The Idaho Conservation League is providing a way for people to get back to nature through its seventh annual Summer Hike Series.

The free hikes range in difficulty from very easy to difficult in a variety of wildernesses in high mountains and along lake shores.

"The hikes give people an opportunity to see places they might not otherwise have the opportunity to find," said Nancy Dooley, North Idaho outreach coordinator for the ICL. "It is a wonderful way for folks to get out and up into the mountains. Oftentimes it's difficult in this area to find trailheads, and our hike leaders will bring the groups up to the trailheads."

Dooley said the hike leaders comprise a passionate group of people who love to share the mountains with others.

A main objective of the Summer Hike Series is to show people the beauty of the area and promote wilderness designation and preservation, as well as help hikers discover new places and gain appreciation for Idaho's spectacular peaks, lakes, streams and wildlife.

"Many people don't realize how special the Selkirks are, which is why we like to bring as many folks as possible up to see these special places," Dooley said.

A 13-mile hike led by Mike Murray is taking place at Chimney Rock today. HIkers will ascend an old logging road before more steeply climbing through alpine meadows and boulder fields. The views along the trail of the Selkirks and Chimney Rock are spectacular and hikers with no fear of heights can climb right to the base of this iconic rock.

Space is limited and registration is required for the free-of-charge hikes. A few are for members only, but anyone can become a member for $15. To sign up for a hike or for information, visit www.idahoconservation.org or contact the Idaho Conservation League's Sandpoint office at (208) 265-9565.

Here is the schedule of upcoming outdoor adventures:

Saturday, July 20 - Geocaching along the Pack River Delta - Bill Love will lead participants through the basics of geocaching, how to use a global positioning system (GPS) and how to seek out the hidden treasures of the region. This hike includes an indoor session in the library at 10:30 a.m. followed by a picnic lunch and hike.

Saturday, July 27 - Beehive Lakes Scramble - Brad Smith, ICL's Public Lands Associate, will lead intrepid hikers on this difficult, more than 12-mile cross-country hike. Strong hikers will see three of the prettiest lakes in the Selkirks as well as amazing views of the Selkirk Crest.

Saturday, July 27 - Roman Nose Hike and Art - Sandpoint's Arts Alliance's Nan Cooper and Carol Kovalchuk will lead a group of artists to paint or draw the lakes and views near Roman Nose. A $40 fee is required for this hike.

Saturday, Aug. 3 - Harrison Lake - This 4.6-mile round-trip, moderately easy hike led by Carrie Carlquist takes hikers to one of the most popular (and the second largest) lakes in the Selkirks

Sunday, Aug. 4 - Two Mouth Lakes - Danya Rumore - This difficult but rewarding hike is eight miles round trip, leading to granite-lined alpine lakes high in the Selkirks.

Saturday, Aug. 10 - Blacktail Lake - Susan Bates-Harbuck - Great family-friendly, six-mile round-trip hike featuring boardwalks through marshes, beautiful forests and a great alpine lake with a huge boulder field that tumbles into the lake.

Saturday, Aug. 17 - Pyramid and Ball Lakes - Longtime conservationist and ICL member Will Venard will lead hikers on this trek to three lakes and an optional scramble to the ridge top.

Sunday, Aug. 25 - Fault Lake - John Harbuck will lead this 13-mile round trip that gradually climbs to a beautiful Alpine Lake and features views of the Selkirk Peaks and scars from the Sundance Fire.

Saturday, Aug. 31 - Kayak Tour on the Clark Fork Delta - Join ICL's Community Conservation Associate Susan Drumheller to explore the beauty of the delta. Hear why it's ranked one of the most important deltas in Idaho and learn about the alarming rate of erosion occurring on the delta's islands.

Saturday, Sept. 7 - Trout and Big Fisher Lakes - Husband and wife duo Eric and Celeste Grace will lead hikers to their choice of one or two lakes in this beautiful and varied hike in the Selkirks.

Saturday, Sept. 21 - Myrtle Peak - Join ICL's Nancy Dooley on this six-mile hike featuring stupendous, 360-degree views of the Selkirk Crest and an optional descent to Myrtle Lake.

Saturday, Sept. 28 - Dog Walk on the Pend d'Oreille Bay Trail with Friends of the Pend d'Oreille Bay Trail (Eric Donenfeld) and Panhandle Animal Shelter - Grab your pooch or borrow one from the shelter and enjoy a dog-friendly, three-mile round-trip hike along Lake Pend Oreille.