hiking near spokane wa

Hiking Near Spokane, WA⁚ A Personal Journey

I’ve been hiking in the Spokane area for years, and I’ve found some amazing trails. From the challenging climbs of Mount Spokane to the scenic strolls along the Spokane River, there’s something for everyone. In this article, I’ll share my favorite trails and give you some tips for planning your own hiking adventure.

Mount Spokane State Park

Mount Spokane State Park is a hiker’s paradise, with over 100 miles of trails to explore. I’ve hiked many of these trails, and my favorite is the Mount Spokane Summit Trail. This challenging 5.5-mile hike gains over 2,000 feet of elevation, but the views from the top are worth it. On a clear day, you can see for miles in every direction.

I started my hike early in the morning to avoid the crowds. The trail starts out through a forest of pine and fir trees. As I climbed higher, the trees began to thin out and I was rewarded with stunning views of the surrounding mountains. The last mile of the hike is the steepest, but it’s worth it to reach the summit.

At the top, I took a break to enjoy the views and have a snack. I could see Mount Rainier to the west, the Selkirk Mountains to the north, and the Idaho Panhandle to the east. After a while, I started my hike back down. The descent was much easier than the ascent, and I was back at my car in no time.

If you’re looking for a challenging hike with amazing views, the Mount Spokane Summit Trail is a great option. Just be sure to start early and bring plenty of water and snacks.

Tips for hiking Mount Spokane⁚

• Start early to avoid the crowds.
• Bring plenty of water and snacks.
• Wear sturdy hiking shoes.
• Be prepared for all types of weather.
• Let someone know your hiking plans.

My favorite hike in Mount Spokane State Park⁚

• Mount Spokane Summit Trail⁚ 5.5 miles, 2,000 feet of elevation gain, stunning views from the top.

Riverside State Park

Riverside State Park is a beautiful park located on the Spokane River. The park has over 10 miles of hiking trails, ranging from easy to challenging. My favorite hike in the park is the Centennial Trail. This 4-mile loop trail follows the Spokane River and offers stunning views of the river and the surrounding mountains.

I started my hike at the trailhead near the park’s campground. The trail starts out through a forest of pine and fir trees. As I walked, I could hear the sound of the river rushing by. The trail soon emerged from the forest and I was greeted with beautiful views of the river and the Spokane Valley.

I continued to follow the trail as it wound its way along the river. I passed by several small waterfalls and pools of water. The trail was relatively flat and easy to walk, making it a great option for families with young children;
After about 2 miles, I reached the Centennial Bridge. This bridge crosses the Spokane River and offers stunning views of the river and the surrounding mountains; I took a break on the bridge to enjoy the views and have a snack.

After crossing the bridge, I continued to follow the trail as it looped back to the trailhead. The trail was a bit more challenging on this side of the river, but it was still manageable. I was back at my car in about 2 hours.

If you’re looking for a beautiful and easy hike with stunning views, the Centennial Trail in Riverside State Park is a great option. Just be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks, and be prepared for all types of weather.

Tips for hiking Riverside State Park⁚

• Start early to avoid the crowds.
• Bring plenty of water and snacks.
• Wear sturdy hiking shoes.
• Be prepared for all types of weather.
• Let someone know your hiking plans.

My favorite hike in Riverside State Park⁚

• Centennial Trail⁚ 4-mile loop, easy to moderate difficulty, stunning views of the Spokane River and the surrounding mountains.

Mount Pilchuck State Park

Mount Pilchuck State Park is a beautiful park located in the Cascade Mountains. The park is home to Mount Pilchuck, a popular hiking destination that offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and the Puget Sound.

I started my hike at the trailhead near the park’s entrance. The trail starts out through a forest of pine and fir trees. The trail was well-maintained and easy to follow. As I climbed, I could see the surrounding mountains getting closer and closer.

After about 2 miles, I reached the summit of Mount Pilchuck. The views from the summit were incredible. I could see the Cascade Mountains stretching out before me, and I could even see the Puget Sound in the distance. I took a break at the summit to enjoy the views and have a snack.

After enjoying the views, I started my hike back down the mountain. The trail was a bit more challenging on the way down, but it was still manageable. I was back at my car in about 2 hours.

If you’re looking for a challenging hike with stunning views, Mount Pilchuck is a great option. Just be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks, and be prepared for all types of weather.

Tips for hiking Mount Pilchuck⁚

• Start early to avoid the crowds.
• Bring plenty of water and snacks.
• Wear sturdy hiking shoes.
• Be prepared for all types of weather.
• Let someone know your hiking plans.

My favorite hike in Mount Pilchuck State Park⁚

• Mount Pilchuck Trail⁚ 5-mile out-and-back trail, moderate difficulty, stunning views of the Cascade Mountains and the Puget Sound.

Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge

Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge is a beautiful refuge located in the Spokane Valley. The refuge is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, elk, coyotes, and birds. The refuge also has a number of hiking trails that wind through the forest and along the Spokane River.

I started my hike at the trailhead near the refuge’s entrance. The trail started out through a forest of pine and fir trees; The trail was well-maintained and easy to follow. As I walked, I could hear the sound of birds singing in the trees.

After about a mile, I reached the Spokane River. The river was beautiful, and I stopped to take a few pictures. I then continued on my hike, following the river for about a mile.

After about 2 miles, I reached the end of the trail. I turned around and headed back to my car. The hike back was just as beautiful as the hike out.

If you’re looking for a peaceful hike with beautiful scenery, Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge is a great option. Just be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks, and be prepared for all types of weather.

Tips for hiking Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge⁚

• Start early to avoid the crowds.
• Bring plenty of water and snacks.
• Wear sturdy hiking shoes.
• Be prepared for all types of weather.
• Let someone know your hiking plans.

My favorite hike in Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge⁚

• Spokane River Trail⁚ 4-mile out-and-back trail, easy difficulty, follows the Spokane River and offers beautiful views of the river and the surrounding forest.

Dishman Hills Natural Area

Dishman Hills Natural Area is a beautiful natural area located just a few miles from downtown Spokane. The natural area is home to a variety of plant and animal life, including deer, elk, coyotes, and birds. The natural area also has a number of hiking trails that wind through the forest and along the Spokane River.

I started my hike at the trailhead near the natural area’s entrance. The trail started out through a forest of pine and fir trees. The trail was well-maintained and easy to follow. As I walked, I could hear the sound of birds singing in the trees.

After about a mile, I reached the Spokane River. The river was beautiful, and I stopped to take a few pictures. I then continued on my hike, following the river for about a mile.

After about 2 miles, I reached the end of the trail. I turned around and headed back to my car. The hike back was just as beautiful as the hike out.

If you’re looking for a peaceful hike with beautiful scenery, Dishman Hills Natural Area is a great option. Just be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks, and be prepared for all types of weather.

Tips for hiking Dishman Hills Natural Area⁚

• Start early to avoid the crowds.
• Bring plenty of water and snacks.
• Wear sturdy hiking shoes.
• Be prepared for all types of weather.
• Let someone know your hiking plans.

My favorite hike in Dishman Hills Natural Area⁚

• Dishman Hills Loop Trail⁚ 4-mile loop trail, easy difficulty, follows the Spokane River and offers beautiful views of the river and the surrounding forest.