Republic A Great Base For Outdoors

Regardless of the season, Republic, Wash., is a classic hub from which to base outdoor activities.

Only a little more than a thousand people inhabit the Ferry County seat on Highway 20 between Colville and Tonasket. Yet the town sports the necessities for travelers, including motels, B&B’s and the Triangle J Ranch Hostel, as well as groceries, good coffee and Mexican food.

The town is within easy striking distance of numerous campgrounds and hiking trails in the Colville and Okanogan National Forests, including the Kettle Crest Trail. A major trailhead for the Kettle Crest trail is just a short way east of Republic on Highway 20 at Sherman Pass.

Head north from town a short drive to fish for bass in Curlew Lake and trout in the Kettle River. Virtually any mountain road leads to wildflowers and huckleberries.

During fall, the area is prime for hunting grouse, black bears and deer. Bighorn sheep thrive on Vulcan Mountain. A cougar sighting around here is passe.

Backcountry skiers from the Republic area have the freedom to put tracks in virtually every new layer of powder during winter, since they have to drive only a few miles toward Sherman Pass or a little farther to BoulderDeer Creek Summit to sample a new snowfall. Snowmobilers find trails here, too.

The rustic Snow Peak cabin, built in the 1990s by the Colville National Forest and volunteers, is occupied virtually every day during winter. It’s one of several hot spots frequented by skiers, as well as during summer by hikers, horsepackers and mountain bikers.