Type of Hike
Day hike
Choosing to take this area in two separate directions and days, we wandered the trails for one of the most beautiful hikes to date.
Ancient Lakes seems to have everything the Channeled Scablands outdoor enthusiast might ever hope to see. There are waterfalls galore, lakes, wide open vistas, wildflower, and trails upon trails upon trails.
We did see some indications of litter, but it wasn't near as bad as the horse crap over the major trails. C'mon people! Dog owners have to clean up after them, at LEAST you could do is sweep the road apples off the trail for the next hikers.
Anyway, bring water. Bring more than you might think you need. Bring hats and sunscreen and bring bug repellant.
During our two days hiking we set out first away from the lakes than towards the lakes. Our first day's hike we met up with only a few bike riders, one of whom we had a brief chat with at the parking area. The second day's hike we met up with numerous folks, being that this is the more scenic of the trails.
Kids, dogs, and as I said, horses all were seen on the trails or evidence of them had been seen. One pair of hikers said their dog had found a deer carcass. We saw birds, dragonflies, biting flies, grasshoppers galore. On our way out we saw what might have been a marmot crossing the road. Oddly, we'd seen one the day before in almost an identical location.
As someone commented, this area looks as though it could have, if not SHOULD have been the set for some movie Western. I couldn't think of anything more I'd like to do than to spend one night out there. The open skies... geeze.
As for directions, take the word of the Quincy Tourism site and follow these directions:
From Quincy, drive four miles west on state Route 28, turn left on road U Northwest signed "White Trail Road." Drive one mile, turn right on road 9 Northwest and drive 5.9 miles, past a farm to the recreation area and gated road, at 1,000 feet elevation.
We'll see you on the trail as we KNOW we'll be back!
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