Hiking groups gear up for outings
It’s never been easier to find hiking companions in the Inland Northwest.
Three conservation-oriented groups have been leading group hiking trips since May to choice backcountry areas in Eastern Washington and North Idaho. The treks range from easy to rigorous, plus some trips geared especially for families. The trips continue into October.
The Friends of the Scotchman Peaks Wilderness is leading trips in the Kaniksu National Forest north of Lake Pend Oreille and in the west end of the Kootenai National Forests to introduce the public to choice wildlands.
Conservation Northwest members are leading trips in the Kettle River range and elsewhere in the Columbia Highlands to highlight areas they believe should be protected in the Colville and Okanogan forests.
The Idaho Conservation League also is leading trips in North Idaho this year.
Following are the mid-summer hikes scheduled through Labor Day. Check Web sites for the complete schedules.
Friends of the Scotchmans
July 5-9: Compton Crags summer tour, strenuous hike. Contact Sandy Compton (406) 847-2396, e-mail scenic.route@sandycompton.com.
July 6: Bear Mountain and Twin Peaks, strenuous hike. Contact John Harbuck, (208) 263-9894, e-mail harbuck@norlight.org.
July 14-15: Little Spar Lake overnighter with one-day option, moderate hike. Contact: Bill Martin, (406) 295-5258.
Aug. 3-4: Volunteer train Maintenance project at Scotchman Peak trailhead. Contact Jim Stern, (208) 265-6733.
Aug. 14: Scotchman Peak, steep and strenuous up and down hike. Contact Lexie de Fremery, (208) 265-9421, e-mail lexie@nidaho.net.
Aug. 18: Clayton Peak, strenuous hike. Contact Sandy Compton, (406) 847-2396.
Aug. 24: Little Spar Lake, moderate hike with overnight option. Contact Susan Drumheller, (208) 265-9565, e-mail sdrumheller@wildidaho.org.
Sept. 1-5: North-South Scotchman Spine, strenuous hike. Contact Jim Mellen, (208) 265-5261, e-mail jmellen@imbris.net.
Sept. 3: 24 Hour Pass Labor Day Scramble, strenuous hike. Contact Sandy Compton, (406) 847-2396, e-mail scenic.route@sandycompton.com.
Conservation Northwest
(Contact for all CNW hikes is Crystal Gartner, (509) 747-1663, e-mail crystal@conservationnw.org. Most of these hikes also are detailed in “100 Hikes in the Inland Northwest” from Mountaineers-Books.)
July 14: Hoodoo Canyon and Emerald Lake, moderate 6-mile hike in Kettle Range.
July 21: Abercrombie Mountain, difficult 7-mile hike up the second highest peak in northeast Washington near Ione.
July 28: Clackamas Mountain, moderate 10-mile hike through old-growth ponderosa pines in Okanogan National Forest.
Aug 4: Grassy Top from Pass Creek Pass, moderate 8-mile hike just south of the Salmo-Priest Wilderness.
Aug 11: Sherman Peak Loop, moderate 6-mile hike in Kettle Range at Sherman Pass.
Aug 18: Hall Mountain, moderately difficult climb from Sullivan Lake.
Aug 25: Wapaloosie Mountain, moderately difficult hike to 7,018 feet in the Kettle Range.
Idaho Conservation League
(Contact for all ICL hikes in North Idaho is Susan Drumheller, (208) 265-9565, e-mail sdrumheller@wildidaho.org. Most of these hikes also are detailed in “100 Hikes in the Inland Northwest.”)
July 14: Pyramid Lake family hike, an easy 3-mile hike with other options in the Selkirk Mountains northwest of Bonners Ferry.
July 21: Moose Lake family hike, a 2.5 mile hike in the West Cabinet Mountains north of Lake Pend Oreille.
July 25-28: Long Canyon backpack trip, a rugged and stunning 38-mile loop through rare unlogged drainages in the Selkirk Mountains, recommended for wilderness. Group size: 10.
Aug. 4: West Fork Lake, a rugged 12-mile hike in the Selkirks northwest of Bonners Ferry.
Aug. 18-19: American Falls backpack trip, gentle 9-mile hike through old-growth cedars along the Upper Priest River. Group size: 8.
Aug. 26: Two Mouth Lakes, difficult 8-mile hike into the Selkirks west of Bonners Ferry.