Little Pend Oreille NWR

Our Stay in Rice, WA

Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge

After a long day of driving to our new Airbnb in Rice, WA, and then a day of jogging in the area, my hiking shoes started to miss me. So, I joined them, returning to the trails.

The Mill Butte trailhead was an hour away in the beautiful Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge. The wildlife refuge was established in 1939 as a safe haven for migratory birds and other wildlife. We were the only visitors; no other cars were in the parking lot. Excellent!

According to the sign, we had to go up 400 feet; however, it was a gentle climb. At the beginning of the trail, the forest was open with a colorful collection of wildflowers blooming in abundant colors. We smelled a fresh pine scent. After about 2.2 miles, the Mille butte emerged. The short climb to the top was strenuous since a butte is an isolated hill with steep sides and a flat top. But definitely worth it!

We sat on a rock in the shade, enjoying the magnificent panorama view of the surrounding landscape. We were alone on top of the world!