Woke up a little early today so figured I would load the pup up and head out to the familiar Bowl & Pitcher. I've been to this park several times in the past but never for a legitimate hike really. It was a beautiful 34 degrees outside, light wind, and a blanket of snow on top of everything. The park is really easy to get to and the roads are all in pretty decent shape on the way there. There are TONS of pull off areas with little trails that are all worth checking out at some point. I decided to start where most people do today though, at the swinging bridge. "Swinging" is a little bit of an overstatement but you can definitely feel a little movement especially when the wind is blowing. I always love the Spokane River in the winter time. You can sense how brisk the water is just by how it moves and it adds a sort of serene feeling to the whole area. I did see some deer down near the water as well. They didn't seem to be afraid of me at all really, just kept their distance. Keep in mind in the summer months this place can sometimes become somewhat overcrowded with people. But if you're willing to walk for a while you can definitely find some decent spots. I would recommend this hike to anyone looking for a solid day hike of just about any kind. Happy trails!

Compact snow on most parts of trail which is slippery if not wearing appropriate footwear (recommend some shoe spikes or walking sticks to make it easier on yourself). However, its not hard to navigate and the river views are breathtaking with the snow around!

This was a Saturday run starting from the Bowl and Pitcher to the TJ Meenoch bridge then back and past the BP'er area a few miles but not quite to the air strip. Woooo the trails were runnable! But I use that term lightly. The snow was very hard packed so sinking in wasn't an issue but on the other hand there were very few flat, level foothold areas. Any trees that were near the trails tended to be accompanied by 5-15 feet of ice patch under them from snow melt off of branches. Good tractioned trail shoes/boots would be recommended at a minimum, ice spikes if you have them! I can't say it's exceptionally beautiful right now...so much snow covering everything! But being along the river, seeing all the deer tracks and occasional ducks swimming around is cool in its own way.

My dog and I introduced a friend to Riverside State Park. We started at the bridge by Bowl and Pitcher, heading north on trail 25, but taking the left fork on 211(?) gently climbing toward the Centennial Trail. The weather was cool and pleasant. We continued along the paved Centennial trail to the point where trail 25 nears it by a rail fence. We crossed over and turned back on trail 25 along the river. As we continued, snow began blowing around us and collecting on the dog and the trail. Hiking was never a problem in the snow, and it was a delight to see.

Trail 25, Centennial Trail and Trail 211 loop from Bowl and Pitcher. I hiked this 7 mile loop with my favorite hiking buddy on a cool September day. I would not recommend it on a hot day, as several miles are exposed and dry. From Bowl and Pitcher, I crossed the bridge and headed north (right) on trail 25, heading toward the river wherever there was a junction. After about a mile and half, where the trail comes near the paved Centennial trail, I turned back on that for about a half mile to trail 211, which heads west (right) near the vault bathroom. Trail 211 heads across an old burn and up a hill to another section of Trail 25. Turning left or south on this piece of trail 25, I hiked along the lowest shelf below the basalt cliff. After a while, the trail climbs a couple of times to an old railroad grade, complete with the foundation of an old signal tower. After a bit at this elevation, the trail drops down and parallels the road near the Bowl and Pitcher Overlook. I crossed the road near the junction with the road to the horse corral. Following the signs for Trail 25, and in one place guessing as I left a parking area, (head for the little brown building and follow the road beside it after giving the dog water from the attached faucet), I found my way back to the river. I walked along the river, enjoying the fall colors reflected in the calm water until I reached the bridge back to my car.