Once we were ready to get going, Zosia and I walked back along the resort access road for about 400 metres before joining a track under a telephone line which runs parallel to the road.  It took us about 30 minutes to reach the start of the snowmobile track, and from there, we enjoyed an easy climb up to a campground at Bald Knob, a sub-peak of Mount Spokane.  Instead of continuing along the snowmobile track which makes several unnecessarily long switchbacks beyond Bald Knob, we decided to simply make a beeline for the summit and climb straight up the south slope.  Upon reaching the summit plateau, we traversed to the north end in hopes of warming up at the historic Vista House, but unfortunately, it was not open to the public on this day.  We took a quick break here anyway, but the frosty temperatures soon prompted us to get moving again.

The ski down the resort's runs was fairly straightforward, and we had no problems finding our way back to Lodge #1 to complete our loop.  As it turned out, this was a fairly quick ski tour, but the discussions about where and when we could skin up, the parking considerations and preliminary scouting all made it seem like a much longer day.  Happy to put Mount Spokane and Washington with all its associated recreational permit bullsh*t red tape behind us, Zosia and I happily headed back to Canada through bureaucracy-free Idaho later that evening.

	Dawn arrives in eastern Washington. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	The ski resort's designated uphill route goes straight up this black diamond run.  Unfortunately (or fortunately) for Sonny, the time allowed for skinning up here has expired. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Zosia skis along the side of the resort access road.  The track under the telephone line is just across the road.
	Sonny steps into his skis after crossing the road. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	The track under the telephone line is easy to follow.
	The upper part of Mount Spokane comes into view as Zosia skins up the snowmobile track.
	Zosia takes a detour to the top of Bald Knob (1562 metres), a named sub-peak of Mount Spokane.

Zosia climbs the upper mountain.

 

	Zosia passes some snow-covered trees.
	Zosia skis across the broad summit plateau of Mount Spokane (1799 metres).
	Sonny approaches Vista House located near the north end of the summit plateau. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak

Zosia arrives at Vista House which was built in 1933 and renovated in 2002.  It is only open to the public on weekends and holidays.

 

The second level on the north side of Vista House was meant to be a fire lookout tower. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak

Sonny grins in anticipation of the easy ski down.  In the distance at right is Rathdrum Mountain which is on the Idaho side of the state border.

Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak

 

	Zosia skis down Spokane Mountain.
	Total Distance:  8.4 kilometres Round-Trip Time:  3 hours 16 minutes Net Elevation Gain:  494 metres GPX Data