Information about this hike provided in partnership with Mountaineers Books.
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Lakeview Ranch

Featured In: Best Desert Hikes: Washington, by Dan Nelson and Alan Bauer.
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This old ranch, complete with abandoned farmhouse and outbuildings, has been shed of its domestic livestock in favor of turning the land over to the abundant wildlife that thrives here. Jackrabbits (both white-tailed and black-tailed) bound through the sagebrush, mule deer browse among the wildflower prairies, and coyotes prowl the coulees and canyons (seeking those bounding jacks, no doubt).

The trailhead area offers reader-board kiosks with full information on the area, as well as maps of the ranch. There are many route options, including some scrambling possibilities. We offer a basic route here, but using the information available at the kiosks, you can modify and personalize your outing. Information on wildlife is also available, and occasional the BLM asks visitors to help biologists by keeping an eye out for specific species that biologists track to monitor the health of their populations.

From behind the buildings, the old jeep track heads off into the open lands to the southwest. Angle down into the broad coulee full of sage and prairie grasses. As you roam (you actually are going flat here) into the coulee, the rugged basalt cliffs rise up on your right, providing opportunities for some great photography.

About 1.2 miles into the hike you'll come to a scenic junction at the end of the road. To the north is a huge lake surrounded by coulee cliffs. Another lake sits 0.15 mile to the south. You have many options to choose from, but the best bet is to head west, following the trail sign. The rough path soon turns into a proper hiking trail that heads up onto a bench above the lake and continues another 1.5 miles past 2 more small lakes and eventually intersects with the Odessa--Lake Creek Trail (see Hike 80). Continue or turn back here, for a total 4- to 5-mile trek.

Driving Directions:

From Vantage, drive east on Interstate 90 to exit 206, signed "State Route 21--Lind/Odessa." After exiting, turn left and drive 18.1 miles north on SR 21 to Odessa. In town, turn right at the junction with SR 28. In 0.1 mile, turn left and follow the signs to "Hwy 21--Wilber." Continue on SR 21 for 2.8 miles. Turn left onto Lakeview Ranch Loop Road, which is signed with a BLM brown binoculars "wildlife viewing" sign. Take this good gravel road 5.2 miles and pull into the well-signed Lakeview Ranch BLM area on the left side of the road. Drive between the two barns and park in the parking area.