Icicle Ridge
Often free of snow as early as April, this excellent early season hike offers hikers what they have been missing for months: a good chance of sun (this being the sunny side of the Cascades, a bountiful array of wildflowers, and stunning views of Tumwater and Icicle Canyon, the Wenatchee and Icicle rivers and surrounding mountains.
What's more, hikers can attain all of this glory with relatively little pain - an 1,800 foot gain in 2.5 miles as opposed to the neighboring Fourth of July trail that also leads hikers to a higher point on Icicle Ridge in a grueling 4,300 vertical foot march. Now it is true that the views are better the higher you go on Icicle Ridge. But for spring hiking, it doesn't get much better than this. Go early to experience the birdsong and wildlife. Go in April and May to admire the spring beauties, anemones, glacier lilies and Tweedy's Lewisia. The trail to the saddle is generally well-groomed and shaded with a moderate incline.
Driving Directions:
From Highway 2, head east over Stevens Pass. Just past milepost 99 and before you enter Leavenworth, go right on Icicle Road. Continue 1.4 miles to the Icicle Ridge trailhead sign. Turn right and then make a quick left. The trailhead parking lot is ahead. Recent Trip Reports
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Day hike
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Wildflowers blooming
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This is a GREAT early season hike, particularly if you are staying in the Leavenworth / Lake Wenatc...
This is a GREAT early season hike, particularly if you are staying in the Leavenworth / Lake Wenatchee or Plain. The trail is in full bloom, no bugs and excellent views down into Tumwater Canyon and back into Leavenworth from the top. We had a comfortable day, broken cloud cover. There is only one or two stream crossings in the first mile so bring plenty of water.
Icicle Ridge
— May 26, 2013
— dflowerz
Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
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Great day hike with pretty views. Trail is in good condition. I measured the distance with my Garmin...
Great day hike with pretty views. Trail is in good condition. I measured the distance with my Garmin GPSmap 62st, and the one way distance was 3 miles so round trip ended up being 6 miles. The summary for this hike indicates a 4 mile round trip, so either that is wrong or the trail has changed. When you get to the top of the ridge, turn right and hike a short distance along the ridge for a nice view of Leavenworth. Overall a very nice hike.
Icicle Ridge
— May 25, 2013
— kbralens
Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
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We came from Seattle to do this hike. It was the perfect hike to start off a season of "day hikes," ...
We came from Seattle to do this hike. It was the perfect hike to start off a season of "day hikes," for the following reasons: 1. It's *all* switchbacks. My calves are still recovering. 2. Home sits almost at sealevel, so an 1800ft. start to 3000ft. finish gives the lungs a nice work-out (we were huffing and puffing all the way... and so was everyone else). 3. It's completely worth it, though, because there are gorgeous views of the valley the whole way up, and wildflowers galore. I would probably never try to do this hike in July, August, or September, simply because I know how hot it gets in Eastern Washington and the wildflowers will be gone and much of the lush, green views that we enjoyed on this hike will be browned by then!
The trailhead is right outside Leavenworth, so if you go plan to spend a few hours putzing around town! Especially if you drove from Western Washington--it makes the 2.5 hour trip well worth it! Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
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No water source
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The trail is in great shape. Had beautiful weather with a light sprinkle of rain for about ten minu...
The trail is in great shape. Had beautiful weather with a light sprinkle of rain for about ten minutes. Was surprised there wasn't more hikers with it being the start of the holiday weekend(but I'm not complaining!) Lots of wildflowers in bloom.
Day hike
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Wildflowers blooming
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Enough elevation gain to get you breathing mountain air, then views at the top to take your breath a...
Enough elevation gain to get you breathing mountain air, then views at the top to take your breath away. The payoff is a walk along Icicle Ridge at 3,000 feet, providing panoramic views of Tumwater Canyon to the West and Leavenworth Valley to the East. All manner of wildflowers accompany you all the way up the trail. Spring hikes don't get any better than this.
Length / Hike time: 2-2.5 miles up depending on how far you go on the ridge. 4-5 mile round trip. Took us 90 minutes to get up the trail, with multiple photo stops, and then an hour to get back down. Elevation gain: 1,800 feet over 2 miles. Generous switchbacks, so it's only moderately steep. Trail Conditions: The trail is well-maintained and in excellent shape. No mud or snow. Only two blown down trees. The switchbacks take you in and out of the forest at places but overall the trail is mostly shaded with minimal exposure. Trail was fairly busy today with hikers of all ages and paces and dogs of all shapes and sizes, but the switchback knuckles provide for easy passing, and the ridge top walk allows everybody to spread out and take in the payoff scenery at once. |
 Photo by Konnecticut Kook.
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