In Love with The Palouse

Owing in part to needs for our new website, cidermaker Rick and his wife Charlotte took a recent trip to Steptoe Butte, a quartzite mound overlooking the Palouse – an amazingly beautiful landscape just south of Spokane where (among vast wheat and legume farms) two of our partner orchards grow.

For those that live nearby, visits to the area are a must-do, taking in views as seasons change from luminescent green in spring, to lush, tawny brown in summer and fall, to whites and shadowy blues in winter. For locals and those living much further away, the story of the Palouse has its own merits, with a solid introduction available on Wikipedia.

But beyond the above urgings to visit and learn more about the land we’re so in love with at Liberty, this post is merely to show off a few of the snapshots taken by Rick and Charlotte. Here’s the Palouse in late spring, full of fresh life and vibrant colors. ❤️

Steptoe Butte

View from the lower flank of the butte, looking north toward Oaksdale WA.

Steptoe Butte

Looking west, about 1/3 of the way up.

Steptoe Butte

View from near the top, looking southwest toward Colfax WA.

Steptoe Butte

Near the crest, overlooking the access road and crops at the base of the butte.

Steptoe Butte

Near the crest, looking northwest at crops and windmills in the distance.

Steptoe Butte

Looking west, with unknown blossoms (possible Serviceberries?) in the foreground.

Steptoe Butte

Looking west, with unknown blossoms (possible Serviceberries?) in the foreground.

Steptoe Butte

Near the crest and looking southwest. The butte - a State Park and National Landmark - is a popular site for photographers.

Steptoe Butte

Looking west from the summit, at sunset.