Chiwaukum Creek

Hike of the Week:

December 3, 2007

You probably won't make it to Chiwaukum Lake this time of year, but this gives you some sense of what lies at the end of this trail. If you take this snowshoe trip, include your photo in your Trip Report and we'll update this one with yours! Photo by Galiwalker.

Distance: 10.4 miles roundtrip

Elevation:  The summer trailhead is at 2200'; high point on trail 3200'

Maps: Green Trails Chiwaukum Mountains No. 177

Why Go?

Because it's a pristine winter wonderland and it's recently snowed - a lot!  (Or at least it did last weekend before the sultry temperatures and rains hit - please heed the warning below before you go.)  If you are looking for a leisurely snowshoe walk alongside a babbling creek under a canopy of pungent Ponderosa Pine, than Chiwaukum Creek is for you. The trail follows Chiwaukum Creek upstream to a junction with several other trails, providing myriad opportunities for rambling in the winter wonderlands of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.

Warning:  The trail crosses a steep slope during the first mile of trail that takes you to the summer trailhead.  This portion of the trail is only safe to cross when avalanche conditions are low or non-existent.  Be safe, and check with the Wenatchee River Ranger District in Leavenworth or the Northwest Weather & Avalanche Center before you go.

Otherwise, this is a great snowshoe hike for the whole family with great views out to Big Jim and Snowgrass Mountains and with the creek alongside the entire way.  The junction at 5.4 miles makes a nice turnaround.  

For more information: 

• Northwest Weather & Avalanche Center
  Hotline: 206-526-6677; Website
• Wenatchee River Ranger District:  (509) 548-6977
• Guidebooks: Snowshoe Routes - Washington, by Dan A. Nelson (The Mountaineers Books)
  
• Check out our hiking guide and trip reports.
  

Directions:

From Leavenworth, drive north from Leavenworth about 9 miles on Highway 2 where you will see signs for Tumwater Campground.  Drive another mile and turn left (east) on Chiwaukum Creek Road (FR 7908).  The summer trailhead is at the end of the road (2 miles), but the snowline in the winter may force you to park earlier and walk the road.