Rich Landers

1. (Icefields) 2. (Handbook of the Canadian Rockies)

Centennial Trail Rewards of up to $500 are being offered to informants who help convict vandals who are inflicting major damage to Idaho portions of the Centennial Trail. Washington Water Power and the Post Falls Park and Recreation Department have joined the Centennial Trail Committee in offering the reward after about $20,000 of damages was reported to restrooms, lights and the trail itself. Informants can remain anonymous. Call police in Post Falls at (208) 773-3517 or in Coeur d'Alene at (208) 767-2320.

Outdoor recreation A wide variety of outdoor adventure programs are being offered at bargain prices this spring and summer by Spokane Parks and Recreation Department and the Eastern Washington University. Both programs offer training and trips involving climbing, backpacking and river running. EWU offers fly-fishing instruction, kayaking and more advanced climbing. City Parks offers a broader program, including activities such as whale-watching trips, camping with kids, bicycling and outdoor cooking, plus special programs for women, seniors or teens. Info: Spokane Parks, 625-6200; EWU Outdoors Center, 359-7920.

Rod Meseberg

Gravity sports Some of the best films from the 20th Banff Festival of Mountain Films will be shown in the Inland Northwest in April as part of an international tour. Films about rock and alpine climbing, BASE jumping and kayaking as well as documentaries will be featured in free presentations beginning at 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at the Washington State University CUB auditorium. The road show will come to Spokane for a six-film presentation April 12 at The Met. Advance tickets $9. Info: 325-9000.

CHECK IT OUT Distance: 7 miles round trip Difficulty: Easy Riding time: 1 hour

Check it out Distance: 9 miles round trip Difficulty: Moderate Paddling time: 2-5 hours Season: March through Nov. Maps: USGS Banks Lake, Moses Lake

Environmental education Although Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge has been a popular school field trip destination for 20 years, this is the first year the refuge has had funding for an environmental education program. Blessed with nearly $90,000 in grants, the refuge has hired a certified teacher to develop a curriculum, assist teachers with field trips and plan additional environmental education activity sites, said refuge manager Nancy Curry.

Alpine skiing With the quad lift down for the season, a little extra time on the lift is money in your pocket at Schweitzer. Reduced tickets: $30 adults, $23 students, $18 youth. Festival Cup team races today through Sunday at Schweitzer to raise money for the Festival at Sandpoint. Info: (208) 263-9555.

Wildlife refuges Managers of the Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge in northeastern Washington are asking for public help in writing a plan that will guide management of the 40,000-acre preserve for the next 10 years. "In the next several months, we'll be looking at management objectives," said Lisa Langelier, refuge manager. "We're still open to considering alternatives." She said a draft plan for public review could be ready by the end of the year. The Little Pend Oreille was established in 1939 "as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife," Langelier said, quoting the authorizing order signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. She also pointed out that the refuge is an important wintering area for white-tailed deer, as well as a popular recreation area for bicyclists, hunters and anglers. The refuge also is used by the Air Force Survival School. For information on the plan and its goals, contact refuge officials at 1310 Bear Creek Rd., Colville, WA 99114, telephone (509) 684-8384.

CHECK IT OUT Distance: 7 miles round trip Difficulty: Moderately difficult Skiing time: 3-5 hours Season: Dec. through March Maps: USGS Burke Info: Wallace Ranger Station (208) 752-1221 SKI TOURING TRIP NOTES Access: From Interstate 90 at Wallace, take the Wallace-Burke Exit 62. From junction underneath elevated portion of I-90, head north 6.9 miles on State Highway 4. At north end of Burke, an old mining town, turn left on Gorge Gulch Road. In winter snow conditions, park on east side of Gorge Gulch Road near junction with Highway 4. Attractions: Reasonably direct route to alpine touring and telemarking terrain, gaining 2,800 feet in about 3-1/2 miles. Route mostly safe from avalanche. However, some nearby off-route terrain can slide. First mile can be easy glide, or rocky hike, depending on snow conditions. High open slopes lightly used, possibly because route-finding can be tricky and steep sections exhausting. Comments: From first bend in Gorge Gulch Road, ski (or hike) north (straight) on old, rocky mining road that heads up between towering log wall (left) and private residence (right). Road continues up west side of Gorge Gulch. Water runs down road, melting snow faster than surrounding area. Skiers may have to hike 1 mile or more, depending on snow conditions.

Nature Learn to identify the major wild plant families of the region in a wildflower class sponsored by the Northeast Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society. The course is geared to beginners, but offers a good review for more experienced wildflower enthusiasts. Optional field trips also are offered. The annual course runs Wednesday evenings, April 10-May 15, at Ferris High School. Cost: $31. Register through the Spokane Community Colleges Institute of Extended Learning, 533-3770.

Snowmobiling Winter visitation to Yellowstone National Park has increased from 68,600 visitor days in 1982-83 to 143,500 in 1993-94. The growth has caused some impacts, including conflicts with bison and other wildlife that are attracted to the ease of travel on snowmobile trails. Snowmobilers account for about 74 percent of the park's winter visitors. Park officials are considering some limits on winter use.

Check it out Distance: 6 miles Difficulty: Moderate Skiing time: 2-5 hours Season: Mid-Nov. through March Maps: USGS Lookout Pass, also Lookout Pass Ski Trails, available from Superior Ranger Station Info: Superior (Mont.) Ranger Station (406) 822-4233 Ski touring trip notes Access: From Interstate 90 east of Wallace, Idaho, take Exit 0 at Montana-Idaho border. Turn south at stop sign, then bear right into parking lot for Lookout Pass Ski Area. Attractions: Easy highway access to backcountry skiing on marked but ungroomed trails. Enough elevation for dependable snow. Option for one-way chairlift leading to big dose of downhill. Tour also offers peaceful moments along St. Regis River, plus food and services at Lookout Pass Ski Area. Comments: Although skier traffic is common on route during weekends, trails aren't groomed. Trail breaking can add time and difficulty.

Adventure travel What's the hottest trend in outdoor vacations? Walking, said Peter Grubb, owner of River Odysseys West rafting company in Coeur d'Alene. Grubb recently returned from a major adventure travel trade show in Chicago, where goes each year to sniff out industry trends. "Lodge-based walking trips appear to be the hottest thing going,"' he said. "That's where the dynamic growth is." Europe has capitalized on the trend, Grubb said. "It's also really big on the Olympic Peninsula, where companies are booking clients in the Lake Quinalt Lodge."

Backpacking Two Spokane clubs have set dates for their annual spring backpacking courses. Both courses offer instruction covering topics such as equipment, meals, safety and first aid, and map and compass. The Backpacking Club's nine-week school starts March 29. Friday classes run 6:30p.m.-9 p.m. Includes practice camp-out and three-day backpacking trip. Fee: $50, including membership. Discounts for couples, families. Pre-registration required. Info: 467-8099. The Spokane Mountaineers' seven-week course starts April 12, with registration beginning at 6 p.m. at Corbin Community Center, 827 W. Cleveland. Friday evening sessions, plus graduation backpack trip over Memorial Day weekend. Cost $20 plus club membership. Info: 467-6159. For information on this and other courses offered by the club, see the Meet the Mountaineers program on Thursday, 7 p.m., at REI, 1125 N. Monroe.

Wilderness Hikers who want to put their names into the lottery for camping in the area of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness should get their name on the mailing list at the Leavenworth Ranger Station. Permits are required for camping in much of the wilderness from June 15-Oct. 15. Permit applications normally would be available now, but permit system details are being revised and applications probably won't be available until around April 1. To receive written notification about the permit system, call the ranger station (509) 782-1413 Monday-Friday, 7:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Officials promise to mail you info with plenty of lead time to get in your reservation on the first day possible. For updates on the permit situation, call (800) 627-0062.

Williams snapped this photo of the cougar as it advanced toward his stand.

CHECK IT OUT Distance: 5 miles Difficulty: Mostly easy Skiing time: 1-3 hours Season: Dec. through early March Maps: USGS Lane Info: Fernan Ranger Station, (208) 769-3000 SKI TOURING TRIP NOTES Access: Fourth of July Pass is on Interstate 90 between mileposts 28 and 29, about 15 miles east of Coeur d'Alene. Take Fourth of July exit, drive to south side ofI-90 and follow plowed 1/3 road mile to parking area and trailhead. (Idaho Park N'Ski or Washington Sno-Park sticker required.) Attractions: When snow reaches to lower elevations, Fourth of July Pass offers easy access to gentle system of trails, especially appropriate for novice-to-intermediate skiers. Outhouses at trailhead. Warming shelter with wood stove on trail hear parking area. Unheated picnic shelter also available. Trails groomed occasionally with snowmobile by Panhandle Nordic Club. Comments: Ranging around elevation 3,000 feet, this trail system needs ample snow and cool weather to provide decent skiing. Most of route follows logging roads through cedar forest. Locally known as "Elk Loop" this route generally is 2 percent to 6 percent grade, which won't inspire skiers looking for thrills from hills. However, route offers two exceptions to gentle terrain: Expert Loop - a short diversion from south leg of main loop that offers relatively tricky ups, downs and turns. Short downhill stretch of 10 percent grade from picnic shelter to elbow turn at northwest corner of Elk Loop.

Greg Tourtlotte was North Idaho's wildlife enforcement chief for 8 years.

Wilderness The size of parties entering the Salmo-Priest Wilderness this summer will be restricted to "12 heartbeats" according to a new Colville National Forest policy. For example, that means that no more than 12 hikers could be in one group, or six horseback riders, or four humans with eight head of stock. Special applications can be made for parties of up to 20 heartbeats. These permits likely will be issued mostly to volunteers doing trail work, officials said. The new policy manages some areas as semi-primitive and others as primitive. The most restrictive regulations will govern the primitive areas, such as Crowell Ridge, where no stock will be allowed. Info: Sullivan Lake Ranger Station, (509) 446-7500.

Marine camping Permits for the Cascadia Marine Trail, which stretches 140 miles through Puget Sound from Olympia to Canada, are on sale for $14. On April 30, the price increases to $20. The permit allows unlimited camping along the trail. However, daily camping fees are $5 a person Jan. 1-April 30 and $7 a person May 1-Aug. 30. The route consists of a series of campsites at 20 state parks and nine parcels of land owned by state and local governments. Sites are available only to those traveling by wind and human-powered boats.

Paddle sports New and used gear for canoeing, kayaking, rafting and other outdoor sports, plus some guided trips, will be auctioned Monday to raise money for securing access to waterways in the Inland Northwest. The Spokane Canoe and Kayak Club's annual auction is set to begin with a potluck dinner at 7 p.m. at the Corbin Community Center, 827 W. Cleveland Ave. For info on donating new or used items to the auction, contact Derek Zimmer, 456-0276.

Tom and Theresa Frost