Plan Beezley

Plan Beezley for MTBers

By Aaron Theisen

Plan Beezley for Hikers

IT’S COLD and the low point in a long, high-pressure system, the kind of doldrums that make winter months stretch on forever. The air in Spokane is stagnant, and the temperature is at that not-so-sweet spot where both the snow and singletrack are sticky. Meanwhile, I’m sweating onto sagebrush and sandy singletrack under full sun and 55-degree temperatures. At Beezley Hill, on the edge of Ephrata in central Washington, it’s T-shirt weather—as long as the wind isn’t blowing.

Mention Beezley Hill to local mountain bikers and it often draws blank stares, bemused looks, or mutterings of backpocket plans to get there “one of these days.” Although only two hours west of Spokane, Beezley is probably better known to westside bikers as an easy destination for dry riding during their lengthy rainy season. Last season, it became one of my "in case of emergency, break glass" riding spots when I just couldn't handle the weather. But as much as Beezley makes an attractive choice when there are few available, it’s got legit riding in its own right.

Wiping the sweat from my eyes as I pedal up the 3-mile Tower Road, which accesses the top of the trail system, I take a look at my surroundings. Beezley Hill stakes out the easternmost edge of the greater Beezley Hills, a 25-mile wide subrange of small, sagebrush-clad foothills in the Columbia Plateau. Look at a topographical map of the area, and the Beezley Hills look like the scalloped back of a prehistoric crustacean. That’s fitting for an area formed by cataclysmic flooding.

The Beezley Hills formed the northern barrier to the ice age Missoula Floods that scoured central Washington. To the west of City of Ephrata-owned Beezley Hills Recreation Area, Beezley Hills Preserve protects another swath of sagebrush steppe from development, part of a 30,000-acre remnant of native sagebrush and grassland that used to cover two-thrids of the state.

A little over 20 miles of singletrack wind through Beezley Hill Recreation Area, most of it built with bikes in mind. With smooth, swoopy turns and low-angle pedaling, the trails favor XC flavor; the long-running annual Beezley Burn cross-country race in April is the unofficial kick-off to the Northwest racing season, but beyond that event the trail system is an ideal spot to stack up late-season miles or shake off early-season cobwebs (and calories).

Leaving the Tower Road, I pedal up the long curves of Buckrabbit and Snake Charmer, onto the rocky, pedal-biting tech of Bipolar. From the top, I get a look out over the interior of the Beezley Hills, where a sea of sagebrush stretches west as far as the eye can see. Before wheatfields and wind turbines, the entire skyline would have looked this way.

But Rainier beckons. The original line is a two-directional XC line in keeping with the flowy flavor of its neighbors, but I take the alternate line, an expert-level DH trail. A 6-foot, cribbed-rock drop gets things off to a sporty start before the track settles into a series of long, fast straightaways that make quick work of the steep-walled draw. At the bottom, sidehills and side hits shunt me out into the flats near the trailhead. I head back for more.

The sun sets, and the temperatures quickly drop. It’s no longer T-shirt weather. But as quickly as the central Washington warmth disappears, the light lingers, the dusk light taking its time leaking out of the wide-open central Washington sky.

This time I descend Lazy Boy, Beezley’s best-known trail, relatively speaking. Fast rocky turns drop into a series of waterslidelike catch berms near the bottom. Jumps constructed from old pallets and sheets of plywood test my low-light vision, and songbirds flushed from the understory test my jump-scare reflexes.

With sagebrush reflecting the last light of dusk like roadside signs, I navigate without headlights back to the trailhead, already planning my next trip. Beezley has become plan A. //

Aaron Theisen is an outdoors writer and photographer whose work has appeared in Freehub, Backpacker, Powder, DirtRag, Delta SKY magazine, and elsewhere. He wrote about public lands scenic drives in the September/October issue.

THE GOOD THING

about hiking somewhere flat is that it doesn’t take long to get a view. While there are various places to walk in Ephrata—the gravel service road next to the town’s canal, the paved activity trail near the airport, or one of many gravel roads just outside town—Beezley Hill is where it’s at for hikers and walkers alike.

Beezley offers a variety of trails and destinations, so it’s great for hikers who want to go long on winding single-track through the sagebrush or for hikers who want a gentle route. Beezley Hill is also dog friendly, but pups should stay on leash throughout the hike, as the hill is shared with mountain bikers.

For a beginner-level hike, follow the gravel service road that starts at the Beezley trailhead and gently curves to the top of the hill, where you’ll find a seasonal light display. For a short hike with the family, walk this same gravel road but stop about a third of the way up the hill at the Autism Ribbon. You’ll be able to look out over the City of Ephrata from this landmark, a monument dedicated to Autism awareness that lights up at night. If you’re hiking with a dog, this spot will include a dog water faucet (with taller ones for people, too). Bring a picnic or just relax on one of the benches at this ribbon area and soak up the scene of a town where the highest structure is a grain silo.

Whether you choose a wide, gravel path or narrower route, you’ll catch a great view in just a short distance. Deciduous trees in the community flare bright in fall hues, and you’ll be able to spot town features like the high school track and baseball fields. The canal, low this time of year, stretches from the coulee of Soap Lake, through the town, and to the south. To the southeast, on a clear day, you can see the first few buildings of Moses Lake, a town that’s 20 miles away. Since most of the natural flora of the Columbia Basin reaches no higher than

6 FALL & EARLY WINTER SPOKANE &

CDA HIKES By Seth Marlin

Plan Beezley for Hikers

By Lisa Laughlin

your waist, you’ll be able to look over a huge expanse of land, beautiful in desert shades of gold, taupe, and sage.

After you’ve enjoyed the view, you can continue on singletrack along the ridge of Beezley to two tower locations. As Beezley is an exposed and treeless location, hike prepared for fall elements such as strong wind and rainstorms. As you walk, you may see desert wildlife like rabbits, coyotes, quail, rattlesnakes, or mule deer. There will be several branching singletrack routes that you can take to hike on the middle of the hill or lower on the hill near the canal. Check out the options at the trailhead kiosk before you start to pick the route best for you.

While there’s enough trail on Beezley to stretch your legs for a day, there are other hiking options just outside of town. Hike a loop around Soap Lake, explore the Lake Lenore Caves, or head south to the Ancient Lakes area. Each of these hikes will be located near natural water and showcase the unique mix of basalt, grassland, and scrub brush that make up the plateaus and valleys of the Columbia Basin. //

Lisa Laughlin grew up in Ephrata and now works as a freelance writer in Spokane. EVEN WITH SHORTER DAYS and falling temperatures, the Spokane region is rich in natural beauty, and whether you’re looking for vibrant colors, or more of a winter-wonderland atmosphere, there’s something for every hiking aficionado. Here are a few of my favorite local late-season hikes.

JAMES P. SLAVIN CONSERVATION AREA – Nature Park Loop – 2.4 miles Located just south of Spokane, this trail covers a range of landscapes, from forests to wetlands to prairie. Birdwatchers can glimpse a range migrating wildfowl, including Canada geese and sandhill cranes, and the wide-open horizon captures the sweeping grandeur of the neighboring Palouse. A great trail for older hikers and families with kids.

ANTOINE PEAK CONSERVATION AREA – Antoine Peak Loop – 4.8 miles This trail takes hikers up through dense woodlands, culminating in views of the Dishman Hills, Mount Spokane, Mica Peak, and even northern Idaho. Deer sightings are common this time of year, and the summit of this trail offers a visual feast of snowcapped hills and autumn hues. A must for any hiker craving a bit of solitude.

MOUNT SPOKANE STATE PARK – Trail 120 Loop – 2.5 miles Hidden in the shadow of Mount Spokane, this hike is more approachable than some others in the area, though trekking poles and good footwear are still recommended. This trail boasts old growth stands of western larch, whose needles turn gold in the fall, bathing the understory in a dreamy light. Coupled with amazing views of Mt. Kit Carson, this hike is bright, brilliant, and perfect for sunny days. This hike may turn into a snowshoe depending on the fall weather. Trail 120 starts across the road from Bear Creek Lodge. A fee is charged by the lodge owner for parking.

TURNBULL NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE – Pine Lake / Headquarters Loop – 1.7 miles Situated just east of Cheney, a 20-minute drive from Spokane, Turnbull boasts an extensive network of trails that are well maintained and relatively level, with a broad array of natural wonders to behold. Of particular note is Winslow Pool—a major visual feature of the park, a survey site for Eastern Washington’s Biology department, and a haven for amateur birdwatchers.

COLUMBIA PLATEAU TRAIL – Cheney to Fish Lake – 7.6 miles (out and back) Though easily the longest of the trails on this list, it is also one of the most approachable. This hike is part of the Columbia Plateau Trail, which spans 130 miles from Pasco to Cheney, covering much of the south-central part of the state. Its key features include well-paved and bike-friendly paths, numerous scientific displays detailing the regions geological history, and a serene view of Fish Lake.

COEUR D’ALENE – Tubbs Hill Main Trail – 2.5 miles While a common misconception holds that the best hikes lie far off the path, many lie tantalizingly close to town. Tubbs Hill, for just one example, presents an appealing option for hikers in Spokane or North Idaho alike. Situated on 130 acres of public land, Tubbs Hill is a popular woodland oasis in the heart of downtown Coeur d’Alene. It boasts well marked trails, accessible terrain, and stone’s-throw proximity to Coeur d’Alene’s numerous dining and shopping opportunities. Best of all, wintertime hikers will find no more stunning view of Lake Coeur d’Alene and its surrounding forests than on a crisp winter morning or in the midst of a gentle snowfall. //