Mount Spokane State Park - Entrance Loop

Mount Spokane State Park’s Entrance Loop is often touted as a great introductory trail due to its relatively short distance at just 1.6 miles roundtrip. It starts just off the pavement at the first park trailhead beyond the ranger station, a shared trailhead with the bottom portion of Trail 110. The Entrance Loop is located on the east side of the main park road, and Trail 110 is accessed from the west side of the road.

This loop is best hiked counterclockwise. Despite the short distance for this loop, it is still considered at least somewhat moderate due to the way it climbs over 350 feet in the first half-mile, with some short sections approaching 15-20% grade.

Start by ascending Trail 122, then turn left at the junction with Trail 120. (Note: It is possible to turn right here instead and hike a short distance out-and-back on Trail 120, but this trail exits park property and enters Inland Empire Paper Company property after 0.7 mile.)

After continuing one-third of a mile on a relatively flat portion of Trail 120, turn left and head downhill on Trail 121 to complete the loop. (It is possible to continue uphill on Trail 120 to extend the hike. This portion of Trail 120 remains on park property following a former roadbed and eventually connects to the Lower Selkirk Trailhead.) Note that Trail 290 intersects and crosses the Entrance Loop on both Trail 122 and 121; this trail is a downhill-only mountain bike-specific trail, and therefore not open to hikers or equestrian use.

The Entrance Loop is perfect for someone looking for a short trail that provides a bit of a challenge through elevation gain. In the spring and fall, it is excellent for mushroom peeping. Spring also brings a carpet of wildflowers, with an abundance of arnica, Calypso orchid and wild ginger. Fall shows off the gorgeous changing colors of western larch and cottonwood along the route. In the summer, this is a great shady trail to escape the heat and enjoy the diverse forest. In the winter, the route is a short yet somewhat challenging snowshoe hike. Note that Trail 120 is groomed for snowmobile use when conditions allow, so snowshoe users might meet snowmobiles on that portion of the loop. Be sure to watch for western white pines along the route, including some of the largest specimens in the park.