There isn't much parking space at the trailhead, and ours was the only car. There are a very clean toilet with hand sanitizer and a reader board with information about the Northrup family who settled the area and whose homestead still remains.  This area is now owned by the state and is part of Steamboat Rock State Park, the main part of which is three miles south and on the other side of the highway. 

We passed through the gate and went left on the Northrup Canyon Trail, which looks like a road. To the right is the Old Wagon Road, which looks like a trail.  

The road-trail curves a bit and goes up the canyon, above and not far from the creek.  Nor far into the trail, we saw two ravens mobbing a falcon carrying some prey, which the falcon dropped.  The prey was apparently the now-dead offspring of the two ravens, as they circled and dropped down with mournful cries, which they kept up for a half-hour at least, as we continued to walk up the canyon.

We enjoyed the open road and former farm fields, with a few flowers along the road, including larkspur.  Basalt cliffs, home to many birds, tower over the canyon.  We reached the Northrup homestead, with its house and four other buildings falling into ruin and with lilac and irises surviving from the homestead years.  The trail goes to a building upwards and to the left, on the left of which there is a sign for the continuation of the trail.

The next part of the trail was a typical trail, not a road, and was in pretty good shape except for one stretch (about 0.2 miles) which is a bit steep and slippery on the descent.  We began to see more flowers -- alumroot among them.  We were buzzed by a hummingbird, heard a mourning dove, and heard and finally saw a meadowlark.  The trail passes by a series of marshes and then mounts to higher country, from which it descends to lovely Northrup Lake with its abundance of bird life.  We saw a coot and a goldfinch.  

Following the suggestion of the one man we had met on the lower trail, we continued to the right one quarter of the way around the lake to a ledge overlooking the lake. After a brief pause to admire the lake, we continued as the trail ascended to a jeep track which cut  through the sagebrush in the general direction of some power lines in the distance.  We thought we might reach a road which we could identify but soon gave up and headed back, our curiosity satisfied.  

Back at Northrup Lake, we sat to eat our lunch and admire the ambience and the bird life, including another hummingbird that buzzed us and a redwing blackbird which perched near us. As we sat, we saw the only other people today -- three young men. 

On the way back we saw a flower which Walks Ahead tentatively identified as a Howell's triteleia, as well as a white-stemmed frasera and a lemonweed. After we reached the homestead, we sped up as we returned on the road-trail.  This was our second time on this hike, the last time being in 2008  While this is not one of our must-do hikes, we enjoyed it, as before, and will probably do it again.

Snakes, bears, ticks Oh my!

Took the "Old wagon road" up the side of the hill, kept going up past the cut off that dropped back down to the valley floor. The plateau on top was nice but didn't seem to go anywhere. Noticed a couple of ticks on us during this stretch. We headed down the hill, and not wanting to back-track (as the two snakes we saw up were enough for my wife and kids) we followed a ridge line down. It turned into cross country scrambling pretty quick. We did find a newspaper from 2010 someone had left near a fire pit so the area must get some foot traffic. Our 5 year old could do it with a bit of hand holding, and we had the toddler in a backpack so it wasn't too bad, but did make me nervous in a few spots.

Saw the farmhouse and hiked back into the canyon until the kids were done walking. Got up a nice hill for a view of the valley but didn't make it to the lake. Didn't see any bald eagles, but did see some vultures. It seemed like they were circling us, "Come on, I'm not in that bad of shape".

The farm houses are falling apart. Didn't let the kids go inside.

On the way back saw a bear and two cubs. Very neat. Nice chance to share some nature with the kids.

Waded in the stream a bit. Got all sorts of little wormy things (baby leeches??) on our feet. That was sort of freaky, they didn't seem to bite or anything but they were all over the rocks.

Great mix of things on the hike: Leafy trees, pine trees, basalt, granite, meadow, stream, cliff, etc. Excellent family hike. The Yellow balsam root were blooming, as well as some blue bells, lupine were just starting to and other flowers I don't know.

Hike #3 on my tour of eastern, wa. First time here, really enjoyed it and can be combined with steamboat trip easily. Since we hiked Billy Clap prior and it was heat of the day we didn't make it to the lake this time. But the old homestead was cool to check out and we were close to the lake i'm sure. Saw a rattler on the trail going out around 3. Lots of history and easy hiking are here, check it out. I read someone saw a bear and 2 cubs here the next day, bummed I didn't get that too! But you can't have it all, and we didn't see any ticks.

Winter in Northrup Canyon is a mix of beauty and ugly. The day was a beautiful 30+ degrees. At the parking lot which needs a Discovery Pass it was a bit of fog with the peaks and sky shadowing through.

Except for one hardy young family with 4 children, we had the canyon to ourselves.

Take your hiking poles as the road in is icy and snow crusted.

Within the first quarter mile the sun broke through and the eagles were soaring.

The 1 and 1/2 mile to the old homestead was excellent. But don't stop there. As you approach the homestead look to the left for the trail sign showing the way to Northrup Lake. One more mile through beautiful granite and basalt rock formations and some climbing rewards you with this small pristine lake for you to rest and recharge before you have to head back to the fog.