In brief: Mount Spokane road closure delayed
PARKS – The closure of Mount Spokane State Park road for summer construction has been postponed until Monday, the Washington Department of Transportation says.
Last week, state park rangers reported the contractors were on schedule to close the road this week, but that plan was changed.
Major road construction is planned to continue into October.
Once the road is closed only approved individuals will be allowed to drive up the main road from the park entrance at set intervals.
Hikers, bicyclists and equestrians will have access to trails, campground and restrooms during the construction. Parking for those uses will be available in a designated area at Bear Creek Lodge, about one-third of a mile outside the park entrance on Mount Spokane Park Drive, park officials say.
The state park website is not keeping up with construction schedule changes. Updates on the road work are posted by the DOT.
Nordic ski trail clearing starts
PARKS – Volunteers will meet on Saturday morning at the Selkirk Lodge for the first work party of the season to prepare the Nordic skiing trails for the winter season at Mount Spokane State Park.
“We’ll be cutting firewood from downed trees along the trails,” says Brian Hawkins of Spokane Nordic.
“We’re looking for a few people capable of running chainsaws (with required safety equipment) and some people to clear the limbs and stack the cut rounds.
Volunteers can get details and times by registering with Hawkins at brianthawkins@hotmail.com, or call (509) 710-5701.
The trail work volunteers will continue to have access to the park after road construction closes the main park road starting next week, but entry will be limited to specific times.
Other scheduled ski trail work days are July 31, Aug. 13 and 28, Sept. 10 and 25, Oct. 8 and 23.
Wolf killed livestock confirmed
WILDLIFE – Washington wildlife officials have confirmed that a cattle producer’s calf was killed on a public land grazing allotment in Ferry County last week by wolves in the Profanity Peak Pack.
Washington Fish and Wildlife Department staff are investigating, said the agency’s wolf program leader Donny Martorello.