I'll start off by saying that I originally had planned on doing the Trail 25 & 410 loop, but I ended up just wandering around creating my own loop instead, but I know I for sure was on 25 and the Deep Creek Canyon Trail at some point!

I lived in Spokane for four years and I never explored this area; I'm so mad at myself for not taking advantage of this beautiful park while I lived closer! I think I'll be finding excuses to wander around here anytime I'm visiting family or friends while in town :)

I arrived at the Riverside State Park Ranger Station around 10:45 am and there was one spot left for me to park (most of the parking is reserved for park employees). There is more parking down Carlson Road, and I should have just parked there, but I had already committed and walked on the road until I got to the Centennial Trail.

From there...I just stated wandering around, and it was lovely! I wanted to check out the Deep Creek Overlook, but the first trail that leads up to it from Centennial Trail (after you cross the bridge) is closed for restoration. I walked a little further down and went up N State Park Drive, as that will also take you to the overlook. Lovely views of the river and the canyon, and a great place to have a snack! 

I continued on N State Park Drive until I ran into Trail 25 and decided to loop back to Centennial Trail that way. This was probably my favorite part of the trail, as you get to walk through the canyon, and an awesome basalt field! 

With the weird loop I made I ended up just under 4.5 miles. I can't wait to come back and see more of this beautiful park!

Great extremely accessible trail. It is blacktop paved and very wide. Highly recommended for a nice bike ride, family outing or walk for people with stability or mobility problems.  This is 100% wheelchair friendly.  There are benches all along the route for frequent rests.

We entered Centennial Trail from the Carlson Road trailhead. It is about 1 mile to the Deep Creek Canyon overlook and about 350ft gain. Optional (and I will probably do this next time) - there is a trail that branches off of Centennial Trail just west of the Deep Creek bridge.  It appears to follow the creek up the canyon and I may just follow that next time.

The park service had just recently resurfaced and regraded the gravel parking lot, so there were no issues at the trailhead. All of the trails that we hiked in the vicinity were in good shape, with no tread issues or tree blockage. There's a new pit toilet just past the gate, which was a nice surprise; get it while it's fresh!

With the current unseasonably warm and dry weather, the creek is completely dry (see pic), so there are no issues using Trail 25 immediately north of the trailhead to cross over towards Trail 411.

The early season flowers are starting to bloom in patches and the arrowleaf balsamroot is starting to shoot upwards; their blooms will happen in a couple of weeks.

The cutoff trail from near the bridge at the mouth of Deep Creek to near the outlook is closed for erosion control. You can still just follow the roads instead.

Enjoyed watching the birds. I especially enjoyed the turkey vultures (Featherless red heads brown hawk like bodies) hunting along the canyon walls.