Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club
Seattle MAC Backpacking Trip - Ancient Lake
Beginner level backpack for MAC members to try out gear and find the sun in this beautiful desert area filled with wildflowers, birds and geological features. -- Please note that this trip's location has been changed due to heat to another location (see trip sheet).
Contacts
- Sat, May 31, 2025 — Sun, Jun 1, 2025
- Seattle Youth Outreach Committee
- Youth
- Adults, Youth
- Easy/Moderate
- Easy
- Mileage: 7.0 mi
- Elevation Gain: 2,000 ft
- High Point Elevation: 1,200 ft
- 5 (9 capacity)
- FULL (2 capacity)
- FULL (1 capacity)
- Tue, Apr 1, 2025 at 8:00 AM
- Wed, May 28, 2025 at 8:00 PM
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
- iCal Google
Route Our planned route on Gaia (Approximately 11 miles, 1500 ft ascent/descent over 2 days)
Weather NOAA Forecast
- See trip sheet for additional details and packing list.
Prerequisites: Attendance at at least 1 MAC conditioning hike throughout the year prior to backpack trip, attendance of Backpack Bazaar for new MAC students.
Students must have demonstrated fitness throughout other MAC activities and may be asked to answer certain questions to give the leader an idea of their fitness/ability/experience level. Participants will be chosen at the trip leaders discretion and the above are minimum requirements which do not guarantee a space on the trip.
- Meet at Mountaineers PC at 7:45 am on Sat, May 31. Carpool link
We will start at the Lower Ancient Lakes Trailhead. *Note that you need to input "Ancient Lakes Lower Trailhead" into Google Maps in order to get to the correct trailhead. "Ancient Lakes Trailhead" will misroute you.
Driving directions (Google directions)
From I-90 take exit 149, turn left onto SR 281, and drive north towards Quincy and Wenatchee. In 5.6 miles turn left onto White Trail Road (aka 5-NW) and drive 7.8 miles to 9-NW (note: after 4 miles White Trail Rd swings north & may also be signed U-NW).
Turn left on 9-NW and drive west. In 2 miles the pavement ends and the road becomes Ancient Lakes Road. Follow it down onto Babcock Bench and drive 4 miles to the trailhead.
Discover Pass is required to park at the TH.