Steptoe Butte

  

Photographer: Philip A. Dombrowski
Summary Author: Phil Dombrowski, Philip A. Dombrowski

The photo above shows sweeping, green fields of ripening wheat surrounding Steptoe Butte in southeastern Washington, about 12 miles (19 km) north of the city of Colfax, along the Washington/Idaho border. It’s possible to drive over this scenic butte to view the surrounding, undulating landscape -- the rolling hills of the Palouse region of Washington. This picture was taken from atop the Steptoe Butte (at an elevation of 3,612 ft or 1,100 m), looking toward the southwest. The butte is an ancient (400 million years old) quartzite protrusion. In the early morning, as pictured here, the shadows play with the terrain and the planted fields, enhancing the natural beauty of the Palouse. Photo taken in June of 2006.