McLaughlin Canyon Trail

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. 

On July 29, 1858, Native Americans from the Chelan, Okanogan, and Columbia tribes encountered a conflict with about 160 prospectors in McLaughlin Canyon. Both sides experienced injuries and casualties. 

The easy 3 mile round trip descends the canyon and overlooks the Okanogan River. Although the canyon was devastated by fire in 2007, it is interesting and beautiful to see life returning to the canyon. The trail was cleared in 2011, wind falls will be a problem for several years.