TOUR 1

The Pullman Loop

The rich farmlands of the Palouse stretch across eastern Washington like a sea of rolling wheat. Not far away, the Snake River cuts through ancient lava beds to form one of the nations deepest canyons. To the south, the timbered slopes of the Blue Mountains are home to big horn sheep, elk, deer and black bear. In the center of the Palouse lies the town of Pullman, named in honor of the railroad tycoon, George Pullman, inventor of the famous Pullman Sleeping Car. Since its founding in the 1880's, Pullman has been growing to become the population center of the Palouse. 

Located in Pullman is Washington State University, one of the nation's most important agricultural research centers. Many farmers in America have reaped the benefits of high quality corn, wheat and peas developed by WSU researchers. Be sure to stop for ice cream or special Cougar Gold cheese at Ferdinand's Dairy Bar, the retail outlet for WSU's extensive dairy operation. You can take a free tour of the WSU campus or visit the museums of art, natural history, entomology and anthropology. If you enjoy athletic excitement, look no further. WSU is the home of the Cougars, with men's and women's teams competing in the prestigious Pacific 10 and Northern Pacific Conferences. The cultural and recreational atmosphere of Pullman contrasts pleasantly with the rural countryside. You can enjoy live drama and first-class concerts, or you can stroll through peaceful parks, swim, play tennis and golf. For directions to Pullman's modern RV Park, stop at the Pullman Chamber of Commerce.

Swimming, boating and camping fun are a short side-trip from Pullman to Boyer Park, on the Snake River. Nearby at Lower Granite Dam, you can watch the operation of navigation locks as massive barges carry Palouse wheat to coastal ports. An underwater viewing window lets you see the fish work their way up the fish ladder over the dam. 

From Pullman, go south on U.S. 195 to the small farming communities of Colton and Uniontown. German immigrants settled Uniontown in the mid-1880's. Old country hospitality is relived each year with the Uniontown Sausage Feed, held the Sunday before Ash Wednesday. Uniontown's St. Boniface Church, built in 1905, is the oldest Catholic church in Washington State. 

The highway soon begins a long descent from the Palouse plateau to the Snake and Clearwater Valleys, more that two thousand feet below. The twin cities of Lewiston and Clarkston appear as miniatures from the vista point near the top of the grade. From here you can take an alternate route to the valley via the scenic twists and turns of the Old Spiral Highway. At the bottom of the hill, go west on U.S. 12. The Chambers of Commerce in Lewiston and Clarkston can give you information about thrilling jet boat trips into Hells Canyon, the deepest gorge in North America. 

Highway U.S. 12 follows the Snake River, along the route of Lewis and Clark's return from the Pacific in 1806. Nearby Silcott Island is the site of Chief Timothy State Park. In addition to campgrounds and swimming beaches, the Alpowai Interpretive Center tells the story of the Nez Perce Indians, Lewis and Clark and the town of Silcott that once existed here. 

Continuing west on U.S. 12, you will arrive at Pomeroy. It's a popular point of departure for hunting trips to the Blue Mountains and the adjacent Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness, Washington's most productive elk area. Mushroom lovers know that the " Blues " are prime territory for morrels and other varieties. The Pomeroy Ranger Station has maps of trails and back country roads. The steep wheat fields around Pomeroy are harvested by combines with special self-leveling equipment. Pomeroy's historic Houser Flour Mill and small pioneer museum bring back days of early farming. Nearby is the Dye Seed Ranch, one of the world's largest producers of Kentucky Bluegrass lawn seed. 

For a side trip, turn west on Highway 261 leading to Lyons Ferry State Park, which features swimming and camping at the confluence of the Palouse and Snake Rivers. 

Nearby at Palouse Falls State Park, the Palouse River plunges two-hundred feet into a deep, basalt gorge. During the high water of spring and early summer, the thunderous fury of the falls echoes through the canyon and the mist creates a brilliant rainbow. From Palouse Falls, take Highway 261 back to its junction with U.S. 12. You can enjoy good fishing and forested campsites at the Tucannon turnoff approximately one mile beyond this junction. 

Then "make tracks" to Dayton, site of Washington's oldest railroad depot. Built in 1881, the depot was an important link between the farms of eastern Washington and cities on the coast. Dayton stands at the edge of a year-round playground in the Blue Mountains. For cross-country skiers and snowmobilers, extensive trail systems wind throughout the scenic Blues. Well groomed downhill skiing is also nearby. A highlight of winter fun in Dayton is the annual Christmas lighting celebration, held in November.

From Dayton, backtrack to Dodge on U.S. 12, then go north on Highway 127 to Central Ferry State Park, one of the largest recreation areas on the Snake River, with camping, boating and good fishing for bass and catfish.

Continue north to the junction with Highway 26 and go east to Colfax. Here you can visit the historic Perkins House built by James Perkins, a cofounder of Colfax. Rodeos, fairs and horse shows are held throughout the spring and summer at the Palouse Empire Fairgrounds near Colfax.

In the small community of Palouse, you'll find that the early history of eastern Washington is well preserved at the Boomerang Museum, one of the only museums in the west dedicated to old newspapers and printing.

A few miles south, forested Kamiak Butte rises a thousand feet above the surrounding farmland. For a real birds-eye-view of the Palouse, take a hike from the park's campground up the panoramic Pine Ridge Trail. As you near Pullman, a country road takes you to the Three Forks Pioneer Village and Museum, which demonstrates turn-of-the-century farm life with a reconstructed small town and displays of early farming implements.

The Pullman Chamber of Commerce can give you detailed directions and information about these and other points of interest.

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