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Salmo-Priest Wilderness, Site 15 from "Palouse to Pines Loop" of the Great Washington State Birding Trail

Location: Selkirk Mountains of Pend Oreille County, in the extreme northeastern corner of Washington.

Habitat: Premier alpine destination. U.S. Forest Service land, 39,937 acres of forest and mountains.

Best season for birding: Summer. Go soon for late-summer birding and early fall colors along the Pend Oreille River.

Birds commonly seen: Spruce and dusky grouse, northern goshawks, white-winged and red crossbills, three-toed and black-backed woodpeckers, Clark's nutcrackers, boreal owls, pine grosbeaks; plus all four chickadees: boreal, mountain, black-capped, chestnut-backed.

Viewing tips: Salmo Divide Trail — Hike first mile on forested Trail 535. Fire lookout — Stunning vistas of Washington, Idaho and B.C.

Getting there: Backroads-suitable vehicle advised. From Highway 31 at Milepost 16.4, turn east onto Sullivan Creek Road. Drive 4.8 miles. Turn left onto Forest Service Road 2200. Drive 6 miles. Veer left, staying on Road 2220. Drive 14.2 miles. Turn right into Salmo Divide Trail parking. Fire lookout: Return 0.2 mile to primitive Forest Service Road 270; hike or drive 2.2 miles to old tower. Northwest Forest Pass required.

Source: Audubon Washington, Great Washington State Birding Trail maps. See maps online (or order hard copies, $4.95 apiece), at wa.audubon.org.