Usually a people-free alternative to more popular hikes in the area.
I parked at the Homestead Valley Trailhead, hiked east a short way on the Palouse to Cascades Trail, then ascended the Change Creek Trail to Change Peak. Descended via the Great Wall Trail and the Mt. Washington trail. From the time you leave the Palouse to Cascades Trail, to the time you pick up the Mt. Washington Trail hours later, you are unlikely to see anyone, even on a beautiful Saturday like this. This is surprising given the quality of the scenery.
A couple of notes on the route: 1) Ascending the Change Creek Trail, you will eventually come to a creek crossing and a small sign with an arrow pointing to the right, saying "Pond/Mt. WA". Please do not use this silly bootleg trail. There is no advantage to it. Instead, cross the creek and plow straight ahead on the roadbed. The way looks brushy, but the worst of it has been cut by nameless volunteers, and it goes pretty easy. In a mere 15 minutes or so, you will emerge where construction of the Olallie Trail abruptly stopped. From here you just continue up the Ollalie Trail. 2) The top end of the Great Wall Trail is currently unmarked. Look for it less than a mile after descending from the high point high on a shouldeer of Change Peak. Alternately, just stay on the Olallie Trail until it intersects the Mt. Washington Trail. (The Great Wall Trail is much prettier, though. Full disclosure: I helped build it some 40 years ago. Or, if doing the loop the other way, the Great Wall Trail is very conspicuously signed where it splits off from the Mt. Washington Trail.)
All in all, a great and lonesome conditioner hike with excellent scenery.
3000' gain, aprrox. 9 miles.
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