Volunteer hike docent, Rick Hosmer, will lead a hike at Antoine Peak on Saturday, March 23 starting at 10:30 am. Rick has been hiking and enjoying the outdoors since his childhood exploring the central Cascade Range with his dad and grandfather. Backpacking trips on his path to becoming an Eagle Scout, led to an interest in mountaineering and rock climbing. He has ascended most of the Cascade volcanoes and scrambled to the tops of many peaks throughout the Pacific Northwest.
The Antoine Peak Conservation Area consists of 1,296 acres of conservation land and offers fantastic views overlooking Liberty Lake, the Spokane Valley, and north to Mount Spokane and the Selkirk Range. The trail system consists of old logging roads converted to trails and newly constructed single track.
The area is home to numerous wildlife and plant species, including pileated woodpeckers, red-tail hawks, white-tailed deer, moose, and elk. The locally rare Pacific Yew is also known to be on the peak, so we can keep our eye out for that.
We’ll be hiking the “Summit Trail” to the top of the peak (3,374′), so there’s about 775 feet of elevation gain in a couple of miles. We’ll take it easy, with view breaks as needed. There are big views from the trail and at the top of the peak. After this hike, whenever you drive through the Spokane Valley you’ll look to the north and think “I’ve been up there!”
Dress for the weather, with appropriate foot ware (trail shoes, hiking boots, or waterproof boots, depending on snow conditions and temperatures). Wear layers, a hat, and gloves/mittens, and bring a backpack to carry things in as you shed layers while hiking. Microspikes and trekking or ski poles are helpful if the trail is icy/snowy, or if you like the additional stability.
Bring water, or a Thermos of something hot to drink, along with snacks, as we’ll have lunch at the top. Binoculars, a camera, and a map and compass (not required) are fun to have along to identify what you can view from the top. This is great hike for wildlife and to learn about our unique Spokane-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer and the path of the Ice Age Floods.
When: Saturday, March 23rd starting at 10:30 am
Where: Antoine Peak
15501 E Brevier Road
Spokane, WA 99212
United States
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