Desert Hike | PTCT

Palouse to Cascades Trail - A Desert Odyssey
The Palouse to Cascades Trail (PTCT) offers a hauntingly beautiful passage through Washington’s high desert, where the mighty Columbia River carves a deep, shimmering ribbon through ancient basalt cliffs. As we hike this stretch, a vast, open terrain unfolds — golden grasses ripple across endless sagebrush plains, and sunbaked earth meets distant cliffs. Towering basalt columns rise like sentinels above the river, remnants of cataclysmic ice-age floods and volcanic upheaval.

The trail offers panoramic views that stretch across the Columbia Plateau to the distant silhouettes of the Cascade Range.
In the evening, the sky becomes a vast dome of fire and lavender, reflecting off the river and painting the cliffs in surreal hues. It’s the perfect place to savor a stunning desert sunset before (optionally) heading to Ellensburg for a well‑earned meal.

Hike Details — PTCT Beverly Bridge
Distance: 10+ miles
Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet
Difficulty: Easy - Moderate; suitable for all hiking levels
Estimated Hiking Time: 6–7 hours, including breaks
Tread Type: Ballast, crushed stone, dirt, and gravel
Trail Weather: Clear and sunny, high around 54°F on Sunday, March 1

Itinerary
0630 - Meet at the Park & Ride for carpooling
0900 to 0915 - Arrive at the trailhead and begin the hike
1600 – Return to the trailhead
1900 to 2000 - Return to the Park and Ride

Carpool Location
Wilburton Park and Ride
720 114th Ave SE
Bellevue, WA 98004
GPS: 47.60315, -122.18526

Trailhead Location
Palouse to Cascades- Army East Trailhead
Huntzinger Road
Beverly, WA 99321
GPS: 46.84313, -119.96412

Logistics | Carpooling
We will first meet at the Bellevue Park & Ride location above for carpooling. If you prefer, you may meet the group directly at the trailhead at the scheduled time. Seattle folks could self-organize at Green Lake Park & Ride. Rideshare Fee: $30 per passenger (cash or Venmo). This fee may be adjusted based on the number of riders, at the driver’s discretion - within reasonable limits. Please pay your driver when you get into their car. Bring a plastic bag for your muddy boots and clothes after the hike. A Discover Pass is required to park a vehicle at this trailhead.

Route
We’ll start at the Army East trailhead and head west across wide‑open desert terrain. The gentle railroad grade makes for smooth, easy miles as the landscape unfolds in long, sweeping views. In the afternoon, we’ll head east to explore the Beverly Bridge — a pedestrian‑only span crossing the Columbia River. From the deck, the Saddle Mountains rise in sculpted layers and the river gorge stretches out in both directions, offering some of the most dramatic vistas on this section of the PTCT.

WTA
Trail Image Gallery
Ten Hiking Essentials

About PTCT
The 287-mile long Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail (PTCT) is one of the longest rail-to-trail conversions in the United States. This trail extends from the Cedar Lake Basin in the Cascades on the West all the way to the Washington - Idaho border on the East and passes through remote areas of Washington state that are rich in wildlife and natural beauty.

Disclaimer
By choosing to participate, you accept full responsibility for your safety and decisions. You expressly consent to release, hold harmless, and indemnify the event host from all claims, liabilities, damages, and expenses.

RSVP Etiquette
All participants must be registered for this event and have a clear facial profile photo for safety and identification. Please RSVP only if you are fully committed to attending. Late cancellations and no‑shows are recorded and may affect your ability to join future hikes.

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