The tip to the Mount Spokane Summit included taking the 130 trail to the CCC cabin and trail 131 to the summit. Beginning at the snowmobile parking lot, we were walked across the street to the 130 trail. This section of the trail was beautiful and snow-free with small breaks in the trees to peer out to the surrounding area. There were a couple creek crossing and the elevation gain was subtle. 

Eventually we made it to the CCC cabin. There was lots of history inside about the building of the trails, the cabin, and the civilians conservation corp. We signed the book and continued on. 

The 131 had some large patches of snow that were relatively slushy. My dog, Meatball, loved it. Tons of pikas running around the trail. The ski area section was relatively boring with lots of switchbacks below the ski lift. Elevation was gained quickly and once we saw the lift cabin, we knew we were close. The trail was simple to follow but in the wooded section 0.5miles from the top, the trail was covered in snow and we relied on the blue markers on the trees to find our way. 

Overall, good hike. I am hiking all 100 Classic Hikes of Washington and was more impressed than I thought I would be. Great views! 

The road was closed to motor vehicles.  

However, you can snowshoe or use microspikes along the road.

I didn’t go too far because it was getting late.

Beautiful day! I parked at snowmobile parking lot. I ran up trail 131, past Bald Knob, and connected to 130. These trails were in great shape. I walked around the CCC cabin and then continued up trail 140 to the summit of Mt. Spokane. The trail has some small patches of snow which will quickly melt with the heat we've been having. There were quite a few downed trees that I climbed over or had to traverse around. This would make any mountain biking down 140 difficult. At the summit, Ski Patrol was doing some work on the lifts. The views were stunning and clear all 360 degrees around. I came back down trail 140 and made the decision to return to the parking lot via trails 110 and 100. All bridges were in great shape. Wildflowers were blooming and it was a beautiful trail run! 

This is one of my favorite long snowshoe loops at Mount Spokane State Park. Today my friend & I started at the Lower Kit Carson Loop Road TH at the hairpin turn; it also works well to start from the Lower Selkirk SnoPark lot if the hairpin turn lot is packed.

There was another group leaving the parking lot as we started, but they headed toward Smith Gap and the Snowshoe Warming Hut, so we had first tracks up trail 110. This trail received a lot of traffic yesterday so the trail was fairly well packed down under a couple of inches of fresh snow that fell overnight. 

At Saddle Junction we continued up trail 140 through fresh untracked powder that might not have seen snowshoers yet this season it was so deep. We only took 140 as far as the CCC cabin, then turned off to take trail 130 toward Bald Knob Picnic Area. I fully expected the area would have been busy but we still had fresh snow all the way across trail 130 and most of the way down trail 131, at which point we met a handful of groups just starting up the hill. 

Once we got to the Lower Selkirk SnoPark Lot and turned off for trail 100, we were back to first tracks in deep powder. It was just gorgeous, and we didn't see another person until we were less than a mile from returning to the car.

Total distance on this one was just shy of 7 miles with 1500' elevation gain, making it an excellent route for a little more distance and challenge, including some lightly visited trails. 

It’s always great to hike to the Mt Spokane Summit, but it is best to do it BEFORE the summit road opens. Earning the summit with your feet before anyone can drive there ensures you can enjoy uncrowded spectacular views. The road usually opens in mid-June so head up soon. We hiked in on the Day Road and then up 140 from Smith Gap to the Summit. On June 1, there was still some snow and muddy stream crossings, but there will be less every day. There are also a few down trees to negotiate, but that’s all just part of the fun. From our starting point, it was 15 miles round trip and 2800 feet of elevation gain. There are several spots to park along the main road that can shorten the hike, but you still gotta climb. It can be a leg burner. Happy Trails!