Dust off your gear and join us for a ride through the Channeled Scablands—a landscape literally carved by ice-age floods. This isn't your typical forest ride; expect wide-open skies, dramatic basalt cliffs, and the rugged beauty of Eastern Washington’s shrub-steppe. In late March, keep an eye out for the first hints of spring wildflowers like yellow balsamroot and purple lupine starting to pop against the rocky terrain.

The Trails

We will be exploring the BLM Fishtrap Recreation Area, which offers a "figure-eight" style trail system.

• The Loops: The North and South loops combined offer about 10 miles of riding.

• Terrain: Mostly level but notably rocky (volcanic basalt).

• Recommendation: Because of the rocky ground, shoes or boots are highly recommended for your horses.

• Vistas: The trail skirts the rim above Fish Trap Lake, offering beautiful views of the water about 40 feet below. We’ll also pass by old farmsteads like the historic Folsom Farm, a cool reminder of the area’s ranching history.

Essential Details

• Location: 30 miles southwest of Spokane. Take I-90 to Exit 254.

• Parking: Large gravel lot suitable for trailers at the Miller Ranch / South Trailhead.

• Facilities: There is a vault toilet available at the trailhead, but no water—please bring plenty of water for both you and your horse.

• Wildlife: It’s a birdwatcher’s paradise. Watch for hawks, herons, and maybe even a few early-season marmots sunning on the rocks.

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Details:  We intend to watch the weather and ground thaw before scheduling a Saturday, probably late March or early April, to log out the trails. Both Chainsaw sawyers and swampers, as well as brush loppers are needed, both riding and pack stock are very useful.

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Registration will open when dates are confirmed.  Thank you for your interest!

Step back in time at the Escure Ranch (officially the BLM Rock Creek Management Area). This 14,000-acre former sheep and cattle ranch offers a "lonesome western" feel that is best experienced from the back of a horse. Riding here in mid-April is the "sweet spot"—the balsamroot and lupine are in full bloom, the weather is mild before the summer heat hits, and the waterfalls are at their peak roar.

The Trails

With over 30 miles of trails, there is plenty to explore over a long weekend.

• Towell Falls: An easy, iconic 6-mile round trip ride south from the trailhead. You’ll follow an old jeep track through a slot canyon to find a thundering waterfall—a desert contradiction you have to see to believe.

• The High Plateau: For those wanting more distance, trails lead northwest toward Turtle and Wall Lakes, offering views of the Blue Mountains in the far distance.

• Terrain: Expect wide-open grasslands, basalt "scabs" (rocky outcrops), and some gravel roads. While some areas are soft, the volcanic rock makes horse shoes or boots highly recommended.

Know Before You Go

• Water: There is a spring-fed stock tank for the horses, but no potable water for humans. Please pack in all the drinking water you’ll need for the weekend.

• Requirements: This is BLM land; Certified Weed-Seed-Free Feed is required. 

All the information provided for this event can be found by: [Clicking Here]

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Known as a "wilderness experience in miniature," this 440-acre park is a local treasure and a favorite for our chapter. In early May, the forest is lush and vibrant. You'll ride through towering old-growth cedars and hemlocks, emerging onto ridges that offer sweeping views of the surrounding valley. Keep your eyes peeled for the park’s namesake wildflowers—you might spot early Ladyslippers or Arrowleaf Balsamroot along the trail.

The Trails

The park features a well-maintained 7-mile trail system that offers a bit of everything.

• The Big Sky Loop: This 4-mile loop is the park's centerpiece, providing a steady but gentle climb to some of the best vistas in the area.

• Terrain: Unlike our March rides, these trails are generally softer underfoot, winding through deep forest duff. However, there are still some rocky sections on the ridges, so boots or shoes are always a safe bet.

• Chapter Pride: These trails are maintained by the NEBCHW! We take pride in keeping these paths clear, so enjoy the smooth ride—you might even see some of our recent saw-work along the way.

Know Before You Go

• Parking: Use the large equestrian-friendly gravel lot at the end of the paved road.

• Facilities: Vault toilets are available. While there is a hand pump for water in the campground, it is always best to bring your own water for your horses to be safe.

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Registration will open approximately 45 days before the ride or sooner.

Details: Tentatively scheduled for Memorial Day weekend, in coordination with our WTA partners. We need to get an idea of how many people are interested in coming.  There is a nice horse camp with water and some trails, although they are likely to need logout. Probably will have a kitchen and grant-provided meals.

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Registration will open approximately 45 days before the ride or sooner.

Details:  Several work parties scheduled out of Gypsy Meadows Horse Camp. Lots of room, water, some highline poles. Crosscut sawyers and swampers as well as brush loppers are needed, both riding and pack stock are very useful. Probably will have a kitchen and grant-provided meals on each work party. Primarily Wilderness, lots of remote and steep trails. 

📅 Add to my Calendar 

📍 Get Directions

Registration will open approximately 45 days before the ride or sooner.

Details:  Several work parties scheduled out of Gypsy Meadows Horse Camp. Lots of room, water, some highline poles. Crosscut sawyers and swampers as well as brush loppers are needed, both riding and pack stock are very useful. Probably will have a kitchen and grant-provided meals on each work party. Primarily Wilderness, lots of remote and steep trails.

📅 Add to my Calendar 

📍 Get Directions

Registration will open approximately 45 days before the ride or sooner.

Details:  Several work parties scheduled out of Gypsy Meadows Horse Camp. Lots of room, water, some highline poles. Crosscut sawyers and swampers as well as brush loppers are needed, both riding and pack stock are very useful. Probably will have a kitchen and grant-provided meals on each work party. Primarily Wilderness, lots of remote and steep trails.

📅 Add to my Calendar 

📍 Get Directions

Registration will open approximately 45 days before the ride or sooner.

Details:  Several work parties scheduled out of Gypsy Meadows Horse Camp. Lots of room, water, some highline poles. Crosscut sawyers and swampers as well as brush loppers are needed, both riding and pack stock are very useful. Probably will have a kitchen and grant-provided meals on each work party. Primarily Wilderness, lots of remote and steep trails.

📅 Add to my Calendar 

📍 Get Directions

Registration will open approximately 45 days before the ride or sooner.

Details:  Several work parties scheduled out of Gypsy Meadows Horse Camp. Lots of room, water, some highline poles. Crosscut sawyers and swampers as well as brush loppers are needed, both riding and pack stock are very useful. Probably will have a kitchen and grant-provided meals on each work party. Primarily Wilderness, lots of remote and steep trails.

📅 Add to my Calendar 

📍 Get Directions

Registration will open approximately 45 days before the ride or sooner.

End your summer at the top of the world! Riding the Kettle Crest National Recreation Trail from Sherman Pass offers a premier high-country experience. At an elevation of over 5,500 feet, you’ll navigate through lodgepole pines and open sub-alpine meadows. In late August, the huckleberries are often ripe, and the expansive views of the Curlew Valley to the west and the Columbia River to the east are unmatched.

The Trails

We will be staged at the Sherman Pass South Trailhead, providing access to some of the most scenic miles of the 44-mile Kettle Crest system.

• The Route: Expect a steady climb as you head south toward Columbia Mountain. The trail is well-engineered with manageable switchbacks, but the elevation gain will give your horses a good workout.

• The Reward: Huge vistas of the Selkirk Mountains and the Cascades on a clear day.

• Terrain: Forest soil mixed with granite rock. The trails are generally in great shape, but due to the "big country" nature of the ride and some rocky stretches, shoes or boots are highly recommended.

Know Before You Go

• Parking: The south side of the highway has a dedicated equestrian trailhead with plenty of room for trailers.

• Facilities: Vault toilets are available at the trailhead.

• Water: There is no water at the trailhead. While there are a few seasonal springs further up the trail, they can be unreliable in late August. Please haul in all water for your stock and yourself.

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Registration will open approximately 45 days before the ride or sooner.

Wrap up the riding season with a spectacular display of autumn gold. Rustler's Gulch (the West Branch Little Spokane Wildlife Area) is a gem for fall riding. As the temperatures dip, the larch trees turn a brilliant yellow and the brush along the wetlands blazes with deep reds. This 2,700-acre wildlife area is quiet, scenic, and offers a perfect blend of pine forests, lush cedar groves, and open meadows.

The Trails

With over 35 miles of trails and old roadbeds, there is a variety of loops to explore.

• The Holly Road Loop: A popular 7-mile route that drops down through three distinct forest types—from open ponderosa pines to a deep, moisture-rich cedar forest at the bottom of the gulch.

• Terrain: Expect generally wide trails with good footing, though the descent into the gulch can be steady. There are some stream crossings and occasional seasonal muddy spots near the wetlands.

• Recommendation: While the footing is often softer than the basalt of the "scablands," there are enough rocky stretches that shoes or boots are highly recommended.

Know Before You Go

• Parking: We typically use the Holly Road Access. The parking area is an open field—please park thoughtfully to ensure larger trailers have plenty of room to turn around.

• Requirements: A Discover Pass or WDFW Vehicle Access Pass is required to park.

• Facilities: This is a primitive, day-use-only site. There are no toilets or water on-site, so please come prepared with everything you and your horse need for the day.

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Registration will open approximately 45 days before the ride or sooner.