Fishtrap Lake - Scroggie Loop, Folsom Farm - Smick Meadows — Wednesday, Jun. 4, 2025

This was the perfect de-stress mini-adventure during a busy week! Trailkat & I made plans to each head directly to Folsom Farm after work to meet up for the shortest/easiest backpack trip in the Spokane area. I came directly from a meeting downtown & "backpacked" in to our chosen campsite while still wearing my work clothes (which this time meant a dress for a meeting instead of grubbies for trailwork!). I only felt slightly silly hoisting my oversized backpack (how do I need so much gear for a single night out? I pack less for a BCRT) in a dress and sandals. We hiked in as far as the wetland overlook for optimal wetland viewing. We were also hoping for some northern lights, but alas, we were too late for that, having missed the main show last weekend. Still, this is gorgeous and easy and generally fairly easy to fit in, even mid-week like this. In the morning we enjoyed leisurely coffee and birdsong, then headed over to the Scroggie Loop to look for wildflowers. It's getting close to the end of the best flower season, especially with 90+ temperatures in the upcoming forecast, but we found plenty of flowers still in bloom! There are some flowers on the Scroggie Loop that I don't recall ever seeing on the main Fishtrap trails. I found one tick on my sock when I got home & Trailkat later reported finding two, so they are out there but not too bad. Then I hustled home in time for lunch and my afternoon meetings. Who says you can't squeeze in a backpack trip during a busy work week? :)