Mount Spokane State Park - Upper Trail 140, Mount Spokane State Park - Quartz Mountain — Friday, Jul. 3, 2009

Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene

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.