Don't let this hike's bad reputation dissuade you from reaping its good views. Sure, it's one of the snakiest trails in the Icicle Valley-save it for a cool day. And yeah, it's one of the steepest trails in the valley-hottest too-best to save it for a cool day. And total vertical feet-oh boy, you'll gain plenty-so save it for a cool day when the serpents are sedate. Are you getting the picture? But the views are amazing: from the Chiwaukum to the Entiat to the Stuart ranges and beyond-savor the panorama on any day!

There's no easy way up Icicle Ridge. The Fourth of July Creek Trail provides one of the shorter routes, but though it reaches the ridge crest in a little more than a mile, it climbs nearly a vertical mile in the process. The switchbacks are relentless, and for most of the season so is the heat. Traversing south-facing slopes, the trail takes the full brunt of the east-side-of-the-Cascade-crest sun. But there's a bonus to that aspect. This trail often melts out by mid-May, providing early season high-country probing while surrounding trails remain buried in winter's white. In any season, though, take plenty of water along.

Start amid some big pines and firs. Cross Fourth of July Creek at 0.25 mile and start shooting for the stars. Through pine parklands and aspen groves, the fern- and bitterbrush-lined trail winds upward. Cross the creek once more and then begin to switchback like there's no tomorrow.

Up open slopes punctuated by massive ponderosa pines-climb! In early season marvel at the floral show spread out before you. In any season cherish the views expanding before you. At about 2 miles a spring (elev. 4700 ft) may be bubbling-but don't count on it. A little farther come upon one of the biggest ponderosas this side of the Black Hills. At about 3.5 miles the grade eases and the trail makes a long traverse before resuming its switchbacks.

At about 4.3 miles is another possibly flowing spring (elev. 5750 ft). Continue climbing through silver forest and rock gardens before making another long traverse. Across grassy slopes graced with whitebark pine, make one final slog, coming to the 6775-foot crest of Icicle Ridge and a trail junction at 5.7 miles.

Muster up what little energy you have left and head left on the Icicle Ridge Trail for 0.2 mile to a junction signed "lookout site." Hang left once more and scramble 500 feet to within 10 feet of the 7029-foot former fire lookout site. The 1929-built lookout actually sat right on the rocky thumb. The steps and railings are now gone and so should be any desire to attain the true summit. Stay safe and enjoy the amazing panoramic views right before you. East it's Mission Ridge and the Entiat Range. North it's the Chelan Range, Glacier Peak, Poet Ridge, and the White Mountains. To the west, scan Icicle Ridge to Big Jim, Grindstone, and out to Daniel. And south it's the Stuart Range and that big mountain right in front of you, Cashmere. What a view! Worth every step.