Amazing! We camped at Steamboat Rock and were up early with the sun. About 8am we decided to go for “a walk” to just check out the trail. From the trailhead it begins a very slight gradual ascent that kept us motivated for our “walk”. After 5 minutes you get to a tree with a picnic table and water spigot. There we sat, drank, took in some views, and decided let’s go for it!!

It’s not a difficult trail, you have to go slow over loose rocks and gravel though. Be prepared to get dusty and use your balance!! It took less than an hour to fully ascend. Once at the top you can go left (south) or right (north). After you take in the views from there we went right/north. It was astonishing. Truly breathtaking.

The entire top of steamboat rock is a meadow, or more like tundra. We didn’t see any snakes but ample warning given at the campsite and trailhead. We saw tons of monarch butterflies, and a fair amount of harmless buzzy bugs. The top of the rock goes on and on AND ON. We turned back after about an hour. Every little point as we continued north provided an even more breathtaking view.

We didn’t make it all the way to the north tip or around, since we hadn’t had breakfast before our intended “walk” :)

Coming down is tricky, but just go slow, use a 3-point balance, and slide on your bum if you need! Also, a youth group of 10-12 year olds made it up shortly after us. This trail welcomes all hiker levels!!

Always thought this hike sounded neat and I was not disappointed! There were plenty of people in all the parking lots on this Memorial Day weekend, but lots of spaces still available near the boat launch. Weather was a perfect mix of clouds and sun.

We crossed the road and started on the sandy trail around 3:30pm. Very glad I put on sunscreen and lip balm as there was no shelter from the sun or wind at the top. Someone has marked a white arrow on the basalt to guide your way up the slope. It was a tricky scramble up the rocks, especially with hiking poles in tow. Took the trail to the right and met only a handful of other hikers along the way. Stayed "snake awake" but I guess the snakes were not awake. Instead, marmots, swooping swallows and a few determined mosquitoes kept us company. Lots of wildflowers still in bloom. Beautiful views over the lake and very peaceful apart from the music blaring from the boats on Banks Lake. 

The farther out the trail goes, the harder it becomes to follow, but not impossible and definitely worth the trek. All the wide open space lets the soul breathe. We looped back toward the initial trail split and butt-slid down the slope. Shoes with good traction are very handy. Arrived back at the car around 6:30pm. We took our leisurely time on this hike, so most folks can probably do it in less time.

Personally I see more "Cargo Barge" and less "Steamboat" in the whole rock formation, but the latter is more charming.

Really cool Sate Park too -- pick up a brochure at the ranger station to see all the fun stuff you can do in the campgrounds (kayak and cabin rentals!). Also worth a side trip up to Grand Coulee Dam Visitor Arrival Center to learn plenty of fascinating history of the area.

I was camping at Steamboat Rock State Park and started this hike about 3:30. The first part of the trail takes you from the road to the base of the butte pretty quickly and kind of steeply. When you get to the butte, you must climb up a rock scree. If you’re hiking in a group, leave space between yourselves or you will kick rocks into each other. I let my pup go first for this reason. I did not see the rattlesnake that others reported. I hope that means we were loud enough that it slithered away. The trail is pretty rocky and sometimes loose until you reach the top, so watch your step and wear solid shoes or boots. We passed one couple on the way up, but we’re completely alone for the rest of the hike. You are instantly rewarded with views at the top. And the wildflowers are out in force! We took the right (eastern) side of the loop along the ledge and it was in great condition. There is lots of tall grass, so I was thinking about ticks the whole time, but neither of us got any.

We reached the furthest point of the loop and it looks like others have gone beyond this point. I didn’t go further because I wasn’t sure it was an established trail and because I saw rain clouds gathering in the distance. We took the western side of the loop back. It is not as well-travelled, so sometimes it was difficult to see. The wildflowers are even more plentiful on this side. As we descended, we spotted five deer up on the ridge watching us make our way back down.

It was a great hike! I was pleased to see a lack of trash and trail braiding, which can happen a lot on popular trails.

First the useful news: there are still many wildflowers; they will probably last for another week or so. We were especially delighted to find many bitterroot (on the southern mesa).

Now the problem: the trail (more like "trail"). It's part scramble, steep, lots of loose rock. I am not young anymore, I have three replaced joints, my balance isn't that greet anymore, and hence I am always looking for "doable" but exciting trails to beautiful places. I suspect that many fellow hikers would agree that Steamboat Rock is one of the prime places of central Washington. Hence I would think that the Great State of Washington could manage round up some resources to build a decent trail up to the plateau - in order to make access doable. I'll see if lobbying our legislators (and WTA) helps.

Oh, and the reptiles were out, too...

“And on the fourth day of May the Dark Lord of the Sith said ‘Let there be scree’ and behold, hiking at Steamboat Rock, there was scree, and he was pleased.”

Steamboat Rock is an excellent hike with amazing views found between Grand Coulee and Coulee City. It is found in Steamboat Rock State Park which requires a Discovery Pass. The trailhead can be found right across from the restroom and tent park near the end of the park road, if you hit the boat launch you went too far.

The trail starts off easily enough, with a well-groomed path and mild elevation gain. The continued views of Steamboat Rock as the path continues are excellent and are currently also filled with balsamroot flowers.

Then the climb to the top begins. This part of the trail is almost entirely scree and can be steep at times. Even though this part of the hike is less than a mile, it takes the most time and effort due to the need to watch footing, however the payoff at the top is worth it.

Once the scree climb is done, the path becomes well defined and relatively flat again and branches off in multiple directions to different viewpoints, but the main loop is to the right. From above there are fantastic views of Devil’s Punch Bowl, Banks Lake, and Northup Canyon. The top is also currently covered in various colored Lupine that add to the scenery.

There were a few insects including a small number of bees doing their thing. There was also one rattlesnake that was given a wide birth by both hiker and bird. There were plenty of areas to rest up top, but it was very exposed to the sun, so take precautions.

The trip back down the scree can be very challenging in spots but taking it slow will lead to success and a safe journey back down.

May the Fourth be with you!