Our family camped at the nearby campground. There were wild turkeys and rattlesnakes which were fun to see. The walk to the hike was easy. As we started the climb with an 11-year-old and a 12-year-old, the first part of the climb had loose rocks and required some scrambling. The younger kiddo had no trouble, but the older kiddo and I had to really watch where we were placing our hands and feet as to not dislodge too many rocks. The rest of the hike was over and around solid basalt rock. When we arrived at the top, the view was glorious. The bush was dry, with few wildflowers and no bugs, but it was very warm. All in all, Steamboat Rock was an adventure for the kids with great views at the top.

First time in the Coulee region of Washington, which is quite beautiful in the spring.  Despite earlier trip reports indicating that the initial climb on the trip was difficult, decided to try Steamboat Rock with our two dogs, one large and one small.  The initial climb is difficult, made more difficult by the fact that our larger dog can't be let off her leash or she will stray and pulled us up the rocks and scree that make up the trail.  The dogs and their people made it up the trail in fine fashion. 

When we got to the trail junction just below the top of the rock, we first went south, then came back down to the junction, went to the northern section of the rock and explored the top.  Once you get to the top, the hiking is easy.  Wildflowers were out, although I think we were a little late for peak wildflower bloom.  The views were exceptional and well worth the effort required to get to the top.

Coming down was relatively uneventful except for a minor fall just near the trail junction.  Our big dog was very motivated and was pulling throughout the day, but she made it down safely.  Overall a lovely hike, and we really enjoyed the Coulee area.

Interesting hike. Great views from the top but getting to the top takes a little work. Parts of the trail up were covered with basalt rock. Rocky and steep climb.

The hike up and around Steamboat Rock is recommended in at least four hiking guides for Washington and the Pacific Northwest. In all the guides it is described as easy or moderate in difficulty and suitable for leashed dogs.  Perhaps this was the case in the past, but as the trail is now, I would rate it as difficult and not suitable for dogs. 

The difficulty lies in initial ascent of the bluff, which begins about a half mile from the trailhead.  This part of the trail is rough and steep enough to be downright hazardous, especially on the descent.  The trail bed starts as a ridge of sharp rock rubble angled steeply up to the northeast.  This is hard on dog paws and unpleasant walking for hikers.  Good hiking boots are called for.  But that is only the beginning.  The trail shortly degenerates into a very rough use trail, often heading almost straight up the steep cliff bluff face (see photo).  The trail bed consists of loose dusty soil and loose stones, with only occasional fixed rocks suitable for stepping stones (see photo).  One section climbs up a rock cliff so steeply that we had to use our hands and actually climb up, rather than hike.  We were fortunate to be the only ones on the trail, because falling rocks from hikers above would definitely be a hazard.  Coming back down these sections was even more difficult than going up and we could not have managed without hiking poles and sturdy boots.  This is not a trail suitable for the casual or unprepared hiker.

Once you have mastered the rough trip up to the mesa top, the trail meanders pleasantly around and over the slightly rolling terrane, offering lovely views all around (see photos).  The mesa top was a sea of sage and green grass, spotted with a variety of blooming wildflowers.  We noted bitterroot, penstemon, larkspur, prickly pear, Arrowleaf Balsamroot, lupines, and numerous others that we did not know.  We saw several marmots, a herd of five black-tailed deer, an Osprey, and several red-tailed hawks, a pair of meadowlarks, and several small songbirds that went unidentified.  We walked the full circuit of the north mesa and then crossed over to the south mesa and hiked out to the viewpoints in the southeast and southwest, for a total hiking distance out-and-back of 6.9 miles.  The hikes on the mesas were easy and would be suitable for all levels of hikers.  This is clearly a great time of year to be up there.  However, getting up to the mesa is a challenge.

We had our intrepid trail dog Crockett with us and she enjoyed the hike rather less than we did.  The trail up and down was dusty and hard on her paws, and up on the mesa, much of the trail goes over lava rubble, which was both sharp and hot for walking on.  The trail offers no shade and no water, and even though the day was not hot for us (the air temperature maxed out at 80 and there was a cool breeze), the heat radiating from the dark rocks made it much hotter for Crockett.  We carried lots of water and stopped often to give her a drink.  She also wore a sun shirt that we periodically wet down.  Nevertheless, we could tell that she was looking for a shady, cool rest spot through much of the hike.  On the final leg down the steep descents, I had to let her off the leash because I needed both hiking poles and even had to use my hands in one section.  Furthermore, it would have been dangerous to be connected by a fixed leash on such a steep face, as either of us could have unbalanced the other with a mistimed tug.  Because of the exposure, the nature of the trail bed, and the very steep climb up to the mesa and down again, I would not recommend taking dogs on this trail. 

Given the apparent popularity of this hike, which leaves right from the campground at Steamboat Rock, I would hope that the State Park has plans to repair and improve the hike up to the mesa top.  Also, at present, there is no signage to indicate that this is a potentially hazardous trail (from falling rocks on the steep section), that there is no water or shade, or that the trail travels along vertical cliffs that present significant hazards for the unwary.  Given that the campground is very popular with families with children, I think warning signs should be prominent at the trailhead.

We hiked this trail on Memorial day with two children, aged 11 and 6, and our golden retriever. As others have noted, the ascent to the top of Steamboat Rock is extremely steep and rocky. At times it's like climbing up a rock slide, as the trail is covered in loose scree. We still loved the hike (and the kids really liked the challenge of climbing), but it's important to have good stamina and balance. Good hiking shoes are a must, and hiking poles are recommended for adults. It's easy to slip on the loose dirt, so use caution, especially on the way down. I also recommend downloading a trail map or bringing a hiking guide, as there are several trail intersections that aren't labelled.

Fortunately, this steep section is a relatively brief, if significant, part of the hike. If you can manage the climb, the views at the top are magnificent. While the prime wildflower season has passed, there are still some lovely blooms scattered among the sagebrush. There were a few bugs near the edge of the cliff, which kept the swallows busy as they dove overhead in search of snacks.

Other than the steep sections of trail to reach the top, the rest of the path is in pretty good shape. Watch for ticks, as our friend discovered one after the hike. Bring plenty of water (for humans and dogs), as you'll likely be quite thirsty after the climb. All in all, it's a gorgeous hike, and everyone in our group felt it was well worth the climb. I hope future trail improvements will make the trail more accessible so that more visitors can experience this beautiful place.

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