Three Ice Age Floods Institute hikes are scheduled

Two Saturday hikes offered by the Cheney-Spokane Chapter of the Ice Age Floods Institute are scheduled Aug. 18 and Sept. 29 for Hangman Creek. 

The Ice Age Floods left behind some unique landforms and geologic features here and these outings will help explain what happened.

This easy two mile long loop hike will traverse the lower Hangman Creek canyon with frequent stops to discuss the Ice Age Floods so well displayed here. The hike will include geology, cultural history, and updates on the Hangman Creek trail project. 

Hikes will start at the Peoples Park parking lot in Spokane at the intersection of West Clarke and Riverside avenues. Meet up time is set at 1 p.m. and return is about 3 p.m. Fee for the hike is $15. 

Another hike is scheduled for Sept. 8 in Dishman Hills.  This three-mile hike is on trails and will include some interesting stories about Dishman Hills. 

The walk-and-talk hike will start at Camp Caro County Park on the north side of Dishman Hills Natural Area at the end of Sargent Road, off Appleway Boulevard in Spokane Valley. Meet up time is set for 1 p.m. at the upper parking lot and return time is 3 p.m. The cost for this hike is also $15. 

Each of these hikes is limited to 20 hikers so register early at http://www.iafi.org.

Also mark your calendar for Saturday, Oct. 6, to participate in the annual field trip starting at Dishman Hills and ending on a boat tour on Lake Pend Oreille also led by geologist, Michael Hamilton. A lecture is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 5 at Spokane Community College.

The annual membership meeting and lecture will be scheduled for early November.