Billy Clapp Lake Hike
Hike Rating: Moderate
Hike Length: 7.6 miles roundtrip (variable)
Elevation Gain: 75’
Trailhead Elevation: 1,400’
Best Season: April-June and September
Driving Access: Any vehicle
Plus
Points
• A pleasant, cow-free hike
along flat basalt benches above a steep-walled lake
• Ice Age flood features include potholes, spillover
channels and hanging coulees
• A wildflower showcase in Spring, with balsamroot, bush
lupine, blue flax and salvia
• Common wildlife include mule deer, coyotes, grey
partridges and red-tailed hawks
• Several secluded coves on the lake allow walking access
down to water's edge
• The chance for solitude increases the further north one
hikes along the lake
Minus Points
• No established trail after
first mile, so good route-finding skills are necessary
• Occasional powerboats on the lake can disturb the
wilderness atmosphere
• Rattlesnakes are a possibility throughout the summer, so
be aware
Download
(PDF, 566 KB): Photos of Billy Clapp Lake
Hike
Download
(PDF, 680 KB): Topo Map for Billy Clapp Lake
Hike
Download
(GPX, 1 KB): GPS Points for Billy Clapp Lake
Hike
Download
(PDF, 682 KB): Road Map for Billy Clapp Lake
Hike
Trail
Notes
The trail
begins behind the vault toilet at the boat ramp, ascends a
short rise, then drops down onto a wide bench above the
lake. For the first 0.9 miles, this trail wanders through
grasslands between basalt buttes, finally petering out at a
swampy green swale near the lakeshore. The route then
skirts this swale and goes cross-country to the start of a
game trail angling up the hillside to the west (GPS Point
1). After a steep scramble up this rocky slope, one emerges
on a higher grassy bench, 200' above the lake.
For the next half mile, the route follows game trails north
along this bench, with long views of the lake and the
vertical bluffs ahead. At 1.5 miles (GPS Point 2), one
comes to the crest of the bench and the route gradually
descends toward the lakeshore again, to the mouth of a
creek running into the lake from the west.
The route
then follows this side creek upstream for about 150 yards
to a prominent game trail leading out of the canyon to the
north (at GPS Point 3). Follow this game trail north onto a
wide bench above the lake.
For the next 0.7 miles, the route follows the lowest bench
nearest the lake, above steep rock bluffs edging the water.
At about 2.4 miles, one passes a deep circular pothole and
descends into a narrow coulee with a striking rock pillar
in its center to the west. Here one can turn right (east)
and descend down the coulee to the lake's edge. To continue
the hike, the route goes left (west) up the coulee to the
north side of the rock pillar (GPS Point 4), then scrambles
up onto the bench north of the pillar.
From here the
route contours northwest along this bench on a level grade
for about 0.4 miles to a prominent side canyon running west
down into the coulee. Following this side canyon down to
the coulee bottom (at GPS Point 5), it's then an easy walk
north, across a fence line, to the mouth of the coulee and
the lake's edge. At 3.4 miles, this is a scenic spot for a
rest and lunch, but those with more ambition can continue
northwest up a coulee, skirting a giant basalt knob, for
another 0.4 miles to a third scenic cove on the lakeshore.
Road to Trailhead
From State Route 28, 10.3 miles
east of Soap Lake and 7 miles west of Wilson Creek, turn
north on Road J NE at signs for "Pinto Dam/Billy Clapp
Lake." This turnoff is just east of the small town of
Stratford. Drive north 2.4 miles on Road J NE to the
parking area at road's end, next to the boat launch. The
trail starts north up the hillside, just behind the vault
toilet. A Washington State Discover Pass is required to
park at this trailhead.
Camping Options
The nearest public campground
is at Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park, about 30 driving
miles from the trailhead. This is a large campground with
flush toilets, showers, drinking water, full hookups and
over 190 campsites,
including
spaces for tents as well as the largest RVs and travel
trailers. Be prepared for high winds. Reservations are
available April 15 through September 15 and are highly
recommended for the summer months. Visit the WA State
Parks website or call (888) 226-7688.
Camping fees are based on the type of campsite selected.
A no-frills, no-fee alternative is the BLM Pacific
Lake/Lakeview Ranch Campground, about 33 driving miles east
of the trailhead, north of Odessa on the Lakeview Ranch
Loop Road. Here, northeast of the old Lakeview Ranch
buildings and corrals, on a flat bench above now dry
Pacific Lake, are a vault toilet and gravel parking areas
suitable for travel trailers. A grassy area with a few
shade trees, plus tables and fire rings, serves tent
campers and picnickers. There is no potable water here, but
drinking water jugs can be filled at the City Park in
downtown Odessa.
Finally, campsites are available at two private campgrounds
in Soap Lake, WA, about 13 driving miles west of the
trailhead on State Route 28.
Agency
Contact: Washington Dept. of Fish &
Wildlife, (509) 765-6641
DISCLAIMER:
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this
information, but the authors do not guarantee that it is
either current or correct. The reader assumes full
responsibility for any use of this information, and is
encouraged to contact local public land agencies to inquire
about current conditions before
traveling.
Page last updated: 11/12/13