Dusty Lake
Feb 19, 2009
by
GaliWalker
—
last modified
Feb 19, 2009 10:34 PM
- Type of Outing
- Day hike
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Dusty Lake
- Region: Eastern Washington -- Wenatchee
- Agency: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
- Avg Rating: 3.60
Snoqualmie Pass
Feb 19th, 2009: Dusty Lake
For a low elevation lake, Dusty Lake is just superb! I don't know if I was lucky with the conditions, or if this lake is extremely photogenic anyway, but it sure knocked my socks off.
The drive:
My aim was to catch the sunrise at Snoqualmie Pass. Unfortunately, I was a bit tardy getting up in the morning; watching spectacular shades of pink and purple caress the mountains, about 10min shy of the pass, had me pulling out my hair in frustration. Thankfully, the color hung around longer than normal and I was able to fire off a few shots. The rest of the drive proceeded smoothly until I encountered some opaque fog just shy of the Columbia River; frost coated the sage brush on the road-side, so this turned out to be another opportunity to take some photos. Even so, I reached the trailhead in good order.
The approach:
The hike to Dusty Lake was scenic from the word go. Bird-song and scented sagebrush quickened the senses, while winter was unable to lessen the colorful impact of desert flora. I was tempted by the Ancient Lakes' coulee, but stayed focused and continued hiking to enter the adjacent coulee that would lead me to Dusty Lake. The basalt cliffs of the coulee formed a guard of honor, from which frozen waterfalls hung like freshly polished sabres.
Dusty Lake:
I had gazed down on Dusty Lake last year, on a trip to Ancient Lakes, but had never visited its shores. As I caught first sight of it I saw a partially frozen lake. Thin ice coated the surface with a large crack bisecting it along the length of the lake. Reeds and rocks lay embedded in the ice along the shores, while smoothly sculpted hills provided a serene atmosphere. I spent a lot of time enjoying that atmosphere, with not another soul in sight. Bliss.
Additional photos: http://www.flickr.com/[…]/72157614138126368
Cumulative stats:
- Distance: 6.5mi
- Elevation gain: ~300ft
- Hiking time: 4hr 40min
For a low elevation lake, Dusty Lake is just superb! I don't know if I was lucky with the conditions, or if this lake is extremely photogenic anyway, but it sure knocked my socks off.
The drive:
My aim was to catch the sunrise at Snoqualmie Pass. Unfortunately, I was a bit tardy getting up in the morning; watching spectacular shades of pink and purple caress the mountains, about 10min shy of the pass, had me pulling out my hair in frustration. Thankfully, the color hung around longer than normal and I was able to fire off a few shots. The rest of the drive proceeded smoothly until I encountered some opaque fog just shy of the Columbia River; frost coated the sage brush on the road-side, so this turned out to be another opportunity to take some photos. Even so, I reached the trailhead in good order.
The approach:
The hike to Dusty Lake was scenic from the word go. Bird-song and scented sagebrush quickened the senses, while winter was unable to lessen the colorful impact of desert flora. I was tempted by the Ancient Lakes' coulee, but stayed focused and continued hiking to enter the adjacent coulee that would lead me to Dusty Lake. The basalt cliffs of the coulee formed a guard of honor, from which frozen waterfalls hung like freshly polished sabres.
Dusty Lake:
I had gazed down on Dusty Lake last year, on a trip to Ancient Lakes, but had never visited its shores. As I caught first sight of it I saw a partially frozen lake. Thin ice coated the surface with a large crack bisecting it along the length of the lake. Reeds and rocks lay embedded in the ice along the shores, while smoothly sculpted hills provided a serene atmosphere. I spent a lot of time enjoying that atmosphere, with not another soul in sight. Bliss.
Additional photos: http://www.flickr.com/[…]/72157614138126368
Cumulative stats:
- Distance: 6.5mi
- Elevation gain: ~300ft
- Hiking time: 4hr 40min
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Coulee
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Frozen Dusty Lake
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The depths
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