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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
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Ways to get out and make tracks

Rich Landers Outdoors editor

Finding a group or a good place to go snowshoeing is easier than ever in the Inland Northwest.

After this week’s snowstorms, many people can don snowshoes and discover a new world virtually out their backdoor.

Lowland state parks, such as Riverside, Liberty, Farragut and Round Lake, are choice spots when there’s adequate snow. Ditto for some Spokane County Conservation Futures areas – check them out online at www.spokanecounty.org/parks.

Priest Lake-area trails are solitary and stunning in the winter. Contact the Priest Lake Ranger Station, (208) 443-2512, or Hills Resort, (208) 443-2551, for best locations.

But snowshoers often must look to higher ground. Mount Spokane State Park and the highway passes at Fourth of July, Lookout and Sherman are popular deep-snow destinations.

An understanding of backcountry travel, including avalanche forecasting, is important when venturing into steep terrain.

Several downhill skiing resorts offer snowshoe trails and rentals. Silver Mountain, for example, has a three-mile loop around the Mountain Haus, while 49 Degrees North has groomed and ungroomed options from its Nordic Center yurt.

Schweitzer Mountain grooms the Hermit’s Hollow Trails (trail fee $4.20) for snowshoeing and offers weekend guided hikes to areas off-limits to unguided snowshoers.

Saturday hikes include a 10 a.m. photo trip, which costs $10 with free snowshoe rentals.

At noon on clear Saturdays, a trip heads up the chairlift to the ridge overlooking Lake Pend Oreille. The $20 fee, includes rentals, guide and lift ticket.

A moonlight trek sets out every Sunday at 5 p.m.

Sign up for the hikes at the Schweitzer Activity Center, (208) 255-3081.

Spokane Parks and Recreation Department coordinates the area’s most ambitious snowshoeing programs, from lessons to guided trips complete with transportation.

Following are some of the upcoming snowshoeing activities organized by Spokane Parks and Rec. Private group trips also can be scheduled.

Snowshoeing classes: Include weekday evening indoor session at Mountain Gear followed by weekend outdoor session at Mount Spokane. Indoor sessions set for Feb. 7 and 20. Outdoor sessions on Feb. 9 and 23, plus an outdoor session with transportation provided ($4 extra) on Feb. 8. Cost: $25, rentals $7.

Moonlight hikes: From 6 p.m.-9 p.m. on Feb. 23 and March 22, at 49 Degrees North. Cost: $29, includes snowshoe rental and hot beverages. Easy hike for all levels, led by Keith Wakefield, Forest Service recreation specialist.

Moonlight and dinner: Feb. 23 and March 22, moonlight trek at Mount Spokane followed by a post-hike meal at Selkirk Lodge. Cost: $25 or $20 for REI members. Includes guide, headlamps and meal.

Family day trips: Short hike around Mount Spokane for families with kids ages 4 and up. $37 per family or $17 for parent and one child. Rentals included. $5 discount for REI members. March 1 at Mount Spokane.

Snowshoe trips: Guided groups will head to Lake Gillette on Feb. 9, Mount Spokane on Feb. 22 and Sherman Pass on Feb. 23, all complete with van transportation.

Snowshoe for fitness: Five sessions for all levels, meets at Mount Spokane. Cost: $49

Snowshoe summiting: Hikes especially for fit hikers, involve a vigorous uphill climb to a familiar peak.