01/25/12 Snow Tubing Update

 Last night's storm added four more inches to our well groomed,
 man-made base.   The hill is 90 feet tall with a 800 foot runout.
 There are no boring lanes here, just an incredible free-ride.  Sliders
 can pick a different launch point and line each time down the hill.

The Spokane CVB website describes the facility as follows:  "It’s hands down the most exciting snow tubing experience in the Inland Northwest and is perfect for family fun, group events and 'Winter Fest' parties."

Please call 509-238-9114 to make advance reservations,
 then come play on the best hill on Mt. Spokane.
  For more information, please check out our other website,
 www.mtspokanesnowtubing.com
 
561 people "tubed" at Bear Creek Lodge last weekend.
 Where were you?

The campground received a major upgrade this summer.   An open-bottom arch ("fish friendly") culvert has been installed over Deadman Creek to promote fish passage and reduce erosional damage during heavy spring runoffs.  In addition, the gravel road accessing the campsites was relocated farther from the creek to provide better stream protection.  Revegetation efforts proceeded into late fall with the reintroduction of native plants and grasses to the disturbed areas.  The campground will be reseeded again in spring by lodge personnel to assure complete restoration.

This project was a joint effort by Bear Creek Lodge and the Spokane County Conservation District's Family Forest Fish Passage Program.  Division of Natural Resources and State officials from Olympia recently visited the site and seemed quite impressed.  A special thanks goes to the SCCD's Dan Ross for spearheading the project and providing countless onsite hours  (working side-by-side with the contractors) to protect the resource during construction and assure successful completion.

A side benefit of the Deadman Creek Culvert Project was the enlargement of existing campsites.  Some camping areas had to be eliminated, but the net effect will be a much better experience for our guests.  Twelve new picnic tables are planned for 2012 to complete the campground upgrade.

The culvert accessing the lower portion of the tubing hill and State Park Trail #120 was replaced this summer by the Spokane County Conservation District.  This Family Forest Fish Passage Program's undertaking included installation of a 14 foot wide bridge - properly sized to accommodate the groomer for the snowmobile trails.  This successful project was also headed by the SCCD's Dan Ross.

Excess material from the project was used to deflect spring runoff from the bridge's foundation, as well as improve safety for our snow tubing enthusiasts.  The modification will help us better accommodate the new, faster snow tubes that were purchased during the 2010/2011 season.  Better lighting for the tubing hill and snowmaking upgrades were completed during the project (at the lodge's expense) and should make nighttime snow tubing even more fun!!

Exciting changes are on the way.
Check back for more information.