Ancient Lakes and Dusty Lake - 2.23.2017
We parked at the end of Ancient Lake Road... near the town of Quincy, Washington... our loop trip was 6.7 miles, gaining 742 feet of elevation.
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Entering the Ancient Lakes Coulee.
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Continuing toward the east end of Ancient Lakes coulee.
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Taking a short break near the east end of Ancient Lakes coulee... we will work our way up to the 'U' shaped gap on the ridge above on the right.
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The lake at the east end of Ancient Lakes coulee.
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There were 11 humans and three dogs on this little adventure.
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Leaving the coulee floor and switchbacking our way up... in search of the saddle that will lead us over to the Dusty Lake coulee.
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Continuing up on a nice path.
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Gaining some elevation... looking down on the three lakes at the east end of Ancient Lakes coulee.
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On a shelf between the coulee floor below and the saddle (not in photo) that will give us access to the Dusty Lake coulee.
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ragman and Denali Girl above the three lakes at the east end of Ancient Lakes coulee.
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Working our way over to the saddle that separates Ancient Lakes coulee and Dusty Lake coulee... with the Ancient Lakes coulee in the distance now.
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Approaching the saddle that separates the two coulees.
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Dusty Lake from the saddle.
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Enjoying the saddle that separates Ancient Lakes coulee (right) and Dusty Lake coulee.
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Hiking SE along the base of basalt columns above Dusty Lake... looking for a path that will get us down to the lake.
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Looking down on Dusty Lake from above... looking for a way down.
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We came through the 'U' shaped gap above on the right... then followed along the base of the basalt columns above on the right until we could get past the very steep cliff band on this side of the gap... then down to lake-level on a good path.
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We will need to get on the other side of the lake... and the boulder field on the north shoreline doesn't look like fun.
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Slow going here.
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The route around the north side of Dusty Lake was pretty good in a few places... but not most.
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Near the end of the boulder field.
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Another well deserved break after dealing with the boulder field on the north side of Dusty Lake.
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Looking back on our route out of the Dusty Lake coulee.
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Passing the mouth of the Ancient Lakes coulee... perhaps a half-mile or so to get back to the car.
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