Dishman Hills, Big Rock, Rocks of Sharon, Tower Mountain, Iller Creek...
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The rocks at the top of the ridge a noted destination area for serious climbers, but the lower portions can be explored carefully by most
anyone. This is also a frequent stop for mountain biking enthusiasts, and there are always people hiking and trail running all through the area - including winter when snow shoes come in handy. If you are familiar with geocaching, rest assured that there are treasures to be found here as well.
If you are looking for the shortest route to the top, you will want to access the southern trailhead off the Palouse Highway. The route from this side is known as "Rocks of Sharon" and leaves from the Stevens Creek Trailhead, which is found at the end of the road by the same name that leaves from the Palouse Highway mid way between Spokane's south hill and the town of Valleyford. From here the trail to the rocks are about 1.25 miles each way, with 600 feet of elevation gain. This side of the mountain is south facing, so it is a little drier and warmer than the route to the north - Iller Creek.
If you start on the Iller creek side, most of the hike is in mature forest on the north facing slope so that the hike will be cool even in the warmer months of the summer. It will also be a longer hike of about 2.5 miles each way, with 1200 feet of elevation gain. Besides the cooler temps on this side, an additional benefit of going from the north is that the wider variety of trails gives you the option to do it as a loop. The trail leaving the parking area on Holman Road starts up the creek on the west side at a gentle climb. You reach the first fork at about a mile, and from here you bear right as the climb becomes a bit more serious. Before long you reach an old fire road and hang a left, and at this point the climb moderates again. Eventually you will come to another intersection with a clear sign, and at this point you take a right turn and follow that trail all the way to the top at a moderate climb. When you reach the "top", you will soon realize that there is not one, but many rock features to be found up high. The trails follows the ridge and lets you explore each one in turn, then bears left and starts losing elevation as you head back towards your vehicle - but not the way you came. After you descend a short ways you will come to a sign giving you two options. Head left along an old fire road back to the sign I mentioned to make it a lollipop route, or stay right and descend along the ridge that separates Iller Creek from Dishman Mica road to get expansive views of the Spokane Valley. This second option eventually goes west off the ridge in a series of switchbacks so that you end up right back at the parking lot.
If you go, a more detailed map can be found on the Dishman Hills Conservancy's website here that includes directions to both trailheads.
anyone. This is also a frequent stop for mountain biking enthusiasts, and there are always people hiking and trail running all through the area - including winter when snow shoes come in handy. If you are familiar with geocaching, rest assured that there are treasures to be found here as well.
If you are looking for the shortest route to the top, you will want to access the southern trailhead off the Palouse Highway. The route from this side is known as "Rocks of Sharon" and leaves from the Stevens Creek Trailhead, which is found at the end of the road by the same name that leaves from the Palouse Highway mid way between Spokane's south hill and the town of Valleyford. From here the trail to the rocks are about 1.25 miles each way, with 600 feet of elevation gain. This side of the mountain is south facing, so it is a little drier and warmer than the route to the north - Iller Creek.
If you start on the Iller creek side, most of the hike is in mature forest on the north facing slope so that the hike will be cool even in the warmer months of the summer. It will also be a longer hike of about 2.5 miles each way, with 1200 feet of elevation gain. Besides the cooler temps on this side, an additional benefit of going from the north is that the wider variety of trails gives you the option to do it as a loop. The trail leaving the parking area on Holman Road starts up the creek on the west side at a gentle climb. You reach the first fork at about a mile, and from here you bear right as the climb becomes a bit more serious. Before long you reach an old fire road and hang a left, and at this point the climb moderates again. Eventually you will come to another intersection with a clear sign, and at this point you take a right turn and follow that trail all the way to the top at a moderate climb. When you reach the "top", you will soon realize that there is not one, but many rock features to be found up high. The trails follows the ridge and lets you explore each one in turn, then bears left and starts losing elevation as you head back towards your vehicle - but not the way you came. After you descend a short ways you will come to a sign giving you two options. Head left along an old fire road back to the sign I mentioned to make it a lollipop route, or stay right and descend along the ridge that separates Iller Creek from Dishman Mica road to get expansive views of the Spokane Valley. This second option eventually goes west off the ridge in a series of switchbacks so that you end up right back at the parking lot.
If you go, a more detailed map can be found on the Dishman Hills Conservancy's website here that includes directions to both trailheads.
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If mountain biking is your thing, my favorite ride is to do the lower portion of this loop but in the opposite direction. As you leave the parking lot go immediately left at the porta-potty, crossing the creek (culvert) almost immediately and then starting up. It is a pretty substantial climb in places as you switchback to gain the ridge. Once on the ridge you will have great views off both side and a short reprieve from the most strenuous climbing, but you'll still be working hard. Soon you will leave the brushy portion of the ridge and enter the tree line, and at least the sun isn't on you anymore. You will continue climbing at a moderate level with one steeper section, then come to an intersection. Going left is a hard climb to the Rocks of Sharon, but I suggest going right. You will be on a flowy section of old fire road that mostly contours the hillside but with some fun up and down and a few small creek crossings. Stay right at the next intersection and shortly thereafter the trail will veer right and off the old road, leading to a steeper downhill that is a little technical in places. You are now going down the Iller Creek drainage and you just keep going down and down and picking up speed. In places you'll find some water diversions that you can jump but don't get too carried away because there is lots of foot traffic on this trail at times. For an idea of what this route is like, check out the video to the right.
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