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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 2025 B3 students through March 30.

Contacts

Royce Poetter
Royce Poetter
Primary Leader
  • Easy
  • Easy
  • Mileage: 8.0 nm

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

We’ll be camping on the shore of Banks Lake in eastern Washington, and we'll have the opportunity to take day hikes to explore nearby cliffs as well as the peninsula that serves as our basecamp.  We'll hike at a moderate pace (1.5 mph), and take breaks for snacks, views, and pictures.

On Saturday morning we'll trek 4 miles / 300' gain from the trailhead to our camp on the shore of Banks Lake.  We'll set up camp, have lunch, and then go exploring.  On Sunday, we'll do more exploring in the morning and then trek back to the trailhead in the early afternoon.

The day hike 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 day hikes and stay in camp; if you opt to go on either of the day hikes, 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