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Commission hears Mount Spokane master plan; staff prioritize Selkirk Lodge modernization and cautious approach to snowmobiling
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Summary
Parks planners presented a three‑phase master plan for Mount Spokane State Park that prioritizes modernizing Selkirk Lodge in Phase 1, sequences gateway development, and proposes adaptive changes to snowmobile access; staff aim to return with a finalized plan for adoption in July 2026.
Parks staff presented a near‑final master plan for Mount Spokane State Park at the commissionwork session on April 16, saying the plan sets project sequencing in three phases and aims to balance recreation demand with protection of high‑value ecological areas.
Heather Saunders, parks development director, introduced planner Melinda Wolfman, who led the presentation. Wolfman said the comment period for the draft closed April 10 and summarized key adjustments staff recommend after public review.
The plan outlines three phases of work: Phase 1 (1–7 years) prioritizes the Selkirk Lodge modernization and a Phase‑1 gateway development, including trail packages and way‑finding; Phase 2 (7–12 years) includes a Bear Creek Lodge rebuild and Summit Road feasibility study; Phase 3 (12+ years) focuses on Bald Knob day‑use and campground renovation. Several trail reroutes, a new bidirectional multi‑use trail, and way‑finding upgrades are included in the sequencing.
Wolfman said staff recommend prioritizing Selkirk Lodge modernization over gateway construction to address capacity and functional issues at the lodge, and that some proposed changes to trail connections were refined after input from trail partners.
On snowmobiling, Wolfman described an adaptive approach rather than an immediate prohibition: the plan proposes closing the snowmobile track at the park's lowest elevation near Bear Creek Lodge over time and developing alternate staging and loop access areas as feasible. She said the approach aims to spread winter parking demand while protecting summit ecological values.
"The phase 1 trails package is designed to support the gateway development, creating a hub for the trail network and offering more options for diverse users," Wolfman said.
Public commenters and commissioners raised typical trade‑offs: some urged more protection for Nordic resources, others requested the agency keep summer trail opportunities and community‑oriented ski operations in mind. Representatives for MS2000, the Mount Spokane concessionaire, asked the commission to clarify whether downhill ski infrastructure is considered a park asset (owned by the state) or a concessionaire asset, noting that the distinction affects long‑term investment decisions.
Staff said the plan will be refined based on comments and internal review and is scheduled for a final commission adoption vote in July 2026.
What happens next: staff will integrate remaining comment themes, finalize the master plan text and maps, and return to the commission in July with a recommended adoption action and more detailed implementation sequencing.
