Give the more popular and overcrowded trails in the central Cascades a break by exploring these other options.
- Fourth of July: A steep but beautiful 5-mile trail climbs 5,000 feet to the top of Icicle Ridge. Turn left at the top and go 1/2 mile to the site of an old fire lookout.
- Chatter Creek: A 5.5-mile trail that gains 3,800 feet into a beautiful alpine basin and ridgetop.
- Blackjack Ridge: A steep 3.5-mile climb of 4,000 feet through shady forest and then an open alpine ridge with some of the best views of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.
- Icicle Creek: A mostly flat, easy trail through beautiful lush old growth.
- Round Mountain and Nason Ridge: The Round Mountain trail climbs steeply for 1 mile to join Nason Ridge Trail. Turn left for a more gradual 3 miles to Alpine Lookout with great views of Lake Wenatchee, White River and Little Wenatchee valleys, and Glacier peak.
- Rock Mountain: A steep 4-mile and 4,000-foot climb to the site of an old fire lookout. The trail passes near beautiful Rock Lake in an alpine basin.
- Lanham Lake: An easy day hike of about 3 miles round-trip. It enters a nice stand of old growth forest to reach the lake and views of Jim Hill Mountain.
Originally published as “Find Your Next Favorite Hike” as a sidebar to the “Loving Leavenworth” feature story in the July-August 2020 issue.
Resources for more trail information:
- Washington Trails Association website
- Day Hiking Central Cascades – guidebook by Craig Romano and Alan Bauer (photography), published by Mountaineers Books.
