Posted in Washington March 05, 2020 by

The Drumheller Channels In Washington’s Quincy-Columbia Basin Look Like Something From Another Planet

Washington’s Columbia Basin is highly underrated. It might seem as if there’s not much to see in the south-central part of the state, but it’s actually full of a rugged, understated beauty you won’t see anywhere else. And if you happen to stumble upon the Drumheller Channels National Natural Landmark, it’s safe to say you’ll have an experience that’s out of this world… or at least, you might think you’ve left the planet. Take a closer look at this landscape.

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The Drumheller Channels National Natural Landmark showcases the Drumheller Channels.
Steve Voght / Flickr
It's located near Othello, connecting the Quincy Basin (to the north) to the Othello Basin (to the south).
This area has a uniquely beautiful, extensively eroded landscape.
Victor Martin / Google
The term "channeled scablands" was coined by a geologist named J Harlen Bretz, who studied the area and wrote many papers about it in the 1920s. His theories of how they were formed weren't accepted at first, but after decades of research, Bretz's fellow geologists agreed with him.
This area was largely carved out by ice age flooding, some as recent as 15,000 years ago.
Franc Berneski / Google
The Missoula Floods caused the majority of what you'll see today.
During those ice age floods, huge columns of Columbia River basalt were plucked and hauled away by the strong currents.
Paka Magner / Google
The result is something that can only be described as otherworldly. The rock formations here are interesting to see, whether or not you're into geology.
Care to visit the Drumheller Channels? Good news, this natural landmark is open to the public.
YouTube
There are several state parks located within the channels: Steamboat Rock, Sun Lakes-Dry Falls, Palouse Falls, Potholes, and Sacajawea. If you want to visit the parks, you'll need a Discover Pass, but other than that, it's free.

The Drumheller Channels National Natural Landmark is open year-round, but unmaintained dirt roads might not be usable in the winter. For an aerial view of some of the area’s best spots, check out this video by Bruce Bjornstad.

 

Address: W McManamon Rd, Othello, WA 99344, USA