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Ancient Lake

Trip

Backpack - Ancient Lake

Easy early season backpack to Ancient & Dusty Lakes ideal for a 1st trip or dusting off backpack gear and finding sun in this beautiful desert oasis filled with seasonal wildflowers, birds and geological features. Preference will be given to 2024 B3 Students for the first week of registration. Open to all members one week later with leader permission.

Contacts

Linda Martindell
Linda Martindell
Primary Leader
  • Easy
  • Easy
  • Mileage: 8.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 750 ft
  • High Point Elevation: 1,200 ft
  • Pace: 1.5 - 2 mph

We will meet at the Ancient Lakes Lower Trailhead on Saturday April 13 at 11:30 am.  It’s a long drive and there are many good reasons to consider carpooling.  Additional information and assistance will be provided to participants.

*Note that you will need to input “Ancient Lakes Lower Trailhead” into Google Maps in order to get to the correct trailhead. “Ancient Lakes Trailhead” will misroute you.

From I-90 take exit 149, turn left onto SR 281, and drive north towards Quincy and Wenatchee. In 5.6 miles turn left onto White Trail Road (aka 5-NW) and drive 7.8 miles to 9-NW (note: after 4 miles White Trail Rd swings north & may also be signed U-NW).  Driving time: 2hr45 min from central Seattle

Short and relatively flat hike to Ancient Lakes. We’ll aim to take the less well travelled and somewhat narrower southern trail for 2.5 miles to an expansive camping area near lakes and waterfall. After setting up camp, we’ll have an opportunity to do an afternoon 2-mile roundtrip hike to a ridge overlooking nearby lakes with potential spring wildflowers and views of surrounding geological features.  

Gaia map of our anticipated route to camping area.

Weather NOAA forecast

Covid-19  Covid 19 vaccination badge or provide leader with proof of vaccination.

* NO potable water available, must bring in your own water.

** This is an early season trip and weather will likely by very pleasant during the day but nighttime temperatures will be much colder so bring appropriate sleeping bag + layers.

Feel free to reach out to me at lindamartindell@gmail.com should you have any questions or concerns.  I’ll send out an email with additional trip details prior to our trip.

Route/Place

Ancient Lake

Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

The Ten Essentials plus overnight gear which may include:

  • Water. Lake water is considered contaminated from nearby agriculture run off so bring in all the water you need.  Assess your own individual needs, but most individuals will need around 5-6 liters.
  • Tent with footprint/ground tarp
  • Sleeping bag and sleeping pad
  • Stove and fuel + cooking/eating items
  • Bear canister or Ursack (with odor proof inner bag)  to protect food from small critters. No bear hang is reliably available.
  • Toilet paper, shovel and bag to carry out toilet paper/wipes or WAG-type system.
Trip Reports