Comment on National Scenic Trail plan
The U.S. Forest Service is developing a comprehensive plan for the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail and accepting public comment on the proposal.
The 1,200-mile trail runs from Glacier National Park to the Pacific Ocean, through Montana, Idaho, and Washington. It travels through seven national forests, including the Okanogan-Wenatchee.
In Okanogan County, the trail follows the shore of Palmer Lake and goes through the Pasayten Wilderness. The route traverses the Colville Reservation and North Cascades National Park.
Among the issues addressed in the plan and the accompanying environmental analysis are potential impacts on plant and animal species, carrying capacity for short-distance and through-hikers, and water quality along the trail. The plan also looks at potential relocation of some trail segments.
People can read the comprehensive plan, detailed appendices on botany, soils and fire fuels, and the draft environmental analysis on the plan website. People can submit comments through that portal or by mail. The deadline for comments is April 21.
Information is available at https:// www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project= 52259.
Spokane Gulch hike, rescheduled
Methow At Home hosts a free hike up Spokane Gulch with former ranger Eric Burr on Saturday, April 15, starting from the Mazama Store at 9:30 a.m. Prepare to spend half the day on a fairly steep hike. This hike is rescheduled from the March 25 outing which was canceled because of snow. Wear good shoes, bring your water bottle and snacks. Register at methowathome.org.
Mountain bike meeting
Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance- Methow Chapter hosts an early-season kickoff night on Thursday, April 13, starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Twisp River Tap House. Learn about how the chapter operates and about upcoming work at Loup Loup The event includes a raffle of $1,000 worth of OneUp gear, and a movie. Suggested donation is $10. For information, email anna.mounseyd@gmail.com.
Winthrop Trailhead parkrun
The Winthrop Trail parkrun — a free, weekly, timed 5-kilometer run/jog/walk — takes place at 9 a.m. on Saturdays starting from the Methow Trails parking on Horizon Flat Road. Open to all ages and all abilities. Leashed dogs welcome. Register at http://parkrun.us/register and bring along your personal barcode. For information, email winthroptrailhead@parkrun.com or visit http://parkrun.us/winthroptrailhead.
