Driving up to the mountain today, I was struck by how green it is almost all the way up to the lodge!  Spring is here in force, but there’s still enough snow gracing the runs to squeeze in some last minute winter activities.

Last Saturday, I decided to try something new and borrowed a pair of snowshoes from one of my co-workers.  Standing at Lodge 1 looking up, I proclaimed it “not that far” of a hike up to the Vista House.  I threw on some snowboard boots, strapped on my snowshoes, and set out on my trek.  It was a gorgeous day out, but I will be the first to tell you I gained a new appreciation for the view from the top of Mt. Spokane!

After plotting the best approach, I finally decided to head straight up No Alibi.  While I have ridden up Chair 1 countless times, I savored that first glimpse of the Vista House like never before after snowshoeing over an hour to the top.  Upon my arrival at the peak, I was of course obliged to get out my camera and document my feat.  After my long journey up, it was a quick jaunt down (while I attempted the ’slide-on-your-rear’ technique, I found it predominantly unsuccessful and just walked down…it took less than 20 minutes!).

There’s no better time than the Spring and Summer months to get out and explore Mt. Spokane!  Everything looks new again when you’re hiking or biking rather than skiing.  There’s old CCC cabins all over the mountain, a fire lookout on top of Quartz Peak, and the remains of the grand, historic original lodge that burnt down in 1952.  Once we hit June/July, there’s even a road all the way up to the Vista House, so if you get a chance, venture up here, it’s well worth it!

The Vista House

My hard earned view from the top!

Have you heard the rumors & rumblings about the possibility of building a new lodge at Mt. Spokane to replace the outdated & outgrown Lodge 2?

Well, the rumors are indeed true - plans are in the works to build a new four-season day-use facility at Mt. Spokane.  The proposed lodge would be sized to accomodate our current needs, and would be available for year-round recreation, including skiing & snowboarding in the winter, and concerts, weddings, conference & meeting facilities, a State Park interpretive center, hiking, biking, and more in the spring, summer, and fall months.

However, we need your help to make the new lodge a reality in the coming years.  We are asking the WA State legislature for financial assistance with this project.  There are indeed stimulus funds for projects just like this - which show an immediate need, can get started right away, and bring income and expanded economic benefit to the surrounding community.  Besides the increased State Park concession rent and income tax brought in, the new facility would generate increased revenue and provide many new local jobs.

Please help us get the word out to our legislators that we need a new lodge at Mt. Spokane.  You can sign up for the new lodge email newsletter on our website to stay informed of progress and receive letters to send to legislators, or copy & paste the emails below to a new email.  Our legislators are working for us - let’s tell them what we want!

Please address your emails to:

brown.lisa@leg.wa.gov
wood.alex@leg.wa.gov
ormsby.timm@leg.wa.gov
marr.chris@leg.wa.gov
mccaslin.bob@leg.wa.gov
crouse.larry@leg.wa.gov
shea.matt@leg.wa.gov
driscoll.john@leg.wa.gov
parker.kevin@leg.wa.gov
morton.bob@leg.wa.gov
kretz.joel@leg.wa.gov
schoesler.mark@leg.wa.gov
cox.don@leg.wa.gov
schmick.joe@leg.wa.gov

And please contact Governor Gregiore at:

Christine Gregoire
Washington State Governor
P.O. Box 40002
Olympia, WA 98504-0002
360-902-4111

Thank-you in advance for your emails, as well as your continued support.