Hot in the Rugged Beauty of Eastern WA

We left Ritzville about 7am after a Starbucks coffee and a big breakfast. Pedaling into the sun, we headed out on gravel farm roads through the rolling wheat fields. We turned toward the south east to pick up the Palouse to Cascades Trail again.
After crossing under the Columbia Plateau Rail Trail, the route needed off through a 200’ bushwhack that led to a double track “road” that was really rugged and overgrown. I was a little cautious after my wreck yesterday, but eventually we turned a corner and a beautiful set of cascades appeared at Brennan Falls. A hidden gem.
Then it was a climb back out of the canyon and on.to more roads taking us northeast. We took a long break in the shade of the grange hall in Ewan, then hit a roller coaster of a road – Stephens Rd. Up-and down through the wheat fields we went, until finally arriving at the town of Malden. It was devastated a few years back by a fire that swept through town, burning a majority of the buildings. But they have been resilient and are rebuilding. We enjoyed filling our depleted water bottles at the new community center, which also has bathrooms and showers for cyclist that opt to stay there. This was our longest stretch without water – about 50 miles. We each carried about 5 liters so had just enough to get here, despite the heat.

Then we jumped back on the Palouse to Cascades Rail trail, which goes through town and slogged the final 10 miles or so to Rosalia, our destination for the night. We had dinner at the local pizza joint, a great time with the owner and a group of locals. Then got to the city park, where they allow camping, about 8pm.