Steamboat Rock State Park has two fine hikes – Steamboat Rock (itself) and a trail up Northrup Canyon to Northrup Lake.   The Northrup Trail starts on the east side of Banks Lake at a signed trailhead.   Basalt cliffs rise above the trail as it gradually heads northeast.

The trail continues to an old abandoned farmhouse, occupied by successive pioneers from 1829 to 1927.

From the old farm the trail continues gradually up the canyon through open forest (the only one in Grant County), passing a number of rock outcrops and large boulders.

At the end of the trail, hikers arrive at Northrup Lake.   In this dry and rocky environment this is a peaceful and lush spot.   We could see large trout swimming in the lake.

We continued above the lake to the rocky dry plateau, then returned by the same trail.   We encountered a number of rattlesnakes along the trail.

Northrup Canyon was a very good out-and-back 10.6 km hike.   We enjoyed the diverse ecosystems of the route.    At the start is a large area of rusting tin cans, left from the building of the Grand Coulee Dam.   Along the south rim is the Old Wagon Trail Road, a route over the rim, connecting the plateau with the coulee.   This is an eagle roosting area in winter.   The old farm buildings, irrigation systems, and geological features add to the overall experience on this fine hike.

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