Ben Burr Trail

Overview

• Length: One mile out and one mile back, consisting of gravel and dirt.
• Change in elevation: about 100 feet up as you head east from Liberty Park.
• Full description on TrailLink website.
• I didn't get a good GPS tracking, so here's a link to a similar output.

History

This is just a short section of what was once the expansive Spokane and Inland Empire Railroad, which was an electric interurban passenger line set up in 1904.  It joined various Spokane neighborhoods and reached as far as Coeur d'Alene and Pullman.  You can find a brief history here.

Commentary

Rich in history, this is a wonderful neighborhood trail.  Although for such a short ride, it's really best if you live nearby.  It currently consists of gravel and dirt.  For a number of years now, there has been an effort by the city to pave it and join it to the Spokane Centennial Trail, but this has not been a popular idea with the locals.

Access Points

• I do not recommend the west trail head, as shown on the TrailLink website.  This is due to the abundance of broken glass throughout the parking lot and trail entrance.  And it does not seem to be the official start of the trail - it's more like a trail leading to the trail.
• Instead, I suggest the trail entrance on the east side of Liberty Park, parking in the lot at Pittsburg and 5th, just north of the Aquatic Center.
• You can also enter the trail at the S 800 block of Altamont, heading up a ramp to the east.
• And if you're coming from the east, you can park at Underhill Park on south Fisk.  But you'll have to head up the hill to find the trail.

Photos

On Pittsburg, with the parking lot on the right, looking to the trail head to the South.

As you head up the hill, stay to the far left to enter the trail.

Rail corridor carved through the rock.

Looking north from a clearing in the trail.

The trestle across Altamont Street.

East of the trestle, there's a short stretch of dirt.

Although is it documented that the trail ends at Underhill park, it appears that the only access is to leave the trial and go down this hill to the park.

The mail trail ends at Hills Court, a street accessible from Thor on the east.

As you approach the Altamont trestle from the East, you have street access to Altamont straight ahead, and a stairway to 9th street to the left.