Conservation Northwest and other recreation groups have long advocated for the Gibraltar Trail as a non-wilderness recreation opportunity for hikers and mountain bikers that would help replace any trails that may not be available for mountain bike use if the nearby Kettle Crest Trail becomes part of the designated wilderness we seek for the Colville National Forest. Gibraltar Trail, which will also be an excellent hiking trail, would also provide a low-elevation opportunity that would be free of snow and accessible many more months out of the year than the majority of high elevation trails currently found on the western half of the forest. This project has both strong conservation and recreation value, and will be a major economic draw as a recreation and tourism asset for the local community.

Conservation Northwest worked with members of the Colville National Forest to plan and then purchase tools and other equipment needed for construction of the Gibraltar Trail.  The site was toured in October by Forest Service leadership including the regional forester, Forest Supervisor, and others as a model of collaborative trail and recreation project success.  Finally in October, the first two of several weeks worth of trail construction work parties were scheduled.