BLOG #102. WINTER HIKES IN THE SCABS

HI READERS, HIKERS, SNOWSHOERS, AND ALL TYPES OF SKIERS
It’s sad that Winter isn’t happening as it should, but it can be a good thing, also.


West of Spokane is the Washington Channeled Scablands.
Often during late Winter early Spring, Winter is raging around Spokane, and the Scabs can be a shorts and t-shirt walk. But do always carry the gear to stay comfortable. The winds can be brutal. 


Below are places to survive the lack of Winter.


Please carry your 14 ESSENTIALS, and other personal gear to stay safe.
Arm yourself with Google Earth satellite views for reference once you get into the depth of these areas. Maps and brochures are a must.'


DO NOT FILTER AND STAY AWAY FROM ANY WATER OUT IN THE SCABS. THAT INCLUDES YOUR PETS.
 
Wear sturdy boots and BE AWARE, this is rattlesnake country.
Most likely, you won’t see any because it’s too cold. But with the weather we’ve been having, precaution is a must.
Avoid south facing rocks, brush, trees. If they are out, they are sunning themselves to get warm. They are cold blooded critters.
By using poles, you can probe areas you can’t see.
There are also shin guards made of plastic that will prevent snake bites.


No matter where you hike in the Scabs, do it safely, and carefully.
When you hike out there, discuss the route and landmarks with your companions, from the start of the hike, to the objective.
You may walk around a mesa, and have unfamiliar views.
I often use my poles to mark intersections, off trail walks, and the walk down to Towell Falls, with arrows back to the trailhead.
Make them obvious, large, and so you can’t miss them on the return hike.


Hiking in The Scabs require the skill to pay very close attention to your route and where you going and returning to.


Most these hikes are simple out and back hikes. But the Quincy Lakes area requires better Google Earth images.


Any where you hike, xc ski, snowshoe, etc. in Winter, be 100% able to spend the night. You never know what can happen. 
To read about the items and skills needed to hike, read our RESOURCES, HINTS, AND THE WEATHER SECTIONS.
And remember….KNOWLEDGE IS THE NUMBER 1 item on your checklist. Without KNOWLEDGE, you put your self and others in harms way.


All of the below hikes are on this local website.


Relatively Easy Hikes


EASY


STEAMBOAT ROCK
https://www.inlandnwroutes.com/steamboat-rock.html

Steamboat Rock is a mass of basalt that is 1 sq mile is size, and stands 700’ above the campgrounds. 
Once on top, walk either way around the elongated rock. Take a phone picture of where you summited the rock, so you are assured that it is your way down.
The views all around the rock are interesting geological features.


https://wenatcheeoutdoors.org/2022/11/21/steamboat-rock-its-not-a-rock/


Because the rock is basalt, I strongly suggest sturdy boots and hiking poles.


FISHTRAP LAKE
​https://www.inlandnwroutes.com/fishtrap-lake.html

FishTrap Lake is only about 25 miles west of Spokane, an offers an easy up to 6.5 mile hike around the lake. In some places, there are hooknose beaches, and pot holes to see. Waterfowl is very common here.




HAWK CREEK FALLS S.P.
https://www.inlandnwroutes.com/hawk-creek-falls-sp.html
As you drive to Hawk Falls, you may think it’s in a blah setting.
But that will change as soon as you turn off the Miles Creston Road N, and you see this waterfall you’ll be hooked. 
The slightly more difficult walk out to see the Columbia River, is worth the effort. Along the route are long beaches in Winter, several caves, and a small sand dune below a steep Cliff.




LENORE CAVES AND LAKE
https://www.inlandnwroutes.com/lake-lenore-caves--mesa.html
The walk to the caves are easy and interesting to see.
To extend your walk, look for a route above to the basalt cliffs.
Wander about on these mesas for views.




PALOUSE FALLS S.P.
https://www.inlandnwroutes.com/apps/search?q=Palouse+

The Palouse Falls are the official waterfalls of Washington State.
It can be viewed from several observation points along the rim.
But de aware…it is a very popular park to visit.
The falls drop 198’ into a spectacular plunge pool.




SUN LAKES S.P.
https://www.inlandnwroutes.com/dry-falls-sun-lakes-sp.html
This park offers many very interesting attractions.
Like the Cliff and plunge pool, of what was once the largest waterfall on earth. There are hikes down around the plunge pool lakes, and gigantic basalt mesas.
It’s also a full amenity campground.




TURNBULL NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
https://www.inlandnwroutes.com/turnbull-nwr.html
This area is a short distance west of Spokane and offers nice walking trails and wildlife viewing. Be sure to take your binoculars.
Many bird species migrate thru this area. And moose are seen there.






MODERATE HIKES


HOG CANYON FALLS
​https://www.inlandnwroutes.com/hog-canyon--falls.html
Real close to Spokane is a stair step waterfall named Hog Canyon.
Technically it’s part of the FishTrap lake,but requires a different area to walk to.
The falls drop seven times thru a narrow channel, and are best viewed from across an area where you first view the falls.






NORTHRUP CANYON
https://www.inlandnwroutes.com/northrup-canyon.html

This area was added to the Steamboat Rock S.P. years ago and are a must see.
It is a 7+ mile round trip hike with a gain of about 570’.
Once past the old homestead buildings, the trail climbs gently to where you get your first view of the lake.
I suggest you go off trail here and walk around the lake’s east side, and have lunch above the lake with a view.
Other interesting things to see are the largest tin can collection you’ll ever see. They are from the days the Grand Coulee Dam, where workers camped and had a mess hall. Fall colors are great here




ESCURE RANCH AND TOWELL FALLS
https://www.inlandnwroutes.com/escure-ranch.html

The first thing you notice driving into the parking area, is the unique farm buildings across Rock Creek.
While hiking here, walk over to the buildings and see how to build a building that will last many lifetimes


The hike to Towell Falls is only 3.2 miles one way, and drops 147’ point to point. But the trail undulates with a total of 530’ gain and lose
However, as you see the falls for the first time, MEMORIZE YOUR WAY DOWN TO THE FALLS.
When you leave to head back, KNOW YOUR PREVIOUS DESCENT ROUTE. It looks different from the falls.
In full runoff, there are 4 falls, but only two are continuous.




QUINCY LAKES & ANCIENT LAKES, DUSTY LAKE
https://www.inlandnwroutes.com/breezy-hill-ancient-and-dusty-lakes.html
These hikes are a bit more complicated, but well worth your time to see what makes this whole area a geological wonder.
And there’s several falls and lakes to photograph.
They are located NE of the GORGE AMPHITHEATER.








FRENCHMANS COULEE

https://www.inlandnwroutes.com/escure-ranch.html


For those who want to see some great scabland geology, this hike is for you. There are several lakes, and sometimes more than three waterfalls.
This hike is a must do.




Thank You all for a great year on our local website.




Chic           David




InlandNWRoutes.com