I hiked down to the lakes from the upper trailheads. For Ancient Lake, the TH is just north of Stan Coffin Lake. I hiked west until I crossed H Lake's outlet creek and hiked further west past a cool rock formation down to Judith Pool and then hiked to below the waterfalls coming out of that lake. I soon passed another nice waterfall and crossed another creek and went uphill to the edge of the cliff overlooking Ancient Lakes.

Then I followed the creek that dumps into the Ancient Lakes to where the creek plunges down some awesome waterfalls. The trail gets steep with loose rock as it descends alongside the waterfalls to the shores of the north lake. That trail would've sucked to hike back up but luckily I hiked out along another trail. I went counter-clockwise around the lake to the west shore and hiked up to the top of the ridge between that lake and another big lake further west. I followed the ridge south and descended to the land in the middle of all 3 big lakes. I then hiked along the west shore of the south lake and found the horse trail that climbs up into the cliffs on the southern shore of the south lake.

I hiked above the cliffs and had a nice view of the lake basin. I continued along the horse trail until it leveled off and began its traverse south toward the pass leading to Dusty Lake. But as it leveled off I spotted a path going left (east) further up the hill. I continued up to the top of the rim. This path soon started heading too far south, so I left the path and hiked XC east toward H Lake. I had to navigate my way around or through some coulees between me and H Lake but eventually got back to H Lake and found the trail leading back to the TH.

This is a very brief description of my hike. I really can't think of a way to describe it in detail, especially the XC part on the way back. There are no signs and although it is easy to get an idea of which direction to go, you should still be a good navigator if you want to use this upper TH. If you want a more easy-to-follow trail, hike in via the lower main TH near the river (as described in guide books).

For Dusty Lake, the TH is near Burke Lake. The trail starts near the big metal sign in the parking lot and crosses a creek on a small bridge. Continue straight and stay left of the hill in front of you and hike down into the coulee. Hike down to an unnamed lake, cross its outlet creek, and follow the trail that continues west down the coulee to Dusty Lake. On the way back I hiked a side trail south a bit along the cliffs above Dusty Lake, passing by Cliff Lake. I also stopped by Cascade Lake before completing a loop that led me back to the first unnamed lake, where I then hiked back up the hill to the TH.

This is a very brief description of my hikes. I really can't think of a way to describe it in detail, especially the XC parts on the way back. There are no signs and although it is easy to get an idea of which direction to go, you should still be a good navigator if you want to use these upper THs. But with these upper THs the whole point is to forget about trails and just have fun roaming around and exploring all the different lakes, ponds, streams, and coulees. If you want a more easy-to-follow trail, hike in via the lower main TH near the river (as described in guide books).

Wildflowers are blooming and will only get better as we get into May. Waterfalls are probably their best right now, and there are countless species of birds. If you like to fish, this area is known to be pretty good. On a hot day, beware of rattlesnakes. This seems like prime terrain for them. Well, unless the hawks have something to say about that.