Fish Lake Trail

Overview

• Length: 9 miles out and 9 miles back.  Of course, you can turn around any time you like.
• Change in Elevation: Outbound, it gradually rises around 263 feet over the 9 mile stretch.
• My Route Trace
• Full description on TrailLink website

History

Purchased by the City of Spokane from the Union Pacific Railroad, the Fish Lake Trail heads south out of West Spokane, through the Latah Valley.  It is a beautiful, fully paved path through wooded areas, paralleling and crossing live railways now operated by Burlington Northern.  It is in an area known as the Funnel, due to the amount of rail traffic that passes through.  It is a gradual uphill ride on the way out, only about 1/2 percent grade, but having the benefit of going down on the way back.

Commentary

Interestingly, it does not yet reach Fish Lake.  It currently stops about 1 1/2 miles shy, at Queen Lucas Lake.  Funds are being raised to complete the route, joining the Columbia Plateau Trail, extending to Cheney and beyond.

But what a joy.  This brought out some of what I had hoped to experience while rail trailing - riding through areas that would not otherwise be accessible - and having a few encounters with trains along the way.

View from the parking lot at the trail head, with bathrooms and a water fountain.  Unfortunately, the bathrooms were locked - but there was a porta-potty.  I'll try to find out the seasons and times of bathroom availability.

Paved all the way, and with mile markers.

Live rails to the left and to the right.

A cool looking old building.

The one-and-only tunnel - all of about 100 feet long - just before the Marshall (Scribner Road) trail head.

Arriving at Queen Lucas Lake.

Wait! There's a train.

End-of-the-line, for now.  Now to enjoy the downhill run back to the start.