HIKING -- Knothead has become a blackhead this month.

The popular trail destination above the Little Spokane River and overlooking the Spokane River was charred by a July 8 spot fire that occurred the day before the larger fires ignited and ran through the Lake Spokane area.

But the timber had been thinned and firefighters did a good job to build fire lines and keep fire from raising hell with the Little Spokane River Natural Area.

Check it out. While you're there, hike the entire 6.5-mile loop through the Van Horn, Edburg and Bass Conservation Area starting from the Indian Painted Rocks. (Discover Pass required).

• The hike is detailed in Trip 84 in Day Hiking Eastern Washington.

Check out the two nifty new single track segments that have been completed in 2014 to help keep visitors of adjoining private land.  The most recent single track completed the first week of June is especially cool, with nifty rock work.