Fall in the Scotchmans is a busy time

By SANDY COMPTON

Contributing writer

SANDPOINT — In the summer time, the weather is hot. In the fall, the weather is not, but the action in and around the proposed Scotchman Peaks Wilderness doesn’t slow down a lot. The hiking season continues well into October, as does the Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness stewardship and outreach programs.

“We have a full plate,” said FSPW executive director Phil Hough. “Upcoming in the next month are a final Trail No. 65 construction project on National Public Lands Day, a Whitebark pine planting adventure on Scotchman Peak, a joint presentation with the Bonner County Museum, the third annual Bonner County Wellness Hike, our annual Scotchman Peaks Plein Air Paintout, a wilderness and remote first aid class and the FSPW volunteer appreciation party.”

Soonest on the schedule is a two-day push to finish the realignment of the lower portion of Scotchman Peak Trail No. 65. Friday and Saturday, September 23 and 24, the FSPW All Stars trail crew will put the finishing touches on the new tread at the lower end of the trail. Volunteers who wish to camp at the trailhead will be treated to dinner on Friday and breakfast on Saturday. A formal dedication of the new portion of trail will be held on Saturday afternoon at 4:00.

FSPW Program Coordinator — and trail crew boss — Sandy Compton is excited to finish this construction. “The new portion of trail will make life a lot easier for hikers both going up and coming down. The ‘knee-buster’ portion at the lower end of the trail is gone. The new tread is prettier, more sustainable and a lot easier on legs and lungs than the old section.”

The following week, beginning on Tuesday, Sept 26, FSPW staff and volunteers and Forest Service personnel will camp higher up and spend several days planting Whitebark pine seeds around the edges of last year’s burn on the ridge southeast of the main peak. “This is an important restoration project that’s part of the National Forest Foundations Treasured Landscape program,” said Hough, “and a good chance for a fall backpack trip in a beautiful place.”

On Saturday, October 1, FSPW joins the Bonner County Historical Museum in sponsoring a presentation by author Jack Nisbet at the Oden Community Hall on Sunnyside road. Nisbet will discuss the discovery and possible source of a meteorite that arrived in the Willamette valley of Oregon aboard one of the icebergs that washed into the area during the Ice Age floods 12,000 years ago. Where did it come from? Better yet, did it come from the Scotchmans area?

A week later, on October 8, painters of all ilks, from beginner to expert will gather at the Outskirts Gallery in Hope for the Scotchman Peaks Plein Air Paintout. This year, the format changes a bit from the past. Participants will be provided with a small canvas and asked to create the best, most beautiful post card possible. Painting will be done from dusk to dawn. More details will be provided soon.

FSPW is also offering a wilderness and remote first aid course, to be taught Sunday, October 2, and Sunday, October 9. This is a Red Cross certified class taught by FSPW board member Carol Jenkins. Generally, such a class costs about $175, but FSPW provides it free of charge in exchange for a couple of days of volunteer work or event leadership from participants. To learn more about this class, contact Britta Mireley, FSPW assistant program coordinator (britta@scotchmanpeaks.org)

On Saturday, Oct. 16, the Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness Volunteer Appreciation Party will be held, beginning at 1 p.m. (Pacific Time), at Compton’s home near Heron, Mont.

Anyone who has earned a Scotchman Peaks volunteer hat, no matter when, is welcome.

FSPW will provide beverages, burgers, beans and brats. Guests are asked to bring a salad or dessert to share and chairs. This is a rain-or-shine event with lots of roof options in case of inclement weather.

Information: Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness, scotchmanpeaks.org, www.facebook.com/ScotchmanPeaks, or info@scotchmanpeaks.org