Northeastern WA Trip--Thoughts, Ideas...Warnings?

han42solo · Feb 4, 2019

Hello! Everyone has been so helpful here when I've asked questions in the past, I thought I might solicit opinions on the following:

I'm in the pre-lim stages of planning a 4-6 day roadtrip to the Salmo-Priest Wilderness area in the extreme NE corner of WA State. I've never really explored that part of our state and it sounds like it will be some great hiking and and a drastic change-of-pace from my urban life here in Seattle. My M.O. is to drive on random Forest Service roads and poke my nose into spots and day-hike random trails. I don't usually camp on the trail, but often sleep in the back of my truck on the FS roads. I prefer to find a small hotel/motel in a nearby town to use as a "home base" and plan day hikes and excursions from there.

I guess my questions and the opinions I'd be looking for would be:
1) Any recommendations of places to explore in the Colville National Forest/Sullivan Lake area?

2) I plan on driving thru the area of Colville, Ione, Metaline and Metaline Falls. I realize that some of these are very small towns, but any recommendations on places to eat/stay/explore?

3) Any shooting pits in the Colville National Forest area that people would be interested in sharing? I realize these are very territorial...I will definitely respect the area and clean up after myself!

4) Thoughts on time-of-year to visit? I'd like to go in March/April/May... but have NO idea what the snow levels are, or how accessible the backroads are.

5) Anything I should watch out for? (I hear grizzlies have been spotted in that area...might be time to invest in that Glock 20...)

Thanks in advance for any info shared!

clearconscience · Feb 4, 2019

If Grizzlies may be in the area I would pack some easily accessible bear spray too. As usual watch out for druggies in the woods.

slimmer13 · Feb 4, 2019

han42solo said:
Hello! Everyone has been so helpful here when I've asked questions in the past, I thought I might solicit opinions on the following:

I'm in the pre-lim stages of planning a 4-6 day roadtrip to the Salmo-Priest Wilderness area in the extreme NE corner of WA State. I've never really explored that part of our state and it sounds like it will be some great hiking and and a drastic change-of-pace from my urban life here in Seattle. My M.O. is to drive on random Forest Service roads and poke my nose into spots and day-hike random trails. I don't usually camp on the trail, but often sleep in the back of my truck on the FS roads. I prefer to find a small hotel/motel in a nearby town to use as a "home base" and plan day hikes and excursions from there.

I guess my questions and the opinions I'd be looking for would be:
1) Any recommendations of places to explore in the Colville National Forest/Sullivan Lake area?

2) I plan on driving thru the area of Colville, Ione, Metaline and Metaline Falls. I realize that some of these are very small towns, but any recommendations on places to eat/stay/explore?

3) Any shooting pits in the Colville National Forest area that people would be interested in sharing? I realize these are very territorial...I will definitely respect the area and clean up after myself!

4) Thoughts on time-of-year to visit? I'd like to go in March/April/May... but have NO idea what the snow levels are, or how accessible the backroads are.

5) Anything I should watch out for? (I hear grizzlies have been spotted in that area...might be time to invest in that Glock 20...)

Thanks in advance for any info shared!

Sullivan lake is cool, go past the lake up Sullivan creek and there are a bunch of campsites along the creek if you dont want to stay in a campground. Tacoma creek near Cusick is another great area. It's where the SERE school training is done.

March will be a no go. Late April and May will be good. Late June to early July fires shut down except for in campgrounds. If you want to avoid the bugs, go in the fall.