If you are into hiking or mountain biking but don’t want to go too far on a weekend, I have the place for you: The High Drive Bluff. Located off of High Drive on the South Hill, this 500-acre natural space is home to 20 miles of trails. While summertime is pretty dry, the spring has been beautiful and well worth my time.
Every Saturday morning, I drop my daughters off at ballet class and then I take the next hour to go for a small hike into the bluff. I spend that time listening to a podcast and enjoying the smell of Ponderosa pines and the feel of the sun on my face. It has become very therapeutic to spend this time after a long and busy week.
Last summer, my oldest daughter and I went on a hike for a few hours through the Bluff and she absolutely loved it. At only six years old, she appreciated the land, sights, smells, and sounds of being out in this natural area too.
It is a place that is fun for the family too.
Friends of the Bluff
While I was learning more about the Bluff recently, I found this great community of people who are working to keep the Bluff maintained for people to enjoy it. They are called the Friends of the Bluff. After looking through the website, I found that they have an active and thriving community of people with some major focuses on this natural space.
Financial Donation
One of the first things I noticed was the fact that this group of people has turned their love for this area into a non-profit to help keep it clean. Here is a quick look at what the non-profit does and how you can donate:
The Friends of the Bluff is a 501(C)3 nonprofit organization. Your contribution is key to the purchase of tools and other elements that allow us to sustain and conserve the Bluff and its trails.
What a great way to give back to this area by partnering financially with this group. I know for me, it was the least I could do. After all, it is important to help keep this space going for my family and for our community.
Involvement At Your Level
Something else I noticed was how easy it is to get involved with the organization. Whether you want to volunteer some time to help clean up the area and maintain it. Or, if you want to join the board and help look for ways to improve and preserve Bluff.
Volunteer Events are the core of our efforts to preserve and protect the bluff: Volunteer opportunities, Become a board member, and Connect on Facebook
Each link above can direct you to find just the place you fit into this organization if you are here in the local Spokane area or have been able to enjoy the Bluff on High Drive.
Projects Updates for The High Drive Bluff
One last thing that I found very interesting was the project updates on the website. They outlined what they are working on and how they are working to grow awareness, maintain the area, and educate the community on our natural spaces here in Spokane. Here is a list from the website:
- Protection from Development
- Maintaining and Improving Public Access
- Forest Health/Fire Risk Reduction
- Educating & Engaging the Community
- Maintaining Sustainable Trails
- Litter Removal
- Weed Management
What a great way to give back to this beautiful area by getting involved and finding ways to fit into the current projects of this beautiful space.
Final Thoughts
As I was learning more about the High Drive Bluff, I was reminded of this quote I had read a while back from Theodore Roosevelt:
“There is a delight in the hardy life of the open. There are no words that can tell the hidden spirit of the wilderness that can reveal its mystery, its melancholy and its charm. The nation behaves well if it treats the natural resources as assets which it must turn over to the next generation increased and not impaired in value. Conservation means development as much as it does protection.”
I feel like the way the Friends of the Bluff care for this area is well defined in this quote and when you go hiking in this area, you will see the care they have taken of it. Be sure to head out to the High Drive Bluff this weekend and if you enjoy your hike or ride, get involved and support the work being done there!
If you like getting out into the community, you might like this post as well!
