Pend Oreille County, WA

Epic Backcountry Rides...and some easier and fun ones!

# Area Covered By This Ambassadorship
All Routes here start in Pend Oreille (pronounced, ***"pond-ə-ray"***) County (POC), which covers 1,425 square miles in the northeast corner of Washington State, with some going West into Stevens County or North into Canada.  We've done all the hard work developing Routes that encompass an engaging combination of trails, paved and unpaved roads so that you can safely enjoy them!

We have some awesome Routes here for riders of all abilities.  To spice things up a bit we will also be posting a series of epic pseudo-organized rides (the Pend Oreille County Endurance Series...aka "**POCES**") that will start in 2016 with a epic ride scheduled roughly every month.  Stay tuned for more information, the details of which will be part of a RwGPS Club linked to this Ambassador page.

# Safety First
## Be Preapred
Before you ride any of the POC adventures, we strongly recommend you do the following four simple things that can save your life.
* Get a [MedStar](https://www.nwmedstar.org) membership
* Get a [Spot](http://findmespot.com/en/) or similar device
* Do not ride one of our epic adventures alone
* Let one or more family / friends know where you are going and what you are doing

Trust us, if you epic on a POC ride, you will be glad you did all of the above!

## Medical Services
Unfortunately POC does not have a hospital.  For convenience, below are the closest hospitals north of Spokane.
* Colville:  [Providence Mount Carmel Hospital](http://washington.providence.org/hospitals/mount-carmel-hospital/)
* Newport:  [Newport Hospital & Health Services](http://newporthospitalandhealth.org)

Medical Clinics:
* Ione:  [Selkirk Community Health Center](http://www.newhp.org/index.php?pageControl=selkirk)
* Chewelah:  [Chewelah Community Health Center](http://www.newhp.org/index.php?pageControl=chewelah)

# Who Are We?
We're just two ordinary, average guys that happen to like hills and adventure; I mean we really like hills and adventure...this may be why we are known as the "**Polka Dot Brothers**", [Brother #1](http://ridewithgps.com/users/387656) of which is the author here.  We live and breathe cycling and operate under the credo *"Fun begins where the pavement ends"*.

Both of us live and spend a significant amount of time in POC and when not at bike races or on vacation, we can usually be found somewhere in the POC Sticks looking for the elusive Woodland Caribou!

Most importantly, this page and its Routes came to existence as we would love to see more folks enjoying the POC outdoors on two wheels...human powered wheels that is!

# What You Will Find Here
Although our primary interest is in epic backcountry rides, we have endeavored to include Routes for of all skill levels that we believe showcase the best riding and exploring in POC.

For those up for trying our "epic" rides, every fiber of your being will be challenged, as well as, your outdoors skills (i.e. harvesting water from streams is compulsory to finish most of the "epic" routes).

You will find mostly **MTB** and **GG** Routes here due to the lack of **Road** biking in the area.  This being said, we do have some Road doozies for you as well!

There are some hard Routes listed here...extremely hard Routes.
    Please do not be discouraged by this, as we will continue to upload
    more "accessible" yet fun Routes as we try to provide Routes for
    all types of riders.

# Route Vitals
To help RwGPS users quickly appreciate what Route is all about and the best time to do it, we have included a "Route Vitals" section at the top of each Route.  To simply convey the difficulty of each Route, we have chosen to use the skiing [Piste System](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piste) for rating Routes.  Note that sections of all Routes are coloured relative to their [Piste System](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piste) rating...this way you can get a better idea of where the challenging and easier sections are.
* **Discipline:**
     * Road / Mountain Bike (MTB) / Gravel Grinder (GG) / Fat Bike (FB)
* **Best Time To Ride:**
     * Weather permitting, the months the Route is best (or only able) to be done!
* **Terrain:**
     * Paved / Mostly Paved / Mostly Unpaved / Unpaved
* **Climbs:**
     * For Road and some GG Routes only
     * Number and difficulty of any RwGPS Categorized climbs
* **Difficulty - Effort:**
     * Green Circle ◯ / Blue Square ▢ / Black Diamond ⬥ / Double Black Diamond ⬥⬥
* **Difficulty - Technical:**
     * Green Circle ◯ / Blue Square ▢ / Black Diamond ⬥ / Double Black Diamond ⬥⬥
* **Extraordinary Risks:**
     * Showstoppers or things to seriously consider before attempting the Route
* **Permits / Passes / Passport Requirements:**
     * Details on the passes required to ensure your outing is not spoiled at the end!
* **Parking:**
     * Options for parking as they can be limited

# Parting Thoughts
POC backcountry adventures can be jaw dropping, humbling and surreal outings but they can also go sour really fast.

Please ensure you are always prepared for the unexpected!  We strongly recommend you do not ride alone as in most areas, there is no one around to help and mobile phone reception cannot be relied upon.

# Route Resources
## Internet
* [Pend Oreille County - Homepage](http://pendoreilleco.org)
* [Pend Oreille County - Online Interactive GIS Map](https://gis.pendoreilleco.org/POCGISWeb/)
* [NE Washington Trails](http://newashingtontrails.com)
* [Pend Oreille County Peaks](http://www.listsofjohn.com/searchres?c=290)
* [USGS's "The National Map"](http://viewer.nationalmap.gov/basic/)
  * A very powerful tool including downloadable USGS maps, satellite imagery, etc.
  * Can be challenging for first time users
* [Forest Service - Colville National Forest - Homepage](http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/colville/home)
* [Forest Service - Colville National Forest - User Permit Requirements](http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/colville/passes-permits/?cid=stelprdb5325159)
* [Forest Service - Colville National Forest - Mountain Biking Areas](http://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/colville/recreation/bicycling/?recid=67800&actid=24)
* [Forest Service - Colville National Forest - Motor Vehicle Use Maps](http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/colville/landmanagement/resourcemanagement/?cid=fsbdev3_035243)
* [Forest Service - Colville National Forest - 7.5 Minute Series Topos](http://data.fs.usda.gov/geodata/rastergateway/states-regions/grid_zoom.php?stateID=wa&gridSrc=48117)
* [Forest Service - Colville National Forest - Road And Trail Closures](http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/colville/home/?cid=stelprdb5322253)

## Paper Maps
* [Forest Service - Colville National Forest](http://store.usgs.gov/b2c_usgs/catalog/setCurrentItem/(isQuery=yes&xcm=r3standardpitrex_prd&query=*colville*&layout=6_1_61_58&uiarea=2&ctype=areaDetails&next=seeItem&carea=0000000009&citem=00000002120000000001)/.do)

## Books
* [Trails Of The Wild Selkirks](http://www.amazon.com/Trails-Wild-Selkirks-Dennis-Nicholls/dp/1879628457/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1441847567&sr=1-1&keywords=trails+of+the+wild+selkirks) (ISBN 978-1-879628-45-8)
* [Peterson Field Guides](http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/peterson/)
* [Mountain Bike! Washington - America By Mountain Bike Series](http://www.amazon.com/Mountain-Bike-Washington-America/dp/0897322800) (ISBN 0-89732-280-0)

## iPhone Apps
* Wildlife Tracks:  [iTrack Wildlife Pro](http://www.naturetracking.com/itrack-wildlife/)
* Bird Identification:
     * Cornell University's [Merlin Bird ID](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/merlin-bird-id-by-cornell/id773457673?mt=8)
     * [iBird Ultimate Guide to Birds](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ibird-ultimate-guide-to-birds/id872771050?mt=8)

# Lodging, Dining and Supply Resources
Listed below are key serives in the POC area to support you on your adventure.  The below list is not intended to be the definitive guide for the area but rather places we have frequented.

Additional resources can be found on the following websites:
* [Pend Oreille River Tourism Alliance](http://www.porta-us.com)
* [North Pend Oreille Chamber Of Commerce](http://www.npochamber.org/dining-lodging-shopping.html)
* [The International Selkirk Loop](http://www.selkirkloop.org/index.php/about/loop-overview)

## Hotels
* Ione - [Porter's Plaza Motel](http://stewart-porter.squarespace.com)
* SR31 - [Box Canyon Resort](http://www.boxcanyonmotel.com)
* Metaline Falls - [Circle Motel](http://www.circlemotel.com)
* Highway 20 - Stevens County - [Beaver Lodge Campground & Resort](http://www.beaverlodgeresort.org)
     
## RV Parks
* SR31 - [BlueSlide Resort](http://www.blueslideresort.com)
* Ione - [Cedar RV Park](http://www.cedarrvpark.com)
* Metaline:
     * [Mt. Linton RV & Trailer Park](https://www.facebook.com/MtLintonRvTrailerPark)
     * [Riverview Trailer Court & RV Park](http://www.npochamber.org/dining-lodging-shopping.html)
* Highway 20 - Stevens County - [Beaver Lodge Campground & Resort](http://www.beaverlodgeresort.org)

## Campgrounds
* Ione
     * [Cedar RV Park](http://www.cedarrvpark.com)
     * [Edgewater Campground](http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/colville/recarea/?recid=67824)
* Metaline - [Mt. Linton RV & Trailer Park](https://www.facebook.com/MtLintonRvTrailerPark)
* Sullivan Lake Road
     * [Mill Pond Campground](http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/colville/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=67936&actid=29)
     * [East Sullivan Campground](http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/colville/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=67920&actid=29)
     * [West Sullivan Campground](http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/colville/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=67970&actid=29)
     * [Noisy Creek Campground](http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/colville/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=67946&actid=29)
* Highway 20 - POC
     * [Lake Leo Campground](http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/colville/recarea/?recid=68010)
* Highway 20 - Stevens County
     * [Lake Thomas Campground](http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/colville/recreation/recarea/?recid=68012)
     * [Gillette Campground](http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/colville/recreation/recarea/?recid=67986)
     * [Beaver Lodge Campground & Resort](http://www.beaverlodgeresort.org)

## Supplies
* Ione - [N.P.O.V. Food Court](https://www.facebook.com/pages/Food-Court-Inc/107038906021077)
* Metaline - [Metaline Mini Mart](https://www.facebook.com/pages/Metaline-Mini-Mart/134781013231121)
* Metaline Falls - [The Falls Market](https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Falls-Market/100514056675077)
* Highway 20 - Stevens County - [Beaver Lodge Campground & Resort](http://www.beaverlodgeresort.org)

## Dining
* Ione
    * [Block Bar & Grill](https://www.facebook.com/Block-bar-and-grill-466554576787303/timeline/)
    * [Boots & Saddles Tavern](http://www.porta-us.com/letss-eat.html)
    * [Ken's Grill & Bar](https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kens-Grill-Bar/156737497699773)
    * [Plaza Pizza](https://www.facebook.com/portersplazapizza)
* Metaline
    * [American Pie](https://www.facebook.com/pages/American-Pie-Drive-In/1398138733737512)
    * [Western Star Bar & Grill](https://www.facebook.com/pages/Western-Star-Bar-n-Grill/124444770975939)
* Metaline Falls
    * [5th Avenue Bar & Grill](https://www.facebook.com/5th-Ave-Bar-Grill-177167139009717/timeline/)
    * [Cathy's Cafe](https://www.facebook.com/Cathys-Cafe-186873634667691/timeline/)
    * [Gift-N-Gab](https://www.facebook.com/giftandgab) (They have **Ice Cream**!)
* Highway 20 - Stevens County - [Beaver Lodge Campground & Resort](http://www.beaverlodgeresort.org)

## Laundry
* Public
     * Ione - [Porter’s Plaza](http://stewart-porter.squarespace.com)
* Private
     * SR31 - [BlueSlide Resort](http://www.blueslideresort.com)
     * Ione - [Cedar RV Park](http://www.cedarrvpark.com)
     * Metaline - [Mt. Linton RV & Trailer Park](https://www.facebook.com/MtLintonRvTrailerPark)

# Cool Stuff In The Area
* Area history and development:  [The River And The Road - Development And Interpretive Guidelines](http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/7742ED85-3666-486D-9D57-CB9E6C4539E1/0/NorthPendOreilleCMP.pdf)
* [North Pend Oreille County Heritage website](http://content.statelib.wa.gov/cdm/landingpage/collection/pendoreille)
* [Little Pend Oreille Wildlife Refuge](http://www.fws.gov/refuge/little_pend_oreille/)
* [North Pend Oreille Chamber Of Commerce - Things To Do](http://www.npochamber.org/things-to-do.html)
* [NPOV Lions Club - In The Area](http://lionstrainrides.com/in-the-area)
* [Pend Oreille River Tourism Alliance - Things To Do](http://www.porta-us.com/things-to-do.html)
* [Pend Oreille Mine](http://www.teck.com/Generic.aspx?PAGE=Teck%20Site/Diversified%20Mining%20Pages/Zinc%20Pages/Pend%20Oreille)
* [Tiger Historical Center / Museum](http://scenicwa.com/listing/tiger-historical-center-and-museum.html)

# Other Stuff
If you have suggestions for additions to enhance this page or the Routes published here, please let me [know](http://ridewithgps.com/users/387656/conversations/new?id=387656&width=750&height=500&no_close_on_blur=true)!

We are always happy to help provide suggestions in altering Routes or for doing Routes that are not yet published here.

If you love epic backcountry adventures like we do and want to ride with us, check out my [Profile](http://ridewithgps.com/users/387656) and drop me a message.

Finally, if you have some awesome photos that would look better than those uploaded to the Routes created here, please [contact me](http://ridewithgps.com/users/387656/conversations/new?id=387656&width=750&height=500&no_close_on_blur=true) as I would be more than happy to upload them, giving appropriate credit of course!

# Photograph Credits
Cover image for this page was taken on Calispell Peak in Stevens County on 2015-09-06 at 18:22 by [Polka Dot Brother #1](http://ridewithgps.com/users/387656), looking north with Timber Mountain in the background.

Parcourir l'annuaire des ambassadeurs

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Pend Oreille County, WA

Epic Backcountry Rides...and some easier and fun ones!

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Ione / Metaline / Metaline Falls / Sullivan Lake, WA