Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kirt Runolfson on December 1, 2010 at 10:06am

If you haven't tried the Dishman Hills Natural Area, I would suggest giving it a go. Head South toward Eagle Peak for a nice little snowshoe trip and decent views. Nimbus Knob has nice views as well and is closer to some of the trailheads.

 

Here is a decent map of the area: http://www.dnr.wa.gov/Publications/eng_rms_dish_both.pdf

Permalink Reply by Tony Baird on December 1, 2010 at 10:37am

Hey this is great. I thought that there was something in that area but I'd just never looked into it.

Can't wait to check it out.

thanks Kirt

Permalink Reply by Gary M. Peterson Photographer on December 1, 2010 at 10:53am

You may want to check out Riverside State Park, in the Bowl and Pitcher area...gorgeous.

Permalink Reply by Todd Hulett on December 1, 2010 at 11:26am

The little Spokane natural area has some nice spots. The golf courses can be nice also. Especially at night.

Permalink Reply by Kimbo May on December 2, 2010 at 4:21pm

Tony, good question to stir up answers for those who may not know...

Anywhere that we ride Mountain Bikes in the area works well.  As mentioned, Riverside St. Park, Dishman Hills (no Bikes in the natural area), High Drive, Beacon Hill aka the Minnehaha Park area.   Indian Canyon across from the Golf course also has a trail system.  You can also look to the Liberty Lake and  Newman Lake areas they have small parks - I can't remember the names of them though.  Sorry for the lack of details.  I have seen all manner of wild animals in these places so be aware of moose and cougar.  I am not trying to be alarmist but they are out there and can pose a danger.  Of course this is all depends on the snow not melting at lower elevations! 

 

Higher elevation areas could include Canfield butte and the Mineral Ridge and Caribou Ridge areas near Cd'A.  There are some steep and more technical spots there however.

 

Cheers!

Permalink Reply by Sophie Dufrasnes on January 4, 2011 at 10:02pm

Tony,

there is the www.meetup.com website that has two hiking/snowshoeing/skiing etc groups in there

Its free to join, I went on many of their outings. If you want to know more, email me at

SophieSellsSpokane@yahoo.com or go to their website and put in Spokane. There are may groups

available. Its International. Good Luck.

Permalink Reply by Sophie Dufrasnes on January 24, 2011 at 11:58pm

The meetup  group is going to Lake Gilette on february 5th.

Permalink Reply by Joe Larsen on February 9, 2011 at 8:32am

I've wanted to go snowshoeing for the last two winter seasons, where is a good place to get quality gear for a reasonable price?

Permalink Reply by Tony Baird on February 10, 2011 at 4:00pm

Yeah, Joseph is right. Check out either Mountain Gear or REI. And for a beginner it's pretty simple stuff. There's only a couple kinds of setups and most people start with the all around 'recreational' shoes anyway. Unless your first trip will be backpacking up the side of a mountain, I wouldn't worry too much.

But get out there and try for sure, it's great exercise and tons of fun.

 

tb

Permalink Reply by Robert L Kennedy on March 1, 2011 at 9:43am

A good place to start might be a guided trip with Spokane City Parks. You get a chance to experience it before you buy, and you can talk to a guide about equipment and not worry about someone trying to up-sell you.

 

I went on the Lake Gillette trip and we had a blast, video here.

Permalink Reply by Tom Clark on March 1, 2011 at 1:22pm

Great advice Robert....  I'm going to put it on my bucket list for next winter.

Permalink Reply by Kirt Runolfson on February 9, 2011 at 2:35pm

Joseph,

 

The Mountain Gear guys do tend to know their stuff and to sell good equipment. There are other shops that sell snow shoes such as REI, but it tends to be a little more hit or miss to get somebody to ask you the right questions to help you determine which would be the best items for you.

 

-Kirt