Native Americans | Washington State Hiking Pursuing Balance Thru Adventure

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.

**“The earth does not belong to us. We belong to the earth.” -Chief Seattle**

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

Okanogan County, Washington

Activity: Exploration

I have been in quite a few old abandon mines throughout the West, but this is my first old abandon mining operation. This once sturdy, proud building with it heavy wooden beams is anything but sturdy today. Some 125 years ago it would have been bustling with mill workers separating the precious metal from the heavy ore. Now it is a creaky, dusty, old building, window panes are all gone, part of the roof is bare, the flooring is suspect, it is decrepit, dilapidated, decaying, musty and is a ghost from a bygone era.

It is a story as old as the West it’s self. Native American’s lived on this land for thousands of years. Gold and Silver are discovered and there is a Rush creating Boom Towns almost over night pushing the Native Americans out and Towns sprung up throughout the West. Okanogan County Washington was dotted with mines as hordes of gold seeking prospectors flooded in. The Rush lasted for a dozen years or so and little is left of that Boom and Bust time, but some holes in the mountain and this Spooky Old Abandon Mining Operation from days gone by.

Scary video of the Spooky Old Abandoned Mining Operation on my PBTA YouTube Channel. (Click the Pic)

**“We are only a moment.” – Emma Oliver**

Thanks for joining me on this journey back in time ’Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ in an Old Abandon Mining Operation. It was interesting and eerie at the same time. I wasn’t supposed to be there. The building is condemned, unsafe and I was the only one in the entire area. Plus it is sorta spooky looking and the folks that worked there are long gone. Who knows they probably still haunt this place seeking their unfulfilled fortunes. They don’t call these old places Ghost Towns for nothing. To continue seeking balanced through wonder and excitement stayed tuned by doing these simple tasks: COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW and SHARE. If you go to the menu above you will find that PBTA ventures to many fascinating locales throughout the WEST and seeks out beautiful and interesting places to hike, backpack, explore, bike, kayak, 4 Wheel and so forth and so on. Each location is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. You can’t really make it out in the picture, but I am wearing a PBTA hat which you can find along with other top quality Adventure Wear at SHOP APPAREL.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursing Balance Through Adventure

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure