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Columbia Plateau Area Hikes

Lake Lenore Caves Trail

Parent Category: Hiking
in Columbia Plateau Area
Created: 22 May 2015
Location: Eastern Washington
Roundtrip: 1.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 200 ft
Highest Point: 1300 ft
GPS Coordinates: N 47 31.044 W 119 29.628
Visitor’s Information:

Discover Pass Required

Pictures below will take you on a virtual tour o the historical caves!

Photo from Washington State, Eastern Washington
General Information:

Lenore Lake Caves Trail is a wonderful choice for every hiker, it’s not long, but offers great views of native Eastern Washington scenery as well as the results of Great Missoula flood.

Lake Lenore is a beautiful 1,670-acre lake that was created by the Missoula Floods. The Lake is situated between Soap Lake and Alkali Lake in Grant County, Washington. This lake is long, but narrow.

Photo from Washington State, Eastern Washington

The most interesting area near Lake Lenore, to my mind, is Lake Lenore Caves, which were also created by the floods. Lake Lenore Caves are situated at the northern end of the lake and consist of seven distinct caves. All of them are easily accessible. It should be mentioned that the caves were created by the plucking of basalt rocks from the walls of the coulees. Later these caves were used by Native Americans as shelters. This area is still used by the Native Americans as a sacred gathering place.

Photo from Washington State, Eastern Washington

If you want to hike in this area, you need to drive along Lake Lenore on Washington State Route 17 and take a turn-off that will lead you to a parking area where the trail takes its beginning. The parking area has several informational stands that explain the history of the caves and contain general information about the area.

From the parking lot follow the staircase carved in the rock. At the end of the stairs you will need to choose which way to go: to the left or to the right. The path to the right is more developed and well-maintained.

Photo from Washington State, Eastern Washington

On you way enjoy this historic caves of different sizes, go inside and take incredible pictures. The caves are not deep, but quite large. Let’s mention that wildlife here is also abundant.

View the embedded image gallery online at:
https://beautifulwashington.com/eastern-washington/hiking/columbia-plateau-area/367-lake-lenore-caves-trail.html#sigProIdfe54be8cee

These pictures were taken in April, 2015

Directions:

From I-90

Take Exit 151 for Ephrata/Soap Lake. Drive through Ephrata and onto Soap Lake, taking 281 to Hwy 283 N for 14.8 miles. Continue on Hwy 28 for another 10 miles, then. Turn left (north) onto Hwy 17 and proceed for another 9.6 miles. The Lenore Lake Road comes up quickly, so slow down and turn right onto a graveled road and drive for less than a quarter to a parking lot with room for about 10 cars.

GPS Coordinates: N 47 31.044 W 119 29.628

In order to get directions click on the map below:

Photo: Roman Khomlyak

Photo Editing: Alex Mandryko

Information: Marina Petrova

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