This weekend we went on a short little trip to White Bluffs in the Hanford Reach National Monument. This unique area is found on WA Hwy 24E about 26 miles west of Othello, WA. At one time this area played an important role in the lives of the Native American tribes along the Columbia River. Later, it was vital to the development of the plutonium that was delivered in the Fat Man bomb that the US dropped on Nagasaki, Japan during WWII.
After exiting Hwy 24E, you will travel southwards for roughly 6 miles before the turn off to the boat launch and trailhead for the north hike. Staying on the main road for another 2 miles leads to the parking area for the White Bluffs hike and the overlook. There are a few signs at the overlook explaining the significance of the area and what you can see as you look out over the river. The road is fine for most any vehicle, tho there are some spots where the potholes get a little gnarly and the washboards have to be avoided.

The trail at the overlook is referred to as the south slope. It is the remnants of an old paved road that leads down off the bluffs to along the river. You can cover about 10 miles in total if you follow the path as laid out by the Washington Trails Association (https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/white-bluffs-south ). We only went about 1.5 miles in because we were unaware of when the gate would shut, trapping us for the evening. To save you this concern, the gate opens 2 hours before sunrise and closes 2 hours after sunset. The path down to the river is a nice easy walk, but you begin to feel the incline towards the end of the return journey.
Asides from hiking and enjoying the serenity that this field of sage and grass offers, there are good opportunities for bird watching and for fishing. There are many sport and food fish available in the river. Hawks, gold and bald eagles, blue herons, and white pelicans can be seen taking advantage of the waters and the food they help provide. Coyotes, elk, and mule deer also call this area home. I read that porcupine are also found here, so watch your dogs if you bring them along so you do not have to clean off a nose full of quills.

Overall, I very much enjoyed our trip to this area. Seeing the only portion of the Columbia River not blocked and flooded by dams, showing the way the river would have looked hundred of years ago, really makes you feel like you are in a different place and time. Then you see the reactors where plutonium was refined and you are brought back to a time when man was struggling to assert dominance over his fellow man. The emotions that this trip evoked made me wish that we had had more time to explore and immerse ourselves in the history this area has to offer. Hopefully, we will be able to return here in the near future to explore the north slope trail for a day.

If you want more content, give me a follow on Instagram at: overnightadventuresblog
If Facebook is your thing, here is my page: https://www.facebook.com/overnightadventuresblog/
More videos to come on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@OvernightAdventuresVlog
And finally, if you would like to help support my travels and this blog, here is my patreon link:
https://www.patreon.com/OvernightAdventures

Disclaimer: The information contained in this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. The author of this blog makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of the information contained in this blog for any particular purpose. The author of this blog will not be liable for any loss or damage arising out of the use of or reliance on the information contained in this blog.

Copyright 2024 Isbell Productions