BILLY CLAPP LAKE HIKE

Billy Clapp Lake is approximately 10 miles outside of Soap Lake, Washington. The trail begins at the boat launch, immediately climbing to a vista of the lake and the basalt cliffs that surround this pristine area. Upon arriving at the boat launch one might instantly think that this lake is full of boaters. The lake is large enough that from the top of the cliffs, a person may only see two or three boats at a time. There are quiet coves to pull into, providing places to bathe in the sun or take a refreshing swim. If you are daring, you might try diving off of one of the cliffs into the deeper sections of the lake. The trail itself has an elevation increase of 300 feet within a two and a half mile stretch. Even though this is not strenuous, there is good reason for the suggestion to hike in spring and early summer. By 11:00 temperatures had already risen to 85 degrees in the middle of June. Desert wildflowers were at the end of their peak season, but a few remained behind for our enjoyment. Caves could be seen all along the cliffs, homes for the vast number of coyotes that roam these hills. Deer droppings on the trail offered more evidence that life is prevalent, even in the desert. Everyone enjoyed lunch and dipping their feet into the lake before returning back to the trailhead. Our family took the luxury of swimming in the designated swimming area for a couple of hours to end the day. Please go to the link on the left side of the page for our family website to view a photo slide show of another desert hike. This slide show will contain many more photos than shown in the youtube video that you can also find under the video links section.