I love the topography of the Palouse, an area few travelers have ever heard of. The Palouse is a farming region characterized by rolling hills which covers 3000 square miles of Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. Wheat and legumes are the most common crops grown here.
Today we’re going to visit one of the highest elevations in eastern Washington’s Palouse, a quartzite bluff known as Steptoe Butte State Park. The park contains some of the oldest rock in the region (more than 400 million years old — surrounding rock is about 15 million years old) which is thought to have been at the border of the original North American continent. It stands 3612 feet (1101 m) tall and offers some of the best views of the Palouse’s distinctive scenery that you can see. The park is a National Natural Landmark and is named in honor of Colonel Edward Steptoe, who led the USA Army during the region’s Indian wars.
Steptoe Butte provide last weekend’s One Clue Mystery photo. Congratulations to Professor Abe and George G, who correctly figured out where the photo was taken.
Steptoe Butte is a 168 acre park about 70 mile south of Spokane. It has been a spiritual site for aboriginal people, a wagon road, and the site of a hotel and observatory.
(One Clue Mystery Photo)
(Views of the Palouse from Steptoe Butte)
Today a narrow paved road winds up around the butte, offering ever changing panoramic views. At the top you’ll find a parking lot and some telecommunications antennae.
(Towers at the top of Steptoe Butte)
From the top of the butte, you can see up to 200 miles on a clear day, into both Idaho and Oregon states. The views are especially memorable, with the changing light altering the character of the landscape. The rolling hills reminded me of the swells of a turbulent sea. One almost has the feeling that the ground might start moving.
Popular activities in the park include picnicking, sight-seeing, paragliding, kite flying and photography.
