I understand that the Dishman Hills Nature Park is off limits to riding but how about the trails outside of the designated area? Is it possible to gain access off of Dishman Mica and 16th, then bike all the way up past the Ponderosa housing developement (south going towards Pullman)? Plan to do some riding there this summer and hope that they haven't put houses up on what was once some pretty good trails.

I understand that the Dishman Hills Nature Park is off limits to riding but how about the trails outside of the designated area? Is it possible to gain access off of Dishman Mica and 16th, then bike all the way up past the Ponderosa housing developement (south going towards Pullman)? Plan to do some riding there this summer and hope that they haven't put houses up on what was once some pretty good trails.

Nature Park...yeh right. Natures best mix of rock and burnt or blown over trees. Anyways, an entry point to the hills just outside of natures wonderland is through a new subdivision at Woodruff and 36th. Go South on Schafer off of Dishman, then right on Cinnamon and right on Woodruff. Woodruff deadends into 36th at a subdivision entry gate. Ride up through the gates and you'll see a number of access trails on the left.

Yes, the Dishman Hill trails are still there, but lots of development is encroaching. None of it is public property, however. If you're interested in a more challenging ride, there is a loop up around Tower Mt., Big Rock and Rocks of Sharon. Starts at the end of Holman Road where there is a trailhead to the Iller Creek Conservation area. Off-limits to motorized traffic, but bikes are still welcome. It's about a 7 mile loop with 1300' vertical in the first 2 miles. It's a killer climb with some great downhills to boot. If you're up for it, e-mail me at jpg-subs@comcast.net and I'd be happy to setup a ride with you.
The lower Dishman Hills are mostly a fire road climb up to the knob with a great downhill single track. Just watch out for the stunts some inconsiderate folks have been building. Seems like the quickest way to get all of us thrown off the trails for good. Nothing like bombing down one of your favorite trails and damn near killing yourself on a jump that wasn't there just yesterday. [rant off]
:mad:

Actually I was visiting my folks in the Spokane valley last summer and ran into those jumps you mentioned up in the Dishman Hills. It had been years since I had been up there and I was surprised at the number of houses that have been built in the area as well as the jumps planted right in the middle of the trail with no thought or judgement to transitions. I only did two rides in the Hills because trails that had once been there now lead to houses that were not there ten years ago. I restorted to my old favorite out at Liberty Lake only to discover they now have a parking fee. At least the trails are still accessable so no complaints if thats how my $ is being spent. Good to hear that there are still trails up in the Ponderosa. I even heard that there are races over at Beacon Hill - thats a shocker. I did a couple of rides there with the folks at Garland Cycle.