Field reports: Volunteer events buff local gems

PUBLIC LANDS – Two major local volunteer cleanup efforts coincide on Sept . 29:

• The 10th annual Spokane River Clean Up attracts about 800 people who pick up tons of trash based. Volunteers will assemble in the morning at High Bridge Park, the University District and Spokane Valley.

Preregister online at friendsofthefalls.org.

• The Dishman Hills Service Day, celebrating National Public Lands Day, will focus on trails, habitat restoration, trash cleanup, noxious weed control, placement of mulch and other projects in the Dishman Hills Natural Area. Meet 9 a.m. at Camp Caro.

Preregister online: tinyurl.com/Dhservice.

Mushroomers set Priest Lake foray

WILD EDIBLES – The Spokane Mushroom Club’s annual fall foray is set for Oct. 5-7 at the Priest River Experimental Forest based in Priest River.

Experts lead daily group hikes to identify mushrooms collect specimens for educating the groups when they convene.

Participants who can’t spend the entire weekend can join the Saturday foray, which leaves at 9 a.m., and attend Saturday’s Pot Luck set for 6 p.m.

Preregistration is required by Sept. 24. Cost: $25.

Lodging arrangements can be made.

Contact Lynda Foreman, (509) 368-9969, email schroomerlyn@msn.com.

UI sends writers into the wilds

OUTDOOR WRITING – Graduate students chosen for the University of Idaho’s new Writing in the Wild masters of fine arts fellowships will spend a week at either the McCall Outdoor Science School at Payette Lake or the Taylor Wilderness Research Station in the heart of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness.  

Applications for the creative writing program this academic year are due Sept. 30.

 Applications for the 2013-2014 fellowships are due April 15.

Organized runs hit the trail

TRAILS – Two notable trail runs are coming up in the Spokane area:

• Wild Moose Chase Trail run, Sept. 29, on 5K, 10K and 25K routes on trails at Mount Spokane. Info: wildmoosechasetrailrun.com.

• Sekani Trail Run, Oct. 13, choose from a 5K or 10K event at Camp Sekani, a 125-acre natural park above the Spokane River in Spokane Valley. Info: bit.ly/sekani_2012.

Hikers evacuated at Mount Adams

FIRES – At least 40 hikers were evacuated from the Mount Adams area last weekend as lightning-caused blazes swept through the mountain’s westside slopes.

Four hikers were airlifted out by helicopter.

Some evacuees had to leave their cars behind after the flames jumped a Forest Service road, cutting off some trailhead parking.

The Cascade Creek Fire is near Crofton Ridge.