Palouse Falls — Wednesday, Sep. 8, 2010

Eastern Washington > Palouse and Blue Mountains

3 day trip to Palouse Falls in Eastern Washington. First time to visit the area and we took our Teardrop trailer with us. The State Park is located two miles in on a gravel road (good condition) from State route 261 just North of Starbuck, WA in the Palouse Mountains. No trees or shade, except for the small tent camping area and day use area at the parking lot and overlooks. Hike all the upper ridge overlook trails of the park in the afternoon of arrival, then spent the night in the tent camping area in our Teardrop. 4 total camping units for the night out of ten spots. Quiet except for the trains that travel through every few hours. Next morning we hiked a half mile North on the Railroad tracks to a gully, hiker trail down to the ravine below the falls. Watch out for poison ivy (lots of it as you near the river basin). Rattlesnakes and Bullhead snakes in the taller grasses, so stick to the low grass, rocks, and main trails as much as possible. Follow the side of the Canyon and you can sneak all the way to the base of the Falls. Some loose rock, lots of brush, and a few river bank holes to watch for. About 200 feet down from the ridgetop to Ravine basin. Returned to upper viewing area and decided to hike the upper side of the Falls through another ravine about 1/2 mile South on the tracks to another gully entering the upper ravine. Sqaw Falls comes into view first and is much smaller and a good place to wade if hot. We then followed the ravine along the upper river along the cliff banks out to the castle and top of the falls. Again, snakes and poison ivy in area so be watching. Loose rock and a few steep areas encountered. Neither ravine hike is recommended for those not familiar with hiking rock and steep sections. Children below age 10 not really advised due to the trail conditions. Enjoyed viewing the Castle up close and the ravines, but you cannot see the Falls from the top as it sits down below the rock edge about 20 feet or so. Hiked back out and had lunch. Then took a leisurely drive to Fish Hook park on Lake Sacajawea on the Snake River where we spent the final night before heading back to Seattle. Pictures here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/33346716@N03/sets/72157624940556360/with/4982979661/