Steptoe Butte State Park Heritage Site is a 150-acre, 3,612-foot-tall National Natural Landmark. The thimble-shaped, quartzite butte is famous for its stark, dramatic beauty and the panoramic view it provides of surrounding farmlands, the Blue Mountains, and other neighboring ranges and peaks. From the top, the eye can see 200 miles!
Geology: The quartzite butte is some of the oldest rock in the Pacific Northwest, and marks the border of the original North American Continent. The term "steptoe," coined here, is now used by geologists worldwide to describe an isolated hill or mountain surrounded by lava.
History: This promontory in the Palouse Hills of Southeast Washington has served as a dramatic viewpoint for countless generations. Once known as Pyramid Peak, it was renamed Steptoe Butte after Colonel Edward J. Steptoe (1816-1865), who fought in the nearby 1858 Battle of Rosalia. Nearly two decades later, pioneer James S. “Cashup” Davis purchased the promontory from the Northern Pacific Railroad. After building a wagon road to the summit, he erected a two-story mountaintop hotel in 1888. The hotel was capped by a glass observatory with a telescope. Guests using this telescope claimed to view the distant Cascade Mountains on a clear day. Although a unique destination, difficulty in reaching the 3,612-foot summit proved to be a barrier to travelers, and within a few years the hotel was scarcely occupied. Cashup and his wife Mary Ann remained occupants until her death in 1894 and James’s death in 1896. On the evening of March 11, 1911, the neglected hotel burned to the ground, apparently the result of a teenager mishap with a cigarette.
Hoping to preserve the geologically significant feature for future generations, Virgil McCroskey began a campaign to purchase the butte in the 1930s. After a 10-year struggle, with support from family and local business leaders, McCroskey was able to secure the summit area as a public park. He donated a total of 120 acres to Washington State in 1945 and 1946. This “island in the sky” was dedicated as a formal state park on July 4, 1946.
Recognition: Recognizing its national significance, the National Park Service designated Steptoe Butte as a National Natural Landmark in 1965. This Washington State Park Heritage Site offers a unique glimpse into the deep geologic past of Washington State.
Park hours: The park is open year-round for day use from 6 a.m. to dusk.
The park offers picnic facilities and an interpretive exhibit.
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- This geocache has an approved Permit to be placed at this location on property managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. Visitors are responsible for acquainting themselves with policies and rules pertaining to State Parks areas.
- The following items may not be placed in the geocache: food, illegal substances, medications, personal hygiene products, pornographic materials, hazardous materials, or weapons of any type.
- By searching for the cache, visitors agree that they are responsible for their own actions, and acknowledge that neither the State of Washington nor the cache owner is responsible for any loss or injury that may occur in relation to such search.
- Report any incident, problem, or violation to State Parks staff.
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