Northrup Canyon

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Geological Significance · Historical Significance · Lake · Wildflowers

This trail is part of Steamboat Rock State Park, so your options are varied. This trail is also an equestrian and mountain biking trail. Restrooms available at the trailhead. Wider variety of activities available just down the road.

Northrup Canyon in Steamboat Rock State Park offers variety depending on the hiker's interests. The trail is lightly trafficked, located near Electric City, Washington and features a lake. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from April until October.

Option 1: Hike to the homestead and back, a 3 mile venture.
Option 2: Hike to Northrup lake and back, a 6.4 mile venture.
Option 3: Using the wagon trail spur (when it is open) to hike up to and around the canyon rim, an 8 mile or so venture. Note this option is closed between November and March for eagle roosting.

Many facets of history greet you on this trail. Your first exposure is the "historic" trash pile left behind from the kitchen that served the workers who built Grand Coulee dam and camped in this canyon during the course of its construction. Next up you make your way through a wonderful example of the canyons left behind from the Ice Age Floods. Even the granite you scramble over on your way up to the lake are signs of a moving glacier "yanking away blocks of granite bedrock." Further down the trail you arrive at the homestead and come across several outbuildings, the oldest dating back to the late 1800s.

Trail reports indicate that cougars have been seen on this trail. Birding opportunities abound. This area has been hit by a couple of wildfires, so wildflowers may need some time to rebound.