Information about this hike provided in partnership with
Mountaineers Books.
Copyright © Dan A. Nelson/The Mountaineers Books Teanaway Ridge
Featured In:
Day Hiking: Snoqualmie Region,
by Dan A. Nelson and Alan L. Bauer.
A portion of all book sales from the links above benefits WTA and helps protect and maintain our trails. The trail climbs steeply away from the trailhead, switchbacking up through rocky wildflower gardens. The path weaves upward for 1 mile, gaining 800 feet to reach a trail junction at the pass separating Iron Creek and Bear Creek valleys. One trail drops to the west into Bear Creek valley, another turns left onto the southern arm of the Teanaway Ridge, and the trail you want goes right to climb along the ridge to the north. You'll continue to climb, now working along the rocky crest of the Teanaway Ridge. For the next 2 miles you'll roll upward. At times you'll run straight up the ridge spine. Occasionally you'll follow switchbacks as they weave up steep sections. Between climbs the trail traverses the edge of the ridge, crossing spectacular wildflower fields and climbing through an old forest-fire area with silver skeletons of fire-killed trees. Views abound, but as grand as the scenery and the panoramas are, the best are found at the end of the hike. At 3 miles from the trailhead the trail crosses the summit of an un-named knob, the highpoint of the ridgeline (elev. 5489 ft). From here, 360-degree views greet you. To the east, Tronsen Ridge stretches across the horizon. To the northwest, ever-present Mount Stuart looms large. And the mighty snow cone of Mount Rainier punctuates the southern sky.
Driving Directions:
From Seattle drive east on I-90 to East Cle Elum, exit 85. Cross over the freeway overpass and turn right (northbound) on State Route 970. Turn left (north) on US 97 and drive 2.5 miles beyond Mineral Springs Resort to Iron Creek Road (Forest Road 9714). Turn left (west) and follow Iron Creek Road for 3.6 miles to the road end and trailhead. The road's final 0.5 mile is very rough. If you fear for your car's undercarriage, park lower and hike the last leg of the road. Recent Trip Reports
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Teanaway Ridge Trail # 1364
— Aug 18, 2011
— cessford
Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
Issues:
No water source
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We started on the 9738 road instead of beginning at the more traditional Iron Creek Road #9714 hoping to avoid...
We started on the 9738 road instead of beginning at the more traditional Iron Creek Road #9714 hoping to avoid the steep climb to the Iron Creek Teanaway Ridge Pass. Instead we headed north from road # 9738 following an old gated road (#120) for about 3/4 of a mile until we hit the trail # 1364. From that point on we encountered a lot of steep ups and downs. It's obvious that this trail was intended for horse travel because it is not particularly hiker friendly. We had hoped to have good vistas of Mt Stewart, but there are only a couple of places on the entire ridge walk where that occurred. Fortunately most of the way was in the shade as it follows the ridge line pretty closely. That allowed for some comforting breezes. Much of the trail is slippery with gravel-sized rock. Nevertheless, it was a pleasant jaunt even though we cursed the steep grades from time to time.
Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
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The last (and first) time we hiked the Iron Bear Trail, we started at the west trailhead. The trail...
The last (and first) time we hiked the Iron Bear Trail, we started at the west trailhead. The trail on that side is twice as long, went through a huge flooded area shortly after the trailhead, and included several dicey stream crossings. Today we decided on the east trailhead, which is the one that most people use, and it was a lot shorter, easier, and better with no water, snow, or mud on the trail, and no significant stream crossings. Our original plan was to go on to Miller Peak, which would have doubled the length of the hike, but we got a late start and ran out of time and energy. We hiked the 1.8 miles to the four-way junction of the Iron Bear and Teanaway Ridge trails at a saddle on Teanaway Ridge. The last half mile or so of this segment levels out and is more open, with shorter trees and more flowers. The flowers were past spring flowers and into summer flowers, such as yarrow, sedum, roses, purple aster, scarlet gilia, orange paintbrush, forget-me-nots, and yellow and white heart-leaved buckwheat. At the junction at the saddle in the ridge, we turned right and hiked north 1.4 miles to a 5500' viewpoint, a knoll with 360° views, including Mount Rainier. The weather was hot and sunny, and there was no shade at the viewpoint, but we stayed there to have lunch and enjoy the views in spite of the heat. The hike out was in the cool late afternoon, mostly in shade.
Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
Issues:
Blowdowns | No water source
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Started this hike at 8am from the top of Jack Creek Road (9738), and headed north up to the intersection...
Started this hike at 8am from the top of Jack Creek Road (9738), and headed north up to the intersection with the Iron Bear trail.
Could see (and hear) lots of hikers and motor bikes beyond that intersection, but encountered only one pair of hikers and one pair of motor bikers on the section of the trail we hiked. The trail was completely dry and in good condition, apart from a few (easy to step over) blowdowns and some sections with lose gravel/rocks. Lots of wildflowers were blooming, especially Arnicas, Lupines, Forget-Me-Nots, Louseworts, Larkspurs, Balsamroot (fading), and many others. Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/eric.jain/TeanawayRidgeJuly2011 Tracklog: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/98027768
Teanaway Ridge
— Jun 29, 2011
— BritB
Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
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The trail and road were in great condition. We went mid-week in attempt to avoid other people, but...
The trail and road were in great condition. We went mid-week in attempt to avoid other people, but ended up seeing quite a few other hikers and a few motorcyclists.
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