Search activities
Backpacking Building Blocks Student-Only Backpack

Field trip: Backpacking Building Blocks (B3) Course

Backpacking Building Blocks Student-Only Backpack - Banks Lake

Beat the winter doldrums with a weekend in the desert! On this 1-night trip, we'll spend a weekend exploring Banks Lake in eastern Washington. Lots of views and opportunities to explore after we've set up camp. Registration priority given to Colin & Ellsa's mentor group; other students welcome to join if space is available.

Contacts

Colin Chapman
Colin Chapman
Primary Leader
  • Moderate
  • Moderate
  • Mileage: 8.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 600 ft
  • Pace: 2 mph

Barker Canyon Boat Launch parking lot
(https://goo.gl/maps/tda9pmxiKLyqC6A76)

Saturday April 5th at 9am

This is a beginner’s backpacking trip, giving students the opportunity to try out their gear and apply the skills they've learned in the B3 course.  We’ll be exploring the Banks Lake area in eastern Washington, hiking "out and back" to our camp on the lakeshore.  We'll hike at a moderate pace (1.5-2 mph), and take breaks for snacks, views, and pictures.

We’ll meet at the Barker Canyon Boat Launch parking lot and hike approximately 4 miles / 300' gain to the shore of Banks Lake.  There, we'll set up camp, collect/treat water, have lunch, go on an optional dayhike, cook dinner, and discuss lessons learned from the day.  The next morning, we'll have breakfast, go on a short optional dayhike, pack up, and retrace our path back to the trailhead.

The two dayhike options (#1: 2.6 miles, 300' gain, #2: 7 miles, 1000' gain) are both 100% off-trail, over rock and boulders.  Participants are welcome to skip these dayhikes and stay in camp; if you opt to go on either of the dayhikes, you must be comfortable with off-trail travel, as well as travel over rocks and large boulders.

Route: Caltopo

Weather forecast: NWS

Route/Place

Banks Lake

Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

The Ten Essentials, plus overnight gear as specified by the trip leader

Trip Reports