You can give something back to the trails that bring you into the heart of the wildest places in Washington. Wilderness area trail work requires hand tools, so we are bringing together Conservation Northwest volunteers, other local groups, traditional tools, and a good helping of elbow grease to improve trails in the Columbia Highlands.

This landscape is the only place in the entire state that is lucky enough to still have the full complement of wildlife species that were here when Lewis and Clark arrived in the Northwest. Imagine yourself an early settler as you tackle a down log with a cross-cut saw then gather round the fire with new and old friends to celebrate a job well done. Period costumes are, of course, optional!

For the past several years, volunteers from the Spokane Mountaineers, Backcountry Horsemen, Washington Trails Association, and Conservation Northwest have helped the Colville National Forest with trail maintenance efforts in the Salmo-Priest Wilderness and surrounding wild areas. These 2-3 day trips are about 2 1/2 hours outside of Spokane, have primitive car camping available (a few are backpack trips), require no experience, and are family friendly.

Check out our calendar for all the trip listings. And don't forget to practice your "I made this, and I did it old school" smile for when you brag to your wilderness hiking buddies!