Located in "the panhandle" of northern Idaho and extending into eastern Washington State and western Montana, lies the Idaho Panhandle National Forest. Some 300 miles from the Pacific Ocean, the forest is in the east-central part of the Columbia Plateau, between the Cascade Mountains to the west and the Bitteroot Mountains to the east. The Forest comprises about 2.5 million acres. The natural beauty of mountain tops, clear lakes and rivers, ancient cedar groves, great varieties of fish, unique wildlife, and remnants of earlier people provide settings for diverse outdoor recreation activities. During the spring, summer, and fall a variety of activities can be found. In winter, hundreds of miles of groomed trails beckon nordic skiers and snowmobilers.