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The Lake Roosevelt Area provides an excellent home for hundreds of bald eagles that migrate south from their summer ranges in northwestern Canada in search of feeding territories and nesting sites for the winter months. With it's open waters to fish on, rocky perches, and densely forested areas with lots of snags, the lake provides exceptional habitat for bald eagles.
Bald eagles, a threatened species in Washington and endangered in other parts of the country, are common in the Lake Roosevelt area. They may be seen in the area throughout the year, but your chances of seeing an eagle are better during the winter months when the lake is at it's fullest. The area between the Gifford Ferry and the Kamloops Bridge continues to have the largest concentration in mid-February, the peak observation time.
Colville National Forest
Hunters claim this 1.1 million acre forest features the best hunting in the state. Elk, moose, deer along with bighorn sheep and roughly 60,000 of the state's estimated 90,000 white-tailed deer live in the forest. Families gather here to enjoy the 486 miles of hiking trails (some as short as 1.5 miles others as long as 67 miles), horseback riding is popular especially along Sherman Pass. The Colville National Forest disproves the widely held notion that Washington State lies flat east of the Cascade Mountains. These million acres in the northeast corner roll like the high seas. Three waves of mountains run from north to south, separated by troughs of valleys. These ranges -- the Okanogan, Kettle River, and Selkirk -- are considered foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The troughs between the mountains channel water into the Columbia River system. The Pend Oreille River flows north into Canada to merge with the Columbia.
The major rivers in the national forest are following paths bulldozed by Ice Age glaciers. Mile-high ice sheets surging south from Canada drowned all but the tallest peaks several times during the last two million years. The ice ground off sharp edges, leaving the mountains well rounded. Today's landscape emerged from the melting ice about 10,000 years ago. Animals and plants followed the retreating glaciers northward, and humans were not far behind. The first Indians probably began hunting, fishing, and gathering in the area about 9,000 years ago.
Interpretive trails near Sullivan Lake and Kettle Falls tell the story of early logging, sawmilling, and mining on the Colville National Forest. Signs at an archaeological dig at Pioneer Park Campground on the Pend Oreille River describe early Indian life. An interpretive exhibit set among burned-out snags along Washington Highway 20 near Sherman Pass dramatizes and explains the White Mountain Fire of 1988. The Sherman Pass National Forest Scenic Byway on Highway 20 between Republic and Kettle Falls is the most well known of the many scenic drives on the Colville National Forest. From this twisting mountain highway visitors can see why this area is so special. Few other cars distract drivers from the views on either side. From Sherman Pass, at the high point of the drive, a short trail leads to viewpoints. Other short stops include the Log Flume Interpretive Trail, a half-mile walk among the ruins of a logging operation from the 1920s, and the White Mountain Fire interpretive signs.
Sherman Pass Scenic Byway
Starting in the city of Republic, Sherman Pass Scenic Byway is surrounded by stunning scenery, and not many travelers. Less well known than other byways, Sherman Pass offers travelers a chance to escape the pressures of civilization for a while.
The byway takes visitors through the heavily forested Colville National Forest and climbs steeply to cross Sherman Pass, Washington's highest maintained pass at 5,575 feet above sea level. The views along the byway are of pristine wilderness, cascading creeks and waterfalls, emerald stands of ponderosa pine, western larch, and Douglas fir. Catch a glimpse of an occasional beaver dam and the prominent summit of Paradise Peak on the southern horizon.
The byway tells the story of a diverse history. This same route was once used by Native Americans as they made their way to the Columbia River to fish. The trail later became a wagon route and was named after Civil War General William Tecumsah Sherman, who crossed the area in the 1860s over what is now the scenic byway. Today the byway is popular with byway travelers and bicycle riders.
International Selkirk Loop
Being one of the Board of Director's for the International Selkirk Loop I can personally and wholeheartedly recommend a visit to the Loop. It provides a truly spectacular 280 mile (450Km) experience encircling the breathtaking Selkirk Mountains in Northeast Washington, North Idaho and Southeast British Columbia, a place of forested hillsides, sparkling waterfalls, snowcapped craggy peaks, and charming small towns. The nearest metropolitan area is Spokane, Washington, about one hour southwest of the Selkirk Loop. Within the Loop, the Selkirk Mountains are accessible from the Salmo Basin, Sullivan Lake, Priest Lake, Pack River, Roman Nose, Kootenay Pass and Kokanee Glacier recreation areas.
Nearly the entire Loop route follows rivers and lakeshores. The waterways historically were used for transportation, but today they are a source of year-round recreation, from fly fishing to ice fishing, boating, water skiing, windsurfing, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, diving and rafting.
Much of the land in the Loop corridor is National Forest, National Wildlife Refuge, Wildlife Management Area, or Provincial Park, so there are myriad opportunities for outdoor recreation - a vast uncrowded playground! Hundreds of miles of trails are available for all levels of hiking, biking, horseback riding, skiing and snowmobile touring. Rock climbing and geo-caching are popular for the more adventurous. These public lands are home to the largest diversity of wildlife in the lower 48 states. The wildlife Refuges and Management Areas are home to more than 50 mammal species and 265+ bird species. Moreover, Lake Pend Oreille and Kootenay Lake are two of the largest lakes in the west.
The Loop's scenery changes with each season. In spring, the bright greens of new foliage blend with the colors of early wildflowers, set against a backdrop of snow-covered mountaintops and rushing waterfalls. In summer, wildflowers are in full bloom, and the rivers and lakes teem with fish below warm blue skies. Fall brings changing colors, with brilliant golds and reds amid the dark green pine and spruce. Canadian geese by the thousands stop for respite on their journey south through the Pacific Flyway. In winter, a peaceful blanket of snow covers higher elevations of the Loop, with greenery remaining in the milder climates of the river valleys. Moose, deer and elk often are spotted as they browse for tender shoots beneath the snow.
The most delightful aspect of the Loop's scenery is its variety, from narrow river canyons to broad fertile valleys and vibrant village scenes, from lowland meadows to breathtaking mountain vistas. Surprises await around every corner! it's a genuinely relaxing experience!
For a Map of the 'International Selkirk Loop' (Pdf format)... Click HERE
Little Pend Orielle National Wildlife Refuge
Named for the river that flows through its northern expanse, the Little Pend Orielle National Wildlife Refuge is located about 13 mile southeast of Colvile. Situated on the west slope of the Selkirk Mountain range, it is the only mountainous mixed-conifer forest in the continuous US. The 40,198 acres range in elevation from 1,800 feet on the western lowlands to 5,600 on the eastern boundary. The land was established in 1939 as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife. The refuge strives to a secure home for fish and wildlife, an archive of historic landscapes, and a place for people to enjoy the wildlife heritage of the region.
The Refuge enhances 'quality of life' in the area by offering opportunities for wildlife observation, fishing, hunting, photography, environmental education and interpretation. The Little Pend Orielle Refuge also contributes to the local economy as many visitors come here to enjoy the outdoors.
Wildlife viewing carries responsibilities. Observe from a safe distance and use binoculars. Move slowly and casually and not directly toward wildlife. The Refuge is home to several species of large mammals (black bear, cougar, moose) who may feel threatened by human presence. Be alert and aware of your surroundings. We are the guests. Be prepared for varied weather and terrain. Do not venture off roads without good maps and a compass. Slow down, wildlife viewing requires patience and quiet. Best viewing is typically dawn and dusk, especially during summer months.
Website: www.fws.gov/littlependoreilleSalmo-Priest Wilderness Area
Tucked among the Selkirk Mountains the 'U'-shaped Salmo-priest Wilderness Area extends its borders along those of Idaho and British Columbia. it's 30,100 acres of wilderness in the northeast corner of the Colville National Forest. It includes old growth cedar and hemlock forest and treeless alpine ridges. It's home to grizzly bear and caribou and provides excellent hiking opportunities. The most prominent features are two very long ridges, generally running wouthwest to northeast, connected near their northern ends by a ridge crowned by the 6,828 foot Salmo Mountain. The eastern ridge stands lower, more wooded, more rounded off and more accessible than the steep sided, rocky crested western ridge.
Below the ridge top of this well-watered Wilderness (50+ inches annually) you'll find the largest growth of virgin forest left in eastern Washington: western red cedar, western hemlock, douglas fir grand fir, larch. The forest houses mule deer, and white tailed deer, elk, black bears, cougars, bobcats, badgers, pine martens, lynx, bighorn sheep and moose. though rarely sighted, threatened and endangered species including woodland caribou, grizzly bear and gray wolves also roam through the region. Winter snows may blanket the ground until early July at higher elevations.
The Shedroof Divide trail, the longest path in the area at 21.8 miles, follows the extent of the eastern ridge through open timber and subalpine meadows. The 7.8 mile Crowell Ridge Trail traces the narrower western ridge, offering splendid overviews of trailless backcountry to the north.
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Kettle Falls, WA
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