Escure Ranch and Towell Falls - Endicott, WA (Early Summer 2018/19)

47.014714, -117.943296

Length: approx. 6.5 miles (roundtrip)

Be aware of: Hikers, fisherman, bugs, toxic water plants.

Escure Ranch/Towell Falls is an old ranch that is now available for hiking and horseback riding. Located near Endicott, WA, Escure Ranch/Towell falls offers a unique riding experience that really made me feel like I was riding in an old western. The parking area is large, with plenty of room for larger trailers, there are also two stock pens that are in good condition and there is a decent water source for horses right next to the pens.

The trail does have gates that you will need to open and close as you go. The trail starts out on an old semi rocky ranch road that winds down through a marshy valley and then up into the cliffs. The valley has a creek running through it and when we went, it was verdant and lush with the vegetation at head level for our horses (do be aware of toxic plants lining the water and avoid grazing here). The climb up to the cliffs was fairly easy, but this could be challenging in wetter conditions. Best to try for this trail when it has been a little drier weather.

Once up in the cliffs (see picture below) you come to a beautiful meadow dotted with wildflowers and hemmed in by rocky outcroppings. The ground beneath the horses hooves sounds like a drum and this place truly has a magical feeling to it. continuing out of the cliffs, you enter the typical Eastern Washington grass/ scrub-land as you gently climb to the crest of a hill. At the crest, your view will open up to a shallow valley, with the river and falls visible. The trail to the upper falls gets rocky, so exercise caution navigating here. There are some other narrow trails that lead to the lower falls as well. Please use discretion to keep you and your horse safe on these paths.

Escure Ranch and Towell Falls has so much to explore and enjoy!

Final note: Be sure to bring a good, strong insect spray for you and your horse as the flies can be quite pesky here when traveling the lowland sections.

Cliff meadow

Looking out on the lowland

#easternwashington #towellfalls #escureranch #trailriding

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GPS coordinates: 47°00'51.5"N 117°56'36.9"W (Google maps has the correct location)