Hike of the Week:Chipman Trail
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| Stroll through the Palouse on the Bill Chipman Trail |
Chipman Trail
Hike this trail plagued with cougars and vandals
by Craig Romano
photo by Craig Romano
produced by Michael Fagin
November 18, 2005
Quick Facts
Location: Pullman, Whitman County, WA
Land Agency: Whitman County Parks
Roundtrip: 16.0 miles
Elevation gain: 200 feet
Access: Parking at the Quality Inn on Bishop Avenue (near WSU) in Pullman and at the Palouse Shopping Center on SR 270 in Moscow, Idaho (near UI).
Hey, it’s Apple Cup Weekend and you’re just not that interested in seeing the Huskies lose again. Go for a hike instead! And why not head over to the Palouse, while all those Cougar fans are in Seattle? Right in Pullman and heading out to Moscow, Idaho is a great little rail-trail, perfect for an autumn amble- the Bill Chipman Palouse Trail.
Opened in 1998, after 15 years in the making, the Chipman Trail is a recreational gem serving the two college communities. The paved path runs for 8 miles, connecting Pullman and WSU, to Moscow, Idaho and UI. It’s one trail where Vandals are welcome and Cougars are always sighted.
Paralleling Paradise Creek all along the way and crossing it 13 times, the trail slices through gorgeous rural countryside. Historic plaques line the way and the trail passes by a giant grain elevator. Over 100 species of birds can be seen here throughout the year. And while there’s no telling which species you’ll spot, you’re sure to see at least 100 different magpies. On a nice Saturday you'll see well over a 100 hikers, runners, and cyclists too!
Recently, the city of Pullman has been busy expanding the Chipman Trail. A new section traverses the community-owned Koppel Farm plot, right at the confluence of Paradise Creek and the South Fork of the Palouse River. From there you can continue following the trail to the City Playfields and Reaney Park. WSU is just up ahead.
Nearby, work has begun on a riverfront trail that will connect the Chipman Trail and WSU to downtown Pullman. The new trail will emerge on Grand Avenue where it will tie into another paved trail. The downtown riverfront trail should be completed soon. And while the Huskies and the Cougars have seen better days-hiking in the Pullman region has never looked brighter.
