Every day is a journey, and the journey itself is home
-Matsu Basho

The reason we made this blog was to keep in touch with people while we were out of the country, but more importantly, to capture our trips and journeys and memories. And now, during our stay at home time due to Covid 19 outbreak, travel is not an option, but we are lucky, unlike most of the world, we still are able to get outside and hike. So to remember this time, and our hikes, here are a few we have taken. Too much snow right now in the Cascades, so our hikes are all in the Columbia Basin.

Northrup Canyon
Northrup Canyon is such a great little hike. Located up by Banks Lake, just east of Steamboat Rock State Park. Starts out on a double track road as you enter the canyon. To your left are sky-scraping basalt cliffs. To the right is an old wagon road (closed when we hiked to protect the nesting birds) where approximately 100 to 200 bald eagles nest each year. You can see them soaring overhead looking for food for their young. In about a half mile, the road narrows to a single track trail and hugs the western side of the canyon. At about 1.5 miles of pretty flat hiking, you reach the old Northrup homestead. The log cabin, built in about 1874 is still standing…as well as some out-buildings and the newer home built several decades later. Interesting history here….John Northrup died at the turn of the century and his wife and daughter took over the running of the ranch Then in 1903, Mrs. Northrup was murdered by a neighboring rancher over a property dispute. The rancher also murdered his own wife in the same incident. The Northrup family continued to farm the land for several more generations. This homestead is a fun spot to explore and take pics. Find the birdhouse behind the new home and the heart metal art on the backside of the house.

Once you are ready to get back on the trail, you’ll find it changes in temperament….taking an upward trajectory for the next mile and three quarters. All around you now are ponderosa pine, willows and aspen and views back down to the canyon. Eventually you make it to Northrup Lake…a heart-shaped beauty. For fishermen, I hear there are some hungry little trout in these waters. Climb the steep hillside to the north and get a panoramic view of the lake nestled at the end of this canyon. Break out your lunch and beverage of choice and just soak in the beauty!!!!! Love this hike and in the spring-time…No Snakes!!!!! I would imagine this one will get oven-hot in the summer with the sun reflecting off the canyon walls. Great hike for families!!!

Heidi at the top of the hill !!

Northrup Lake…a real beauty.

Ancient Lakes
We just love the Ancient Lakes Area….great for hiking as well as mountain biking, and a perfect spot for kids to hike and explore. First time we went, we hiked from above, parked at the lot just off White Trail Road. Overall pretty flat hiking with a few little hills, but the lakes are drop-dead gorgeous!!! And water falls!!!! Cascading over basalt cliffs. When I was in high school, a bunch of us guys used to come out here to fish….pulled some very nice looking trout out of these waters!!! Now we just come to exercise and marvel. You can get down to the lower lakes, but you have to descend a rather steep and treacherous basalt rubble cliff. We saved the lower lakes for another day.

If you take the road behind the Quincy rest stop you come to the lower Ancient Lakes parking lot. This gives you easy access to all the lower lakes, down to the Columbia River, into Dusty Coulee and even trail access to The Gorge Amphitheatre five miles away. Hiking through the coulees here is so fun. Keep your eyes peeled for raptors….hawks, owls, eagles….and the EA-18G Growler jets from Whidbey Island Naval Air Station that occasionally zoom through the canyons on their daily practice runs. I think our favorite was hiking to Dusty Lake…pretty much had the entire Coulee to ourselves. Brought a picnic lunch, spread a blanket at a spot overlooking the lake, ate, read our books and soaked in the sunshine. Just the very best.

Hiking down to the lower bench above the Columbia is also pretty cool. Watch your step for if you twist an ankle you might not have anyone find you for a bit…it is that secluded….but worth every step for the views you will have of the mighty Columbia River.

Columbia River looking south

Columbia River looking north

Balsamroot Trail/Sage Hills Trail
Right behind our house is the Balsamroot Trail…it traverses from Horse Lake Road to the end of Broadview and then connects with the Sage Hills Trail. Great for hiking and mountain biking, a great trail to sneak away from home and enjoy views of the city and the Columbia River. Balsamroot is about a two mile trail, but if you take the Sage Hills spur at the end you can add miles and miles to your trek. We love this trail for a quick hike and escape from home.

Early balsamroot bloom

On the Balsamroot Trail

Old car off the Horse Lake Road

Jacobson Preserve Trail (SaddleRock)
So nice to have this trail in our “backyard”. We love to hike to the top starting at the WRAC parking lot…it is more of a trail instead of the road atmosphere of the Appleatchi side. Great views of Wenatchee, up the Columbia to Rocky Reach Dam, and across to East Wenatchee. A bit crowded at times and social distancing takes some doing, but the views at the top are worth it.

So for as long as we are able, we’ll keep a-walking the trails. And when the snow abates, we’ll climb up high in the Cascades.

Roadside attraction on way to Northrup Canyon