By:
Submission
Beautiful area and drive to get to the parking spot just be ready for a simple over one mile hike to get to the Towel falls. Also be ready for a short drive through open range with cattle.
Nice place for a long hike. I've hiked 10+ mile distances on this ranch on multiple occasions and not covered the same ground. If you like to hike or wander cross-country, some on trails, some not on trails, this is the place. It can appear somewhat uninteresting and desolate at first, but there is much to be seen and discovered -- various rock formations, deer, birds, small animals, ponds, waterfalls, etc. The drive is 30-40 minutes from the closet town, Winona or St. John, and the last leg is on a bumpy single lane gravel/dirt road, but it's worth the visit.
I came here on Sept 27th to fly fish Rock Cr, not to hike, so this review will be for a niche audience.
Thia site is really isolated. The parking lot had only 1 vehicle in when I arrived and when I left a few hours later after seeing no other people. So for solitude, peace and quiet, 10 stars. There isn't much of a trail along the creek but fishers had tramped down some of the tall grass to various spots on the creek bank. What I assume is the main hiking trail is marked and reasonably easy to see but hikers will still want a map or GPS (I didn't have cell coverage).
The creek was low but a bit discolored, probably from some recent rain. It is easy to wade and can be crossed on foot in most places.
The scenery out here is right out of a western movie - rolling hills with basalt outcroppings as far as the eye can see, tall grass and a few weathered buildings. Walking and fishing in it is a great antidote to the somewhat monotonous experience of driving through the Palouse at 60mph.
Towell Falls is an incredible hiking area. The terrain is pretty easy to manage from the trailhead at Escure Ranch and along the trail to the falls. Some great chances for good scenic photography also. I recommend this area that can comfortably handle 7 to 8 miles of hiking through moderate terrain.
Easy hike, almost flat, mostly old road. Really scenic views and quiet. No sounds of civilization. Worth the many potholes that are on the gravel road, but my sedan did fine.
