One of the more popular outdoor activities in the North Central Washington region is hiking. We are truly blessed with the large amount of hiking trails that are available here. Whether you’re a full time resident or just visiting, finding the perfect hiking trail for you is a snap.
When many people think about hiking in Washington, they picture steep trails leading up to pristine lakes and thundering waterfalls. They envision a climb through thick forests and vegetation covered hillsides. There are a lot of these types of trails to pick from in North Central Washington too and many of them could easily become your personal favorite. Don’t overlook the joy of desert hiking though. For many, it’s something they’ve not experienced before and the scenery can be just as dramatic. Located just off Highway 28, west of Quincy, is a popular desert hiking location known as Ancient Lakes.
Carved by the same glaciers that are responsible for much of Eastern Washington’s distinct landscape, the lakes that make up Ancient Lakes, as well as the canyon they reside in, are beautiful and interesting. You can reach the northern trailhead for Ancient Lakes by turning south off of Highway 28 onto Whitetrail Road and following that for one mile before turning west on Road 9 NW. Following this rural county road for just less than two miles will lead you to where it descends towards the Columbia River before turning south for another four miles where it ends at a large dirt parking lot for the Ancient Lakes Trailhead. On the south side of the parking area is a metal gate. Behind that gate is an old dirt road that will start you on your way.
After less than half a mile on this trail, a noticeable side trail will take off to the east. This trail leads you to the small lakes ahead and takes you alongside the canyon wall for much of the way. You can also follow the main trail another quarter of a mile and then head east on another side trail that will lead you to the same lakes but travel more down the middle of the canyon. The trail is fairly flat, but after about a mile and a quarter you will come to a small rise that will give you a view down into the bos canyon. Depending on the time of year, there will be a few lakes off to your right. Ahead of you will be the three main lakes, including one fed by a small waterfall. You can explore this area to your heart’s content and then head back out of the canyon on either the same trail or the trail you didn’t follow on the way in. You can also extend your hike more by continuing further south once you reach the main trail again and exploring the next canyon that is home to the larger Dusty Lake. There are also trails from that main trail that head off to the west and lead you down to the Columbia River.
Desert hiking is alive and well in North Central Washington. If you’re looking for an interesting hike, don’t be afraid to look east of the mountain range. Ancient Lakes is a nice and relaxing hike that is perfect for a solo trek, a couple of adults, or even a young family.