Host: Nick Sherman
This is a single-day outing (Sunday, September 13) following the Lenice Lake outing (Saturday, September 12). Dusty can be attended to on its own or in addition to Lenice.
Dusty requires a solid hike down to the east end of the lake, short but steep and rocky (approximately 0.6 miles with a 350’ descent). I recommend hiking poles. This is a rewarding trek, though, with rugged landscape and basalt cliffs lining both sides of the lake. Half the fun of Dusty Lake is the walk in, making it one of my favorite lakes. We plan to catch fish, but this is a rewarding trip for its stark scenery. Being east of the Cascades, it has been sunny every time I’ve been there.
Most participants will arrive Sunday night from Lenice Lake (45 minutes) or the Upper Yakima outing (1 hour, 20 minutes) in Quincy and will stay at a nearby hotel (not 4-star). Other members may come from Seattle (3 hours), though that is a long way for a day trip. It might be possible to camp at the trailhead (no services).
Dusty Lake is located in WDFW's Quincy Wildlife Area near the City of Quincy. The lake has fished very well over the past five years for rainbow trout, with occasional brown trout and tiger trout. Dusty Lake sits in a shallow canyon and receives less sunlight than other lakes early in the year. As a result, it remains colder longer, and fishing doesn't pick up until later in the spring (which won't be an issue for this Sept trip). Access to Dusty Lake is walk-in only. The lake must be fished from a float tube. Shoreline fishing is usually unproductive.
I have fished Dusty in May, so this trip will be my first for this time of year. I have used a sinking line with a leech or a wooly bugger. Experiment with slow and fast retrieves. Use the same gear you used on Lenice.
Per WDFW: Selective Gear Rules are in effect.
There is an outhouse at the trailhead where you'll park but none down at Dusty Lake.
What to Bring:
- Food and water
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Float tube (the hike precludes raft, pontoon boat, or kayak). Remember waders and fins, plus an air pump for inflation. If you don’t have shoulder straps, bring a pack to hold your float tube, waders, air pump, and other gear. You must carry everything in one trip.
- Washington state fishing license
- 4-6 weight rods with sinking line. A floating line might work - I have not used one.
- 3x tippet if using a sinking line.
- Net
- Rain gear
- Sunglasses and hat
- Warm layer in case it gets cold
- Camera
Special Notes on Getting There
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Do NOT go to Dusty Lake trailhead - that is different and a very long hike.
- Do not be tempted to come into the trailhead from the south - that gravel road is usually locked. You have to swing around to come in from the north.
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There may not be cell phone service near the trailhead.
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Have a picture of the map on your cell phone of the last part so you can find the final turn relative to Burke Lake.
Directions from Puget Sound
