wildlife viewing recreation guide · Wildlife Viewing & Recreation Guide 1 Published March 2013 Northeast Washington Wildlife Viewing & Recreation Guide: Welcome to Washington’s

wildlife viewing & recreation guide

Welcome to Washington’s Wild Side!

northeast washington

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Wildlife Viewing & Recreation Guide 1

Published March 2013

Northeast Washington Wildlife Viewing & Recreation Guide: Welcome to Washington’s Wild Side!

Editor: Derrick KnowlesWriter: Aaron TheisenDesign and layout: Erin Moore, Shallan Knowles

Produced byConservation Northwest35 W. Main Ave #220Spokane, WA 99201www.conservationnw.org

Cover images, clockwise: Canada lynx by Don Getty, Curlew Lake by Craig Romano, Abercrombie-Hooknose by Craig Romano, great gray owls by Paul Bannick

Inside images: Glenn Alexon, Sheila Anderson, Paul Bannick, Tim Coleman, Crystal Gartner, Don Getty, Charles Gurche, Dave Heflick, James Jacobson, Leif Jakobsen, James Johnston, Derrick Knowles, David Moskowitz, Craig Romano, Chuck Szmurlo, Aaron Theisen, Chris Weston, Tricia Woods, Eric Zamora, US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, WA Dept of Fish and Wildlife, WA Dept of Natural Resources, OR Dept of Fish and Wildlife, National Park Service

Whether you are here to hike, camp, hunt, fish or simply view wildlife from the comfort of your vehicle, northeast Washington offers fan-tastic wildlife-watching experiences. Combine that with welcoming mountain towns, local lodging, restaurants and breweries, historic sites and interpretive centers, and scenic drives and hikes, and northeast Washington is one of the top wildlife tour-ism destinations in the Northwest!

The variety and size of unspoiled places in the Kettle River Range and Selkirk Mountains are home to a long list of wild creatures. Between the Cascades and Rocky Mountains, the many mountains, lakes, riv-ers, and forests provide perfect habitat for a rich array of plant and animal life. It is often easier to see more wildlife than people while on a short mountain trail walk or scenic drive in northeast Washington.

In northeast Washington you will discover the range of animals that thrived when explorers Lewis & Clark and David Thompson traveled the Pacific Northwest more than two hundred years ago. Here, you could be lucky enough to see Canada lynx, grizzly bears, wolverines, wolves, native trout, bighorn sheep, elk, moose, mule deer, and the only remaining mountain caribou in the lower 48 states.

Birders flock to the untouched wetlands and subalpine parklands to see some of the state’s only breeding populations of loons, as well as bald eagles and ospreys, and one of the greatest diversities of owls and woodpeckers in North America. The many springs, streams, and creeks that flow out of the Kettle Range nourish people, plants,

northeast washington wildlife viewing & recreation guideWelcome to Washington’s Wild Side!

American marten © David Moskowitz

White-headed woodpecker.© PaulBannick.com

Wood duck.© PaulBannick.com

Kettle River.© James Johnston

Mule deer. ODFW

2 Northeast Washington Wildlife Viewing & Recreation Guide 3

GETTING ORIENTED The Columbia River bisects northeast Washington. To the west lies the Kettle River Range; to the east, the Selkirk Moun-tains. From west to east, Ferry, Stevens, and Pend Oreille coun-ties encompass this geographi-cally diverse region.

State Highway 20, which begins at Discovery Bay on the Olympic Peninsula, winds across the state eastward through northeast Washington to the Idaho border. Repub-lic, on Hwy 20, is about five hours’ drive from Seattle. State Highway 395 is the major north/south travel corridor in northeast Washington and connects Spokane, the nearest major metropolitan area, with Stevens County. Spokane is approximately 70 miles south of Colville and 120 miles south of Republic.

We highly recommend that you use additional map, compass, and GPS resources in addition to the directions and map in this guide when visiting any of these destinations. WILDLIFE VIEWING TIPS

• Wildlife are most active at dawn and dusk. For your best chance to see animals, time your visits for early in the morning or late in the evening.

• Wildlife can be unpredict-able. Observe wildlife from a distance. For closer viewing, bring binoculars, a spotting scope, or a camera with a zoom lens.

and animals alike. Lakes small and large dot the area. Moose, beaver—even bog lemmings—can be found in the wetlands of Bunchgrass Meadows, Halliday Fen, and Big Meadow Lake. Curlew, Swan, Emerald, and Sullivan lakes are great places to look for red-necked grebes, ruby-crowned kinglets, and nesting ducks. Westslope cutthroat trout, Columbia Basin redband trout, and bull trout can be found in the clean waters of the creeks flowing down from the Kettle Range and Selkirk Mountains.

We created the Northeast Washington Wildlife Viewing & Recreation Guide to make it easier to find and enjoy our wild areas and wild-life. Through it, we hope that you will learn more about the amaz-ing diversity of wildlife and habitats and join us in taking pride in the special places and unique wildlife we have here in the northeast corner of the state.

MORE ABOUT THIS GUIDE This free booklet is a project of the nonprofit wildlife organization Conservation Northwest, which works to protect and restore wild-

life habitat between the Cascade and Rocky Mountains. We partner with public lands and wildlife agencies, timber companies, ranchers, and others to manage and con-serve habitat in ways that benefit wildlife and local communities.

Learn more, and become a member at www.conservationnw.org. For questions about the guide, email [email protected].

Swan Lake. © James Johnston

Kettle River. © James Johnston

Black bear. © Dave HeflickHall Mountain. © Craig Romano


• Use your senses of hear-ing, sight, and smell to find animal signs like tracks, trails, nests, and scat. Wildlife viewing requires patience. Move slowly and quietly and be mindful of the direction of the wind, which can alert wildlife to your scent.

• Study a field guide to learn more about the animals of the region and their habits.

• Do not feed, chase, or approach wildlife!

• Be prepared with food, water, maps, and appropriate clothing for a variety of weather conditions. The weather can change abruptly and without warning.

WHAT’S INSIDE

Kettle River Range area map ................................................6Hikes in the Kettle River Range ...........................................7Selkirk Mountains area map ..............................................18Hikes in the Selkirk Mountains .........................................19Amenities, wildlife, recreation highlights ........................29Resources ..............................................................................36

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Heard the news?The Ferry County View reports weekly on

outdoors and wildlife issues.• Wolves • Wilderness • Watersheds • Forests

• Land Use • And Much MoreThe Ferry County View Extra features monthly

outdoors and wildlife columns and articles.Bird Bits • Outdoor Recreation • Gardening • And Much More

Call (509) 775-2425 to subscribe.Ferry County View

Ph 775-3378

Golden eagle. © PaulBannick.com


Kettle River Range wildlife viewing opportunities The kettle River Range

The Kettle River Range crowns the western half of the Colville National Forest. The moun-tains—some gentle, some jagged—pro-vide distant views of the Cascade and Rocky Mountains from open meadows filled with sagebrush and midsummer wildflowers. Sherman Pass on Hwy 20 is a starting point for hikes along the Kettle Crest and scenic drives throughout the region. It is also the highest maintained highway pass in Washington.

The surrounding forest is a mosaic of green fir, spruce, and pine and ghostly gray snags. Wolverines, Canada lynx, gray wolves, and pine martens seek mid-elevation forests but also travel the high peaks. Great gray owls, mountain bluebirds, and pileated woodpeckers nest in the many snags still standing from past wildfires. Many animals, including black bears, mule deer, moose, and spruce, dusky, and ruffed grouse can be found along the backroads and backcountry trails of the Kettle River Range.

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Great gray owls (Strix nebulosa)Sometimes referred to as the “great gray ghost,” this owl haunts the open, older, mixed conifer forests of northeast Washington search-ing for mice, voles—sometimes even other birds. the tallest of North American owls, the great gray owl glides silently through the trees thanks to a massive wingspan and light-weight body. Dense, insulating feathers allow the great gray to survive the deep snows and harsh winds of northeast Washington winters.

Sagebrush and forest along the Kettle Crest. © tim Coleman

© PaulBannick.com


1. Clackamas Mountain m ( ç DiFFiCuLty 4

Habitat: Mixed old-growth ponder-osa pine and Douglas-fir grassland/shrub steppe.Wildlife: Gray wolf, wolverine, Canada lynx, great gray owl, pileated woodpecker.VieWing opportunity: A network of trails loop out of Sweat Creek picnic area; the 10-mile loop using Trails 310 and 310-A is the most popular.access: From Republic, travel approximately 8 miles west on Hwy 20 to Sweat Creek Picnic Area on the north side of the highway. The trail system begins approximately 50 yards beyond the outhouse, past a wooden gate. The loop is easiest to follow if hiked counterclockwise; once through the gate, turn right.

2. Swan Lakem > ( ô ç DiFFiCuLty 2

Habitat: A 52-acre lake set amidst mid-elevation coniferous forest.Wildlife: Common loon, common merganser, flammulated owl, barred owl, northern pygmy-owl, bald eagle, black bear.VieWing opportunity: A 4-mile trail encircles the popular fishing lake.access: From Republic, travel south on Hwy 21 approximately 7 miles to Scatter Creek Road (NF Road 53). Turn right and travel approximately 6 miles to the road’s end at Swan Lake Campground.

3. Thirteenmilem ç ú DiFFiCuLty 3

Habitat: Mixed old-growth ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir grassland.Wildlife: Black bear, cougar, rat-tlesnake, coyote, deer, elk, moose, golden eagle.VieWing opportunity: The 16.5-mile Thirteenmile Trail encompasses the spectrum of northeast Washington habitats, from the ponderosa and sage-

brush hills at its west end to montane lodgepole and subalpine fir forests near the Kettle Crest.access: From Republic, travel south on Hwy 21 approximately 13 miles to Thirteenmile trailhead, on the left (east) side of the highway.

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Clackamas Mountain. © Aaron theisen Swan Lake. © Craig Romano

thirteenmile Canyon. © Aaron theisen


4. Curlew Lakem > ( ô ç DiFFiCuLty 1

Habitat: 870-acre lake sur-rounded by pine uplandsWildlife: Cedar waxwing, lazuli bunting, western bluebird, great horned owl, American kestrel, red-tailed hawk, golden eagle, bald eagle, osprey. VieWing opportunity: An 0.8 mile walking path winds through lakeside shrubs, upland forest, meadows and marshes, offering viewing opportunities of upland birds and riparian species.access: From Hwy 21 at milepost 165.4, turn west onto West Curlew Road. Drive 0.9 mile to a T in the road. Turn right. Drive 1.6 miles to Miyoko Point Road, turn right. Drive 0.4 mile. Park in pullout on left by trail.

5. Midnight Ridgem ç DiFFiCuLty 4

Habitat: Mid-elevation ridge featuring recovering burned ar-eas and old-growth parklands of ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, and western hemlock.Wildlife: Owls, woodpeckers, mule deer, cougar, coyote, black bear.VieWing opportunity: The 4-mile (one-way) Midnight Ridge Trail 41 samples ponderosa pine and Douglas fir parklands

and luxuriant meadows of lupine on its way to the Kettle Crest Na-tional Recreation Trail.access: From the junction with Hwy 20 three miles east of Republic, drive north on Hwy 21 about 9 miles. Turn right at milepost 171.7 onto County Road 546 (Lambert Creek). Continue on County Road 546, which turns into NF Road 2156, 7 miles to the trailhead.

6. Sherman Peakm ú ç DiFFiCuLty 3

Habitat: Climax forest of Engel-mann spruce, subalpine fir, and Douglas-fir mixed with lodgepole pine and recovering burned areas.Wildlife: Mule deer, black bear, blue grouse, pine marten, coyote, snowshoe hare, Canada lynx.VieWing opportunity: The 5.3-mile Sherman Peak Loop surveys both subalpine forest and the silvery snags left standing from the 1988 White Mountain Fire.access: About 4 miles west of Kettle Falls on US 395, cross the bridge over the Columbia River. Almost immediately (0.1 mile), turn left (west) on Hwy 20, toward the town of Republic. Drive approximately 22 miles to the Kettle Crest Trailhead on the right (north) side of the highway. Look for the trail on the south side of the highway.

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Curlew Lake. © Craig Romano Kettle Crest wildflowers. © Aaron Theisen

Copper Butte. © James Johnston


7. White Mountainç DiFFiCuLty 3

Habitat: Subalpine meadows in an old burn.Wildlife: Lynx, wolverine, pine marten, cou-gar, moose, gray wolf, mule deer, black bear.VieWing opportunity: A 6-mile roundtrip hike climbs to White Mountain, the southern-most peak on the Kettle Crest National Recrea-tion Trail, through subalpine meadows main-tained by the 1988 White Mountain Fire.access: About 4 miles west of Kettle Falls on Hwy 395, cross the bridge over the Columbia River. Almost immediately (0.1 mile), turn left (west) on Hwy 20, toward the town of Republic. Continue about 18 miles to South Fork Sherman Creek Road (NF 2020). Turn left and follow NF Road 2020 approximately 6 miles until the road forks. Bear right on Barnaby Creek Road (NF 2014). Stay on NF Road 2014 approximately 4 miles until the road forks again. Turn right onto NF Road 250. Follow this road approximately 4 miles until its end at the White Mountain trailhead.

8. Jungle Hillm ç DiFFiCuLty 4

Habitat: Conifer forest, aspen islands, sage-brush meadows.Wildlife: Great gray owl, goshawk, wolver-ine, lynx, marten, mule deer, elk, gray wolf, moose, black bear.VieWing opportunity: The 2.75-mile trail

features a variety of classic Kettle Range habitats from interior mixed-conifer forest to aspen groves and sagebrush meadows.access: 4 miles west of Kettle Falls on US 395, cross the bridge over the Columbia River. Almost immediately (0.1 mile), turn left (west) on Hwy 20. Continue to the Albion Hill Road (NF 2030) turn-off (just east of the top of Sherman Pass near milepost 323). Turn right (north) off Hwy 20 onto Albion Hill Rd, driving a mile to the signed Jungle Hill Camp-ground. Turn left and proceed to the campground loop at the road's end.

9. Donaldson Drawô 8 ç DiFFiCuLty 1

Habitat: A half-mile long steep-sided canyon with a beaver pond.Wildlife: Golden eagle, red-winged blackbird, moose.VieWing opportunity: An easy drive on Bangs Mountain Road travels the base of the canyon, the product of ancient floods caused by melting Ice Age glaciers that once covered the region.access: About 4 miles west of Kettle Falls on US 395, cross the bridge over the Columbia River. Almost immediately (0.1 mile), turn left (west) on Hwy 20, toward the town of Republic. At 7.7 miles, turn left on Bangs Mountain Road (NF 136) and travel 2.2 miles.

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Bald Mountain. © James Johnston

Jungle Hill. © Leif Jakobsen


10. Emerald Lake/Hoodoo Canyonm > ( ç DiFFiCuLty 3

Habitat: Western redcedar/western hemlock forest, old-growth ponderosa pine parkland, shrub-steppe, riparian areas.Wildlife: Canada lynx, wolverine, golden eagle, western toad, moose, black bear.VieWing opportunity: The 6.5 mile roundtrip hike up Hoodoo Canyon from Trout Lake to Emerald Lake is a classic, low-elevation Inland Northwest hike. The route samples dry ponderosa pine grassland and wet western red-cedar/western hemlock forest. Moose frequent the shallow lake, which nearly disappears in dry years.access: From Kettle Falls, travel west on US 395. After about 4 miles, cross the bridge over the Columbia River. Almost immediately after crossing the bridge, turn left (west) on Hwy 20 toward Republic. Pro-ceed 6 miles to Trout Lake Road, where you will turn right (north). Stay on this main road for about 6 miles until it dead-ends at Trout Lake Campground. The Hoodoo Canyon trailhead begins here.

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11. Sherman Creek Wildlife Areaö ç DiFFiCuLty 2

Habitat: More than 9000 acres of low- and mid-elevation forest, predominately ponder-osa pine and Douglas fir. Aspen groves and meadows filled with nutrient-rich ceanothus shrubs fill openings in the canopy.Wildlife: Mule deer, white-tailed deer, black bear, wolf.VieWing opportunity: Gated roads across Hwy 20, facing area headquarters, offer self-guided exploration.access: From Colville, drive north on US 395 to intersection with Hwy 20. Turn left onto Hwy 20. The wildlife area headquarters is located a few miles west of the bridge over the Columbia River, on the south side of the highway.

emerald Lake. © Leif Jakobsen Sherman Creek. © Aaron theisen


12. Lake Rooseveltm ô > ( w ç DiFFiCuLty 1

Habitat: Riparian habitat on the shores of Lake Roosevelt, which contains a large section of the Columbia River.Wildlife: Mule deer, black bear, osprey, coyote, bald eagle, red-tailed hawk, merlin, common loon, killdeer.VieWing opportunity: Wander the trail to the Old Kettle Falls swim beach to watch wildlife.

access: Take US 395 north to the town of Kettle Falls, turn south on Boise Road at Barney's Bridge and travel 3.5 miles to the campground.

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Lake Roosevelt. © tricia Woods

Ferry County, Washington. © James Johnston


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The Selkirk Mountains

Tucked in the far northeast corner of Washington, the Selkirk Mountains are arguably the most wildlife-rich pocket of the state. Compared to the dry western edge of the Colville National Forest in the Ket-tle Range, which receives as little as 10 inches of moisture a year, more than 50 inches of precipitation soak the Selkirk Mountains—the wettest location in eastern Washington. Here, old-growth western redcedar and western hemlock dominate a lush understory of devil’s club, ferns, and mosses. The Selkirks are one of the last remaining refuges for grizzly bears in the lower 48 states and host to the only remaining mountain caribou in the lower 48. Moose and elk are plentiful, and gray wolves have recently returned on their own to territory they once roamed for millennia.

Selkirk Mountains wildlife viewing opportunities

Lynx (Lynx canadensis)the rarest of three cat species native to Wash-ington, Canada lynx have large paws and long legs that allow them to pad over deep snow. Lynx prey almost exclusively on the snowshoe hare, but they also eat red squirrels, small mam-mals, birds, and carrion. the cats are most at home in boreal forests but favor develped sub-alpine forests like those found in the mountains of north-central and northeastern Washington such as the eastern slopes of the Kettle Crest.

Hall Mountain. © Aaron theisen

© Don Getty


13. Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refugem > ( ç DiFFiCuLty 1

Habitat: Encompassing over 40,000 acres ranging from lowland marshes to subalpine forest, the Little Pend Oreille National Wild-life Refuge is the only mountainous mixed-conifer refuge in the lower 48 states.Wildlife: Migrating waterfowl, bald eagle, great blue heron, otter, muskrat, beaver, white-tailed deer, spruce grouse, snowshoe hare, osprey, warblers, red-necked grebes, barn swallows, Canada geese, Canada lynx.VieWing opportunity: Mill Butte Trail is a 3-mile loop through ponderosa and lodgepole pine forest. A short spur midway along the trail ascends Mill Butte, rewarding hikers with a 360-degree vista. McDowell Marsh Environmental Education Trail, a 1.2-mile self-guided interpretive trail, encompasses several distinct habitats typical of the Refuge, from marsh to dry forest. The trail features an observation blind and elevated boardwalk, and the first half of the trail is universally accessible. Other hiking trails are being developed; ask at Refuge headquarters for information.ACCESS TO MILL BUTTE TRAIL: From Colville, follow Third Avenue (Hwy 20) east for 6 miles. Just after passing White Mud Lake, turn right onto Artman-Gibson Road. Travel 1.7 miles to a four-way in-tersection. Turn left onto Kitt-Narcisse Road and follow it 2.2 miles to a road fork. Take the right fork onto Bear Creek Road and follow it 3.3 miles to the information kiosk at Refuge headquarters.ACCESS TO MCDOWELL MARSH TRAIL: Follow directions above to the Mill Butte Trail but after turning right at the fork onto Bear Creek Road, follow it for only 2.8 miles, then turn left at fork onto Narcisse Cr. Road. Go 1.2 miles, and bear right at second fork following signs for McDowell Lake. Proceed 1.8 miles to the trailhead.

14. Abercrombie Mountain ç DiFFiCuLty 5

Habitat: More than 30,000 acres of lodgepole pine forest and sub-alpine meadows interspersed with whitebark pine and Douglas fir.Wildlife: Black and grizzly bears, wolverine, pine marten, mule deer, elk, moose, pileated woodpecker, goshawk, cougar, wolf.VieWing opportunity: The 6.5-mile roundtrip hike on the Abercrombie Mountain Trail explores lodgepole pine forests and subalpine meadows on the southwest flank of Abercrombie Mountain.access: In downtown Colville, turn right (east) on Third Avenue. At just over a mile, turn left (north) on Aladdin Road (County Road 9435). At 27.5 miles, bear right at a Y on Deep Lake–Boundary Road (County Road 9445). Follow this road 7.3 miles, past Deep Lake, to Silver Creek Road (County Road 4720). Turn right. In 2 miles, bear left onto NF Road 7078. Drive Road 7078 4.5 miles. Turn right on NF Road 300 and drive 3.3 slow, rough miles to the trailhead.

Grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis)

Northeast Washington is home to one of Washington’s two populations of grizzly bears. Primarily solitary crea-tures, grizzlies forage in the Selkirks for nuts, fruits, roots, leaves, and ber-ries, and also prey on fish and other animals and feed on carrion. Griz-zlies once lived in much of western North America and even roamed the Great Plains. Now fewer than 30 are thought to live in the region.

McDowell Marsh. © tricia Woods

Abercrombie Mountain. © Craig Romano

Conservation NW


15. Big Meadow Lakem > ç DiFFiCuLty 1 (BARRieR-FRee tRAiL), 2 (MeADOW MAGiC tRAiL)

Habitat: 72-acre lake and peat wetlands surrounded by mid-elevation mixed forestWildlife: White-tailed deer, mule deer, moose, beaver, goldeneye, bufflehead, common loon, bald eagle, black bear.VieWing opportunity: A 0.3-mile barrier-free accessible trail passes wetlands en route to an observation tower with views of the lake. The 2.4-mile Meadow Magic trail leaves the campground and loops around the lake. Moose are frequently spotted here.access: From Hwy 31, take County Road 2714 west about 3.2 miles to County Road 2695. Turn left (southwest) on 2695 and drive for about 5.3 miles until you pass the lake on your left (south). Enter the site on the west side of the lake.

16. Tacoma Creekö ç DiFFiCuLty 1

Habitat: More than 1200 acres of riparian woodland and moist meadow in the Pend Oreille River floodplain.Wildlife: Osprey, bald eagle, golden eagle, mountain bluebird,

bobolink, spotted sandpiper, American redstart.VieWing opportunity: A primi-tive trail off Hwy 20 provides easy access to the wetlands.access: From Cusick, go north on Hwy 20 about 3.8 miles to junction of Westside Calispell Road. Parking area is east of the highway.

17. Cusick Wetland Education Siteö ç DiFFiCuLty 1

Habitat: Wetland area on shore-line of Pend Oreille River.Wildlife: Osprey, cormorant, Canada goose, bald eagle.VieWing opportunity: A shoreline interpretive trail explores the waterfowl-friendly habitat of the Pend Oreille River.access: At Cusick, turn east off Hwy 20 onto Monumental Street. Proceed about 0.5 miles to the river’s edge.

Beaver. © Chuck Szmurlo Osprey delivering fish. © PaulBannick.com

Mountain bluebird. © PaulBannick.com


18. Halliday Fen Research Natural Areaç DiFFiCuLty 3

Habitat: Marl fen, a highly alkaline wetland that derives its water from limestone-based springs.Wildlife: Elk, moose, bears, wolves, and rare plant species, including water avens and yellow sedge.VieWing opportunity: The Halliday Trail skirts the north end of Halliday Fen approxi-mately 2 miles from the trailhead.access: At milepost 20.6 on Hwy 31 about 6.5 miles north of Metaline Falls, turn east on NF Road 180 and immediately turn left and travel 0.1 mile to the Halliday trailhead.

19. Crowell Ridge ç DiFFiCuLty 3

Habitat: Subalpine parkland in the Salmo-Priest Wilderness.Wildlife: Black bear, grizzly bear, mountain caribou, elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep.VieWing opportunity: An 8-mile roundtrip along Crowell Ridge Trail from Sullivan Look-out provides one of the best opportunities for grizzly bear viewing in the state.

access: At milepost 3 on Highway 31 south of Ione, head east on Sul-livan Lake Road 13.3 miles to Highline Road NF 2212. Follow Road 2212 for 3.4 miles to the junction of NF Road 245. Turn left on Road 245 and travel approximately 7.5 miles to a gate and turnout for the Crowell Ridge Trail 515. NF Road 245 is extremely rough: high-clear-ance vehicles recommended.

20. Salmo Mountain Research Natural AreaX ç DiFFiCuLty 1

Habitat: Subalpine forest, temperate old-growth western red cedar/hemlock rainforest, riparian habitat in Salmo-Priest Wilderness.Wildlife: Mountain caribou, grizzly bear, Canada lynx, gray wolf.VieWing opportunity: The summit of Salmo Mountain, home to a historic fire lookout, sits on the west edge of the Research Natural Area and is accessible by car in summer.access: From the town of Metaline Falls, drive north on State Route 31 about 2 miles past the Pend Oreille River Road Bridge and turn right toward Sul-livan Lake. From Sullivan Lake, drive east on NF Road 22 about 6 miles to the junction with Pass Creek Pass Road. Continue left on NF Road 2220 toward Salmo Mountain. Drive 13 miles to NF spur Road 270. Follow 270 to its end and the lookout.

Moose (Alces alces)the largest member of North Amer-ica’s deer family, moose are easily recognized by their long, gangly legs paired with massive shoulders and palmate antlers on the bulls. Moose are almost exclusively east-of-the-Cascade Mountains residents. Of the 1,500 moose estimated to live in Washington, nearly all are found in the Selkirk Mountains. Moose are equal-opportunity foragers. in the dry forests of northeast Washington, they often browse the nutrient-load-ed new plant growth that sprouts fol-lowing disturbances such as wildfire. However, they are most at home in the various wetlands of northeast Washington, such as Bunchgrass Meadows near Sullivan Lake.

Water avens. Wiki Commons Salmo Mtn. © Derrick Knowles

Crowell Ridge. © Charles Gurche

© David Moskowitz


21. South Salmo Riverç DiFFiCuLty 4

Habitat: Subalpine forest, temperate old-growth western red cedar/hemlock rainfor-est, riparian habitat on South Fork Salmo River.Wildlife: Grizzly and black bear, Canada lynx, mountain caribou, gray wolf.VieWing opportunity: Salmo Basin Trail #506 provides a gentle descent through old-growth western redcedar and western hemlock forest down to the river.access: From Metaline Falls, drive north on Hwy 31 about 2 miles past the Pend Oreille River Road Bridge and turn right toward Sullivan Lake. From Sullivan Lake, drive east on NF Road 22 about 6 miles to the junction with Pass Creek Pass Road. Continue left on NF Road 2220 toward Salmo Mountain. Drive 13 miles to the trailhead.

22. Noisy Creek/bighorn viewing aream ç > ( ö ç DiFFiCuLty 1

Habitat: Western redcedar/western hemlock forest and aspen groves on the edge of Sullivan Lake.Wildlife: Bighorn sheep, gray wolf, mule deer, marten, cougar, grizzly bear, Canada lynx.VieWing opportunity: A pull-out area, immediately north of the Noisy Creek Campground

entrance, provides good viewing of the steep slopes of Hall Mountain where bighorn sheep can be found, particularly in winter.access: One mile south of Ione, turn east onto Sullivan Lake County Road 9345. Travel 8 miles to Noisy Creek Campground, on the right. The Noisy Creek trailhead is at the east end of the campground.

23. Harvey Creek> ö ç DiFFiCuLty 1

Habitat: Mid-elevation, mixed-conifer forest of western redcedar, hemlock, and lodgepole pine interspersed with riparian habitat along Harvey Creek, the main tributary to Sullivan Lake.Wildlife: Kokanee salmon, cutthroat trout, bull trout, gray wolf.VieWing opportunity: Harvey Creek Road borders the creek for much of its distance and offers roadside access. In early winter, watch brightly colored kokanee head upstream by the thousands to spawn.access: From Hwy 31 at the south edge of Ione, go east on Sullivan Lake Road across the Pend Oreille River bridge. In 6.5 miles, turn right (south) onto Harvey Creek Road (NF 1935).

Mountain caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou)the last remaining population of mountain caribou (an ecological variant of woodland caribou) in the lower 48 states lives in the upper reaches of the Selkirk Mountains. in winter they subsist on lichens and mosses growing from the trunks and limbs of old-growth engelmann spruce and subalpine fir. In summer they browse leaves of herbs and shrubs. Unlike reindeer and the “barren ground” caribou of Alaska, which migrate long geographical distances to breed and feed, mountain caribou “migrate” in the mountains, moving up in summer and down in winter. they are nimble on deep snows of the Selkirks and inland temperate Rainforest, thanks to large hooves that spread widely to support them.

Bull trout. uSFWS Harvey Creek. © eric Zamora

Bighorn sheep. © James Johnston

© Milo Burcham


24. Bunchgrass Meadowsö ç DiFFiCuLty 2

Habitat: Mid-elevation pond and sphagnum bog at the headwaters of Harvey Creek.Wildlife: Moose, birds, dragonflies, grizzly bear, Canada lynx, mountain caribou, elk, moose, northern bog lemming.VieWing opportunity: A short walk on a decommissioned spur road accesses the east edge of the meadows.access: From Hwy 31 at the south edge of Ione, go east on Sullivan Lake Road across the Pend Oreille River bridge. In 6.5 miles, turn right (south) onto Harvey Creek Road (NF 1935). At 6.5 miles, bear left at the “Road Narrows” sign. At 9.4 miles, at the apex of a large left-hand turn, park at closed NF Road 1935-050 (the road is marked with a road closure sign but no road number). Walk this old spur 0.25 mile to the meadow’s edge.

Enjoy Northeast Washington’s Amenities

The communities of northeast Washington feature a full range of services to accommodate every budget and level of sophistication. Find listings for lodging, camping, and food/drink options for Ferry, Stevens, and Pend Oreille counties on these local tourism websites:

Republic: www.ferrycounty.com Colville: www.colville.com Kettle Falls: www.kettle-falls.com/chamber-of-commerce Pend Oreille County: www.porta-us.com Spokane: www.visitspokane.com Colville National Forest Campgrounds: www.fs.usda.gov/activity/colville/recreation/camping-cabins Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area: www.nps.gov/laro

elk with calf. Wiki Commons


Discover Northeast Washington Wildlife Did you know?

• The Selkirk Mountains of northeast Wash-ington are home to one of the state’s two populations of grizzly bears. As of 2013, at least seven confirmed packs of gray wolves could be found in northeast Washington.

• Several herds of bighorn sheep can be spotted along the steep rock faces of northeast Washington, including populations on Hall Moun-tain near Sullivan Lake and the Vulcan Mountain area near the Kettle River west of Curlew in Ferry County.

• The subalpine forests of the Selkirk Mountains support a small population of mountain caribou, the most endangered mammal in the lower 48 states.

• Approximately three-hundred bird species have been identified in northeast Washington; this region also boasts some of the greatest diversity of owls and woodpeckers in North America.

• Some of the healthiest breeding populations of barred, northern saw-whet, and northern pygmy owls, pileated woodpecker, chestnut-backed chickadee, winter wren, and Swainson’s and varied thrushes in the interior Northwest can be found in the wet mid-elevation forests of northeast Washington.

• Northeast Washington is the only part of the state to have a healthy breeding popu-lation of golden-mantled ground squirrel.

• Several endangered and threatened fish species such as westslope cutthroat trout, Columbia Basin redband trout, and bull trout swim in the creeks and streams of the Kettle Range and Selkirks.

Explore Other Recreation Opportunities

Skiing, snowshoeing, and winter wildlife watching

Winter in north-east Washington brings with it cold temperatures and deep snowpacks, and unique wildlife-viewing, skiing and snowshoeing oppor-tunities. In autumn, migratory birds stop at low-elevation wetlands on their way to warmer climates and often winter along the Columbia River. Mammals such as white-tailed deer, mule deer, and bighorn sheep make their way to lower elevations when snow buries their high-elevation forage. And even if wildlife prove elusive, you can easily spot their tracks in the snow, which pro-vides added interest to any skiing or snowshoeing adventure.

These are a few of the most popular winter recreational and wildlife watching oppor-tunities in northeast Washington:

Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge near Colville offers a readily ac-cessible, serene winter setting for viewing white-tailed deer, moose, grouse, owls, and other wildlife from skis or snowshoes.

Sullivan Lake near Metaline Falls is a beautiful, wild winter landscape that offers wildlife watchers with bin-oculars the opportunity to spy bighorn sheep precariously perched on the slopes of Hall Mountain east of Sullivan Lake.

The Washington Trails Association has rated Sherman Pass in the Kettle Range one of the state’s premier snowshoeing destinations. Most winter weekends, the Sno-Park at the pass is packed with

Black bear © Chris Weston

Spruce grouse. © Paul Bannick

Golden-mantled ground squirrel. © Glenn Alexon

Snowshoeing in the Kettles. © Leif Jakobsen


snowshoers exploring the Ket-tle Crest Trail and backcountry skiers plying the hidden runs and open bowls above the pass (parking pass required, available at USFS ranger stations).

Cross-country skiers enjoy a net-work of trails at the north end of the Kettle Range area near Boul-der Pass just east of Curlew. Setting out in the Kettle Range in winter is a fantastic way to spot wildlife tracks in the snow, from snowshoe hare, bobcat, marten, red squirrel, and moose to the possibility of running across sign of the rare Canada lynx or wolverine.

49 Degrees North Mountain Resort near Chewelah, one of the region’s premier family-friendly ski resorts, has over 2,000 acres of lift-accessed alpine skiing and is known for deep powder skiing, vast glades, and short lift lines. 49 Degrees North also has a groomed Nor-dic ski trail system, a warming yurt, and snowshoeing opportunities. Moose frequent the area, and one of the trails is even named “Moose Track Corner.”

Exploration on horseback

Northeast Washington is a horseback riders’ heaven. Exploring trails on horseback is a fun alternative to hiking and can be an excellent, quiet way to get back into prime wildlife viewing areas. The Kettle Range is a popular equestrian destination, with the Kettle Crest National Recreation Trail and its feeder trails boasting almost 70 miles of riding opportuni-ties. Strike out on your own, or hire an expert to guide you. Kettle Range Outfitting and Guiding offers guided horseback riding trips along several

mountain trails on the Kettle Crest. Other guest ranches, including K Diamond K near Republic, and Bull Hill near Kettle Falls, offer horseback riding opportunities on their own trail networks. Either way, experiencing northeast Wash-ington from the back of a horse is a unique, fun way to experience a part of our Western heritage.

Wolverine (Gulo gulo)the mysterious wolverine is a tough, equal-opportunity preda-tor that can bring down full-sized caribou and deer but also relies on carrion. they frequent areas with consistent winter snowpack, such as the subalpine forests of the Co-lumbia Highlands. Wolverines are shy of people. Like lynx, they avoid crossing large openings.

Moose with calf. WDNR

Along the Wapaloosie. © Sheila Anderson

Conservation NW


Other Recreation Highlights

Stonerose Interpretive Center and Fossil Site Search for real fossils of roses and other plants and animals that lived in what is now downtown Republic 50 million years ago.www.stonerosefossil.org

Ferry County Rail Trail Explore the new 28-mile hiking, biking, equestrian rail trail from near Republic to Canada that passes Curlew Lake and the Ket-tle River along the way. www.ferrycountyrailtrail.com

Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area Paddle, swim, fish, and camp along the 130-mile-long, man-made lake near Kettle Falls. www.nps.gov/laro

Gardner Cave & Crawford State Park Tour Washington’s second longest limestone cave filled with stalactites, stalagmites, rim-stone pools, and flow stone. (open seasonally) www.porta-us.com/pages/nposb/gardner_cave.asp

Pend Oreille River Water Trail Paddle the scenic Pend Oreille River north to Canada and watch wildlife, swim, camp, and fish along the way. www.pendoreilleriver.com

Washington State Birding Trail— Palouse to Pines Loop Tour some of the best birding spots in north-east Washington with Audubon Washington’s map and iPhone app. wa.audubon.org/palouse-pines-loop

Bobcat.© PaulBannick.com

Red-naped sapsucker.© PaulBannick.com

townsend’s solitaire.© Aaron theisen

Columbia Mountain © Crystal Gartner

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Additional ResourcesThe Great Washington State Birding Trail, Palouse to Pines Loop. Seattle, WA: Audubon Washington, 2009. www.wa.audubon.org/palouse-pines-loop

Johnson, James P. 50 Hikes for Eastern Washington’s Highest Mountains. Portland, OR: Frank Amato Publications, 2003.

Landers, Rich. 100 Hikes in the Inland Northwest. Seattle, WA: The Mountaineers Books, 2003.

Moscowitz, David.Wildlife of the Pacific Northwest. Portland, OR: Timber Press, 2010.

Nicholls, Dennis. Trails of the Wild Selkirks South of the Canadian Border. Sandpoint, ID: Keokee Books, 2004.

Romano, Craig. The Columbia Highlands: Exploring Washington’s Last Frontier. Seattle, WA: The Mountaineers Books, 2007.

Romano, Craig and Alan L. Bauer. Best Hikes with Dogs: Inland Northwest. Seattle, WA: The Mountaineers Books, 2005.

Watchable Wildlife of Northeast Washington. Colville, WA: Colville National Forest, 2001.

Conservation Northwest Quarterly: This quarterly magazine covers Northwest forest and wildlife issues with stories and information that will keep you up to speed on the latest challenges and success stories facing our Northwest wildlife and their habitats. Free for members of the nonprofit wildlife organization Con-servation Northwest. Sign up today at www.conservationnw.org.

Special Thanks Coulee Dam Credit Union Colville National Forest Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge Craig Newman Chris Loggers Tricia Woods Jerry Cline Susan Harris

Flamulated owl. © PaulBannick.com

Come Play in Pend Oreille!

Step back in time

Ride our restored antique train

Tour millennia-old Gardner Cave

Watch tundra swans herald spring

Paddle the Pend Oreille River

Camp in the wilderness

Documents

wildlife viewing recreation guide · Wildlife Viewing & Recreation Guide 1 Published March 2013 Northeast Washington Wildlife Viewing & Recreation Guide: Welcome to Washington’s