This is a really nice hike being so close to the Valley. If you want a direct route to the summit, be sure to either take the seemingly overgrown path literally on the left of the map and information sign at the trailhead OR take the first left you can onto what looks like a jeep trail. If you stay on the horseback trail, you're hike to summit will be much further out of the way. Not too long thereafter turning left onto the jeep trail, you have to put in the hard work for taking a direct trail to the summit. You run into two consecutive moderately steep portions. Once completed, you run back into the primary (horseback) trail. From, there you don't have long until you reach the final climb to the summit. This is also moderately steep. Nearing the top you get the best views of the valley to the south-you can see everything from Liberty Lake Regional Park to the Dishman natural area. At the summit, the views to the north were a bit disappointing as your complete view of Mount Spokane is somewhat obscured by another peak to the north. I went in the evening so it was too blinding to get much of a view to the west. If you want to take the same direct way down, remember to bear right back onto the jeep trail when the horseback trail takes a curve to the left. (Sorry my directions aren't more specific than that. If you haven't done the hike before, let the map on the Spokane County website be your guide) From, there it can be a little confusing to determine which trail is one you took up the mountain, but any trail will do. Keep moving east down the ridge but be careful because it is steep and these trails are much more overgrown. Eventually, you get to a clearing and hook back up with the jeep trail and not much longer after that you see the horseback trail and sign about the pond. You hang a right and return to the trailhead. I feel like this area is a best kept secret of the Spokane area for hiking. I've been out twice and only have only seen horseback riders, no hikers. If you want a moderate grade hike with some great views that won't take you all day, this is perfect. It didn't take much more than 2 hours to complete the journey and that was with spending about 15 minutes at the summit. And with the proximity to Spokane Valley, this hike is a win-win.

Trail was a little muddy but as temperatures reached 55 degrees this wasn't surprising. Great little hike and the view from the top is lovely. There are a handful of side trails that don't seem to go very far and a trail at the summit that heads further east than we were able to go. Lovely view at the top.