McLaughlin Canyon Trail — Monday, Sep. 19, 2011

Eastern Washington > Okanogan Highlands/Kettle River Range

The McLaughlin Canyon Trail is a part of the Brigade Trail used by the Hudson's Bay Company in the early 1800's and became known as the Caribou Trail during the Gold Rush in the 1850's. These trails diverged from the Okanogan River as the shoreline was impassable and climbed into the confined canyon. This became the perfect ambush site On July 29, 1858, Native Americans from the Chelan, Okanogan, and Columbia tribes ambushed a group of approximately 160 prospectors in McLoughlin Canyon. Six of the travelers are killed, about nine others are wounded, and several Indians may have been killed. The miners withdrew crossed the river and continued their journey amid sniping and theft of stock, but no one else will be killed The easy 3 mile round trip decends the canyon and overlooks the Okanogan River. The canyon was devistated by fire in 2007. It is interesting and beautiful to see life returning to the canyon. Although the trail was cleared last year wind falls will be a problem for several years. About 4 miles south of Tonasket WA, take McLaughlin Canyon Rd for 3 miles to trailhead on left, trail is on the right - south of road. BLM