Rich Landers

Check it out Distance: 4-2/3 miles Difficulty: Moderate Hiking time: 2-4 hours Season: March through Nov. Maps: USGS Nine Mile Falls Into: Riverside State Park, 456-3964 Dayhiking trip notes Access: From the corner of Assembly and Francis in northwest Spokane, head west on Francis, which eventually becomes Nine Mile Road (also Highway 291). Go 6-1/4 miles and turn left (west) onto Charles Road. Cross Spokane River just below Nine Mile Dam and bear left onto Carlson Road. Drive nearly 1/2 mile to Centennial Trail parking area. Attractions: Area offers dramatic range of scenery in Riverside State Park, ranging from rubble of crumbling basalt near mouth of Deep Creek to dark mossy forest, to open ponderosa pine forest to cliff-edge overlooks of Nine Mile Reservoir on Pine Bluff. Comments: Much of route might be shared with mountain bikers and possibly horse riders.

Conservation Entries are being accepted from landowners with acreages big for the annual Wildlife Enhancement Contest sponsored by the Inland Empire Chapter of Safari Club International. The contests offers $500 in prizes to landowners who display extra effort in providing wildlife habitat. Projects funded through government programs are not eligible. Factors considered in judging include wintering grounds, food sources, impact on wildlife, breeding and nesting grounds, long-term benefits and surrounding conditions, said contest coordinator Alan Knott. To enter, send a summary and photos of the conservation effort by Aug. 1 to Safari Club, c/o Alan Knott, 24424 W. Thorpe Rd., Medical Lake, WA 99022. Info: 299-5206.

Trail maintenance More volunteers, especially from the hiking community, are needed for a trail reconstruction project on South Chilco Mountain June 29. Jack O'Brien of Hayden Lake, Idaho, is coordinating with the project with the Fernan Ranger District to provide expert guidance and tools for the project to repair and re-route about two miles of trail to the scenic summit of South Chilco Mountain north of Coeur d'Alene. Members of the Panhandle Trail Riders have already pledge support for the project, O'Brien said. Additional volunteers can sign up by calling O'Brien at (208) 772-3412.

Hunting Revenue from auctions for bighorn sheep hunting permits has been significant since the concept caught on nearly 20 years ago in Western States. The record bid was $310,000 for a Montana bighorn tag in 1994. Money from that bid has been used for sheep management in Montana and other states. But Texas officials have bigger ideas. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is selling $10 tickets for the new "Big Game of Texas" lottery. The drawing will award one lucky sportsman tags for the Texas Grand Slam - a bighorn sheep, white-tailed deer, mule deer and pronghorn. Department officials estimated the lottery could raise as much as $1 million a year. The value of the hunts, including meals, guiding and taxidermy - has been pegged at about $50,000. Resident and non-resident hunters have until Oct. 3 to buy their $10 ticket at electronic license vendors or through a special toll-free phone number, (800) TX-LIC-4U.

Sunglasses are sensible addition to gear.

Check it out Distance: 10-1/2 miles round trip Difficulty: Moderate Riding time: 1-2 hours Season: May through Oct. Maps: Canfield Mountain Trail System available from Fernan Ranger Info: Vertical Earth Bike Shop, (208) 667-5503

Winter floods have left a few obstacles for paddlers on the Little Spokane River. The river access near St. George's School has been closed for clearing the parking area and reconstructing the trail to the put-in. Riverside State Park officials say the ban is eroding up to 5 feet a year, forcing the reconstruction. The work could be done by this weekend.

John Osborn

CHECK IT OUT Distance: 7 miles Difficulty: Moderate Paddling time: 1 to 2 hours Season: Virtually year-round Maps: USGS Post Falls, Liberty Lake Info: Washington Water Power river flow recording, 482-8043 PADDLING TRIP NOTES: Access: Put-in: From Interstate 90 at west edge of Post Falls, take Pleasant View Road exit 2. Go south to stoplight and turn left (east) on Railroad Ave. Go nearly 1/2 mile and turn right (south) on Corbin Road, which winds down to park along shore of Spokane River. Take-out: From I-90 east of Spokane, take Liberty Lake exit 296. At intersection, turn north on Harvard Road until you cross Spokane River bridge. Immediately turn left into access site. Attractions: Easy access from I-90 paves way for quick but satisfying paddle trip - even after work. This stretch of Spokane River requires some savvy, but still practical for paddlers with modest skills. Route follows course for recreational paddlers in annual Spokane River Canoe Classic. Includes eight Class-I rapids (expert paddlers call them riffles) that can get you wet in some conditions. Rapids barely perceptible in high spring flows. Vehicle shuttle only 7-1/2 miles, including 5-3/4 miles on I-90. Hazards: Bridge abutments. Powerful eddies and turbulence in high water. Boulders and strong eddylines in low water.

Check it out Distance: 22.5 miles Difficulty: Moderate Paddling time: 6-8 hours or overnight Season: Virtually year-round Maps: USGS St. Regis, Keystone Peak, Quinns Hot Springs Info: USGS Water Resources Office in Helena, Mont., (406) 441-1319 Paddling trip notes: Access: Put-in: From four-way stop at junction with Mullan Trail Road in St. Regis, Mont., drive north on Highway 135 about 1/2 mile. Turn right toward St. Regis fishing access site just across railroad tracks on Clark Fork River. Take-out: Continue north on Highway 135. Milepost 10.7, pull over to see first significant rapid. Milepost 11.4, pass campground. Milepost 12.5, optional take-out at developed boat ramp access. Milepost 16, scout Cascade Rapid (Class 3). Milepost 19.5, take-out across from Quinns Hot Springs. However, this is private property. PERMISSION MUST BE SECURED at resort. Attractions: Although access easy with highway paralleling most of trip, Clark Fork River offers backwoods feeling. Mostly easy paddling with some challenging rapids. Camping spots available. Trout fishing good in March and April and from mid-June through October.

The average member of Ducks Unlimited is a true-blue American. According to a statistical profile of the 1.5 million members released by the 50-year-old national conservation group, the average DU supporter is a 42-year-old married male with an American vehicle, two family dogs and a household income of $58,000.

Hunting Getting an over-the-counter hunting tag for a Montana deer or antelope won't be as easy as it was in recent years. Declining numbers of deer and antelope have caused the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department to make the following restrictions: Multi-region antlerless mule deer "B" licenses will not be available from license agents. Over-the counter antlerless white-tailed deer "B" licenses will be available from license dealers, but hunters will need to specify which region they wish to hunt. Multi-region doe-fawn antelope licenses will not be offered for sale from license dealers. Hunters seeking these mule deer and antelope licenses must enter the state's big game lottery drawing. Applications are due by June 1.

Wildlife landscaping Learn how to attract birds and other wildlife to urban and suburban yards at the sixth annual "Open Yard Bird Fair" June 1-2, sponsored by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Department and Blossoms and Bloomers. From 10 a.m.-4 p.m. each day, Gerry and Ron Krueger will give guided tours of gardens and landscaping developed specifically for birds and wildlife from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at E11415 Krueger Lane. To get there from the intersection of Argonne Road and Bigelow Gulch, go 1 mile east on Bigelow Gulch, turn left, then go 1 mile STRAIGHT north.

CHECK IT OUT Distance: 10-1/2 miles (minimum) Difficulty: Very difficult Skiing time: 2 to 3 days Season: Jan. through Early June Maps: USGS Pyramid Peak, Smith Peak, Roman Nose, Wigwams Info: Bonners Ferry Ranger District, (208) 267-5561

Mountain biking The Skurtzendirt Mountain Bike Association is inviting women of all cycling skill levels to join in a weekend of mountain biking events and workshops based at Farragut State Park June 8-9. The registration deadline is June. 1. The schedule includes workshops on handling skills, nutrition and bike mechanics as well as a women's cycling products seminar.

Centennial trail Celebrate National Trails Day on June 1 with a multiple-event benefit to boost the Centennial Trail. Events include fun runs ranging from 5 to 18 miles, a canoe paddle from Upriver Dam to the Marriott Courtyard, two bicycle tours, a 6.2-mile walk and a horseback tour from State Line to Barker Road. Events begin at various times and various starting points from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Refreshments at the Marriott Courtyard will be served to participants from 10 a.m.-noon. Pre-registration of $15, which includes a t-shirt, is due by Friday. Entry forms are at Mountain Gear, and North Division Bicycle Shop. Info: 624-7188.

(From Field Reports, Sunday, June 9, 1996): Errors cropped up in a recent edition of "Routes: Classic Trips in the Inland Northwest." Twin Lakes Mountain Bike Tour (May 19): Access directions should read, "From Davenport, Wash., drive 13 miles south on State Highway 28 to Harrington. At milepost 118, turn west onto Coffee Pot Road. Drive 1-3/4 miles and bear left at Y in paved road. Continue another 12 miles (to milepost 13) and turn right onto dirt road..."

(From Field Reports, Sunday, June 9, 1996): Errors cropped up in a recent edition of "Routes: Classic Trips in the Inland Northwest." Hawk Creek Dayhike (May 12): Alternate access should read, "From Davenport, head north on State Highway 25..." Also, the "optional extension" described on map and text heads into private land and is off-limits to anyone who has not secured permission from the landowners.

Whitewater rafting The heavy snowpack lingering in the mountains spells possible record spring flows - and a long rafting season - for many Idaho rivers. Peter Grubb of River Odysseys West in Coeur d'Alene, said desert rivers such as the Owyhee should produce the longest floating season since 1978. Bookings for river trips throughout the nation increased 15-20 percent after release of the popular movie "The River Wild," Grubb said. Predictions for lengthy runoff couldn't have come at a better time, he said.

Check it out Distance: 7-1/2 miles Difficulty: Moderate Paddling time: 1-1/2 to 2 hours Season: Jan. through April and other runoff periods Maps: USGS Spokane SW Info: USGS Water Resources Office in Spokane, 353-2633 Paddling trip notes Access: Put-in at bridge near junction with Hatch Road and Highway 195. Junction is 5 miles south of Interstate 90. Park vehicle north of bridge, but do not block private access to stables or residence. Beware of hazardous traffic on Hatch Road. Take-out: From junction with Hatch Road, head north on Highway 195 about 4-1/2 miles and turn left (west) on 16th Avenue (last turn lane before reaching I-90). Road bends north and becomes Lindeke, which you follow to Sunset Highway. At stoplight, continue straight onto Government Way. Drive 1-1/3 miles and make sharp right onto Riverside. Some boaters go 1/3 mile to take-out at Latah Creek bridge. Others turn right just before bridge onto A Street. Then take first left onto dirt road into High Bridge Park. Turn left again on spur road toward river to take-out at gate near gauging station. Attractions: During winter runoff and periods of significant rain, such as last week, this small creek in Spokane's backyard can swell to thrilling proportions. See ravages of winter floods. Wind into several short quiet sections and under nearly vertical sand cliffs near Creek at Qualchan Golf Course.

Climbing Unreserved climbing permits for Mount St. Helens will be available starting on May 14 near Cougar, Wash. The permits are required for the quota season May 15-Oct. 31. A total of 100 climbers are allowed on the mountain each day, with 40 of those reserved for the 6 a.m. permit lottery each morning. One person may obtain a permit for up to four people. The remaining 60 permits are available on first-come, first-served by mail or in person at the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Headquarters, 42218 N.E. Yale Bridge Rd., Amboy, WA, 98601. The daily lottery will be held at Jack's Restaurant and Store on State Route 503, 23 miles east of Woodland and 5 miles west of Cougar.

Conservation They just barely got cleaned the dirt from under their fingernails after planting willows along the Spokane River. Now members of the local Trout Unlimited chapter are turning their attention to a fund-raising banquet and auction scheduled for May 18. The dinner and auction will begin at 6 p.m. at the Spokane Ramada Inn across from Spokane International Airport. Tickets cost $37.50 for a couple or $20 for singles. Kids' tickets are discounted. Auction items include a wide range of angler-friendly gear and trips, including custom-made fly rods, guided high-lakes fishing trips, artwork, Alaska fishing trips, personal pontoon boats, saltwater fishing and more. Tickets are available from Silver Bow Fly Shop, Propp's Rod and Fly or by calling Tanny Clarkson, 328-1766.

Hunting Deadlines to apply for special hunts involving deer, elk, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goats and cougars are looming in Washington and Idaho. The deadline to postmark applications to the Idaho Fish and Game Department for moose, sheep and goats is Tuesday. The deadline for Idaho's deer, elk and antelope hunts is May 30. Applications for special hunts must be received in Washington Fish and Wildlife Department offices by Friday.

Paddle sports Canoes and kayaks will be featured in two upcoming area events: May 1, "National You Can Canoe Day" festivities at Liberty Lake County Park, 3 p.m.-7 p.m. featuring 20 canoe designs available for demonstrations from REI and Mad River Canoes. Info: 328-9900.