Cady Ridge - Meander Meadows Loop

Hike of the Week:

August 11, 2008

Flowers and meadows are the show on the Cady Ridge - Meander Meadows loop. Photo by D. Baxter.

Location: Near Lake Wentachee
Distance: 15.8 miles
Elevation: 3000 ft. up & down. High point 5600 ft.
Map: Green Trails #144 Benchmark

Why Go?

The meadows are the star attraction of this loop. We're talking miles of meadows - bursting with wildflowers during July and August and awash with fall color in the autumn. The hike is best done as an overnight loop, but can also be completed as a shorter out and back to Cady Ridge or a longer trip that takes in one of the finest stretches of the Pacific Crest Trail.

The trail begins (and ends) at the Little Wenatchee Ford Campground. You start out on trail #1501 and soon reach a junction. The trail to left takes you to Cady Pass (another fine destination); the trail to the right (#1532) goes to Cady Ridge. The trip starts in the trees, but before too long you reach the ridge where the meadows begin and you are well-rewarded.

It's about 6.5 miles up to the Wards Pass intersection with the Pacific Crest Trail. Much of Cady Ridge and this portion of the PCT is dry, so campers often make a side trip to the left to Lake Sally Ann to spend the night. This section of the PCT is popular, and a quick look at the map shows you why - the trail is high, with great views and lots of options for side trips. You could easily spend a week wandering this area.

To return, go north back to Wards Pass on the PCT and continue on that trail over Dishpan Gap and Sauk Pass - about 2.3 miles. At Sauk Pass, go right on Trail #1525, the Little Wenatchee River Trail that goes through Meander Meadows. This trail can be especially muddy and slippery when wet - a re-route (not open yet) is currently in the works. Expect a rutted trail and lots of brush, but the mile through Meander Meadows is quite nice. It's about seven miles back to the trailhead, so if this kind of trail isn't your cup of tea, you might consider returning via Cady Pass instead.

More Information

Many guidebooks describe sections of this loop trail - 100 Hikes in the Glacier Peak Region: North Cascades (Spring & Manning - Mountaineers Books); Loop Hikes Washington (Nelson & Bauer - Mountaineers Books) to name two. But getting a map of the area (Green Trails #144 Benchmark Mtn) is the best tool for hiking this route. WTA's Trip Reports are also quite helpful. Ranger Station info.

Driving Directions

From Hwy. 2, take SR 207 (Lake Wentachee Hwy.). Go left at the Y intersection just over 4 miles in and take a left on the White River Road, which is about 1.8 miles past the Lake Wenatchee Ranger Station. Drive another 16.8 miles, following signs for FR 65 and the Little Wenatchee River Ford Campground. Northwest Forest Pass required.