As it winds through part of the 1,233-acre Dishman Hills Conservation Area in south Spokane County, the Iller Creek trail offers some incredibly diverse hiking settings, from a cool forest stream valley, lush with vegetation, to rocky granite monoliths offering spectacular views of the rolling Palouse hills. The increasingly popular hiking trails, managed as part of the county parks system, are tucked away near a quiet residential area of Spokane Valley but are easily accessible from Dishman-Mica Road and I-90. Though the hike up the hill is fairly steep in some areas, the longer 5-mile loop that follows the Iller Creek bed on the way up is worth the climb for stunning views of the Palouse you’ll find upon making it to the top. Wildlife and native plant life abound along the trail. This time of year, the wildflowers are abundant and diverse, from deep blue cornflowers and vivid red Indian paintbrush blossoms to purple lupine. Birds and insects are continually visible and audible during this hike, but other wildlife — like moose and black bears — are often spotted in the area, too.
Visit DishmanHills.org for more information.
Day: Thursday, July 4
Time: 4:30-6:30 pm
Location: Iller Creek Unit of the Dishman Hills Conservation Area, 9001 E. Holman Rd., Spokane Valley
Temperature: 83 degrees
Elevation gain: 1,200 feet
Visibility: clear
Hiking Distance: 5 miles
Terrain: Easy to moderate; some steep trail segments during ascent
