Family Backpack - Ancient Lake

Ancient Lakes offers a unique backpacking experience in the semi-desert coulees of central Washington — a great setting to practice and refine backpacking skills with your kids. The relatively easy terrain features scenic lakes, small waterfalls, wide open basins, and plenty of primitive campsites near water

Highlights of this trip include:

• Gentle terrain ideal for beginner backpackers and kids

• Exploring sagebrush-covered coulees and lake shorelines

• Practicing route finding, campsite setup, and backpacking basics

• Optional short hikes to viewpoints or nearby waterfall

• Stargazing under wide open skies

Early spring is a great time to visit before summer heat.

Itinerary:

April 25 (Afternoon Day 1): Plan to leave the Seattle area to arrive at Ancient Lakes Trailhead and begin trip at 1PM. We will then hike in from the trailhead and set up camp between the lakes (2 miles, 100' gain). That evening participants may choose to relax around camp or go on an optional hike to explore the surrounding areas.
April 26 (Morning Day 2): That morning participants may choose to relax around camp or go on an optional hike to explore the surrounding areas. We will then pack up, hike back to the trailhead by late morning, and return to the Seattle area by mid-afternoon.

Trip Information:

This trip has minimal gain in elevation, and offers beautiful desert scenery with lakes, waterfalls, basalt cliffs, and sunsets!

Conditions: Since this is a desert environment, expect sandy/dusty trails, some loose gravel/rocks, and uneven terrain. The trail and campsite are very exposed to the sun and very little shade will be available. We can likely expect day time highs near mid-70 degrees and night time lows around 50 degrees.

Water: We will need to carry all the water we will use for drinking and cooking since the lake water is not safe to drink due to farm runoff. Even filtering or boiling will not remove the hazardous chemicals in the water. Everyone should carry water for drinking, plus what you need for cooking. It is also recommended to have another 1 liter in the cars left at the trailhead for rehydration or emergency.

Food Storage: Participants must bring an Ursack or Bear Canister.

We will begin our backpacking trip at the Ancient Lakes Lower Trailhead on Saturday, April 25.  We will plan for a 1PM hiking start time.  Plan to arrive 15 minutes earlier to put boots on and make any final pack adjustments.

Directions: 

Note: 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).  Turn left on 9-NW and drive west. In 2 miles the pavement ends and the road becomes Ancient Lakes Road. Follow it down onto Babcock Bench and drive 4 miles to the trailhead.

Parking Pass:

Discover Pass is required to park at the trailhead.