Bonnie Lake, Whitman and Spokane Counties

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Bonnie Lake in Whitman and Spokane Counties (access point is in Whitman County) is a beautiful tranquil and good size spiny lake, with a county owned island that you can camp on called Bonnie Island. The only place around this lake that you are allowed to camp on is Bonnie Island. Land access is limited to this Island and shore line of the lake directly east and west of the Island. Lake shore access length is about the same length as the Island. In addition I have been informed local land owners allow one to use the trail on the north end of the lake to hike on and view the water fall unless otherwise posted. There is no way to verify the accuracy of this info so enter at your own risk. The nice thing about Bonnie Lake is that not everyone will want to take the effort to acces this lake due to having to access it via a small creek and so most likely you will be alone on this lake. Be safe and go with a partner. Also stay away from the canyon walls as there are occasional rock slides. There are some fun features such as caves and a natural land bridge. You will have to paddle up (north) the small stream for about 3/4 mile in the bottom of a canyon through grazing-land. It is a popular kayaking lake good and great to sail on due to the winds funneling down the canyon, and the scenery is spectacular. There is a ton of wildlife along the creek and around on and in the lake. Watch out for rattle snakes. Very popular fishing and wildlife photography lake. You can access this lake via a small 16' motorize fishing boat but is much easier to access via the stream on a kayak or canoe. The stream gets very shallow in late summer. Other Features: 1. As you progress up the creek, as you head toward the lake on left you will see a natural land bridge (some call it an arch, but not really classified as such). The bridge is well hidden but if you look carefully you will see it. This bridge system is on private land so no hiking is allowed to it. 2. Near the north end of the lake is a beautiful water fall over 100 feet high (picture and video coming soon), To get to this water fall go north up the lake as you near the end of the lake stay to the right side and there will be an inlet that you can navigate for about another 25 feet. When it becomes too shallow to paddle move to the right side (east) of the creek and park your crafts out of the water on the bank. You'll find a trail that leads to the water fall. Travel about .75 miles to the waterfall. The land this trail is on is private but the land owners allow access as long as we respect their land and do not litter, unless otherwise posted. There is no way to verify the accuracy of this info so enter at your own risk. Directions: FROM CHENEY, WA - Head south out of Cheney on Cheney-Plaza Rd. for about 15 miles. When Cheney-Plaza Road Splits off to the East, Take the west road, Rock Lake Rd. Take a left onto Belsby Rd (a dirt Road, but not a private road) and continue till the road drops down into the canyon. LAUNCH INFO - Park right west of the bridge and off the road as far as you can, there is a primitive public boat launch on the S.E. side of the bridge (see pic. below). More info and pictures and a very detailed report on this lake click here. FROM SPOKANE WA. Travel West on I90 and take HWY 195 South to Rosalia, WA. Take the first Rosalia Exit. Travel through the city of Rosalia and turn west onto Malden Rd. Turn right onto Hole in the Ground Rd. follow this road until it drops into a canyon to the launch site. Maps: CLICK HERE FOR PRINTABLE MAP! Google map will be posted shortly.  Info: Another website to learn about Bonnie Lake http://www.spokaneoutdoors.com/bonnie.htm

Google Map Coming Soon!

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Horseshoe Lake, Pend Oreille County, WA.

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This lake as its name indicates is shaped like a horseshoe. This lake is a very popular kayaking, sailing, and fishing lake. Because there is a 5 mph speed limit the annoying presence of jet skis and ski boats do not exist. I would say that this lake is one of the most unique lakes within the Inland NW because of its shape, features, and vista. On the northeast side of the lake is a beautiful water fall called Exley Falls with some small pools at its base that during the hot summer some people will sit in to cool off. To access the falls travel via boat northeast to a narrow short passage into the east side of the lake, once through the passage you will easily see the falls. Another unique feature is the geological marvel called the Devils Well, which is directly south of the falls on the east side of the lake (Latitude 48.1114924/48-06'43"N, Longitude -117.4165613/117-24'32"W, Elevation 2,037 ft). This well is a large vertical and round hole in the rock. Not to distract from the wonder of this feature but the interesting fact about this well is it was created much in the same way a toilet creates a circular flushing motion. Water cascades into the well and swerrals, and then exits the well cracks and sometimes overflows running down the hill into the lake. The only time of year you can see this action is during spring run off as there is no stream of water to consistently feeds the well throughout the dry season. The well always has water in it and is a must see. To access the well after the falls you will pass through a narrow passage to the south with high cliffs and you will see an inclined wooded clearing area with a well traveled trail up the hill, the trail will take you directly to the well. The trail is only about 100 ft long or so to the well. Continuing south after the well you will enter the end of the lake and the little Spokane river. If you portage over the logs that block the river you will enter a series of river pools that are enjoyable to paddle or swim in when there is little current. Facilities: One wide hard packed gravel launch, large gravel parking lot, one vault toilet, Discovery Pass required to use this site. For the pass and fishing info call the WA. Fish & Game, Spokane office, 509-456-4082. Fishing: Rainbow Trout, Kokanee, Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Crappie, Brown Bullhead Catfish. Bait typically used? Troll with wedding ring spinners tipped with maggots. Season is April-Oct. Catching 10 lb. fish is not uncommon on this lake. Directions: Take U.S. 2 north from Spokane for 20 miles and turn west (left) on Eloika Lake Road, following it three miles to Division Road. Turn north (right) on Division Road, which becomes Horseshoe Lake Road somewhere along the line, and follow it 7.5 miles to the lake. LOCATION - 48,110, -177.420. In. Maps: CLICK HERE FOR PRINTABLE MAP!

VIDEO COMING SOON!

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