[wildernessed]

We had planned to go to North Central Washington for a nice desert loop, but the forecast had deteriorated some and we dusted off a trip down to Frenchman Coulee. It could have been much bigger, but because the hike took us to some new areas with some interesting terrain and scenery I thought we we might not be able to complete the larger section and split it in two. Walking, talking, and taking frequent photos can eat up some time so we decided to let it play out and enjoy the first section and decide from there. We left the Upper TH off Vantage Rd. near and above Frenchman Coulee's East head wall and followed the abandoned old road that crosses a small stream and descends into the coulee enjoying the waterfall on the North side of the canyon wall and hiking down the coulee to the lower parking lot. From there we found and lost an old trail crossing Echo Basin (the Punch Bowl is at the head of the basin) heading for the Sand Dunes below Land Plateau. The Dunes were pretty neat and we ascended a gully with an old trail to the top of the plateau and just like some recent hikes the area was an amazing creation of basalt sculpted by time. There were some recent wildfires up there so it was pretty open. We meandered around to various location, overlooks, and stopped at four different lakes. We missed walking across Land Plateau and the biggest lake in our adventure and headed over to Stab Point a high spot on the plateau, then had lunch on the canyon edge overlooking Frenchman, Whiskey Dick, Babcock Bench, and more. The weather had held out and we had mostly sunshine, light winds, and upper 50's, but the clouds were moving in and from our high perch we could see the miles of barren scab land to the North we would walk to do the entire route and back and being 1400 hr. thought another day. We followed the descending cliff line and came upon a climbers trail descending down to the upper parking lot right to my Subie and closed the loop. That was a very interesting and varied trip, very enjoyable. We ended up doing 7 miles and 1100' for the loop.

Frenchman Coulee Loop

Punch Bowl

All most on the plateau

From our lunch spot looking out at Land Plateau and Frenchmens Coulee.

Meandering around the plateau.

On the sand dunes hiking towards the gully to ascend the plateau.

One of the four lakes we visited on the plateau.

Steve crossing the desert

Traversing across Echo Basin and looking towards the Punch Bowl.

[olderthanIusedtobe]

A sand dune, a waterfall and lakes?! I had no idea that stuff was over there. Cool. I've had some fun days climbing there but I haven't been over that way in years.

[wildernessed]

We ran into two hikers coming up Frenchman Coulee as we were coming down and that is all. Talking to them they had no idea of the diversity of hiking in the area. From our route in the bottom we had no views of climbers. Once on the plateau near Stab Point we saw the masses around the Feathers. I haven't been out there in quite a few years climbing also.

[Bootpathguy]

[ragman and rodman]

Nice... I am bookmarking this one for future roaming in the area... thanks.

[wildernessed]

[wildernessed]

[HitTheTrail]

Looks interesting Good to see you guys are getting out every time the sun comes out.

[MyFootHurts]

That walk across Echo Basin to the sand dunes is a lot fun and gets almost no traffic even when Frenchman Coulee and the rock climbing areas are really busy. I guess the secret is out now on nisaB ohcE

[John Morrow]

[wildernessed]

[KekistaniProphet]

There is a geo cache on that point 1086 right beside the sand dunes

[wildernessed]

[HitTheTrail]

[Bryan K]

That area looks beautiful!!! I'll certainly have to bring the family there next winter/spring!