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Hiking the Coulee
Northrup Canyon, as seen from above, offers hikers spectacular views and a variety of scenery, flora and fauna.
Northrup Canyon
In Northrup Canyon hikers will find 3,120 acres of forested ravines tucked away between coulee walls. Home to Grant County’s only official forest, Northrup Canyon is located in Steamboat Rock State Park across the highway from Banks Lake, and offers hikers an immersive nature experience that includes majestic cliffs and many types of trees and birds, including bald eagles who nest in the area.
From the trailhead/parking area, where a Discover Pass is required to park, the trail splits in two directions. Here we will focus on the most popular hike, which is to the left, and will lead through forest and meadows to a homestead, and on from there to Northrup Lake. The trail is rather easy to navigate all the way to the homestead, largely flat and never steep, and winds through trees and fields, past old structures and ancient cliffs carved by glaciers. The homestead was home to the Northrup family with whom there is a rich pioneer history which you can read a bit about at the trailhead kiosk. Once you arrive at the homestead, you can choose to continue to the left past the old chicken coop on the trail to the lake, or turn around and go back. The homestead is roughly halfway between the parking lot and the lake, and most people choose to turn around at the homestead. From the parking area to the homestead and back is a 3.5-mile trek. If you go onward to the lake you will wind through more forest, up a couple of quite steep, difficult parts, and eventually come to Northrup Lake. The lake is small, and peaceful with no big beaches, but has a couple of openings where someone could fish or relax. From the parking area to the lake and back is about 6.5 miles round trip.
Directions: From Grand Coulee, head south on State SR155 about 7 miles. Turn left onto Northrup Canyon Road. Difficulty: Easy to moderate Approximate time: 2-4 hours Length: 3.5-6.5 miles round trip Elevation gain: 450 feet, from 1,800 to 2,250 feet above
sea level
