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Base Camp
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- Statistics:
- Date Hiked: May 21, 2000
- Miles Hiked: 4.0
- Elevation Gain: Not
Applicable
- Hiking Partner(s): None
- Description:
- Dishman Hills Natural Area is
located smack dab in the middle of the Spokane Valley. Although
surrounded by the city, it is still a nice area to explore if you are
limited by time. It was in "100 Hikes", so I thought I'd
check it out.
- This was certainly not a
difficult stroll, and the trailhead area reminded me of the park near
the Liberty Lake hike. The 450 acres that the Dishman Hills
encompasses is criss crossed with several trails, some of them well
traveled and others very faint. I was under the impression that
the trailhead usually offers a map of the area, but I would recommend
getting the one off of the Dishman Hills website just to be sure.
Although it isn't a huge area and you are in the city, wrong turns and
backtracking is frustrating. I know from experience, and I even
had the website map.
- I began by heading south from
the parking area to the Enchanted Ravine. I took a look at the
"skull" and then went northwest towards the East and West
Ponds. I overshot the intersection to go to the ponds and ended up
at the northern boundary to the Dishman Hills Natural Area. I
returned back south and noted an arrow built of rocks pointing the way
to the ponds.
- The East Pond was bigger than
the West, but they were definitely ponds. After this, I continued
west past the ponds and then hung a left in search of the Lost
Ponds. After hitting a road at the end of one trail and then a terminus
at another, I crossed back over the center of the area and found myself
at the trail heading northwest towards the ponds. From here, I
backtracked the way I had begun my hike and was unsuccessful in finding
the Lost Ponds. I guess they are appropriately named.
- It was an ok walk for a lazy
Sunday or with the family, but serious hikers and backpackers looking
for the great outdoors may want to avoid this one.
- Maps:
- Not available for Washington.
- Photographs:
- Here is a shot of the "skull"
that watches over the Enchanted Ravine, I don't really get it.
- This was supposed to be a photo of Mount
Spokane, but it didn't turn out to well.
- Here is the East Pond.
I don't think I would have wanted to take a dip in it.
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