Placid View Trail

Formerly a Washington State Park, Kamiak Butte County Park is a hidden treasure on the eastern border of the state. An "ecological island" rising more than 800 ft from the surrounding hills of Palouse, the butte is home to a high country desert on its southern side and a lush forest on its shaded northern side.  The park features a 3.5 mile loop trail that takes you to the summit of the butte w...

It's always (for me anyway) a good sign when the parking area at a trailhead is devoid of any other vehicles. Such was the case at the Sherman Creek Trailhead in the Clearwater National Forest in west-central Idaho. This trail begins just north of US-12, where Sherman Creek starts emptying into the Lochsa River. (This will come in handy at the end of the hike for a quick, refreshing dip). While...

Start your hike to the hot springs at trailhead 211.  Trail is roughly 5 miles with an easy gradual incline. Enjoy some of the mountainous views on your way.  There are no signs directing you to the hot springs but there will be two forks in the road and you'll take the right path both times.  Be aware that there is a river you must cross about 1/2 mile before arriving and there is no bridge.  ...

Right off the Wawawai River Road, Granite Point is an incredibly accessible climbing spot for those in the Pullman, Washington or Moscow, Idaho area. A mere minute hike from the car to the climbing spot makes it very easy to bring all of your gear. Hiking from the bottom of the rock to the top, to set up a top rope only takes also just a few minutes.

If you are looking for world class fishing in Idaho and don't want to deal with the crowds that goes along with Henry's Fork or Silver Creek then this is the spot. You will rarely run into people along this creek. The fishing is extraordinary and you should be able to catch a ton of cutthroat. This creek is catch and release only, if you want to keep what you hook, stop along the North Fork Cl...

To the layperson, the Palouse, an area that comprises some 4,000 square miles in parts of Washington and Idaho, looks to be rolling hills of grass. In fact, the Palouse is a complex geological wonder. And there is no better place to view the Palouse than from Steptoe Butte, which is located in the Steptoe Butte State Park in Washington (Whitman County).The vast majority of what people see on th...