BOU AVENUE
Beacon Hill
Anticipating rainy weather on 11 April 2026, Zosia Zgolak and I chose to do a short hike up Beacon Hill located in the northeastern outskirts of Spokane, Washington.  The hill is popular with local walkers and bikers and is crisscrossed by numerous trails and roads.  There are several different trailheads providing easy access, and we would start our hike from the one to the southeast in John H. Shields Park (47.68725, -117.32630) along Upriver Drive.

Despite ample signage, the maze of trails here can be a bit confusing to navigate, and Zosia and I relied heavily on the map in my phone's GPS application to find the most efficient way up to the top of Beacon Hill.  The forested slopes here hide a surprising number of rugged rock outcrops and is apparently a popular spot (better known to climbers as "Minnehaha Rocks") for bouldering and rock climbing.  The high point appeared to be on a large pile of rocks situated amidst numerous buildings and antennas which clutter the top, but we found better views (though still marred by power lines) toward the south side of the summit plateau.

For our descent, Zosia and I took a different route down the hill just for some variety.  We might have gone off-trail in a few places, but given how crazy some mountain biking trails are, it can be difficult sometimes to tell the difference.  Ultimately, we reconnected with our up-track very close to the trailhead, and our timing was impeccable as rain began to fall just as we reached our parked car.
She already has her backpack rain cover on! Zosia studies a map at the southeastern trailhead for Beacon Hill.
Wasn't expecting to see this in a park so close to the city! The southeastern slopes of Beacon Hill are characterized by surprisingly rugged rock outcrops.
On this road trip, this was our 5th summit with antennas on top! Zosia approaches the top of Beacon Hill which, not surprisingly, is covered with telecommunications infrastructure.
Instead of piling rocks, they could've just put up a sign on the concrete block! Sonny stands on the likely high point of Beacon Hill (794 metres).

Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
To be honest, the tragic demise of Major Fancher is almost comical. This memorial is all that is left of an aviation beacon for which the hill is named.

Shame about all the power lines!

The city of Spokane is spread out across the south and west sides of Beacon Hill.

 

Go Dinos! Zosia shows off her T-shirt commemorating the 60th anniversary of University of Calgary which was established on 29 April 1966.
Got any cheezies? A marmot lurks beside some rocks and bushes near the top of Beacon Hill.
Banzai! All of a sudden, Zosia feels compelled to swing her trekking poles like a katana.
It probably never happens, but imagine if this park was actually covered with deep snow! All of a sudden, Sonny feels compelled to tuck like a skier while going over these rocks.

Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
Most impressive! On her way back to the trailhead, Zosia passes under some more impressive rocks.
A surprisingly interesting hike despite the shortness and the ugly antennas on top. Total Distance:  3.2 kilometres
Round-Trip Time:  1 hour 46 minutes
Cumulative Elevation Gain:  195 metres

GPX Data