Here’s path that’s worth following

Several Inland Northwest groups have been investing time and sweat for the benefit of everyone who enjoys a good trail. The groups are always looking for more projects and more volunteers to join in the work and satisfaction of a job well done.

Here’s a sampling of recent activity:

•The Fat Tire Trail Riders mountain biking club has organized several trail cleanup and maintenance projects from their favorite Beacon Hill routes near Camp Sekani to last weekend’s effort near High Bridge Park.

The group also holds “impromptu” work sessions combined with rides and is planning to bring in the Subaru International Mountain Biking Association Trail Care Crew for a seminar on trail building at Riverside State Park in August.

Info: Penny Schwyn, 448-0346 or www.fttrc.org.

•The Backcountry Horsemen of America, the original trail angels, have cleared countless miles of trail throughout the region for decades.

Recently to celebrate National Trails Day, BHA chapters joined the North Idaho Mule Club to tackle numerous projects at Priest Lake in coordination with the Forest Service.

The 58 volunteers gave some TLC to the following lowland trails: Chipmunk Rapids, Lakeshore, Lakeview Mountain, Kalispell-Reeder, Woodrat, Bulldog Point, Hanna Cut-off and the Squaw Valley.

The most extensive work was on the Binarch Creek Trail, where 60 feet of puncheon was built to get traffic out of a soft area, two culverts were installed, turnpikes were built and the mules hauled in many loads of crushed rock.

Info: Bob Gish, (509) 276-6226 or www.nebchw.com.

•Last weekend, 20 members of the Spokane Mountaineers and the Inland Empire Backcountry Horsemen cut a 2.5-mile loop trail at the James T. Slavin Conservation Area south of Spokane.

The new trail leads visitors through grasslands, aspen stands and pine forest in the area south of Spokane purchased and preserved through the Spokane County Conservation Futures Program.

To reach the 628-acre nature preserve, which is growing in popularity with hikers, bird watchers, and horseback riders, drive south from I-90 on Highway 195 about eight miles and turn right on Washington Road. Go to the intersection of Washington and Keeney Roads. The property borders the west side of Keeney Road for a half mile.

Info: Vicki Sola, 251-0280 or www.spokanemountaineers.org