TRAILS -- Volunteers are invited to join the Spokane Mountaineers Saturday for their annual work party to spruce up the 2-mile trail to Lone Lake south of Mullan, Idaho.

"This is an alpine lake on the Idaho/Montana border accessed from I-90 Exit 69 near Mullan, Idaho," said organizer Lynn  Smith.  "We’re often at the height of fall colors so there could be some nice photo opportunities as well as a great hike into alpine country."

Meet 8:30 at the Fernan Ranger Station in Coeur d’Alene to form a carpool.  To get to the ranger station, leave I-90 on Exit 15 (Sherman St).  At the stoplight on Sherman turn left, go under the freeway overpass, and the ranger station will be on your right. 

"This project is mostly a hike that will take us to the lake, then a bushwhack to the alpine meadow and headwall at the head of the valley just below Stevens Peak," Smith said. "We’ll gear up lightly with hand saws and loppers, and maybe a token pulaski to deal with minor tread issues.  The main goal will be cleaning up the lake shoreline and the few camp sites, though in recent years there’s been very little to carry out.  Other than clean-up we may brush out some short areas and deal with any blow downs from recent winds."

The hike is about 4 miles round-trip and 1,600 feet elevation gain.   Lone Lake is just west of the popular Stevens Lakes near Stevens Peak.

Bring gloves, sturdy shoes, long pants, lunch, water, 13 essentials, and brush loppers if you have some.  The club will provide other tools and safety gear.

Sign up: Lynn Smith (208) 772-4337 or kslynndeb@hotmail.com.