The main event for our family's weekend trip to the Grand Coulee area was a hike up Steamboat Rock. The kids were excited to climb "a mountain." I couldn't bear to tell them it was actually a mesa.

It was in the upper 80s with little breeze and absolutely no shade, but everyone was determined to hike to the top. We started our trek at the parking lot near the boat ramp, but there are routes that also come up from the campground that meet at the base of the climb. The trail we took was sandy, but the balsamroot and lupine were lovely here.

At the base of the Rock, there is a picnic table (and a bit further off, a better picnic table under a tree). The ascent from here is short, but steep and treacherous. The rocks underfoot get smaller and smaller until you are climbing on little pebbles that slide under your feet. There is little to hold on to. Our 7 year old had little trouble going up, but slid some going down. The 4 year needed some assistance going up, and held our hand or slid on her behind going down. I consider it a miracle that we didn't need to break out the first aid kit. If I were to rate this for age appropriateness, I'd say 6 or 7 and up.

Nevertheless, we all made it through the notch. We turned left at the junction and headed south for our summit. The views are amazing from up here - the campground, Banks Lake all around and even a peek at the snowy-topped Cascades. We wandered about this flank of Steamboat Rock for awhile, admiring the bitterroot blooms and other flowers, then descended into a little pocket where we found the one tree to have lunch.

I would've liked to explore the northern reaches of Steamboat Rock, but the temperatures were climbing into the 90s and the kids were beat. Instead of the sandy trail back to the boating area, we took the trail to the campground where we found some sprinklers to cool off. The kids were super proud of their accomplishments, and it was well worth the effort.

New Moon night was May 10th. I lead full moon hikes each month with the Cascadians and recently someone suggested going on an adventure during a new moon night for the purpose of star gazing in the dark night skies, without the light of the giant orb.

I planned a trip with that purpose to Steamboat Rock (and ended up going solo). I tried to time it for full-on floral displays at the same time. Did I ever!!! May 10th was a calm, 80 degree day, without the typical winds that can suddenly ravage the shores of Banks Lake in the late afternoon and evening. The balsamroot below the giant rock were in full bloom, lovely in the afternoon light. I headed up the trail to the top a bit before 7:00pm, anticipating an 8:25 sunset. The sunset wasn't very spectacular, as there were too many clouds in the western skies. However, the glow against the walls of the Grand Coulee to the east of Banks Lake was amazing! I love the view from the northern edge of Steamboat Rock, of scattered rocky and grassy islands, inlets, and secret alcoves and shorelines. The flowers were pretty atop the rock; I forgot how many grasses sweep across the high ground, with the backdrop of distant cliffs and the dark waters of the lake below.

I met two rattlesnakes before making friends with some other folks who wanted to walk out after dark by headlamp. On our decent, we began counting pairs of glowing eyeballs. The deer had bedded down on the lower bench of Steamboat Rock. One set of eyes, then another, and another... right off our pathway. We counted five sets of eyes, likely wondering how rude that we were disturbing their rest. The route down is dicey in the dark, as the trail is dry, with little pebbles and moving scree in places. But, what a wonderful experience to be atop this ancient flood rock in the pitch black of a new moon night! It's amazing how dark these new moon nights are...

We camped at the State Park, got to the trailhead at about 9am, with our son in the backpack and plenty of water. The hike is steep and scrambly at points, but generally pretty moderate. There are two trails to the top, one to the right which has great views of the Cascades and the Valley. The other side I imagine great views as well of the Valley and the Couley Dam, but we didn't go that way.

When we made it to the top, we snacked and watched a heard of deer run past. There were lots of wildflowers along the trail as well. Great hike!

What an AMAZING little hike. I typically pick out-of-the-way hikes, but this was such a treat! Very quick elevation gain and a huge payoff! What a view!