadie Bjornsen, Koos and Pokorny all have the distinction of winning top female or male titles as teenagers at the annual 10K Spokane Langlauf at Mount Spokane.

Four Eastern Washington were in top form in the U.S. National Cross Country Skiing Championship races this week at the former Olympic course at Soldier Hollow, Utah.

• Erik Bjornsen, 22, of Winthrop finished first in the men's 15-kilometer freestyle.
• His sister, Sadie Bjornsen, 24, finished second in the women's 10k freestyle and second in the classic sprint.
• Torin Koos of Wenatchee won the men's classic sprint, his seventh U.S. nordic title.
• Annie Pokorny, 20, of Spokane finished fourth in the women's 10k freestyle.

Pokorny, who developed her skills as a teenager with the Spokane Junior Nordic Ski Team, left Lewis and Clark High School to complete her senior year in Sun Valley where she trained with national-class junior skiers. She's skiing collegiately at Middlebury College and has a shot at being named to a U.S. international team.

Sadie Bjornsen, Koos and Pokorny all have the distinction of winning top female or male titles as teenagers at the annual 10K Spokane Langlauf at Mount Spokane.

Here's a recap of recent Spokesman-Review Outdoors stories:

Cross-country getaway for nordic skiers

Nordic scene shines at Mount Spokane State Park

Northwest nordic skiing destinations

Inland Northwest 2012-2013 nordic skiing events listed

Outdoor field reports from around the region

Spawning education at Spokane Fish Hatchery

Out & about: Schweitzer avalanche, CdA bald eagle count, Keep kids active for holidays

Hunting & Fishing report for the Inland Northwest

Landers: Lake Pend Oreille anglers hooked on bounties

G-Prep wrestlers build teamwork along with cedar strip canoe

WINTER SPORTS — While many skiers were enjoying the new layer of light snow and 25-degree temperatures at Mount Spokane State Park today, a group of volunteers was helping nordic skiers stay on course in the expanded cross-country trail system.

Pictured above from left, Drew Schlieder, Sam Schlieder and George Momany from Spokane Nordic Ski Association were taking down old signs on the north half of the trail system and replacing them with signs that included  more than 12 kilometers of new groom trails added this season.  The total groomed trails system at Mount Spokane Cross-Country Ski Park is more than 42 kilometers.

“I'd like to be giving my skis a workout instead of riding this snowmobile,” said Momany, ” but I'm glad to be doing this (to help keep skiers stay oriented).

The new trails will be added temporarily to the old signs with a laminate since this season is a test with Inland Empire Paper Company to see how the program works to expand grooming from the state park onto private timber lands.

“We don't want to invest $1,500 in new signs until we're sure the program will continue,” Momany said. 

WINTER SPORTS — Nordic skiers have plenty of options for special events or competition in the Inland Northwest.

The 35th annual Langlauf 10-kilmeter classic citizens race, set for Feb. 10 at Mount Spokane, is among the largest and all participants qualify for thousands of dollars in prizes.

 Langlauf is one of four events – two classic and two freestyle – in the Selkirk Nordic Series. Participants are eligible for prizes, while the top skiers compete for bragging rights as the region’s fastest overall skier. Racers must combine scores on at least one classic and one freestyle race.

“The goal of the series is to increase participation in Nordic racing as a recreational activity for adults,” said Spokane Nordic Ski Association member Al Pokorny, who helped link the events.

The other three events are the Cougar Gulch race at Schweitzer Jan. 15, Chewelah Peak Challenge at 49 Degrees North on Feb. 2 and the series event to be held in the bustling atmosphere of the Group Health/ Providence Health Care Challenge Junior Nordic Qualifier races at Mount Spokane on Feb. 23.

The Methow Valley Sport Trails Association (MVSTA) and other groups around Winthrop have the most ambitious schedule of events in the region.

Read on for a long list of notable regional 2012-2013 nordic skiing events.

WINTER SPORTS — The  Methow Valley Sport Trails Association is opening portions of its 120-mile groomed nordic trail system to bicycles this year.

 Skiers headed out on a few of the nationally celebrated nordic trails that had enough snow for grooming this week.

When more snow falls, several trails will be opened to “fat bike” enthusiasts who rely on mountain bikes with oversized low-pressure tires to keep from sinking into the snow and offer more traction.

See a promotional video for snow biking.

 “We are piloting fat biking with our eyes and ears wide open,” said James DeSalvo, MVSTA executive director. 

“We believe we can manage fat biking use so that it has no greater impact to our trail platform than that of our traditional skiing public,” he said, adding that feedback would guide the future of the program.

Also new this year on MVSTA trails:

• Youths 17 and younger ski free.
• A $5 daily pass is required for skiing with dogs on trails that are open for skijoring.

Fat bikes are available for rent at Methow Cycle and Sport in Winthrop.  Rack adaptors are available for customers so they can transport rental fat bikes to the riding area.

Fat bike demo days are scheduled in the Methow Valley Dec. 16 and Jan. 13.

Click here for info on these and other Methow Valley events.

Click here for the MVSTA grooming report.

Read on for the guidelines MVSTA has established for snow biking on the trail system:

In case you missed them, here are some of the top outdoors stories published in The Spokesman-Review Sunday and today:

New groomer gears up to tackle Mount Spokane's expanded nordic trail system

Field Reports: Methow Valley requires ski passes for pooches

Out & About: Sportsmen use muscle power to get out their game

When in a SPOT, device did its job

Rise in deer-vehicle collisions concerns Idaho

Restoring Idaho sockeye run a big, expensive task

NORDIC SKIING — The Forest Service has moved a popular skiers cabin at Chief Joseph Pass to the the agency's nationwide rental system and started charging a fee, but officials compromised and lowered the overnight rental rate from $20 to $9 for this season after a protest by disgruntled members of the Bitterroot Cross Country Ski Club.

The club spent nearly two decades developing the cross-country ski trails in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest in Montana, and in 2001, raised $100,000 to build the Gordon Reese Cabin at Chief Joseph Pass. They felt betrayed when the Forest Service denied them free access to the cabin.

See the story by the Ravalli Republic:  USFS relents a bit on cabin rental in Montana national forest
  

BACKCOUNTRY SKIING — Montana skiers who've volunteered to maintain a ski-in cabin near Chief Joseph Pass say they're insulted the Forest Service is putting the cabin on the national reservation system.

The Bitterroot Cross-Country Ski Club will no longer offer its services to operate and maintain the Gordon Reese Cabin they donated to the U.S. Forest Service at Chief Joseph Pass in 2001, according to a story in the Ravalli Republic.

The announcement came days after the Beaverhead-Deer Lodge National Forest supervisor signed a decision that officially put the cabin on the national online reservation list.

Club members have maintained that the cabin was built with the understanding that it would remain open and free to the public in the winter months. They claim the agency’s move to rent it is violation of that original agreement, the Republic reports.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING – Spokane Nordic members are recruiting volunteers to help trim branches and clear the sprawling cross-country ski trail system at Mount Spokane before the snow flies.

The first of the club’s annual Trail Days is scheduled for Saturday, July 21.

Others Trail Day efforts are set for Aug. 12, Sept. 8, Sept. 16, Oct. 6 and Oct. 21.

Volunteers meet at the Selkirk Lodge at 9 a.m. dressed in work clothes and equipped with gloves, lunch and other tools.

Deails: Art Bookstrom at 624-9667.

SKI TRAILS —  With the State Park cutbacks, the Spokane Nordic club members say more help is needed now more than ever to get the Mount Spokane cross-country ski trails in shape for winter.

The group, as usual, is organizing a series of trail maintenace days to get things pruned and groomed and ready for snow.

The first Trail Days effort of the season is July 21 followed by other work days on Aug. 12, Sept. 8, Sept. 16, Oct 6. and Oct. 21.

Meet at the Selkirk Lodge at 9 a.m. Be dressed in work clothes and bring gloves and your lunch. Also bring hammers, sledge hammers and long-handled shovels if you have them.

Even the kids can have fun lopping alder and exploring the park in the summer!

Info: Art Bookstrom at (509) 624-9667.

NORDIC SKIING — About 160 skiers responded to a survey posted on the Spokane Nordic Ski Education Foundation website last month.

Although the results haven't been fully compiled, club spokesman Brad Thiessen offered these observations of the trends:

What survey takers loved most about skiing at Mount Spokane:

• The variety and length of the trails
• Accessibility and proximity to Spokane
• Friendliness and the sense of community on the hill
• The beauty of the Mount Spokane trail area

The most common concerns:

•  Desire for an improved and larger Selkirk Lodge
• Better and more consistent grooming
• The Sno-Park fee system
• Toilets and a rest stop near the back of the trails

Put away that garden seed catalog. Cross-country ski areas are enjoying the season’s best snow conditions.

Mount Spokane: New snow has accumulated every day this week with temperatures largely in the teens and 20s. XCers in most of the world would die for these conditions.

Tauber Angus Ranch: “We had 14 inches of new snow earlier this week and I’m wondering how to get word out to people that the skiing is fantastic,” said Cassie Tauber, operations manager of the working cattle ranch. Family members who love to ski groom miles of trails about 12 miles north of Sandpoint.

“Our trails are more gentle than a lot of areas, great for families, and we have a yurt,” she said.

Info: (208) 263-6400.

4th of July Pass: Enough snow has accumulated for gates to be closed, barring vehicles, and for groomers to pack miles of trails.

“I welcome a good late winter and early spring ski season, if only to make up for the deficit we suffered in December and most of January,” said Geoff Harvey, Panhandle Nordic Club.

Methow Valley: “So much snow, so much fun,” says the email from the Methow Valley Sports Trail Association. The area near Winthrop is bustling this weekend with a winter triathlon hot-air balloon festival.

WINTER SPORTS — Last night's storm dumped about 10 inches of new powder on the Mount Spokane cross-country ski trails, so much so fast the groomer couldn't keep up with it.

Deja vu.  It was like heading up to the mountain 30 years ago before big groomers.

A backcountry skiing Mecca.

People venturing out and breaking trail for others to follow.

I heard one guy grousing that the trails weren't groomed to perfection as he tried to plow through five inches of powder that had fallen after the groomer has passed.

He simply had the wrong tools on his feet for the conditions.  Skiers on classic or touring skis had big smiles on their faces.

It was a great day to step out in the winter woods and back in time.

NORDIC SKIING — A few skis got tangled during the mass start for 250 competitors in the 34th annual Langlauf 10-kilometer cross-country ski race Sunday at Mount Spokane.

But the event went smoothly and, as usual, the field feasted on soup an treats before hanging around, listening to a fiddle-accordian band. Then they stepped up to an award ceremony that handed out medals, ribbons and thousands of dollars worth of prizes to participants regardless of how fast they put away the course.

See results and winners of all age groups here.

See a gallery of photos here.

It's the classiest nordic skiing event in the region.

The fastest skiers through the foggy conditions were Brad Bauer, 38, of Seattle, the overall winner in 27:33, and Deb Bauer, 46, of Spokane, the top female in 33:01.

WINTER SPORTS — Washington's Winter Recreation Advisory Committee today approved $300,000 to purchase an larger snowcat groomer for the 30-kilometers of nordic trails at Mount Spokane State Park, reports George Momany, the Spokane-region representative on the panel.

The appropriation should allow the state park staff to begin widening trails this summer to accommodate the new groomer.

Steve Christensen, Mount Spokane State Park manager, has been campaigning for a larger groomer for years.

“It will cost more in the beginning, but it will save money in the long run,” he said.

“The smaller groomers we've been using are underpowered for the amount and type of snow we get at Mount Spokane, and that results in more breakdowns,” he said. 

“Once we get the trails to the right width, a bigger groomer will be able to work a trail in one pass. That will allow us to groom more miles of trail faster without leaving the rough berm in the middle that you get from double-pass grooming. Skaters will love that.”

The Spokane Nordic Ski Education Foundation will be calling on volunteers to help trim trails this summer.

Coming Sunday:  The parking lot at Mount Spokane Nordic area will be jammed on Sunday (Feb. 12) for the annual Spokane Langlauf 10K cross-country ski race.

WINTER SPORTS — The Washington Legislature is toying with proposals that could divert dedicated gas-tax funds from established and popular Sno-Park programs. These are the programs, such as those at Mount Spokane, that plow parking areas and groom trails for snowmobiling, cross-country skiers, snowshoers and other winter recreation.

Some recreation groups say there's nothing to fear from the proposals, but the issues should be carefully followed.

See the latest on what some contend is an attempt to raid an important winter recreation component of the state's economy in this story by Scott Sandsberry of the Yakima Herald-Republic.

NORDIC SKIING — In honor of the upcoming (Feb. 12) Spokane Langlauf, the annual 10K cross-country ski event at Mount Spokane, let your mind soar and your body be sore while viewing the lengths some skinny skiers will go to be just like crazy alpine skiers, only different.

Langlauf is part of the Selkirk Nordic Series.

NORDIC SKIING —  The annual Langlauf 10-kilometer cross-country ski race, set for Feb. 12 at Mount Spokane, is offering a two-for-one $25 entry fee for skiers who enter along with a first-time participant.

Langlauf is the most popular nordic ski event in the region, featuring lottery prizes for everyone who participates. The fastest skiers get medals and ribbons, but everyone has a chance to win things like skis, restaurant meals and vacation accomodations at ski destinations.

Enter online at spokanelanglauf.org.

Need more info?  Call Fitness Fanatics, (509) 922-6080.

WINTER SPORTS —Sign-up is under way for an annual event known for encouraging women to take an adventurous yet enjoyable step into winter.

The seventh-annual Women’s Souper Bowl – which includes cross-country skiing and snowshoeing activities, free rentals and lessons, treats, prizes and lunch – is set for 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Feb. 5 based out of Selkirk Lodge at Mount Spokane.

The activities end in time to avoid conflict with the “other” Super Bowl on TV.

The events are open to women of all ages and athletic ability.

New to the Souper Bowl this year:

• The nordic ski race has been replaced with a cross-country ski trek to acquire poker hands to win prizes at the Souper lunch.
• Snowshoers will have special permission to trek on a portion of the groomed nordic ski trail system.

Cost: A $30 minimum suggested donation is requested for the Women’s and Children’s Free Restaurant for registrations received by Friday (Jan. 27). Extra will be requested for late registrations.

Transportation: Sno-Park permits required for vehicles. Avoid the driving and parking hassles by reserving seats on chartered “Souper Bus,” which leaves Mountain Gear at 8 a.m. and stops at Mt. Spokane High School 8:30 en route to the mountain. Departs mountain at 1 p.m. Cost: $15.