Made a little detour on our way to Palouse Falls. Was able to take the kids on this super easy hike. It was a little windy and cloudy but otherwise a nice hike. The only thing about this hike is that there is not a lot to see. But it is still nice to get out and walk with the family.

I was curious for hiking along this railroad corridor. The historical significance of railroads for opening up to the west made me checking out this part of the corridor. Following the advice in the desert hiking guide I took the track next to the railroad grade. This made hiking very comfortable. After a while I got a bit bored: just a river, just a trail, just no change in the landscape ... I climbed up to the railroad track and started on my way back. It made it more interesting when I came across old rusty railroad nails left in the gravel bed. And hiking along the old telegraph poles I realized the efforts in building the railroad. It gave me some feel for the way the West was won. (photos will be added when I get home)

Continuing on with doing a few hikes from the new guidebook ""Best Desert Hikes Washington"" by Alan L Bauer and Dan A. Nelson during a short Tri-Cities area stay, I did hike #67 Snake River/Columbia Plateau Trail. This is NE of Pasco at a place alongside the mighty Snake R. called Snake River Junction, which you come to at road's end after driving thru delightful McCoy Cyn. From the parking area next to an old jeep track that parallels the old railroad grade alongside the Snake, I headed north on another boring clear sunny eastern WA morning. The vista is just breathtaking as the blue waters of the wide Snake flow thru yet another wide canyon enlarged by the many enormous floods from tens of thousands of years ago during the last ice age. The romance of walking along an abandoned railroad grade and seeing its many artifacts still thankfully left for others to enjoy adds immeasurably to the experience. Having a still-working railway along the opposite shore and its occasional rumbling trains echoing off the canyon walls is a nice treat too! After walking along the jeep track closer to the river I climbed up to the railroad grade where it was hacked out of the canyon basalt rock and where a long section of old electrical wires atop wood poles (with many insulators and even fuse holders intact) still stand. I tired of walking on the coarse ballast rock and was able to continue on a game trail besides the grade. Eventally I came even with a grain terminal directly across the river and ate lunch, and was treated to the slow passing of a long grain ship heading downriver to possibly the Columbia. Very interesting watching the captain/pilot steer the low, barge-like craft around the slight river bend from near the far shore to close to my shore, maybe trying to avoid sandbars or other hazards in the waterway. After lunch I returned to the Junction parking area and as I did had fantastic light to photograph the scenery behind me in, I almost had to walk backwards to the car as I kept spinning around to shoot! Truly magnificent views and to think in ""dull"" winter colors too. I have seen photos of the same area in springtime green, and of course with the many blooming desert flowers, but it was still great even so. Just as photogenic was the pretty drive thru rolling farmland and down steep McCoy Cyn getting to the trailhead.

Growing up in Eastern Washington, I took the desert for granted. It was, or so I thought, barren and ugly. What a fool I was. We left the Martin Road trailhead at 2:00 PM, and headed down the trail. The air was hot and humid, dark clouds filled the sky and we expected rain to start at any moment. The trail is straight as a string and climbs almost imperceptably The old railroad grade cuts through basalt as it heads towards Cheney. Several times we were startled by rabbits bounding across the grade and disappearing into the weeds and sagebrush. In one cut, I saw something move, but didn't get a clear look at whatever slithered into a pile of rocks. As the trail approaches Amber Lake, a few clusters of trees appear here and there where a source of water exists. The terrain gets noticeably greener and each miles eastward increases the precipitation. We saw occasional deer, bounding away from us. We saw evidence that the deer use the trail as a path for their travels. There were a few wildflowers left, but they appear to be well past the peak. We returned to our truck at exactly 9:01 PM, about 10 minutes after sunset. This is part of the State Park system, and in theory the park closes at sunset. We worried that someone would lock the gate and we would have to spend the night. Its hard to understand the thinking of the people who administer the park, as this would be a great hike by moonlight. This walk is hot and dry, so take plenty of water. Don't listen to those who say that that Eastern Washington is ugly. Take a chance on this or one of the other railroad grade hikes. If you keep an open mind, there is a big payoff.