Spokane: Bear Creek to Tucannon River Basin
Hike 7.8 miles round-trip into a river gorge chiseled into the Blue Mountains, an ecologically diverse uplift traversed by Lewis & Clark two centuries ago.
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-Mapped by Galen Williams
Trail Facts
- Distance: 6.4
Waypoints
BER001
Location: 46.1865196228027, -117.560203552246
Near Hunter Springs, descend SSW on dusty, narrow track
BER002
Location: 46.1786804199219, -117.560699462891
Knee-buckling 8% grade; see cross-canyon vista S to Jelly Springs, one of many natural Blue Mtn. springs here
BER003
Location: 46.1760711669922, -117.561096191406
Pass under pines in the 1.4-million-acre Umatilla NF. Lewis & Clark explored this vast region in 1805; part of their route became the Oregon Trail
BER004
Location: 46.1741600036621, -117.561798095703
Songbirds busily flutter and sing in the limbs above
BER005
Location: 46.1717185974121, -117.560302734375
Trail opens @ clearing; S canyon walls grow taller
BER006
Location: 46.1702194213867, -117.560600280762
R @ Y. This park is home to a large herd of elk (listen for bugles in fall)
BER007
Location: 46.1685905456543, -117.559761047363
Tucannon River comes into view below
BER008
Location: 46.1676216125488, -117.559303283691
Trail leads to Tucannon River; this shady section may be 5–10 degrees colder than @ trailhead. Keep extra layer handy
BER009
Location: 46.1678314208984, -117.560699462891
Turn R to follow Tucannon River downstream
BER010
Location: 46.1724510192871, -117.570602416992
Nearby stream drowns out your footsteps; stay on established trail
BER011
Location: 46.1759796142578, -117.578498840332
Optional campsite 20 feet above river banks; continue NW
BER012
Location: 46.1812705993652, -117.591697692871
Delightful campsite just E of Ruchert Camp near river. Return to car