Shoulder-Season Backpacking Field Trip - Ancient Lakes and the Columbia River

GETTING THERE

FOR THE LOWER TRAILHEAD: 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.

This is a very nice trip that I have done before (late February 2022--with a bit of snow on the ground and the lakes all frozen--it was great fun).  I will be much warmer, let's hope, in late March and lakes likely thawed. The basalt rock and water views are interesting, varied and unique.

Itinerary:

Gaia Route:  https://www.gaiagps.com/public/YhK6i446umFGY7GzLfkXcj8b/

Day 1: We will set up camp between the lakes (2 miles, 77' gain), and then take a "day-hike" loop and likely have our dinner high up on the bluff, enjoying the views and possibly the sunset.  Walk back to camp at dusk possibly with headlamps. 4.6 miles and 600' gain for the bonus loop.  There will be one short steep section on loose dirt going up.  Not dangerous, but a place for focused caution.

Day 2: Pack-up and head South, exploring Dusty and other lakes, then heading over the Columbia River to camp at a lovely beach.  Hopefully make a fire on the beach. 8.4 miles, 1200' gain.  Possible additional exploration after setting up camp.  There will be one short moderately steep down off-trail section through rocks and loose soil. Not dangerous, but a place for focused caution. 

Day 3: Pack-up and head back to the TH by a different route and enjoying river views. 7.3 miles, 1200' gain.  There is interesting cati along this stretch.

Ancient Lakes is a well trodden locale, with great campsites between the lakes.  We will be doing it much better with a great loop hike to the bluffs above the lake and then on day 2 and 3 interesting sites and camp along the Columbia River.  There is no potable water at the first night's camp or on the trails until we  reach the Columbia River for night two.  Participants need to bring no less than one gallon of water with them from the TH.  All the water you will need for day one, including day one dinner, day two breakfast and the 8 mile hike to our second camp.  The gallon water carry (about 8 lbs.) is only for two miles until we get to camp the first day.  We will carry some of this water up to the bluff for dinner in our day-packs.  An Ursack or bear canister is required for all food storage.

There will be 11 hours of darkness each night. Participants need to comfortable with this and plan activities to do in their tent for a few hours if they won't be sleeping.  The off-trail sections may give some less experienced backpackers pause, but I will be there to guide you--it is not unsafe, just likely unfamiliar.  I have found that folks are just normally afraid of what is new.  I am requiring trekking poles for all students. I never go without them. Once you experience this you will likely see that off-trail travel is want makes these trips fun, interesting and often feasible.  Considering challenging yourself and growing new skills and confidences.  To register for this field trip students need to be able to backpack about 8 miles a day with a per day gain of about 1000'.  If this is your first backpack trip of the year, make sure you have done some other moderate day hikes or other conditioning activities before this backpack trip.

 Thanks.  Rob