Scotchman friends honor shutterbugs on hikes

HIKING — The annual summer series of group hikes organized by the Friends of the Scotchman Peaks Wilderness will is giving participants something to focus on besides exploring potential wilderness areas in the Cabinet Mountains northeast of Lake Pend Oreille.

Each volunteer-led hike has its own photo contest. The winning photographer will receive an item of their choice from the group’s merchandise selection of nifty hats, bandannas or t-shirts. Each hike’s winning photo will be entered into a season ending grand prize selected by popular vote.

The second of 15 hikes the group is offering this summer is June 18.

Three cooperative trail work projects coordinated with the Forest Service are scheduled.

In addition, the friends group is offering two hiking workshops with author, naturalist and historian Jack Nisbet .

The group hikes are geared to exposing the public to the rugged and scenic 88,000-acre roadless area the group is proposing for wilderness designation. The area straddles the Idaho-Montana border northeast of Clark Fork, Idaho, and ranges into Montana.

Next hike:  June 18, ‘Practice Mountain’

Distance, 4 miles round trip. Elevation gain 800 feet.

An easy-to-moderate  hike begins along closed forest roads up Fatman Mountain and transitions to off-trail near the top for an easy scramble to the peak and views of the Clark Fork river valley as well as the Star Peak/Billiard Table ridge. A gentle descent brings hikers to an incredible view of Clayton Peak, Sawtooth Mountain and the east fork of Blue Creek.

Contact: Holly Clements hclements26@yahoo.com 208-290-3420, or sandy@scotchmanpeaks.org 208-290-1281.