Conservation Northwest protects and connects old-growth forests and other wild areas from the Washington Coast to the British Columbia Rockies, vital to a healthy future for us, our children, and wildlife. Since 1989, Conservation Northwest has worke
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Conservation Northwest updates Crystal Gartner Outreach associate, crystal@conservationnw.org Sure cure for the summertime blues Hiking in wilderness If you have never hiked with us before, this summer is your chance to discover what the wildest lands in northeast Washington have to offer you and your family. This annual hike series represents some of the most scenic and secluded trails in the Columbia Highlands, with terrain diverse enough to satisfy the novice to experienced hiker. Our hike leaders are fun and experienced, you'll meet new, friendly people of all ages, and no doubt be inspired by what you see and energized from the workout. From Columbia Mountain to Hoodoo Canyon: Join us on the trail and learn how you can help save a bit of the wilderness experience in our unique region for wildlife and for future generations. Newcomers are most welcome, so sign up while there's still room (group size is limited) and bring a friend! Find more info and register at conservationnw.org/hikes11 or call Crystal at (509) 570-2166. These hikes are sponsored by Conservation Northwest and Kettle Range Conservation Group. Overheard on the trail "This is Washington's big-sky country. From the summits of many of the peaks in the Kettle Range, views abound, of the Selkirk Mountains to the east, the Okanogan Highlands and the Cascades to the west, and BC's Rossland Range to the north. Summer is prime time for hiking…Travelers form the west side may be surprised to find such an expanse of green so far east… best of all, many trails stay crowd-free all summer. It's not unusual to see more wildlife—elk, bighorn sheep, coyotes, mule deer, gray wolf, Clark's nutcrackers, and peregrine falcons—than people. The best introduction to the hiking possibilities in the Columbia Highlands is through Conservation Northwest's summer hikes series." –Aaron Theisen, Conservation Northwest member "I think westsiders are amazed that there is a rainforest in northeast Washington, with huge cedars and hemlocks, just like where they came from. They can't believe how empty of people it is. Some didn't even know there are grizzlies and moose anywhere in the state, let alone caribou. They all loved being here and wanted to return with their families." –Jane Baker, Spokane trail boss for Washington Trails Association work parties in the Columbia Highlands Don't just hike—volunteer on the trails Don't miss your chance to live and work in Washington's remote and beautiful wilderness. Build or fix up a hiking trail, meet wonderful people, learn new skills, and help fellow hikers to explore the wild and beautiful Colville National Forest in the Columbia Highlands. With declining federal budgets, our trails won't get cleared without your help. Conservation Northwest, Washington Trails Association (WTA), and other groups are also building the new Gibraltar Trail near Republic. With its awesome views of the Kettle Crest, it will be one of the most exciting and scenic mountain biking and hiking trails in the region; all we need is your help to make it happen! WTA has several trail clearing and construction projects planned in northeast Washington this summer, including two week-long volunteer vacations: June 11-18, Gibraltar Trail; and July 9-16, in the Salmo-Priest Wilderness. They also have several shorter trips scheduled: June 25-27, Bead Lake Trail; July 16-17, Salmo-Priest Wilderness; July 23-25, Little Snowy Top, Salmo-Priest Wilderness; August 4-7, Hall Mountain, Noisy Creek Trail; and September 9-10, Salmo-Priest WilLooking out from the shoulder of AbercrombieHooknose in the Columbia Highlands. Photo James Jacobson derness. Visit the WTA website, wta.org, for all the information and to sign up. Conservation Northwest and other recreation groups are also organizing several trail construction projects to get a good section of the Gibraltar Trail built this summer. So far, we're planning a rewarding work day as part of the Kettle Range Rendezvous, July 8-10. To sign up this project or others this summer, visit our trail work page, conservationnw.org/trailwork. And see our events calendar, conservationnw. org/calendar, for more sweet summer events. See you on the trails! 20 Spring/Summer 2011 www.conservationnw.org