Backcountry Beckons

Sun., Dec. 13, 1998

Rich Landers Outdoors Editor

Backcountry skiers at Sherman Pass in Washington have been enjoying mostly excellent snow conditions since late November.

There’s more than three feet of snow at the pass and more than five feet on Sherman Peak, said Keith Wakefield, Republic Ranger District recreation ranger.

A Washington Sno-Park permit is required to park at the pass.

A marked trail heads south from the summit along the Kettle Crest to areas favored by backcountry skiers.

Reservations for overnight use of the Snow Peak Cabin will be taken starting at 7:30 a.m. on Jan. 4. Reservations can be requested in person at the Republic Ranger Station, or by phone or mail. The cabin is reachable by a ski trek of about 7 miles.

Use of the cabin, which sleeps six comfortably, can be reserved for $15 a night. Info: (509) 775-3305.

At Lookout Pass, the Forest Service has marked about 7 miles of ungroomed trails. One trail leads up St. Regis Basin, but stops short of an area known for avalanche. Backcountry skiers often push farther.

All backcountry skiers should be equipped with shovels, avalanche transceivers and experience in avalanche forecasting before heading into high-country terrain.

Weekly avalanche forecasts for the Panhandle region are updated on Fridays at (208) 765-7323.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.