I decided to try a snowshoe hike on this foggy day. From the main SnoPark lot at the bottom of trail 130, I started with snowshoes strapped to the outside of my pack, where they remained until I was above Bald Knob. There isn't much snow left, and what is there is melting fast with daytime temps staying in the 40s and even 50s. In the open area above Bald Knob, the snow is soft and I started postholing, so I put my snowshoes on my feet. Within 300' or so I found a large bare patch, so I took them off again. Then in another 300' or so, another section of soft snow where snowshoes were required. Then back to bare ground. I think this will be my last "snowshoe" hike for awhile. At the top I walked up to check out Vista House, and discovered that the concession shop is closed for the season. The ski concession itself was closed for much of the week, but I could see that it was open again for the weekend, despite giant bare patches around chair three. Chair one is closed. From the top I started down trail 140, then left the trail for awhile to wander around on the back side. Here the snowshoes were necessary, although I was postholing even with snowshoes in some spots. The bare patches are mostly confined to the tree wells, where bear grass and huckleberry bushes are already visible. I found fresh deer tracks at approximately the 5,300' level. The snow is going fast, so the ungulates are returning to the high country. I rejoined the trail and removed the snowshoes for the final time, choosing to follow the summit road between Cook's Cabin and Bald Knob, picking up snowmobile trash (and pieces!) as I hiked out. I'm not quite ready to say goodbye to winter (especially considering how few times I've used my alpine ski pass!), so I hope this is a temporary warm spell with a little more winter yet to come.

The road up to the parking lot is snow free. Trail from parking lot to the summit was well packed and snowshoes weren't necessary, but we used them anyways. We started out on Trail #130 but once we arrive at Bald Knob we paralleled Chair #1 to the top. Trek to the summit was fairly easy, the snow was a combination of compact with a top layer of slush (where it was sunny) and crusty with powder below (in the woods). The Vista House was open at the top and we sat outside and had a celebratory beer before heading back. ^_^

Parked in the lower parking lot, and headed off onto the snowshoe trails. Went to 2 different warming huts. we went about 6 miles. Great day to be out.

Mount Spokane State Park is a mecca of trails of all types; hiking, biking, horse, and in the winter, it is a full fledged nordic park. Today, we decided to check out Quartz Mountain and the Lookout at the top. Several years ago, this lookout was moved here from another location and now serves as guest quarters that can be reserved - it has a couple of beds, a gas stove, table and chairs, fire pit and restroom outside - it is LOADED! My wife and I cannot wait to reserve a nights' stay soon! The trails on this part of the park are incredibly well marked and maintained due to the heavy use from snowshoe'ers and x-country skiers during winter, but it is pretty quiet in the summer and there were few people out. The views from the top are awesome, a complete panorama of the Spokane-area and all the lakes and mountains. It makes for a awesome short trip of about 5 miles in a loop. That leaves plenty of time to hit up another trail in the park, have lunch at the top of Mt Spokane, or whatever your fancy.

I decided to start the new year off on the right foot by going for an evening snowshoe all around Mt. Spokane State Park and over the summit before returning to my car. I estimate the mountain has recieved a little over 3 feet of new snow in the past few weeks. Trail 130 from the Snowmobile Parking lot led up to the Bald Knob Summer Picnic Area and then over to the CCC Lodge. There were no other hikers or snowmobilers out that night so I took trail 135 to the summit of Mt. Spokane and decended the mountain just to the west of the B-29 ski run, making sure to not interfere with the groomed runs. Then back to the Bald Knob area and the car. The views of Spokane, the Spokane Valley, and Colbert were quite amazing.