Corbaley Canyon

Corbaley Canyon is located between Orondo and Waterville and has been used as a passage to the top of the plateau for a long time. In 1883, Platt M. Corbaley settled at the head of the canyon on top of the hill. In 1884.

J. B. Smith arrived on that first stage to Okanogan and settled at the bottom of the hill near the entrance to the canyon.

In 1885, Smith petitioned for a road that would run down the canyon from the Badger Post Office. The county commissioners approved the road and at the same time, named the canyon after Corbaley.

The wagon road was completed in 1885 to Smith’s cabin. This old wagon road ran up the streambed to McGinnis Canyon before the steep climb up to the top. In 1908, State Road No. 7 was routed up the old wagon road.

The new highway up Pine Canyon was complete in 1916 and the old wagon road was abandoned.