Hike of the Week: Palouse Falls

Palouse Falls are especially stunning during the spring run-off

Palouse Falls

Washington’s Canyon Country springs with beauty




by Craig Romano
photo by Craig Romano
produced by Michael Fagin

April 14, 2006

Quick Facts
Location: The Palouse, Southeast Washington
Land Agency: Washington State Parks
Roundtrip: 2 to 3 miles
Elevation gain: 200-300 feet
Access: From Ritzville follow SR 261 south for 42 miles. Turn left on Palouse Falls Road and follow for just over two miles to Palouse Falls State Park.
Notes: Dogs must be leashed.

Thousands of years ago, a great body of water known as Kalispell Lake broke loose, flooding much of Washington’s interior. Out of this deluge came the Columbia River. As it changed course over the ages, it eroded the central plateau. When the flood waters receded, a land of channeled scablands was left behind. Some of these channels are scores of miles long and several hundred feet deep.
Today, these scablands are known as coulees, comprising of Washington’s canyon country. They’re desolate places, some of the driest areas in all of the Pacific Northwest; but they’re also among some of the most beautiful places in the region. They can be brutally cold in the winter and scathingly hot in the summer. They’re home to insects that bite, plants that sting and snakes that rattle. Some of them have been claimed by highways, others by agriculture. Some have been flooded by dams and others have been left fairly wild.
For those of you wishing to escape the spring rains of Western Washington and try a different type of exploration-now is the perfect time for hiking the canyon country. The temperatures of the basin are comfortable right now, and the canyon walls and floors are coming alive in a vivid floral show of spring blossoms. Among my favorite places for exploring in the Coulee Country is Palouse Falls. I rank it as one of the prettiest waterfalls within all of Washington. Be sure to visit after a period of heavy rain or snow melt. Most casual visitors to this remote corner of the state, merely just gaze at the falls from the observation point. But for the intrepid explorer, there’s a series of trails that explores this 83-acre state park. A trail leads high on the ridge for views over and behind the falls and one leads down on a bench into Palouse Canyon. On both of these trails, views of the 198-foot falls are superb. One note of caution is warranted here- these trails are primitive and can be treacherous. They are not casual ventures, so be sure that you’re properly prepared. And prepared too, to enjoy the beauty of the Evergreen State’s Canyon Country.