I took a two and a half hour drive west to sample a couple of unique hikes in Steamboat Rock State Park. On the way made a quick stop to admire the mighty Grand Coulee Dam. First was the hike to the top of Steamboat Rock and later that day, I visited Northrup Canyon. There is a fee to enter the park. I highly recommend purchasing an annual Discover Pass through the Washington State Parks Department.
In terms of generating electricity, Grand Coulee is the leading producer in the United States. A short drive up the hill rewards the traveler with this view from the Crown Point Vista.
The drive along Banks Lake offers miles of stunning scenery from inside the coulee.
Steamboat Rock is an impressive basalt monolith in the middle of the coulee and is almost surrounded by Banks Lake.
A short but moderately strenuous hike climbs about 700 feet to the top of the rock where multiple paths provide access to amazing views.
Banks Lake offers excellent kayaking if the wind co-operates.
Shear drop offs requires close supervision of children and pets.
View to the south.
Bald Eagles and other birds of prey take advantage of the updrafts created by the basalt walls and lake breezes.
White tail deer frequent the shore line and the flat plateau on top of the rock.
The hike back down.
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