Spokane, WA

As if a perfect dichotomy of municipal Spokane, Ben Burr Trail really does show two sides of our city in perfect walking distance. On one side of the trail, you can see the north-side of the city sprawling out into the distance. Deep in the background you can see the plateau of 5-Mile and to the north-east you can observe the Spokane Valley and the foothills of the Rockies. The south side of the trail is a familiar Spokane trademark: basalt cliffs. At times the cliff can be seen towering 30 feet up into the adjoining neighborhood, Spokane’s exclusive South Hill. The trail is about a mile long, from the South Perry neighborhood to East Central, and takes only a short period of time to traverse. At either end (whichever way you choose to walk) you will find a park to rest, relax, or just enjoy the day.

I started my hike just off I-90, near the Liberty Park public pool on E 5th Ave and S Pittsburg st. As I learned, there are many ways to find this trail and walk it. You can also take S Arthur St to E 5th (if you’re heading north, take a left on 5th) and at the end of the road you’ll find an old brick building overlooking Liberty Park and I-90. Another alternative route takes you to Underhill Playfield, which is located on E Hartson Ave and S. Fiske St. However, if this route is taken be ready for one heck of a climb as the Ben Burr trail is on top of the hill. I am more the explorer type; I like the adventure of finding places I have never seen, so climbing for me is fun.

Interestingly, Ben Burr Trail is the remnant of an old trolly line that was in use in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It stretches through what once was the heart of suburban Spokane. Now it serves as a hiking trail, somewhat similar to the Centennial Trail along the Spokane River. There were bicyclists riding by me as I walked through the thick parts of the trail, and joggers enjoying the overcast. Halfway through the trail you find a place that is sandwiched between two cliffs, this must’ve been where they blasted with dynamite. Its more like a tube, really, and is full of all sorts of plants. When you get to Altamont St. you’ll find the bridge, which is enclosed in chain link.

Fresh tags are painted on the signs and the walls, to give it an added “city” touch. further, almost to Underhill, I found a place along the trail with a great abundance of vegetation: Horse-chestnut trees, lilacs, a pine tree canopy, various weeds and flowers. I took a rest here and veered off course a bit and wandered around. At one point I told a passer-by who I’d struck up a conversation with, “I could camp right here and be happy” as she responded, “So could I.” Unfortunately, there is no camping (Although I don’t think that anyone would really want to in that neighborhood). I reached Underhill Playfield about a half hour after starting the hike and looked over what was the hill that I used to sled down when I was younger. What was I thinking? That hill is very steep and very intimidating. There were still people walking up it, down it, through it and so on. I could see people playing baseball down in the park but was rather tired and sore from working the day before and would rather go back to the car and drive down to see what was going on. So I walked back down through the chain link bridge and the basalt tube and back to the pool at Liberty Park.

I looked up at the strange brick buildings and other old houses in awe. When you’re on Ben Burr trail, you’re not in Spokane. It has that quality to make you feel like you’re in a whole different city (or I’m far too used to the north-side). Whichever the case may be for me, if you haven’t walked that trail yet, go, and bring a friend, it really is a awesome little trail.