Northrup Canyon

On day two of my central Washington trip, after seeing the Beezley Hills and Moses Coulee for the first time the day before, I returned to visit an old friend dear to my heart- Northrup Canyon. Located just a stones throw away from Steamboat Rock, and part of the same state park, Northrup has a lot to offer: stunning canyon scenery, history, myriad species of birds and animals, and come spring breathtaking flower displays. I wanted to do the old wagon road carved out of the rugged cliffs by early settlers. You pick it up on your right a few hundred feet past the trailhead, and though at times pretty rocky it is at least at an easy grade as it eventually climbs out of the canyon onto the plateau above. As you near the upper reaches of the road/trail the flowers really begin to appear, highlighted by arrowleaf balsamroot and lupine. When I gained the top of the canyon I ventured over to the rocky rim, with great views of Steamboat Rock and Banks Lake to my left and below me and to the right the road on the canyon bottom winds its way toward the old settler's (Northrup) remaining homestead buildings at the head of the canyon. Near the rocky rim are many bitterroot plants ready to flower- what a show that will be! You could easily spend days and days exploring all the nooks and crannies in and around this canyon. Just a delightful place.

I then retraced my steps down to the main road/trail with plans to walk to the old farm/ranch bldgs. I ran into a nice lady out birding and enjoying the day- after she blurted out some bird talk I knew we didn't speak the same language (I'm a birder wannabee) but it was nice to exchange some pleasantries on the trail. I told her about the flower show atop the wagon road and she wants to come back next week to see that. She won't be disappointed. Then just 15 minutes after saying our goodbyes I nearly walked over a rattlesnake alongside the road! It immediately curled up and started doing its thing, then went off into the brush, still a'rattlin'. I was left rattling a little after that! Of course I came to my senses and tried to photograph it but it was too far into the brush by then- too bad. This was in a spot on the road not far after you cross a bridge over a small creek.

I proceded on and enjoyed looking at the old rustic building(s) and marveling at the spunk and grit of the folks who called this home. Sharing the beauty of the canyon with rattlers, ticks, winter snow and summer heat! Amazing. I them walked back and in a spot approximately half way between the old homestead and the low bridge I encountered another rattler, both I saw that day not more than 12-15"" in length. It curled up quickly and rattled a shshshshshssh sound- very distinctive sound- then quickly moved into the brush, but it was pretty skimpy brush so I could see him and tried getting as close as possible without it striking to photograph it. But there was still enough brush and light and shadow to make photographing it tough. The results wouldn't be publishable believe me!

So I had my fill of snake encounters for a trip I think. Pretty cool stuff. As I neared my vehicle I noticed a note on the windshield from the woman I had chatted with earlier- she just wanted to share that she had run into a snake shortly after we had met. Funny.