Road trip guide: Conquering Mount Spokane in Washington
Mount Spokane is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.785m (5,856ft) above the sea level, located in Spokane County, in the U.S. state of Washington.
Located northeast of Spokane, within the Mount Spokane State Park, one of the largest of Washington’s State Parks, the road to the summit is totally paved but the last few miles are a bit rough. It’s called Summit Road. The road to the top was constructed by Francis H. Cook in 1912.
Tucked away in the Selkirk Mountains, the summit is crowned with communication towers. The mountain has been called Mount Carlton and Mount Baldy and got its name in 1912. It’s the highest point in Spokane County and the top is worth a visit. Enjoy spectacular vistas and wildlife on the road to the summit and you’ll take in views of Idaho, Montana and Canada. Keep an eye out for deer as they cross the road often.
The road to the summit is generally open from mid-June through mid-October. The drive is pretty steep. Starting from Mt Spokane Park Drive, the ascent is 6.43km (4.0 miles) long. Over this distance the elevation gain is 406 meters. The average gradient is 6.31%.