Routes: Classic Trips In The Inland Northwest

Check it out Distance: 5 miles Difficulty: Moderate Skiing time: 1-2 hours Season: December through early March Maps: Colville National Forest map Info: Colville Ranger District, (509) 684-7010

Ski touring trip notes

Access: From Newport, Wash., drive north on State Highway 20 about 46 miles and turn left (west) at Tiger, which is junction with Highway 31. Continue west on Highway 20 6-1/2 miles to trailhead on north side of road.

To reach trailhead from Colville, drive 29 miles east on Highway 20.

Attractions: Single track loop trails groomed by snowmobile lead through forest over delightful variety of ups and downs. Trails cover beginner-intermediate terrain. Grooming not wide enough for skating, so chances slim of seeing someone here in tight Lycra. But trails groomed with small machines have more character than the ultra-smooth tracks groomed by big machines. Ski away from road 1/4 mile to solid log warming shelter with wood stove and good supply of fire wood. Although no bunks provided, 8-10 people could sleep comfortably on floor. Maximum stay two nights. Other trails combine with featured route for 13-3/4 miles of routes to explore.

Comments: In most conditions, these trails piece of cake.

But pucker factor would rise in icy or ungroomed conditions. Trails not packed wide enough to allow for snowplowing in most places.

From trailhead sign board, ski north on single track along west side of Frater Lake (sign points toward warming hut). Go about 200 yards and down short hill to junction. Right fork goes to warming hut. But featured route heads left onto slightly more difficult terrain of Coyote Rock Loop.

After 15-20 minutes, ski to informal junction at top of small saddle. Trails go short distance and merge again at Coyote Rock, which skiers can climb for westward view. (Scout’s honor: I saw coyote tracks atop coyote rock during research.)

Pass Shelter Rock, large granite boulder with shelter-like overhang. Cross bridge over small bog.

At 3-1/8 miles, come to Scudder Junction, with option to take 3/4-mile Tiger Loop shortcut back to warming hut and trailhead.

Featured route, however, bears left, passing junction for Short Loop. Skirt along opening at Tiger Meadows. Then pass second junction with Short Loop trail and continue downhill. Trail eventually flattens, curves along highway back to trailhead. To reach warming shelter from trailhead, retrace route to first junction and turn right. Go another 100 yards to large, handsome log shelter with outhouse.

Other trails worth exploring.

Keep eye out for various tracks. Possibilities include snowshoe hares, coyotes, cougars, moose, deer, squirrels among other creatures.

, DataTimes