Fish Lake Trail:
Washington
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Description:
This scenic trail passes through open forest and uplands and is uphill from Spokane to Fish Lake. The trail is now paved for more than 7 miles from the trailhead south Govenment Way in Spokane to the vicinity of Marshall. The City of Spokane owns the corridor and is working to complete the trail which needs to cross active rail lines near Marshall.

Trail users can access the trail at the trailhead one block south of the intersection of Government and Sunset, where a new 23 spot parking lot and restrooms are available.

Continuing southeast beyond the pavement, the route is rough again and a short stretch is essentially closed until safety and ownership issues can be resolved where the trail twice crosses live rail lines.

At the south end the trail connects to the Columbia Plateau trail and is paved for an additional 3.75 miles on its way into Turnbill National Wildlife Refuge and on to the Snake River.
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Parking & Trail Access:
Parking is available at the Fish Lake Trailhead, however this portion of the trail is rough and crosses active rail lines. A new 23 space parking lot and restrooms are available in Spokane 1 block south of the intersection of Government and Sunset..
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Reviews: [3 trail ratings]
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Fish Lake Revisited
By toolbear in September, 2010
Fish Lake Revisited

9.17.2010

What a change from last season. Then it was all construction and gravel and confusion at the north end. Poor TrailBear was wandering about, looking for the trail. No trail to be found. He couldn't find it at Fish Lake (not there yet) and he couldn't find it at the north end. There were some bits in the middle, under construction.

Today, between rain showers, he got in a ride. Even had sunshine.

Now you can now ride about 7.3 miles of excellent blacktop from a new trailhead in Spokane - where the tracks cross overhead - down to Marshall where the trail currently ends where the S. Scribner Rd. crosses the right of way.

The trail is a gentle incline up to Marshall, where it ends at an information kiosk on Scribner Rd. Ahead are the NO NO signs and the locked right of way leading to Fish Lake Trailhead. That is for Phase III. Go up to the Cheney Rd and use the wide shoulders to get down to Fish Lake and connect to the Columbia Plateau Trail and points south.

Fish Lake is a fun ride. The trail is set high on the side of the valley with good views and lined with pines. Active RR lines above and below keep things stimulating. Occasional benches are found in the first four miles. The older pavement in Marshall is showing transverse cracks.

It looked like there is some after work action. As TB headed back, there were more riders coming down to Marshall.

Ride on!

TrailBear
In the pines


FISH LAKE TRAIL - Where is the rest of it? Read on.
By toolbear in August, 2010
Closing the gap in the Fish Lake Trail from Marshall down to Fish Lake is in the works. It is Phase III of the project and probably the most expensive part.

This article might be of interest...




In the meantime, they really would like you to ride the road from Marshall down to Fish Lake to avoid riling the RRs by crossing their right of way. There is enough shoulder that even the TrailBear will ride it.

Ride on!

TrailBear
Admiring that fine looking blacktop trail.
Great trail
By spokey8 in August, 2010
Rode the trail today for the first time. First off, bring your camera. the scenery if wonderful. Started at the trailhead just off of Sunset and Govt. way. The trailhead there is excellent with plenty of parking, facilities and water. Be sure to carry lots of water if you are riding on a hot day, as there are many areas where there is no shade. The pavement is in excellent condition and is quite suitable for road bikes as well as mountain bikes. The slope is very gradual from Spokane to Scribner. On a mountain bike with smooth tires I was able to maintain 12.5 mph. The section of the trail starting at Scribner seems closed. I would recommend going to the right and taking the Spokane Cheney road at this point. You will encounter one pretty good hill on the Spokane Cheney road within a mile of getting on the road. Slow going up but quite fast coming down. Be watching for the Fish Lake exit on your left. There will be an old shovel tractor at the turn off (can't miss it). It holds a sign for a restaurant. If you need to cool off, go down to the lake and take a dip at the beach. The beach is somewhat small, but then, so is the lake. Very pretty scenery. The trailheads all along this trail are excellent with clean restrooms. The section of trail from Fish lake to the Cheney trailhead is also very nice pavement, and the slope is still very manageable for riders of all levels. Once you get to the Cheney trailhead you can turn right and go down the Cheney Spangle road to Cheney. Cheney will be a short ride down this road, and you can find food and water readily in Cheney. If you choose to keep going on the Columbia Plateau Trail, it turns to gravel at the Cheney trailhead, and roadbikes will not work.
Overall I loved the ride and the trail. I would not take kids on the Cheney Spokane road, as large trucks are going up and down the road quite often. Great trail for beginners or the experienced.
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