The Spokane area is blessed with many great places to hike and enjoy our wide array of wildflowers. Before you go out on your wildflower quest, it’s a good idea to pick up a wildflower book.

My favorite is one I have had in my backpack for a long time: “A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers.” The book has held together really well considering all the use it has had over the years.

Another really good book to have is “Plants of Southern BC and the Inland Northwest.” This book not only has good information on wildflowers but also on trees, shrubs, ferns, and lichen. It is one of my go-to books. It is a little heavy for the backpack but is worth its weight in gold.

As the saying goes, “April showers bring May flowers.” The month of May along with June can bring an explosion of beautiful wildflowers or in some dry years a very disappointing short season.

It is the middle of March as I write this article and I don’t have a crystal ball to tell what sort of wildflower season we will have this year. It could be great or it could be a bust.

All I can do is tell you about some of my favorite places that I have enjoyed during the 40-plus years I have lived in Spokane—and hope it doesn’t get too dry too early this year. Happy wildflower hunting!

Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge (Cheney, Wash.)

This area has probably the best variety of wildflowers in the Inland Northwest. There are many different hiking trails along with a 5-mile auto loop. In addition to all the waterfowl, this 20,000-acre natural area supports a large variety of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, coyotes, beaver, and moose.

Some of the wildflowers you might see are Bitterroot (state flower of Montana), sticky geranium, yellow bells, prairie smoke, camas, and death camas, along with a lot of balsamroot just to name a few. Be sure and check for ticks before you leave the refuge. You don’t want any little hitchhikers going home with you.

Spring wildflowers along hiking trails, including bitterroot (left) and sticky geranium (right). // Photos: Rich Leon

Iller Creek Conservation Area (Spokane Valley, Wash.)

This is one place you will want to bring your camera. Iller has some very unique wildflowers not found in other areas around Spokane. One is Clarkia (a member of the evening primrose family).

Clarkia was named after William Clark of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Other wildflowers include mountain lady slippers, clematis, monkshood, and honeysuckle.

Dishman Hills Natural Area (Spokane Valley, Wash.)

The picturesque cliffs and ravines not only make this place an interesting area to explore but also a wonderful place to find a variety of wildflowers. As you roam around the many trails within Dishman Hills Natural Area, you are likely to find glacier lilies, Rocky Mountain iris, fairy bells, balsamroot, and fireweed.

Mount Spokane State Park (Mead, Wash.)

This is one of my favorite places for wildflowers. I like all the different trails at Mount Spokane State Park for a variety of reasons but especially the Nordic ski trail area because of the beargrass. The area has beargrass every year, but these plants only produce a major bloom about once every seven years.

When a big bloom happens, it is a sight to behold. On the lower part of the mountain (especially trail 100), you can find trillium, mountain bluebells, two different coralroot, bunchberry, paintbrush, and fairy slipper orchids.

Kamiak Butte (Pullman, Wash.)

This spot is about a 60-mile drive south of Spokane but well worth it. Surrounded on all sides by the wheat fields of the Palouse, this 3,650-foot-tall island of pine, fir, and larch has some amazing views.

On a good wildflower year the hillsides can be covered in a sea of yellow from the balsamroot. It is a great place to bring the kids for a self-guided nature walk on the 3.5-mile Pine Loop Trail. Don’t forget to pack a picnic lunch.

Tubbs Hill and Mineral Ridge (Coeur d’Alene, Idaho)

Both of these popular North Idaho natural areas offer some great views, and there are also plenty of wildflowers to see.

Other Notable Inland NW Wildflower Hot Spots

Other areas you might want to visit are Slavin Conservation Area (Spokane), Antoine Peak (Spokane Valley), Little Spokane River (North Spokane), Riverside State Park (Spokane), and the Liberty Lake Conservation Area (Liberty Lake, Wash.)

Please be aware that some areas in Washington require a Discover Pass such as Mount Spokane and Riverside state parks. There is an entry fee for the Turnbull Wildlife Refuge, and other areas such as the Little Spokane River do not allow dogs; all other natural areas require dogs to be on a leash at all times.

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All events, presentations, and workshops take place at Riverside State Park’s Bowl & Pitcher area and are free the public. Although a Washington State Parks’ Discover Pass is required to drive into and park. Register at REI.com/Learn.

Photos: Riverside State Park (left-right) Bowl & Pitcher swinging bridge; Trail map // Photo: Jon Jonckers; Biking trails // Photo: Shallan Knowles

[Feature photo: Bowl and Pitcher swinging bridge at Riverside State Park.]

For more Events, visit Outthereoutdoors.com/news/.

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Start your ride by parking somewhere near the Kendall Yards neighborhood just west of downtown, and then hop on the Centennial Trail.

You’ll quickly encounter a detour through the West Central neighborhood due to new trail construction along the river bluff this summer, followed by a fast descent down Pettet Drive (aka Lilac Bloomsday Run‘s Doomsday Hill) and across the T.J. Meenach bridge to meet back up with the formal paved trail.

Continue on the Centennial Trail heading north along the Spokane River with several ups and downs along the way for 16 miles to the Nine Mile Falls Recreation Area, which is part of Riverside State Park.

Once you are there relax on the grass, have a picnic, or go swimming in the lake. Refill water bottles at the campground facilities and return the way you came.

There are plenty of other sites worth stopping to check out a short distance off the trail along the way, including the Bowl & Pitcher, the Deep Creek Canyon overlook, the Nine Mile Falls Dam overlook, and Sontag Park.

Other than a few trailhead porta-potties and water at Riverside State Park’s Bowl & Pitcher visitor area and Nine Mile Falls Recreation Area, there are not formal services along the way, so bring your own food, water, tire repair kit, and whatever other essentials the conditions may require.

You can also shorten the ride be starting at another trailhead closer to the destination.

For more information about the trail, visit Spokanecentennialtrail.org.

For more adventure ideas and stories about the Spokane County Centennial Trail, visit the OTO archives.

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This free day is for everyone, and encourages people who otherwise may be limited or or unable to visit and enjoy recreation on these public lands. No day-use fee is required for walking or biking into a state park or state-managed natural or wildlife area.

In addition to more than 100 developed state parks throughout Washington State, according to the Discover Pass website, visitors can access:

• More than 350 primitive recreation sites, including campgrounds and picnic areas
• Nearly 700 water-access points 
• Nearly 2,000 miles of designated water and land recreation trails
• More than 80 natural areas
• More than 30 wildlife areas

To learn about other Washington State Parks Free Days, visit discoverpass.wa.gov/136/State-Parks-Free-Days.

For an interactive map of all state parks in Washington, visit the Washington State Parks Foundation, waparks.org.

For regional recreation ideas at state parks, water access sites, and other public lands, visit the OTO archives: Washington’s two largest state parks, Riverside State Park and Mount Spokane State Park, are both located in Spokane County. Other state parks in Eastern Washington and close to Spokane include Steptoe Butte State Park, Palouse Falls State Park, and Spokane Centennial Trail.

[Feature photo by Shallan Knowles.]

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Begin on a double-track section that drops down to the wetlands. At the one-mile mark watch for an unmarked left-hand junction onto single-track heading north, noting the dilapidated barn across the wetland to the east marking the return route. The trail winds through the forest along the edge of the wetlands for the next two miles before intersecting an alternate access point and additional trailhead at Horseshoe Lake Road.

Turn right, rejoining a double-track trail section as it heads southeast around the wetland, then bends south. This section is parallel to the hike up, but with increased views of the wetlands along the way. At the 5.5 mile mark the trail returns to the drooping barn, most safely viewed at a distance. Return to the same double-track trail as the start and climb a final mile through the lovely shaded forest to return to the parking area.

Total distance is 6.5 miles with 850′ elevation gain for a moderately difficult hike. Discover Pass required.

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Each year we’re seeing more fat bikes plowing through the snow on trails here in the Inland Northwest, a trend that has also led to more trail grooming throughout the region. From Spokane to Sandpoint, there will be miles of packed trails to roll your over-sized, under-inflated bike tires on this winter if Mother Nature cooperates as expected. Here’s the latest fat bike trail grooming forecast for the winter.

Spokane

If you plan to ride any of the growing miles of groomed fat bike trails in the Spokane area this winter, thank Evergreen East volunteer Frank Benish, who owns his own groomer and spends countless hours advocating for and creating miles of groomed riding for fat bikers. To get it all done, Evergreen leases a groomer from Wheel Sport and Benish also owns his own Snowdog grooming machine that’s super speedy and creates groomed singletrack trails.

Riverside State Park was one of the first trail systems in the region to see trails specifically groomed for fat bikers, says Benish. “It’s been a real good partnership at Riverside and we’re looking to carry that on again this year.” Two winters ago, the park’s partnership with Evergreen turned into 11 miles of groomed fat bike trails, with an expansion to 20 miles last season. Benish says this year could be even better if we get good snow and stable cold temps. “We have permission to groom a larger area at Riverside, and if the forecast cooperates, we will expand beyond 20 miles of groomed trails this year.”

Benish also highlighted some new fat bike trails that are in the works for Mount Spokane State Park. “We got permission to clean up and groom some trails off of lower Kit Karson that make up the Hay Ridge Loop. It’s going to be kind of an advanced thing since it’s really steep going up and down.” Benish says the groomed loop will be around 6 miles roundtrip, with longer, more challenging rides possible by linking up to un-groomed trails. The route will be accessed from the parking area at the hairpin lot, also known as the lower Mount Kit Carson loop road trailhead. 

The 49 Degrees North Nordic Area will also feature fat biking on some excellent groomed trails this winter. Under certain conditions when the snow is firm enough to avoid tires damaging the smooth, groomed trails, says Benish, they also allow fat bikes on the Nordic trails. There are 4-5 miles of trails that make for a more intermediate-to-advanced loop.

Fat biking at Mt. Spokane State Park. // Photos: Frank Benish

North Idaho

In the greater Sandpoint area, there is an ever-expanding network of fat bike trails both groomed and user-packed to explore says owner Brian Anderson. Close to town, the Pend Oreille Pedalers will use their groomer once again to pack down trails for fat bikes in the Pine Street Woods, a fantastic public playground and natural area on the edge of Sandpoint that’s been preserved thanks to the Kaniksu Land Trust. Groomed fat bike trails here, with free access, will expand this year, weather cooperating, to include a few loops totaling around five miles.

Close to Sandpoint, the Western Pleasure Guest Ranch grooms approximately four miles of trails for xc and skate skiing as well as for fat bikes. A pass procured from the lodge is required. Farragut State Park south of Sandpoint grooms two loops with around 10 miles of fat bike riding. A state park pass is required.

Schweitzer Mountain Resort grooms approximately 32K of trails for cross-country, skate skiing, and fat biking. A pass is required, as is brushing up on the resort’s rules and responsibilities to keep bikes from damaging the groomed trails.

To the north, the Boundary County Bike and Pedestrian Trail Committee, known as “9B Trails,” has been preserving and developing a non-motorized trail system around Bonners Ferry that includes several trails that make for great winter riding. The non-profit group has recently gotten their hands on a groomer and, according to Anderson, plan to groom around 6-miles of the Section 16 Trails near Bonners Ferry.

The Priest Lake area will once again have miles of groomed trails open to fat bike riders thanks to Priest Lake Nordic. The non-profit group grooms several trail networks around the lake, including Hanna Flats, the Priest Lake Golf Course, Chipmunk Rapids, Rocky Point, Coolin Mountain, and Priest Lake State Park/Indian Creek. A park and ski permit is required and can be purchased at Hill’s Resort, The Tamrak (market/hardware store), or the Priest Lake State Park. More info at Idpr.idaho.gov.

Coeur d’Alene

Coeur d’Alene fatty riders also have some quality groomed options according to Trail Maniacs founder and avid rider Dave Dutro. “The Trail Maniacs Foundation will groom seven plus miles of trails on Canfield Mountain this year,” says Dutro. “These are what we call winter enduro trails,” he says, warning off those who may show up unprepared for the challenge. According to Dutro, that means these trails come with a difficult climb up (approximately four miles with 1,200 of elevation gain) followed by flowy single track down.

The prized route Dutro recommends starts at the road from Nettleton Gulch then on to the towers, down Trail D and eventually on to Trail 7 and Trail A, finishing down Cave Trail for a total of 8 miles. When you can get after these trails is a question for mother nature, says Dutro. “We start grooming once we have significant coverage at the bottom, in the 4-6” range.”

Palouse (Pullman/Moscow)

Down in the Palouse, MAMBA (Moscow Area Mountain Bike Association) has a groomer and should be doing some fat bike trail grooming on Moscow Mountain again this year. Keep tabs on their good deeds at Bikemoscow.org.

Fat Biking Resources

Looking to connect with other fat bike aficionados in the Spokane area? Reach out to SOFA, Spokane’s Original Fatbike Association on Facebook; It’s a private group that you need to request to be a part of before gaining access to trail and grooming reports, group ride announcements, and other regional fat biking news.

Originally published as “Fat Bike Fandom Spurs Growth in Trail Grooming” in the Nov.-Dec. 2020 double issue.

Trail grooming equipment. // Photos: Frank Benish

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Multi-use trails—where hikers, bicyclists and equestrians share the trail—function best when people work together, follow the rules, and get along, says Riverside State Park Foundation board member Ken Carmichael. An equestrian who has ridden in Riverside State Park for 35 years, Carmichael points to the basic guidelines for bike and horse encounters on the trail as an important starting point for getting along.

As noted on trail triangle signs posted at many multi-use trails and trailheads, bikes yield to horses and hikers, and hikers yield to horses. “That is all well and good and as equestrians we appreciate this,” notes Carmichael, “But also, we encourage equestrians to move off the trail where possible when meeting bikes. After all, if possible, we do not want to be responsible for a good man, or woman, loosing that momentum.”   

Carmichael adds that there are other actions that also make multi-use trails more functional. When equestrians see someone else approaching, they should be hollering out “horses” to alert other trails users that they are there. Likewise, when mountain bikers or hikers are approaching a horse, he recommends talking to the horse and rider to help let the horses know you are human. 

Blind corners are always a concern, he says, and slowing down is a big help. Equestrians also like to know how many are in your group, he says. “If we have swung off the trail to let you pass, it helps to know if there are stragglers that we should wait for.” Equestrians also need to tell others how many are in their group, he adds. 

Carmichael also recommends looking the horse rider in the eye and waiting for them to recommend the best course of action for safely passing each other on a trail. “In my case I will let you know what to do. Some horses are more concerned about bikes and more effort may be necessary to control them. In my case I will wave you through as we circle off the trail where safe,” he says.  

Trail users also need to be aware which areas are open to them, he says. Most of Riverside State Park is open to all non-motorized trail users; however, bikes are not allowed in the area of the park known as the equestrian area. 

A good way to learn about any restrictions and the great trails in the park is to have the new trail map produced by the Riverside State Park Foundation, adds Carmichael. The maps are available at park headquarters, REI, and many bike shops and equestrian tack stores and map sale funds support the park. 

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SPOKANE COUNTY 

Fish Lake: The rustic park has a compact waterfront swimming beach and small dock, but it is a great lake for paddling or fishing. There’s a small boat launch for non-motorized watercraft (electric motors or paddling only), and the park includes playgrounds and bathroom facility (be aware that the facility receives limited maintenance). Bring a picnic blanket or camp chairs since there are no picnic tables. Nearby is a trailhead for the Columbia Plateau Trail State Park. 

Liberty Lake: A beach and playground are the highlights at Liberty Lake Regional Park (daily entrance fee required). A boat launch and dock are located at the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife access site (Discover Pass required). 

Medical Lake: Waterfront Park has expansive, grassy grounds that make it easy to physically distance from other household groups. There’s also a wide swimming beach and areas to launch a kayak or stand-up paddleboard. Enjoy a bike ride or stroll along the tree-shaded, paved Medical Lake Trail on the west shoreline. On the east shore of the lake is Coney Island Park for picnicking and wildlife viewing, and the north end has Peper Park.   

Lake Spokane: Access this 24-mile reservoir along the Spokane River, located between Nine Mile Falls and Long Lake Dam, from Riverside State Park’s Nine Mile Recreation Area or Lake Spokane campground. 

Lake Coeur d’Alene: swimming near City Park (left), sailing at NIC beach, and stand-up paddling near Tubbs Hill. // Photo: Amy McCaffree (left and upper right); Shallan Knowles (lower right).

NORTH IDAHO 

Chatcolet Lake: Heyburn State Park’s Chatcolet Day Use area has a boat launch, small primitive access sites for wading and swimming, a playground, picnic shelters, and trailhead for the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes. Within the state park property, you’ll also find Plummer Point (dog friendly beach), Rocky Point Beach and Marina, and three campgrounds. 

Lake Chatcolet at Heyburn State Park. // Photos: Amy McCaffree

Coeur d’Alene Lake: There are three main access sites in the downtown core of the city of Coeur d’Alene. (1) Tubbs Hill: This city park natural area has a popular 2.2-mile loop hiking trail around the peninsula along with spur trails to access small, sandy primitive beaches. Nearby is McEuen Park, which includes a huge playground, splash pad, dog park, and boat launch. (2) City Park: Kids can enjoy the swimming beach, dig in the rocky sand, and play at Fort Sherman Playground. Picnic on the grass and bike or walk the North Idaho Centennial Trail. (3) Sunsport at Yap-Keehn-Um Beach: Also located along the Centennial Trail is a public beach at the edge of the North Idaho College campus (locals refer to it as “NIC Beach”). You can park on campus (free) or drive here via Rosenberry Drive, with limited street parking. NIC’s Outdoor Pursuits boat house rents kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and sailboats. Call ahead to confirm availability (208-769-3290).  

Hayden Lake: Honeysuckle Beach in the city of Hayden has a large swimming beach, dock, and boat launch.  

Pend Oreille Lake: There are two main public access sites for day use on the lake’s west side. (1) Sandpoint’s City Beach has a large swimming beach and playground. (2) Towards the lake’s south end, Farragut State Park’s Beaver Bay Beach provides a calm swimming area. 

Round Lake: Enjoy the beach, fishing dock, trail around the lake, and flatwater for paddling at Round Lake State Park—located near Sagle, south of Sandpoint.  

Q’emiln Park: Located in Post Falls along the Spokane River, it’s not on a lake, but the park is spacious with a great swimming beach (day parking fee required). It only opens, however, after Avista closes the nearby downstream dam, which usually happens by mid-July. You can also hike or mountain bike on trails in the nearby Community Forest.

Amy McCaffree is special section editor and Out There Kids columnist. Her favorite summer recreation activities are stand-up paddling, kayaking, camping, and swimming with her husband and their two kids.

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Last month, the Riverside State Park Foundation proudly released the most complete and comprehensive trail map for Washington’s largest state park. Considering Riverside State Park occupies 9,194 acres along the Spokane and Little Spokane rivers, the demand for an accurate and thorough map has been enormous in recent years. The 18” x 24” inch map of Riverside features more detailed information about the four most popular areas on the back, including: the Equestrian Area, Bowl and Pitcher, Seven Mile, and Pine Bluff. 

According to the Foundation president, Lou Haymond, it took more than a year to accurately plot everything with the combined efforts of Park Staff, Foundation members, and a professional map cartographer. The map highlights hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian trails, but it also pinpoints special places for rock climbing, boat launches, camping sites and picturesque overlooks and includes trail numbers. New trail signs are also in the works at the park, with signs already going up in the 7-mile area. Map sales directly benefit Riverside State Park. The Foundation sells the map through Riverside State Park outlets and cooperating local retailers, such as REI and the Bike Hub. If you are interested in being a retail outlet for the map, please contact Lou Haymond via the Foundations website at Riversidestateparkfoundation.org. The Riverside map and signage project were made possible with the support of Avista and REI. 

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