Washington's Channeled Scablands Guide : Explore and Recreate along the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail

by Soennichsen, John

• ISBN13: 9781594854835
• ISBN10: 1594854831
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-03-01
• Publisher: Mountaineers Books

Summary

Scarred by ancient glaciers, central Washington's scabland canyons are an uncrowded wonderland of outdoor adventure* Comprehensive guide to a fascinating region rich in history and recreational access to camping, hiking, fishing, and more* The Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail was designated by the National Park Service in 2009. Once completed, the trail will connect interpretive facilities, signage, and other tourism activities* Regional maps, visitor information, and photosOften overlooked by those cruising the highway to Spokane or the Tri-Cities area, more than 2,000 square miles of terrain in eastern Washington are home to a striking collection of sharp-edged coulees slicing through a crust of basalt. In this stunning landscape, deep lakes fill the depths of dramatic gorges flanked by steep walls of towering rock columns, labyrinthine geological channels, and wide tracts of scabby rock that give the region its name-no other region in the world contains geological features like those found in the Channeled Scablands.Where-to guidebook and travel narrative come together in Washington's Channeled Scablands Guideto offer a comprehensive and intimately knowledgeable tour of this one-of-a-kind region. Local writer and historian John Soennichsen is your guide to fascinating lore; snapshots of the unique towns connected by this singular landscape; descriptions of the fabulous geology; advice on how to explore whether by auto, horseback, canoe, bike, or on foot; and essential info about where to fuel up and stop for dinner. Take the family to scenic camping and fishing in Coffeepot Lake and read out loud the legend of Old West outlaw Harry Tracey as you cruise along on a "Back Roads Auto Tour." Lace up your boots for a cross-country hike in the Juniper Dunes Wilderness Area or up Badger Mountain Trail. Explore the unearthly crater-like formations in the Telford-Crab Creek Tract, or set up with your camera for a stunning sunrise over Palouse Falls. Whether you're a boater looking for new waterways to explore, a naturalist interested in unique ecosystems, or just a curious traveler - if you're seeking adventure and intrigue just a little off the beaten path, you'll find the keys to a whole new world of exploration with Washington's Channeled Scablands Guide.

Author Biography

John Soennichsen has more than 300 articles, essays, and books to his credit, including Bretzs Flood. He lives on a five-acre emu ranch outside Cheney, Washington.

Table of Contents

Map	p. 8
Introduction	p. 9
Acknowledgments	p. 15
The Channeled Scablands: An Overview
The Scablands' Geologic Past	p. 19
The Channeled Scablands Environment	p. 29
Getting Around in the Channeled Scablands	p. 39
Touring the Channeled Scablands
Cheney-Palouse Scabland	p. 57
Fish Lake	p. 63
Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge	p. 64
Williams and Badger Lakes	p. 65
FishtrapùHog Lake Recreation Area	p. 67
Rock Lake and Environs	p. 69
Paddling to Bonnie Lake	p. 73
Sprague Lake	p. 73
Escure Ranch Recreation Area	p. 75
Towell Falls Hike	p. 76
Turtle Lake Loop Trail	p. 77
Staircase Rapids	p. 78
Palouse Falls and Canyon	p. 79
Paddling to the Base of Palouse Falls	p. 81
Washtucna Coulee	p. 82
Devils Canyon	p. 84
Columbia Plateau Trail	p. 86
Cheney-Palouse Scabland Auto Tours	p. 89
Cheney-Area Lakes Loops	p. 89
PalouseùSnake River Loop	p. 92
Telford-Crab Creek Track	p. 95
Telford Recreation Area	p. 100
Twin Lakes Recreation Area	p. 102
Loop Trail	p. 104
Coffeepot Lake Recreation Area	p. 104
Govan Recreation Area	p. 106
Lakeview Ranch Recreation Area	p. 107
Odessa to Pacific Lake Trail	p. 108
Odessa Craters	p. 108
Odessa Craters Loop Trail	p. 109
Telford-Crab Creek Auto Tours	p. 110
Midsection Loop	p. 111
Almira to Odessa Back Roads	p. 112
Grand and Moses Couless	p. 115
Banks Lake	p. 122
Northrup Canyon	p. 123
Northrup Canyon Hike	p. 124
Steamboat Rock	p. 125
Steamboat Rock Summit Hike	p. 125
Waterville Plateau Glacial Erratics	p. 126
Dry Falls and Umatilla Rock	p. 128
Umatilla Rock Trail	p. 131
Lake Lenore	p. 132
Lake Lenore Caves	p. 133
Soap Lake	p. 134
Dry Coulee and Billy Clapp Lake	p. 136
Ephrata Fan Rock Fields	p. 138
Moses Coulee	p. 139
Douglas and Duffy Creeks Recreation Area	p. 142
Grand and Moses Coulees Auto Tours	p. 145
Upper Grand Coulee Loop	p. 145
Lower Grand Coulee Loop	p. 147
Moses Coulee	p. 149
Moses Lake-Quincy Basin	p. 153
Crater Coulee	p. 161
West Bar Current Ripples	p. 161
Potholes Coulee	p. 164
Ancient Lake Trail	p. 165
Dusty Lake Trail	p. 165
Frenchman Coulee	p. 166
Central Rib Trail	p. 167
Moses Lake	p. 168
Potholes Reservoir	p. 170
Paddling at Potholes State Park	p. 171
Drumheller Channels	p. 172
Upper Goose Lake Trail	p. 176
Paddling Upper and Lower Goose Lakes	p. 177
Frog Lake Trail	p. 177
Paddling Hutchinson and Shiner Lakes	p. 178
Lower Crab Creek	p. 179
Paddling Lower Crab Creek	p. 180
Moses Lake-Quincy Basin Auto Tours	p. 181
Moses LakeùArea Loop	p. 181
Othello to Trinidad Back Roads	p. 183
Pasco-Lake Lewis Basins	p. 187
Esquatzel Coulee	p. 191
Esquatzel Coulee Hike	p. 192
Juniper Dunes Wilderness Area	p. 193
Juniper Dunes Cross-Country Hike	p. 195
Red Mountain	p. 196
Red Mountain Trail	p. 197
Goose Hill	p. 197
Goose Hill Trail	p. 198
Benton City Badlands	p. 198
Badger Mountain	p. 199
Badger Mountain Trail	p. 200
Wallula Gap	p. 201
Wallula Gap Hike	p. 203
Twin Sisters	p. 204
Twin Sisters Hike	p. 205
Hat Rock	p. 206
Pasco-Lake Lewis Basins Auto Tours	p. 208
Esquatzel CouleeùJuniper Dunes Loop	p. 208
Tri CitiesùWallula Gap Loop	p. 209
Future of the Channeled Scablands
The Age Floods National Geologic Trail	p. 212
Recommended Resources	p. 217
Index	p. 219
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.