Boat-in camps created at Lake Spokane
OUTHOUSE – Ten boat-in camping areas are being developed this month on Lake Spokane in the Spokane River reservoir just upstream from Long Lake Dam. Avista Utilities has installed docks and vault toilets at the campsites and is building concrete picnic tables and fire rings.
Some of the campsites, which are on Avista lands, have been used informally by recreationists for years.
Not everyone appreciates the improvements, which surely will attract more boaters.
Someone set a fire in one of the concrete vault toilets this month within the first week it was installed.
Riverside State Park will take control of the campsites when completed. Chris Guidotti, park manager, said there eventually will be a camping fee, but not this season.
“We’ll still have to work out how to manage day use of the docks while respecting the camping reservations,” he said.
Hunting film tour comes to the Bing
OUTSTALK – The Hunting Film Tour is coming to Spokane on Aug. 5 at the Bing Crosby Theater.
The collection of nine high-quality hunting films has been edited into a two-hour show by WebEye Group and G2 Adventure Entertainment, the groups that have been bringing the popular Fly Fishing Film Tour to the Bing for several years.
Films include archery, muzzleloader and rifle hunts for big game ranging from whitetails to bighorn sheep, plus wingshooting, waterfowling and international adventures.
Doors open at 6 p.m. The two-hour show starts at 7. Get tickets online through the Bing or TicketsWest: $14.
Leg aches and lentils top August bike events
OUTPEDAL – Inland Northwest bicyclists can take advantage of a busy schedule of organized rides this month starting with Saturday’s Eight Lakes Leg Aches. Info: (509) 343-5020.
Other great events include the Le Tour de Koocanusa, Aug. 9, out of Libby; the White Pine Pedal Mettle, Aug. 16, out of St. Maries; the Conquer Schweitzer hill climb, Aug. 17; The Tour de Lentil metric century, Aug. 23, out of Pullman, and the Great Northwest Fall Tour, Aug. 31, out of Newport.
See details for these and other bicycling events in the online calendar, “2014 Northwest Bicycling Events: expanded list” under Rich Landers’ links at spokesman.com/outdoors.