Outdoor winter revelry

With the arrival of finicky winter weather on the Palouse sometimes the drive to the slopes isn't always an option. Often short escapades to local destinations can be an enjoyable substitute to a weekend ski/snowboard-road-trip. Consider trying out something new like snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. These activities are easy to learn, relatively safe, group-orientable, cheap, and allow you to more fully experience the outdoors. Snowshoe and cross-country ski rentals (with poles) average just eight dollars per day. (WSU student? check out prices at the ORC's rental guide. Not a student? Check out the University of Idaho's Rental Center).

Now where? For snowshoers, one gorgeous suggestion is the Elk River Falls recreation area located a few miles west of Elk River, Idaho off of Highway 8 (about 1 1/2 hour drive from Pullman). The highlight of the park is a series of unique waterfalls, which transform into a spectacular cascade of frozen ice in the winter (pictures pending...*sigh* film is old-fashioned). Along with some great views, the park is full of wildlife, including moose, elk, bald eagles, and black bears ( I know from personal witness). The normal road from the highway into the park is snowed-in most of the winter, so it's about 3 miles from the highway to the first set of falls. The hike down from the trail heads is a little rough at times but well worth it.

Skiers, aren't totally excluded however, Elk River Falls offers a variety of great groomed trails for scooting about.