Activity: Nature Walk

3 miles, 194’ elevation gain, 75 min duration, rated Easy

There seems to be some discrepancy regarding the actually spelling. Is it McLoughlin Canyon or McLaughlin? I have seen it spelled both ways in different accounts and even both ways in the same account. The one thing I know is that there is signage near the spot from the Okanogan Historical Society spelling it McLoughlin, but the road in is spelled McLaughlin Canyon Rd.

History tells us that on July 29, 1858 David McLoughlin, (Most accounts I have read spelled his name that way, however I did see one that spelled it the other), brought a group of more than 150 prospectors, most of the men with a US Army background having fought in the war with Mexico, through this area up from the Okanogan River below. This spot with it’s cliffs and bluffs funneled the men into a natural canyon ripe for an ambush. Native Americans Warriors of the Chelan, Okanogan and Columbia tribes had enough of the miners encroaching on their land and attacked from above. Possessing the advantage of the high ground killed 6 men and wounded almost three times that many before the miners group retreated back down and across the Okanogan River. This skirmish along with other such incidents sent fear through out the North West which lead to a Military backlash and ultimately to a treaty being signed later that year.

Today this area is a quick easy jaunt out into nature where you can experience the terrain around Tonasket in North Central Washington. 

The hike begins in a canyon bearing a grim reminder of how devastating wildfires are in the west. The large trees are burned, but the area is springing back with green grass, wildflowers, and desert brush. 

After the first half mile some firs are back to decorating the canyon area properly and there are scenic cliffs, and a grassy meadow to enjoy. I took an animal trail a bit further to snap a picture of the valley as it stretched out before me with a glimpse of the Okanogan River. If you walk in the meadow, off the trail, you will be picking cheat grass out of your socks for 10 minutes.  Yes, I learned that from experience, lol.

To get a photo from above I continued the back country road ‘McLaughlin Canyon Road’ which was a great 4×4 drive through the countryside. 

Thanks for joining in this scenic Nature Walk in McLoughlin Canyon a very pleasant way to spend an hour ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’. By the way, I reached out to the Okanogan Historical Society and they sent detailed information that McLoughlin is the correct spelling setting at least this record straight. Please stick around for more adventure by doing some simple tasks: COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW and SHARE. The menu above shows hiking areas all over the West and is mostly categorized by location. Each is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. I invite you to checkout my line of Adventure Wear at SHOP APPAREL it is top quality and carries the PBTA Logo and Mantra.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure