Cycling the Palouse - Centennial Trail

Weather on the Palouse is warming and my mileage is increasing.  The last two days out on the bike have witnessed a change in my normal cycling routine.  Rather than heading out to the south and onto the Palouse, I ventured north in a 36 mile loop primarily following the Centennial Trail along the Spokane River.

Trail follows Spokane River

One highlight of this route is that once I drop down off the South Hill, the next 24 miles is along a protected, cycling/pedestrian paved trail.  Ah, the tranquility of no vehicle traffic once I reach the urban trailhead.  Sometimes, though, reaching this tranquil path is a complicated affair.  

Another highlight of this route includes a near aerial view of the Bowl and Pitcher rock formations jutting out from the riverbed in Riverside State Park.  Beautiful scenery among the bluffs, rock outcroppings, and big skies.

Bowl and Pitcher in the distance

Birdseye view of the park and river

Basalt outcroppings with river below

While this section of the trail is open for many of the miles crossed, the trail is protected by towering basalt rimrock.  With little traffic and nary a cloud, this is a serene place.

Trail and river recede into the distance

Basalt bluffs above the trail

After completing the 21 mile section along the river, it is back into the city as I wind my way through the downtown park.  With construction underway in both the park and one of the downtown bridges, a few detours must be negotiated before popping back out east of the downtown corridor to begin the six mile climb back home.

Lower Spokane Falls

Riverfront Park

One very welcome addition to the downtown skyline is the completion of a suspension bridge that crosses over the many railroad tracks that cut through the city center.  With the completion of this structure, one big complication for navigating from downtown to the South Hill has been eliminated.  Hooray!

Pedestrian/bicycle suspension bridge

Distance Traveled: 36.47 miles.

Elevation Gain: 2,101 feet.

To add a splash of summer color, the lilies are in bloom in the garden.