Ancient Lake Falls
Grant County, Washington
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- Not recorded
- Location
- Grant County, Washington
- Access status
- Partial: route to the lakes documented; exact waterfall match and final approach unconfirmed
- The walk
- 4 to 5 miles round trip to Ancient Lake (Mountaineers); no separate figure to the falls
- Ground & access
- Old two-tracks and desert trails with little elevation gain; the last stretch around the lakes may be on informal paths. Carry all the water you need; lake water is runoff and untested.
Ancient Lake Falls pours off the basalt benches into the Ancient Lakes basin in Potholes Coulee. WTA describes a waterfall dropping 160 feet into the basin below Judith Pool; this listing is probably that waterfall, but that is not confirmed. From the south end of the parking area on Babcock Bench, follow the old two-track 0.6 mile to a junction, take the left fork and follow it up the coulee 1.5 miles to the lakes. Several old two-tracks and game trails lead up the coulee. The falls are at the east end of the basin; around the lakes WTA says you can follow the numerous trails or walk cross-country.
Plan your visit
Lower Ancient Lakes trailhead at the end of Road 9 NW on Babcock Bench, old two-track along Babcock Bench, then the trail up the coulee to the Ancient Lakes basin and the waterfall at its east end
The Mountaineers give 4 to 5 miles round trip to Ancient Lake from the end of Road 9 NW. WTA gives 0.6 mile along Babcock Bench to a junction and 1.5 miles up the coulee to the lakes. Neither gives the distance from the lakes to the falls.
Old two-tracks and desert trails with little elevation gain; the last stretch around the lakes may be on informal paths. Carry all the water you need; lake water is runoff and untested.
Where to start
Parking area at the end of Road 9 NW on Babcock Bench, reached from White Trail Road. The Mountaineers ask visitors not to block the gate to a private driveway there.
Timing & water
The Mountaineers recommend early spring or fall, when temperatures are cooler and rattlesnakes are less active. Dogs are allowed on leash.
Before you go
A Discover Pass is required for parking (WTA and The Mountaineers).
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
Upper Ancient Lake FallsPartial guide: informal paths on state wildlife land; who manages the gate parking area is not statedGrant County, WA0.2 miE- Frenchman Coulee Waterfall98 ft (30 m) · Grant County, WA8.2 miS
- Dutch Henry FallsShort nature preserve trail; seasonal fallsDouglas County, WA37 miN
- Umtanum Creek FallsWildlife area trail to the top and base of the falls39 ft (12 m) · Kittitas County, WA37 miSW
- Summer FallsFederal day use area with a view of the falls; open mid-April to mid-OctoberGrant County, WA39 miNE