For todays outdoor activities, I opted to check out Palisades Park on the west side of Spokane. It is an easy drive to get to and an easy hike. A group called the Friends of Palisades Park supports the city’s efforts to preserve and improve this site.
At the top of the bluffs, a small parking lot servicing the site is located up Greenwood Road from Government Way. There is overflow parking across the road.
Palisades Park is a natural area owned and managed by Spokane, the second largest city in Washington and is located on the edge of a bluff overlooking the city.
This hike is mostly about enjoying the city views and the views of the surrounding region. The main trail is an old scenic road that runs right along the edge of the bluffs for about a mile and a half. The first part of the hike has extensive views towards the east overlooking downtown.
The old park drive is no longer open to vehicles. Being flat and having a good surface makes it for easy walking or bicycling.
After a turn towards the west the view changes. Now you’re overlooking north Spokane and Spokane Falls community College. The brick buildings below are remnants of old Fort Wright. Across the valley snow capped Mount Spokane is a local landmark. This is the final week of ski season up there.
Looking down the bluff I saw one of those ubiquitous abandoned vehicles that seem be be in all the natural areas around the city. At least this one has an interesting paint job.
It is the beginning of wildflower season here. Only a couple of varieties are in bloom so far.
A mile and a half in I came to the end of the old park road and a promise of more access and trails in the near future. I see they have plans for an extension to be built by “others”.
It looked like “others” have been busy. I followed this beginning of a trail for a few hundred feet before it ended.
Returning the way I came I had a nice city view with a bend of the Spokane River included. Just across the river at the top of the river band I could clearly see the Spokane River Centennial Trail. In the far distance is Mica Peak Idaho, AKA Signal Point.
I did come across a couple of these guys trying to hitch a ride (and get a free meal). I guess it’s officially tick season in the Inland Northwest. At least this only lasts a couple of weeks, not like Florida were it’s 365 days a year.
The old park road crossed over a small seasonal creek on this arch. It made for a pretty view. In a couple of weeks it should be dry.
Inland from the bluff side of the old park road, the vegetation was mostly an open Ponderosa pine forest interspaced with seasonal wetland ponds.
After walking three miles I made it back to the trailhead crossed Greenwood Road and took a non-descript trail down into Indian Canyon, another natural area owned and maintained by the City of Spokane’s Parks Department.
Indian Canyon has a trail system. The highlight of this natural area is Mystic Falls at the bottom of a narrow steep canyon.
The view from the top is limited and finding a way to the base was a challenge.
It took a couple of tries I finally found a way. The base of the falls was kind of crowded and after a couple of minutes I wanted to get the heck out of there. One lady insisted on standing right in front of the falls preventing anyone from getting a good photo of it for the longest time.
From the canyon, I made my way back to the top of the buff through an open pine forest with scattered basalt boulders.
Palisades Park and Indian Canyon combined make for a nice place to explore. The contrast between the natural areas and the nearby cityscape is a change a pace from most of my outdoor adventures.
