Steptoe Butte

Motorcycle Roads & Rides > Routes > United States > Washington

Average Rating - This road has been rated by 3 visitors

State: Washington
Date Submitted: May 1, 2009
Submitted by: DeDe
Motorcycle Road Length: 16 Miles

Written Directions

Start in Colfax and head North on WA Hwy 195 approximately 7 miles and look for a junction and small road sign Hume Rd on your right. It's approximately another 3-5 miles to Steptoe Butte.

Scenery

"Combine the Steptoe Butte with any of the surrounding highways or county roads for a wonderful day ride. We like Hwy 27 from Spokane Valley to Oakesdale. Hwy 127 is a nice road with lots of sweepers, if you head west from Colfax on Hwy 26 to Washtucna then south to Hwy 261 it will take you over to Palouse Falls:" DeDe

Out on the Palouse is a little cone shaped mountain called Steptoe Butte at Steptoe Butte State Park. From the top of Steptoe you can see the Tri-Cities to the southwest, Spokane to the North, all of the Washington Palouse, The Blues of Oregon to the south. It the spring the grass is emerald green and the temperature ranges in the 60s-70s. In August the area turns golden brown as the wheat fields mature and the temperatures often range in the high 90s.

Road Quality

This little single track road is just about one long long sweeping curve all the way up or down as you spiral around the mountain. The single track road's pavement is in relatively good condition. It can be accessed by taking Hume Rd a county road that runs between Colfax and Oaksdale Washington. The road is a narrow paved road with varying quality of pavement.

Roadside Amenities

Nothing out here but grass and a little mountain, Colfax and Oakesdale are each approximately 10 miles away. NO gas in Oakesdale, Colfax has gas, food etc. though limited.

Additional Info

- View the weather forecast for this area from Yahoo weather .

Nickname (optional) DeDe

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Reviewed by Guest on October 12, 2010 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Bill R
motorcycle_year: 2009
motorcycle_make: BMW
motorcycle_type: Enduro
Comment: I, too, ride the Palouse alot. Steptoe Butte offers a relaxing waypoint while riding adjacent countryside. I'm on an 800 dual sport and the Palouse offers outstanding crossection of dirt/gravel/paved roads! It's the perfect playground for dual-sports. I just was up there this first week of Oct. 2010 and had the place to myself. Going up (sprialing to the left) was just a little bit unnerving with no guard rails along the paved road, but coming back down (spiraling to the right and on the inside track) was just as much fun. Recommend you ride on a sunny day to get the full effect of seeing the entire Palouse. Surrounding areas offer some "Summer Only" roads (for off roaders) that are excellent for seeing wildlife, hidden wheat landscapes and quiet canyons. All roads offer great sweeps and ups/downs with posted speed limits ranging from 45 to 55+. Can't go wrong in the Palouse!
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Reviewed by Guest on September 4, 2010 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: ZX12R
motorcycle_year: 2005
motorcycle_make: Kawasaki
motorcycle_type: Sport-Touring
Comment: Can't beat Eastern Washington's terrain
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Reviewed by Guest on January 27, 2010 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Big Mike
motorcycle_year: 2000
motorcycle_make: Honda
motorcycle_type: Cruiser
Comment: Have been up on the butte many times. this is a great day ride out of Walla Walla, we usually go East on hwy 12 into Lewiston, Id. then up to Moscow, Id. have lunch then ride to the butte and back home. The best time to go is late spring early summer.
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