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Sophia Aldous
METALINE FALLS — Outdoor enthusiasts now have a direct pathway to walk into history with the opening of the Salmo Passage Trail (słqqax̣s č’ čax̣ íwłkw), officially opened Wednesday, June 24 on the Newport-Sullivan Lake Ranger District. The low-key event was marked by a ribbon‑cutting ceremony at the Peewee Falls Overlook, with representatives from the three organizations that created the trail: the Kalispel Tribe of Indians, Seattle City Light and the Colville National Forest.
“When I was coming up here today, talking with my son, we were talking about partnerships and working with people, said J.R. Bluff, director of language and culture for the Kalispel Tribe of Indians. “And this (trail project) was really a partnership. It wasn’t just a check mark, a check in the box. It was a true partnership where they listened, we discussed, we kicked ideas around.”
The Salmo Passage Trail touches a portion of the journey the Kalispel people took to reach the Salmo River, a culturally significant site located just over the current U.S.–Canada border in British Columbia. The Kalispels traveled to the Salmo to establish seasonal fish camps. The area was the far northwestern boundary of their 200-mile ancestral homelands, which they used as an integral source of seasonal subsistence through hunting, fishing and root gathering. Later, European trappers, settlers and miners used portions of the route to travel along the Pend Oreille River.
“As land managers, we are honored to bring additional recreation opportunities to the public through our partnership with Seattle City Light and the Kalispel Tribe,” said Newport-Sullivan Lake District Ranger Carin Vadala. “Our partnerships have offered the varying and diverse perspectives, historical knowledge and creativity required to highlight the beauty and cultural relevance of the Pend Oreille River Valley.”
Completed in 2025, the 9.6-mile Salmo Passage trail connects the northern Peewee Falls Overlook in North Pend Oreille County to the southern Riverside Canyon Overlook and provides panoramic views of the Pend Oreille River.
Also at the ribbon cutting on June 24 were Pend Oreille County Commissioners John Gentle and Brian Smiley, along with representatives from Seattle City Light and Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance. While the exact cost of the trail project was not released before deadline, Seattle City Light covered the budget to satisfy Federal Energy Regulatory Commission mandates. These mandates require the utility company to mitigate the impact of the Boundary Dam by investing in regional recreation and habitat. The dam is located just 1 mile south of the Canadian border and 10 miles north of Metaline Falls and was built by Seattle City Light in 1967.
“We’re glad to be able to provide more recreational opportunities for people in the community and those who enjoy the forest,” said Rob Santoff, Interim General Manager and CEO of Seattle City Light. “We’re privileged to be able to have the guidance and input of the Tribe that helped make it happen.”
The Salmo Passage Trail is now open for public use. Questions about this trail can be directed to the Newport-Sullivan Lake District at 509-447-7300.
SOPHIA MATTICE-ALDOUS IS A MURROW NEWS FELLOW WORKING DIRECTLY WITH NEWSROOMS AT THE NEWPORT MINER AND RANGE MEDIA THROUGH A PROGRAM ADMINISTERED BY WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY. HER REPORTING IS AVAILABLE FOR USE VIA CREATIVE COMMONS WITH CREDIT.
