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Long-distance trail proposed for region

From St. Joe Lake, Trail 49 leads down 5.5 miles along the St. Joe River to Medicine Creek, where Road 320 follows another 5 miles of river to Heller Creek Campground. From here, as pictured above, the river starts gathering a decent flow. This is the trailhead where backpackers begin a 17-mile trek downstream on Trail 48 through a roadless stretch of the river to Spruce Tree Campground. (Rich Landers)
From St. Joe Lake, Trail 49 leads down 5.5 miles along the St. Joe River to Medicine Creek, where Road 320 follows another 5 miles of river to Heller Creek Campground. From here, as pictured above, the river starts gathering a decent flow. This is the trailhead where backpackers begin a 17-mile trek downstream on Trail 48 through a roadless stretch of the river to Spruce Tree Campground. (Rich Landers)

OUTBOUND – Spokane hiker-biker Derrick Knowles is proposing formal adoption of a 1,500-mile trail linking routes in a loop through prized wild areas of Washington, Idaho and Montana.

The Inland Northwest Trail would range from the Selkirk Mountains to Hells Canyon and lead through six national forests and at least four wilderness areas.

It would include the Spokane River Centennial Trail and Columbia Plateau Trail as well as scenic trails along the St. Joe and Selway rivers.

Knowles says the route, which he’s been researching the route since 2007, would require about four months to complete, but could be done in segments.

Details on the route will be presented Monday, 7 p.m., at the Mountain Gear corporate office, 6021 Mansfield in Spokane Valley.

Rich Landers
By Rich Landers

Rich Landers joined The Spokesman-Review in 1977. He is the Outdoors editor for the Sports Department writing and photographing stories about hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, conservation, nature and wildlife and related topics.

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