Primitive Trail

Dogs No Dogs

Features Views · Wildlife

A great loop with some challenging switchbacks and rewarding views.

Dogs are allowed on Kamiak Butte, just not on the Primitive Trail portion.

Heading counter-clockwise you'll hit the incline first. From the parking lot, stay on the Pine Ridge Trail until it splits into the Primitive Trail about 0.5 miles in. The route is well-marked and easy to follow.

Approximately a half mile into the Primitive Trail, you'll encounter a fork in the trail with an option to either hang a left along a winding trail or turn right along a straight and narrow path. Either trail is suitable to take, but I would recommend the right trail as it has less brush to traverse through.

Once you start heading east, you'll enter a set of steep switchbacks with an 8 to 20 degree incline. These switchbacks provide good views of Steptoe Butte and the surrounding northern region.

Once you clear the switchbacks, the trail provides fair views of the area to the south. Before you hit the last set of switchbacks, make sure to stop and enjoy an excellent viewpoint of the Palouse region. Moscow and Pullman are easily identifiable on a clear day, along with Moscow Mountain and the Blue Mountain range.

The switchbacks are on the Pine Ridge Trail which will take you back to the parking lot.