I have to admit I am a die-hard cross-country skier. I haven't stored my skis away yet. In fact, I had a great ski last week after a late snowstorm on Sherman. But, as the snowmelt accelerates in the high country, my attention naturally turns towards hiking and biking. While the high, forested trails melt and dry out, what better place to turn to than our newly designated Rail Trail Corridor. This gem of a trail is now ready to provide wonderful recreational opportunities for county residents and visitors.

The 28-mile corridor, most recently used by the Kettle Falls International Railway to haul lumber from the Vaagen Brothers lumber mill to Colville and beyond, runs north-south from Republic to the Canadian border in Danville. The track was abandoned in 2006 and the track and ties were subsequently pulled up. The Ferry County Commissioners passed an ordinance December 28, 2009 designating the section of the corridor from Republic to Herron Creek Road as multiple use with limited motorized use and the section from Herron Creek north to the border as non-motorized multiple use.

What does this mean for you, the public, wanting to use the trail? What uses are now allowed or will be soon? The most southern part of the trail, from the Republic High School to Herron Creek is now all referred to as the Golden Tiger Pathway and is open to use by hikers, bicyclists, horses, ATVs and cross-country skiers in the winter. Many of you have probably already enjoyed the first three miles of the Golden Tiger Pathway, which was improved (with pavement and gravel) for these uses about ten years ago. If so, you have gotten a taste of the great opportunities which will be available along the entire 28 mile route: scenic beauty, isolation on many parts of the trail, good exercise with no arduous ups and downs. The Golden Tiger Pathway Committee, established when the original trail was developed, advises the commissioners on matters regarding this stretch of trail.

The section from Herron Creek north to Danville, which includes very scenic stretches along Curlew Lake and the Kettle River, will eventually be open to hikers, bicyclists, horses, cross-country skiers and other non-motorized users. Adjacent landowner may also be able to use the trail for bona fide agricultural purposes. Although the Commissioners are working with the new Rail Corridor Committee to develop a management plan by year's end to address these probable uses, only hiking is currently authorized.

What about access? Access is easy for the southern section, the Golden Tiger Pathway. There are parking lots near the high school and near Pine Grove which provide easy access. For sections further north, look for one of the numerous places where county roads cross the corridor. You may park on a county road if you are far enough off the roadway, so as not to interfere with traffic. Please use common sense and secure your vehicle. For example, you may park at the north end of the town of Curlew and walk north on a section I have enjoyed. You will walk through farm fields and near a lovely stretch of the Kettle River. During the next six weeks the birds are at their peak, so bring a pair of binoculars. And stay on the rail bed. Though it may be tempting to walk through a field to get to the river's edge, you must remember that that field is private property. Please, stay on the rail bed. The future use of the trail depends, in no small part, on respecting adjacent landowners.

A few other cautions and restrictions must be mentioned. Please pack out what you bring in. There will not be any trash cans along the way. Feel free to take your dog, but keep it on a leash. Do not expect to camp along the trail, or start fires. Access to the trestle across the northern part of Curlew Lake and the short tunnel along the Kettle River is prohibited. Use of the corridor north of Wall Street in Danville is prohibited, as well.

Presently, the surface of the rail bed is very rough in places. This may make extended hikes very tiring and will certainly slow down bicycles and horses. The Rail Corridor Committee, as well as the Ferry County Rail Trail Partners, a local advocacy group, have started researching various grants which may be available to improve the surface of the trail, as well as to provide signage and porta-potties along the route. Funds will be sought to improve the trestle and the tunnel so that they will be available to trail users. Eventually, the trail may connect with an extensive rail-to-trail system in neighboring British Columbia.

The transition of our abandoned rail route into a fabulous scenic stretch of trail transecting the north half of the county is cause for great celebration. This family friendly trail will provide wonderful opportunities for county residents of all ages and will put Ferry County on the map for rail-to-trail enthusiasts from all over the region. Get out there and enjoy it!

For a map of the Rail Trail or for more history or information about the trail, go to the FCRTP website at www.ferrycountyrailtrail.com.