Ancient LakesWell it is--a quick glance at the areas around the lake reveals that. Prickly hedgehog cactus dot the slopes around the trail as does an array of desert wildflowers. In the heart of this 15,266-acre wildlife area, you'll find sparkling potholes surrounded by massive basalt cliffs. The geological wonders are a product of the erosion of lava flows by ancient glacial floodwaters. The many layers of basalt are exposed, and several of the potholes are filled with water that has seeped from the irrigation systems that feed the Quincy basin farmlands upslope. These wetlands, ponds, and lakes have added important habitat diversity to this area. Ancient Lake is one such set of numerous "filled potholes" that dot this coulee. Start hiking down the old jeep road that rolls on past the gates at the road's end. Through the first mile or so of the track, keep an eye on the brush--upland game birds abound here, with quail, Hungarian partridge, and even a few chukar living among the rocks and sage. This is a rich historical area, as evidenced by the archeological dig occurring just 0.25 mile from the trailhead (the bone hunters were excavating a giant ground sloth). At 0.7 mile, leave the jeep track and head east (left) on a single-track trail as it angles up into the heart of a vast coulee that contains the Ancient Lake potholes. Come spring, wildflowers begin to wake up. By late May, the floor of the coulee is covered with flowering plants. Above the trail, the coulee's vertical basalt walls are startlingly colorful (russet reds mixed with the blues and blacks common to all basalt). At about 2 miles in, you'll reach the lake basin. Silvery gray cottonwood snags line portions of the lakeshore, and waterfowl frequently feed in the lake. Explore the lake basin--a deep bowl ringed with black basalt cliffs--before heading back down the coulee.
Driving Directions:
From Ellensburg, drive east on Interstate 90 to exit 149 for George. After exiting, turn left and drive north on State Route 281 toward Quincy. After 5.6 miles turn left onto White Trail Road. Continue 7.8 miles on White Trail Road, then turn left onto Road 9-NW. Continue 5.9 miles on this road (pavement ends at 2.0 miles) as it winds steeply down onto Babcock Bench to the road's end. Seven to eight vehicles can park here. Do not block the gate or the road on the right (marked with a "Snake X-ing" sign): This is a private driveway and not open to the public. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife permit required. Recent Trip Reports
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Day hike
Issues:
Mudholes | Snow on trail
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I led my 4th Winter Walk of the season for the Cascadians today to Ancient Lakes. We hiked up...
I led my 4th Winter Walk of the season for the Cascadians today to Ancient Lakes. We hiked up the north side of Potholes Coulee to the first (northwest) lake, then walked around the north side of the lake on the bluff above. We tried to cross between this lake and the one with the waterfall, but the channel was too wide to step across & the ice looked a little too thin to try walking on, so we walked back around the north side of the lake at lake level and climbed up above the west end of the lake for lunch. After sunning ourselves for a while, we walked along the south side of this lake and up to the campsites between the two lakes at the end of the coulee. From here we had a panoramic view of all three lakes and west down the wide coulee to the Colockum area across the Columbia. We walked back to the car down the middle of the coulee, making a little loop out of the trip. There were places where there was still a couple of inches of snow on the trails and others that were just dying out and a bit muddy, but for the most part we walked on firm ground. It was a glorious sunny, mild, boring-blue day. We walked through meadows of golden grasses beneath colorful & majestic basalt cliffs, saw frozen lakes and waterfalls, and basked in the sun. What more could a hiker want?!
Ancient Lakes
— Jul 09, 2011
— Weluv2hike.
Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
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Took 5 new hikers to this trail. Its short and flat and has views of 4 lakes, so it...
Took 5 new hikers to this trail. Its short and flat and has views of 4 lakes, so it makes a great hike to do if you are new to hiking and want hot sun, with no snow and somthing easy.We been on this trail lots of times, usually in early spring. Unless taking newbees for a hike.We all got burnt but had a great time.
Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
Issues:
Bugs | No water source
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Thanks to Chad's keep left tip I got to see not 1 or 2 but 5 or 6 small waterfalls...
Thanks to Chad's keep left tip I got to see not 1 or 2 but 5 or 6 small waterfalls on my way to the end. Was very beautiful. You end up at 3 small lakes and one of them has a small waterfall emptying into it. Didn't see much in the way of wildlife with the exception of a mutilated rattlesnake carcass that reminded me to keep an eye out for them. :) Mostly just bugs and birds. Went later in the day 3 - 5pm, so on my return trip I was treated to a lovely breeze. Which was perfect because 16oz of water was NOT enough! Passed some people when I just started out on the trail but after that I was totally alone. It was nice to just stop for a second to hear the silence interrupted occasionally but bird calls or crickets.
I agree with other hikers that the lake water is questionable as a source to refill your bottle/canteen. There's alot of orchards nearby and there's no way to tell if they use pesticides and if it ends up in this water or not. It's not a very long trip and 32oz should be enough.
Ancient Lakes
— May 29, 2011
— Chad
Day hike
Issues:
No water source
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If you want to head straight to the waterfalls (which I recommend) then take a left at the first fork...
If you want to head straight to the waterfalls (which I recommend) then take a left at the first fork in the jeep trail about 0.2 miles south of the gate. Then, take another left onto a single track after another 0.1 miles. You can follow this trail all the way to the falls, just keep left at any forks. This path is slightly shorter and more scenic as you are closer to the cliff side and you can see the multiple small waterfalls on the way and watch the hawks carried by thermals. You will still get good views of the lakes as well.
If you take the path as described in the trail description, it puts you further south at the lakes and it is hard to navigate the network of trails to reach the falls without trodding off trail. As a side note on the water, I too have heard mixed reviews on if it is safe to drink or not. Some sources say the water is agricultural runoff and has a high level of pesticides, so it is probably safer to bring your own water (and bring plenty because it is hot and dry.)
Ancient Lakes
— May 28, 2011
— Weluv2hike.
Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
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After kayaking down wenatchee river, we decided to go to acient lakes. We have done hike in past, however the...
After kayaking down wenatchee river, we decided to go to acient lakes. We have done hike in past, however the flowers are in full bloom, have not witnessed like this before. The weather was sunny, lots of people out on this hike.
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Birds and wildlife abound in the Ancient Lakes basin. Photo by Kim Brown.
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