DISTANCE: 7 miles
DIFFICULTY: Easy
ACCESS: Trailheads are located in Pullman off Bishop Boulevard and at Perimeter Drive in Moscow. Parking is available at Today’s Dental in Pullman or at the Palouse Mall parking lot in Moscow.
Trail features: The trail is a 10-foot-wide well-paved path that connects two towns, two counties and two universities. It runs along an abandoned railroad line, sometimes veering farther from the Pullman-Moscow highway and sometimes closer, but it is always separated by a buffer of green space.
The path follows Paradise Creek, crossing it at 13 different points along the way. There are rest stops, portable toilets and emergency phones situated on the path. Interpretive stops provide both information and a place to sit. Displays have a railroad theme and provide a little something for everyone, including historical information, railroad terminology, wildlife features and poetry.
Trail tips: Bring water and dress for the weather: though the path is down in a small valley, it is still exposed and can be windy. The path runs slightly downhill from Moscow to Pullman.
Watch for birds and other wildlife along the creek where restoration projects have improved water quality and sustainable habitat.
Additional parking will be available near Sunshine Road, between Moscow and Pullman, on the Washington side. Construction will likely be completed by late summer or early fall.
— Michelle Schmidt
