Deep Creek Trailhead
Deep Creek is a geologic feature created by the ice age floods within Riverside State Park, a 9,000-acre park to the west and northwest of the City of Spokane. The park protects miles of shoreline along the Spokane River and Little Spokane River, as well as provides a variety of outdoor recreation pursuits. Located south of the Spokane River near Seven Mile Road, Deep Creek is known for its narrow gorge through vertical and overhanging basalt cliffs, spectacular views, and some of the finest rock climbing in Eastern Washington.
In 2015, the Bower Climbing Coalition (BCC), a Spokane-based non-profit, was created to carry on the legacy of Andrew Bower, who died in a fall while climbing at Dishman Hills. The group’s mission is dedicated to maintaining, expanding and preserving Inland Northwest climbing; celebrating the community and culture of climbing through local events and gatherings, and striving to bring climbers together of all ages and abilities. The BCC seeks to be inclusive of all voices in the climbing community.
The BCC, recognizing a community need, partnered with Washington State Parks to improve the Deep Creek parking area and trailhead. The BCC and Riverside State Park personnel created a development plan to pave the parking area, purchase and install a vault toilet, build a picnic shelter, and create an ADA accessible pathway to a kiosk explaining the geology of Deep Creek. The need for a vault toilet was a critical first step, so the BCC committed to purchasing this item. To do so, they held a number of fundraisers over several years. The vault toilet was purchased and installed in late 2019.
One of the founders of the BCC was Jess Roskelley. In April 2019, Jess was killed in an avalanche in the Canadian Rockies, along with two Austrian climbers, Hansjörg Auer and David Lama. To preserve the legacy of Jess and his love for Spokane parks, Jess’s family established the Jess Roskelley Foundation. As Deep Creek was Jess’s favorite climbing area, the Foundation committed to contribute to a fund set up by Washington State Parks to continue the Deep Creek project. It will take years to fully realize the plan, but the BCC and the Jess Roskelley Foundation are excited and determined to complete the project, as funds become available.