Looking to get into the great outdoors but not sure where to start? The Tribune newsroom has you covered. Here are six local hiking spots to scratch your outdoor-loving itch. These are some of our favorite spots to go, and we hope you’ll love them as much as we do.
Rachel Sun pick: East Moscow Mountain
The East Moscow Mountain hike is a down-and-back trail with a somewhat steep uphill on a logging trail, with some impressive views of the Palouse on your way up and plenty of little streams and trees along the way. Hikers can get some shade from trees on the western slope of the mountain in the afternoon, and the upper portion of the trail is largely shaded.
Where the hike is located and how to get there: Driving from Moscow, go east on Sixth Street, then turn right on Mountain View Road. Take a left on Joseph Street, then take the third exit at the traffic circle to go left on Robinson Park Road. Drive 4 miles and take a right onto Robinson Park Road, then another 5.8 miles and a left onto Hatter Creek Road. Drive 4 more miles, and you’ll reach the Tamarack Road Hiking Path parking area where the trail begins.
Length of hike: 4.1 miles
Difficulty level: 2.5 out of 5
What makes it great: Once you get to the top, you’re rewarded with a gorgeous view of the Palouse and distant landmarks including the Wallowas, Seven Devils and Paradise Ridge.
Amenities: A picnic table off the path near the top of the trail is the perfect spot for those who want to take their time and have a meal before heading back down the mountain.
Insider information: Partway up the trail, you’ll find a little pool with an overhanging log carved into a seat that’s perfect for sitting and cooling off your feet on a hot day.
Agency or organization that operates it: Mostly private timber land, but open for recreation during the day.
Eric’s Barker pick: Asotin Creek Trail
A roughly 30-minute drive from the town of Asotin, the Asotin Creek Trail is easily accessible for residents of the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley. You may spot other hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians on the multiple-use trail. Plenty of Ponderosa Pines offer some shade to hikers, and it’s not unusual to see wildlife such as bighorn sheep, deer and elk.
As with many locations in the L-C Valley, be aware of the potential for snakes — especially if you plan to hike with children or pets. Bears and cougars are in that country, but you’re unlikely to see them.
Where the hike is located and how to get there: From Asotin, follow Asotin Creek Road. Bear right to stay on Asotin Creek Road at the junction with Cloverland Road, stay on the road another 12 miles. Turn left again to stay on Asotin Creek Road, and the parking area will be on the left.
Length of hike: 21.4 miles
Difficulty level: 2.5 out of 5 “I think two or three. You can make it as hard as you want by how far you go and how hard you go, but it’s got a good grade.” — Eric Barker
What makes it great: “The Asotin Creek Trail is relatively close to home, but it really has more of a remote feel. It’s in a kind of a basalt canyon that’s typical of southwestern Washington. Asotin Creek and its North Fork have a lot of water in it. So you’re always hiking near and along a running creek, sometimes raging, in the spring.”— Eric Barker
Amenities: N/A
Insider information: The trail will be hot in the summer, so if you’re sensitive to heat you may want to go in the spring or fall. A lot of people also hike the trail during the winter. The road will be gated during the wintertime, as the area is winter ground for elk. However, hikers can still use the area. You’ll just need to park behind the gate and hike up to the trailhead.
Agency or organization that operates it: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Rachel Sun pick: Idler’s Rest
Idler’s rest is a perfect spot for someone looking to enjoy some quiet time outdoors without too big a commitment. The trail offers a nice variety of views with grassy Palouse slopes and more heavily forested areas. It’s not too challenging aside from a few muddy or slippery areas depending on the season, and trees keep much of the trail comfortably shaded.
Where the hike is located and how to get there: From Moscow, drive east on Sixth Street and take the third exit at the traffic circle to go left on Mountain View Road. Follow for 3.5 miles, then take a right on Idler’s Rest Road. Drive 2.3 miles more, and the parking area will be on the left.
Length of hike: 1.3 miles
Difficulty level: 2 out of 5
What makes it great: This hike is relatively easy, accessible and shaded, making it an ideal choice for a quick summertime outing (though it’s also beautiful year-round). Depending on the season, you can spot wildflowers in addition to forest, ferns, lichens and other woodland delights. It’s friendly to children and leashed dogs.
Amenities: Accessible restrooms available
Insider information: This spot is popular and easily accessible,but still offers some solitude if you aren’t going during peak hours.
Agency or organization that operates it: Palouse Land Trust
Elaine Williams pick: Redbird Creek Trail
The Redbird Creek Trail is another great pick for L-C Valley locals, roughly 30 minutes from Lewiston. This trail offers a variety of views, lots of birds and vibrant colors in the fall.
Where the hike is located and how to get there: From south Lewiston, follow Tammany Creek Road and bear right at the junction onto Waha Road. Drive another 7.8 miles, then turn right onto Red Bird Road and follow until you reach the trailhead.
Length of hike: 10.3 miles
Difficulty level: 3.5 out of 5
What makes it great: “Every curve, there’s just something different and unexpected. There’s really, really lush green glades. There’s a creek that runs to the Snake River, which is at the bottom of the trail, and there are views of the Snake River that you see as the trail curves heading toward the river. I hiked it in the fall and there were lots of really, really vibrant red leaves on some of the trees and bushes along the sides of the canyon. You really feel like you’re just immersed in nature. It’s just a really unexpected, beautiful place, really close to civilization.” — Elaine Williams
Amenities: N/A
Insider information: Hikers describe this as a “shoulder season” hike because of heat, bugs and snakes. Visitors should also be aware of a healthy tick population in the area and plan accordingly if they’re going when the insects are active (think: long pants, light colors, tucked clothing.)
Agency or organization that operates it: Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Kaylee Brewster’s pick: Hells Gate State Park
Hells Gate State Park offers a wide range of hikes at all levels of difficulty, with maps available online and in the main parking area.
Where the hike is located and how to get there: Parking area at 5100 Hells Gate Road in Lewiston
Length of hike: Hells Gate’s multiple trails make it a “choose your adventure” style hiking experience – but there are trail loops ranging from 3.2 to 5.2 miles.
Difficulty level: Wide range
What makes it great: “You can take the trails up on top of this hill and look out over the Waha Mountains and the river, and you can take trails along the river. There’s a trail that goes along the edge of the river where you can see the basalt columns. It’s one of the reasons why I like it. You can take different trails depending on how you’re feeling.” — Kaylee Brewster
Amenities: Outhouse and garbage cans in parking lot
Insider information: Fall, winter and spring are the best times to hike the park — just watch out for mud.
“Some of the most beautiful times that I have gone are in the fall because sometimes if you get it just right, the hills are still a little bit green and there’s sometimes mist that comes down and kind of gives it a cool aesthetic when you’re hiking around.” — Kaylee Brewster
Agency or organization that operates it: Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation
Rachel Sun pick: Kamiak Butte State Park
Kamiak Butte offers a couple of trails, the most popular being the 3.5-mile Pine Ridge trail. Hikers also have the option to climb to the summit. The Pine Ridge Loop hike includes some moderate uphill, followed by a walk across the ridge then back down. The ridge offers a beautiful view of the Palouse, though it gets a bit hot in the summer. Leashed dogs are welcome in most of the park except the West End Primitive Trail.
Where the hike is located and how to get there: Located just a nine-minute drive from the small town of Palouse, Wash., drivers will take a right off of Washington Highway 27 S/Moscow Road onto Clear Creek Road, and continue onto Fugate Road before turning left onto Kamiak Butte Park Road, and follow to the parking area.
Length of hike: 3.5 miles for Pine Ridge trail, total of 5 miles of trail at the park including newer west end primitive trail and the shorter Sunset Trail that will take about 30 minutes to complete.
Difficulty level: 2.5 out of 5
What makes it great: Kamiak Butte marries some gorgeous Palouse landscape and wildflowers with the beauty of ponderosa pines, douglas fir and western larch, and offers a selection of trails that range from 30 minutes to about two hours.
Amenities: Kamiak Butte has a great variety of amenities including restrooms, picnic tables, multiple shelters, an amphitheater, eight camping spots and even a playground, making it a great choice for family gatherings.
Insider information: If you go in the spring, you can see a variety of wildflowers blooming on the hillside when you reach the ridge.
Agency or organization that operates it: Whitman County Parks & Recreation Department