Backpack - Ancient Lake

Tibbetts Valley Park in Issaquah, 10:00 am, Saturday March 23

On Saturday, we will break up the drive with a stop in Cle Elum to get supplies (amazing jerky at Owens Meat and  scrumptious pastries at the Cle Elum Bakery) and to eat lunch, arriving at Ancient Lakes around 2:00.  After a one mile easy hike, we will pitch our tents by Ancient Lake. Then, in the late afternoon, we will hike down to the shore of the Columbia River. Returning to our campsite, we will cook dinner and then spend the evening playing Telestrations. 

On Sunday, we will have an early breakfast. The goal is to break camp at 8:00 am.  This will allow us time to drive 45 minutes north to the Douglas Creek Canyon and explore the canyon (with about 4 miles of hiking).  After seeing the Douglas Creek Falls, we will stop in Quincy on the way home for Mexican Sunday Brunch.

NOTE: None of the water in the lakes is drinkable. You MUST carry all of the water you will need for dinner and breakfast and for the walk to and from the campsite. Everyone must carry at least four liters of water, and bring additional water to store in the car as a backup supply.

Note: you are responsible for providing your own food for dinner and breakfast, and snack foods. 

When requesting permission, please send the following information to Andy Cahn: 1) what backpacking experience have you had? List one trip you have taken within the past five years in which you carried your gear at least one mile. 2) The nighttime temperatures in March in the area are typically in the thirties, and can drop into the twenties. What is the coldest temperature you have backpacked in? Do you have a sleeping bag that can keep you warm in below-freezing temperatures? 3) You can not drink any of the water found on site; you will need to carry all of your water to the campsite. Are you prepared to carry at least four liters of water for a mile along with all of your gear?