Elbow Lake, Grant County, Washington

Elbow Lake (1 acres, Elevation 982 ft)

Elbow Lake located within the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge and south of Potholes Reservoir is more like a small wide spot in the Potholes Canal just down the canal from Soda Lake. This lake lies between Soda and Long Lakes. It is a good place on the canal to get out of the main current and to fish. See Directions below on how to access this lake. For rules visit http://www.fws.gov/columbia/

  Lake open April 1-Sept 30. SEE the Potholes Canal Chain Lakes section for more access info. Fishing: Rainbow Trout. Directions: One accesses this lake by either portaging around the Soda Lake dam or hiking in to fish from the shoreline. 1. To portage in one paddles from the Soda Lake south launch (see driving directions a few lines down this page), heading east toward the dam. On the north side of the canal leading to the dam (DANGER: DO NOT ENTER THE SHORT CANAL TO THE DAM) there is a rough rocky wide gradual upward slowing area that you portage up. Once next to the dam continue straight a few feet on a narrow trail (lots of rocks and brush) to the canal ledge. Drop your kayak/canoe into the canal, with light attached so it does not float away. It's about a 4-9 foot drop to the canal water depending on the water level. Once in your kayak paddle a short distance where the canal widens, this is the place. 2. Accessing this lake hiking in, from Moses Lake take HWY 17 south toward Othello; turn right (west) on HWY 262/O'Sullivan Dam Road. Before crossing the O'Sullivan Dam and after just passing the entrance to the Potholes Reservoir boat launch on your left/south is Soda Lake Road. Follow this road passing the entrance to Soda Lake Campground and proceed further on Soda Lake Road, turn left at the next sign indicating Soda Lake which brings you to another boat launch on Soda Lake. Pass the launch on the gravel road until the road ends at a gate. Hike to the dam, cross the dam to the north (obey and signs), once across the dam, turn right/east and walk along the rough trail where the canal widens a bit, and this is the place, Elbow Lake.

Maps: To view a map click on google.com/maps and type in Pillar Lake, Grant County, WA. or type in the GPS coordinates 46.958219, -119.223970

ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... When paddling park in the gravel parking lot at the launch, if hiking drive past the launch and park along the dirt road near gate; PATHS/TRAILS... Old gravel, dirt, sand, mud combo road. Not accessible to wheeled mobility devices; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES/SHADE… None. No designated picnic areas or shaded area. No trees; DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… None; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No access for wheeled mobility devices; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... None; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments; CAMPING... Primitive camping at Soda Lake with accessible restroom, limited access via sand/dirt trails to campsites; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: Lots of sand and large rocks, bad trail create environment of no access for wheeled mobility devices; Terrain: Level to about 7% grades. Small cliffs; H2O/Water: Water normally murky. Water temperature in the summer can be around 60 to 70 degree. Drinking water not available; Environmental Conditions: High winds and hot summer temperatures; Resources: Food, drinks, and gas in town of Moses Lake and at Potholes Reservoir resort area.