LAKE LENORE CAVES AND MESA
EVENT TYPE: Day hiking, and historical hike
DISTANCE: 3 miles RT
ELEVATION: 200’
DIFFICULTY: easy
MAPS: Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park & W.D.F & W, Banks Lake & Moses Lake topos
GPS: 47°32’03” N 119°29’ 38” W
MANAGING AGENCY: W.D.F.&W. 509.486.7275
GHRANT COUNTY SHERIFF: CALL 911 FIRST or 509.754.2011
DISTANCE: 3 miles RT
ELEVATION: 200’
DIFFICULTY: easy
MAPS: Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park & W.D.F & W, Banks Lake & Moses Lake topos
GPS: 47°32’03” N 119°29’ 38” W
MANAGING AGENCY: W.D.F.&W. 509.486.7275
GHRANT COUNTY SHERIFF: CALL 911 FIRST or 509.754.2011
DESCRIPTION:
WE HAVE ADDED THE AREAS SHERIFF’S EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS FOR EACH TRIP WRITE UP UNDER THE RANGER DISTRICT INFO. IF AN EMERGENCY OCURRS, EVALUATE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES AND CALL ONLY IF NEEDED.
From the parking area along Lake Lenore, follow the signs and the paved trail up to the first cave. From here the other caves must be done on foot.
There are seven caves to explore.
See directions below for other interesting areas to visit along your drive.
From the parking area along Lake Lenore, follow the signs and the paved trail up to the first cave. From here the other caves must be done on foot.
There are seven caves to explore.
See directions below for other interesting areas to visit along your drive.
OPTION #1:
To extend your day, after you leave the paved trail, look for a route up thru the basalt cliffs as you reach the cliffs. Up on top, the hiking extends in all directions.
If you go up onto the high Mesa, be sure to take a map of the area. This high area is unlike most of the hiking spots in the scabs. However, if you keep Lenore Lake in sight, there are a series of trails that will lead you down to Hwy 17, and back to the parking area.
Up on top there is a Lake Lenore Side Canyon, and many potholes that were created over 12,000 years ago during the Great Floods.
It would be wise to take a Google Earth image of the Mesa. The terrain is very unusual.
If you go up onto the high Mesa, be sure to take a map of the area. This high area is unlike most of the hiking spots in the scabs. However, if you keep Lenore Lake in sight, there are a series of trails that will lead you down to Hwy 17, and back to the parking area.
Up on top there is a Lake Lenore Side Canyon, and many potholes that were created over 12,000 years ago during the Great Floods.
It would be wise to take a Google Earth image of the Mesa. The terrain is very unusual.
DIRECTIONS:
From Spokane, drive east on Hwy 2 for about 2 hours to Hwy 155. Turn left (south) on 155 past Coulee City, and turn left (SW) on Hwy 17. On your way to Lake Lenore, stop by the Dry Falls Visitors Center. The cliffs the center site on, was once the largest waterfall in the world.
Next on your way to Lake Lenore Caves is the Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park. There are a number of activities in the park.
Back on Hwy 17 head SW past Alkali Lake, to the Lake Lenore parking area. If you have kayaks, take them with you. Paddling Lake Lenore is a delight.
Near the south end of Lake Lenore are several islands to paddle around.
Next on your way to Lake Lenore Caves is the Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park. There are a number of activities in the park.
Back on Hwy 17 head SW past Alkali Lake, to the Lake Lenore parking area. If you have kayaks, take them with you. Paddling Lake Lenore is a delight.
Near the south end of Lake Lenore are several islands to paddle around.
COOL THINGS CLOSE BY:
Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park, Monument Coulee, Summer Falls State Park with a rhino cast, Grand Coulee Dam, Banks Lake, Northrup Canyon, and Steamboat Rock State Park,
HAZARDS:
Any hiking in the Scabs, brings inherent hazards. First and foremost, is the unusual terrain you will be hiking in. Either take area maps or take Google Earth images on your phone.
Secondly, there are rattlesnakes in the scabs. Having said that, I must admit, in my 40+ years of hiking in the Scabs, I’ve only encountered 1 rattlesnake. And I sat my pack on it as I climbed over a fence. They will not strike, unless they are provoked. In the mornings, they come out to warm themselves in the sun. As you walk the trails, be cautious of stepping over rocks. They may be on the sunny side.
There are ways to hike the Scabs without worries about snakes. Google. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=snake+bite+protection+legging&crid=S3VEVJ6VEDT&sprefix=Snake+bite+protection%2Caps%2C240&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-a-p_3_21
The snake bite proof gaiters will take the worry out of leg strikes.
Thirdly, take google earth images of the area you will be hiking in. And while hiking, take images of the far off mesas, creek channels, and valleys for reference. Having images, and seeing mesas from different angles, and looking at your images will show you the perspective you need to use to get back on track.
Secondly, there are rattlesnakes in the scabs. Having said that, I must admit, in my 40+ years of hiking in the Scabs, I’ve only encountered 1 rattlesnake. And I sat my pack on it as I climbed over a fence. They will not strike, unless they are provoked. In the mornings, they come out to warm themselves in the sun. As you walk the trails, be cautious of stepping over rocks. They may be on the sunny side.
There are ways to hike the Scabs without worries about snakes. Google. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=snake+bite+protection+legging&crid=S3VEVJ6VEDT&sprefix=Snake+bite+protection%2Caps%2C240&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-a-p_3_21
The snake bite proof gaiters will take the worry out of leg strikes.
Thirdly, take google earth images of the area you will be hiking in. And while hiking, take images of the far off mesas, creek channels, and valleys for reference. Having images, and seeing mesas from different angles, and looking at your images will show you the perspective you need to use to get back on track.
R & P:
Lenny’s in CHENEY