Upper Ancient Lake Falls
Grant County, Washington
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- Not recorded
- Location
- Grant County, Washington
- Access status
- Partial guide: informal paths on state wildlife land; who manages the gate parking area is not stated
- The walk
- About 3/4 mile from the parking area to the base of the falls, per the Northwest Waterfall Survey
- Ground & access
- Gated road, then informal paths through a marshy crossing and a steep descent. Thick sagebrush and brush make it hard to get close to the base of the falls.
Upper Ancient Lakes Falls is a 25-foot segmented falls where a small stream from Stan Coffin and H Lakes drops over a columnar basalt cliff above the Ancient Lakes basin, in the state wildlife lands of the Quincy Lakes area. Judith Pond lies just above the falls. From I-90 at George, take Highway 281 north just over 5 miles to Road 5 NW and turn left. Drive Road 5 NW for 3 miles, then turn sharply left on an unmarked gravel road; the trailhead is 1/3 mile down the hill at a gate. Follow the gated road right at the first junction, then a path right across the stream in a marshy area and left along a path. The path reaches the top of the falls and descends steeply to the base. This falls is separate from the larger Ancient Lake Falls, which has its own listing. Return the same way.
Plan your visit
Gated trailhead below Road 5 NW, the gated road and a path across the stream to the top of the falls, then a steep descent to the base
The Northwest Waterfall Survey gives about 3/4 mile from the parking area at the gate to the base of the falls. The return distance is not stated.
Gated road, then informal paths through a marshy crossing and a steep descent. Thick sagebrush and brush make it hard to get close to the base of the falls.
Where to start
Parking area at a gate at the bottom of an unmarked gravel road off Road 5 NW, 3 miles from Highway 281. The number of spaces and who manages this parking area are not stated.
Timing & water
Not stated. The stream is fed by lake outflow and irrigation activity.
Before you go
WTA lists a Discover Pass for the Quincy Lakes area. WDFW says a Discover Pass is required on WDFW wildlife areas unless you hold a WDFW Vehicle Access Pass.
Visitor informationVisit sources
- Northwest Waterfall Survey: Upper Ancient Lakes Falls
- Northwest Waterfall Survey: Upper Ancient Lakes Falls
- Northwest Waterfall Survey: Upper Ancient Lakes Falls
- Northwest Waterfall Survey: Upper Ancient Lakes Falls
- Northwest Waterfall Survey: Upper Ancient Lakes Falls
- Washington Trails Association: Quincy Lakes
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife: Parking and access passes
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
Ancient Lake FallsPartial: route to the lakes documented; exact waterfall match and final approach unconfirmedGrant County, WA0.2 miW- 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