Northrup Canyon

We had planned to hike Steamboat Rock but changed our minds when we saw the sign to this lovely hike and found the description in Bauer and Nelson's Best Desert Hikes Washington. The hike begins at a very well laid out trailhead with a toilet. Walk around the gate and up the road. Stay on the road past two trails to the left (one to a viewpoint and the other back to the equestrian trailhead, I think) and past the Old Wagon Road trail on the right, the latter also described in Bauer and Nelson. We were confused at first because the Northrup Canyon trail is a road, and the Old Wagon Road trail is a trail, not a road.

We stayed on the road hiking through trees and then meadowy areas past some low buildings and near cliffs which looked like they may house swallows, reaching the old homestead buildings in about an hour. Bauer and Nelson suggest turning around here, but we were glad we ignored their advice and kept going to Northrup Lake. Also, the hike to this point was easy, not difficult as Bauer and Nelson say. You will see a hiker sign next to one of the homestead buildings to mark the beginning of the actual hiker trail to the lake. Hike on past a small wetland, through interesting forest with evidence of an old burn, up a short steep section where you may slide a little, to a viewpoint, and then down a little to a gem of a lake abounding with several species of birds. We settled down to eat our lunch and enjoy the peacefulness as well as the interesting bird activity.

Bauer and Nelson say it is 3 miles to the homestead and one additional mile to the lake, but our hiking time was about evenly divided, which leads us to believe that it is 2 miles to the homestead and then 2 miles to the lake. Another note: Not far from the trailhead you will see a large area filled with rusty tin cans. Do not disturb these; they were discarded here by workers on the Coulee Dam, and since they have been here more than 50 years, they are considered artifacts and are not to be removed. This is confirmed by a sign at a readerboard at nearby Steamboat Rock State Park, of which Northrup Canyon is now a part. Watch for rattlesnakes; we saw a baby rattlesnake while hiking. Also, check for ticks after your hike.