Mount Spokane Three-Peaks Dayhike

Check it out

Distance: 15 miles

Difficulty: Moderately difficult

Hiking time: 5-8 hours

Season: Late June through October

Maps: USGS Mount Spokane, Mount Kit Carson plus Mount Spokane Multi-Use Trails Map

Info: Mount Spokane State Park, 238-4258.

Hiking trip notes:

Access: Approach Mount Spokane State Park on Highway 206 (Mount Spokane Park Drive) Spokane Road, accessible from north Spokane off U.S. Highway 2, or from Interstate 90 in the Spokane Valley by heading north on Argonne Road. Road construction this summer may require visitors to leave vehicles near Resort at Mount Spokane and then walk or bike 1/2 mile past park headquarters to trailhead near portable outhouse on left side of road. If so, add 1 mile to trip length.

Attractions: Route links three scenic peak vistas on west side of 13,821-acre Mount Spokane State Park. Full trip is great endurance workout for climbers, backpackers or other athletes. Options allow hikers to shorten hike to one or two peaks or explore farther on park trail system.

Featured route gains and loses more than 3,100 feet elevation while hiking from open meadows to dark, old-growth timber. Wildflowers in dozens of varieties flourish along trails, also thimbleberries and huckleberries in some areas. Route passes picnic spots with outhouses, crosses several creeks before leading back to parking area.

Hazards: High-speed mountain bikes encountered on some trail sections, notably Trail 110. Variable weather.

Comments: Trail signage improving but still not perfect. Some trails unmarked. Park open 6:30 a.m. to dusk.

Bring PLENTY of water. Only potable source in area at CCC shelter. Also carry rain gear and extra clothing for mountain weather that changes quickly.

From start of Trail 110, head uphill 1-3/4 miles on single and double track to picnic area. Trail 110 crosses Mount Kit Carson Loop Road (closed to motor vehicles). Head uphill 1/4 mile and turn left on Trail 100. Go 1/4 mile and bear right, continuing on Trail 110. Very pleasant uphill walking for more than 1-1/2 miles, but such a nice trail encourages high-speed biking. Beware.

At major trail junction, turn left and head uphill on Trail 115 (fire road) then turn right onto Trail 130. (NOTE: Trails 115 and the portion of 170 northeast of Mount Kit Carson are scheduled for closure and rerouting to correct erosion problems. Meanwhile, use following route.)

To bag Mount Kit Carson, go 1/3 mile on Trail 130 then turn left on Trail 170 for 1/2-mile hike to the summit outcropping.

Had enough? Retrace route back to trailhead for a hike of 9 miles round-trip.

Want more? Backtrack on Trail 170 to junction and head left (northwest) on Trail 130. Route leads through timber before heading up pleasantly through lush grass and lupine to rock outcroppings at summit of Day Mountain.

Two peaks down; one big one to go. Backtrack, staying on Trail 130 to Trail 115 (fire road). Turn left and head down short way to junction with road (labeled as Trail 130). Cross road onto Trail 135, which leads 1-1/2 miles to rock Vista House at top of Mount Spokane. Yippee! From here, it’s mostly downhill.

Backtrack on Trail 135 to junction and turn left on road. Walk about 1/2 to CCC Shelter site. Water available. Just below cabin, Trail 130 is single track that parallel’s below paved Summit Road and heads 1 mile east to Bald Knob picnic area.

Cross Summit Road and look for Trail 130 below Bald Knob picnic area. Hike 1 mile down, passing equipment shed, to junction with Summit Road. Turn right, crossing Summit Road to start of Trail 100. This route leads 1-1/2 miles back to junction with Trail 110. Deja vu. You’re back on familiar terrain. Go 2 miles, passing picnic area again, back to trailhead.