Lenore Lake Caves — Friday, May. 13, 2011

Central Washington

This is a great hike for kids. My five year old son loved climbing over the rocks, exploring the open caves and imagining the native peoples who camped in them during summers 10,000 years ago. The hiking is pretty easy, though the rocky path along the way is prone to slipping in areas. The way starts on a paved trail, which ends soon thereafter at some steps that deliver hikers to the first of the caves. The caves are really large shelters, with great views across Grand Coulee and down into the Lenore Lake valley. They would be a great perch for watching deer and elk herds during prehistoric times. We explored several caves of various sizes before ending at the biggest one (see photo below). It was mid-week, so we had the place to ourselves except for the folks who were exploring the area above the caves. There are a couple of notches at the top of the coulee that are very enticing. All in all, a great way to spend an hour or two in this awesome area of the state. You could certainly fit in another hike or two (or some fishing) into the same day.