Field Reports

PHOTOGRAPHY

Northwest Exposure contest

It’s time to pluck the best photograph from your trips into the outback of Washington state for entry in the second annual Northwest Exposure photo contest sponsored by the Washington Trails Association.

The four contest categories are people in the wild, Washington landscapes, flora and fauna and offbeat outdoors. Complete rules and entry forms are available on the WTA Web site at www.wta.org or by calling (206) 625-1367. The entry deadline is Oct. 31.

NATIONAL FORESTS

Nature Watch activities

Autumn phenomena are featured in guided activities sponsored by the Colville National Forest:

Oct. 16: Hike the 4.2-mile Lakeshore Trail along Sullivan Lake to enjoy brilliant autumn colors with botanist Kathy Ahlenslager. Meet at Colville National Forest office in Colville, 765 S. Main, at 8 a.m., or at the entrance to East Sullivan Lake Campground at the north end of Sullivan Lake at 9:30 a.m.

Sign-up at (509) 684-7178 or kahlenslager@fs.fed.us.

Nov. 13: View kokanee salmon as they gather at the south end of Sullivan Lake to spawn in Harvey Creek. Weather permitting, fisheries biologist Karen Honeycutt will be on site from 11a.m. to 1 p.m. The kokanee usually start up the creek the first week in November and are still there in the beginning of January. The fish should not be harassed.

For kokanee status reports, call (509) 446-7500.

SKIING

Ski swaps coming up

Buy or sell used skiing and boarding equipment and clothing at several “swaps” coming up (sellers check-in gear before the sale dates and pay consignment fee):

•The Mount Spokane Ski Patrol Ski Swap — the granddaddy of them all, celebrating its 40th anniversary — Oct. 23 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Oct. 24 from 9 a.m.-noon at the Spokane Interstate Fair and Expo Center. Bring items to be sold 3 p.m.-9 p.m. on Oct. 22. Info: www.mssp.org.

• Silver Mountain National Ski Patrol Ski Swap, Nov. 6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Kootenai County Fairgrounds. Bring items to be sold 3 p.m.-8 p.m. on Nov. 5. Info: (208) 783-1111.

• Cross-country Ski Sale and Swap, Nov. 6-7 at Fitness Fanatics, 12425 E. Trent. Bring in items to be sold by Nov. 2. Info: 922-6080.

NATIONAL FORESTS

Recreational travel strategy meeting

The monthly recreational travel strategy group meeting for planning road and trail access in the Colville National Forest is Wednesday, 6 p.m., at Riverside HS on U.S. Highway 2 in Riverside.

Representatives from various forest recreational groups, including off-road vehicle users, snowmobilers, hikers and equestrians, meet regularly to advise the forest on access management. The public is welcome.

Info: (509) 447-7322.

–Field reports by Rich Landers