Information about this hike provided in partnership with
Mountaineers Books.
Copyright © Dan A. Nelson/The Mountaineers Books Kachess Ridge / Kachess Beacon
Starting a hike with a serious climb is a good way to limber up your muscles and shake off any casual hikers. But crowds don't pose a problem on this route--few hikers, it seems, know about this trail. It's just minutes off the interstate, with grand views of the three big lakes of the eastern Snoqualmie Pass corridor (Keechelus, Kachess, and Cle Elum). You'll also find panoramic views that encompass the peaks of the Cle Elum Valley and reach south to Mount Rainier.
From the trailhead, the hike to Kachess Ridge climbs to the left while a second path leads off to the right--south--along Easton Ridge. The trail wastes no time in starting to climb, running steeply up the nose of the tall face of Kachess Ridge. As you climb, the forest opens periodically to provide views south to Mount Baldy, Domerie Peak, and Easton Ridge. Rather than continue straight up to the ridge top, the trail angle moderates just past 1 mile, running almost level for the next 0.75 mile as it follows the tumbling waters of Silver Creek upstream. At 1.9 miles (elev. 3800 ft) the trail splits. The main trail continues right, up Silver Creek, paralleling the long spine of Kachess Ridge. Our route goes left, climbing through a couple of gentle switchbacks away from the creek. The trail then straightens out for a long, climbing run up the ridge to a high knob (elev. 4600 ft) at the southern end of Kachess Ridge. This unnamed peak was used in the past as a base for an air-traffic beacon. Outstanding views await you, looking out on the deep basin of Kachess Lake, south to Mount Baldy, and west to Ambilis Mountain.
Driving Directions:
From Seattle drive I-90 over Snoqualmie Pass to exit 70. After exiting, turn left over the interstate and then turn left onto West Sparks Road. Continue a short distance before turning right onto Kachess Dam Road (Forest Road 4818). Drive about 1 mile, then turn right at the next road junction and continue another 0.5 mile to the trailhead. Recent Trip Reports
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Day hike
Features:
Fall foliage
Issues:
Blowdowns | Overgrown | Washouts | Water on trail | Snow on trail
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I don't think I have ever worked so hard to achieve a summit. After visiting the Kachess Beacon we b...
I don't think I have ever worked so hard to achieve a summit. After visiting the Kachess Beacon we bushwhacked northeast to the trail and finally reached the base of the summit almost 6 hours after leaving the trailhead. There is a prominent little peak between the summit and trail that looks far more impressive (even a bit intimidating for a snowy scramble) from the approach.
Snow appeared on the trail above 4000', and the powder continued to pour down on us throughout the day. Lots of water on the trail, as well as several wet creek crossings after the 3 bridges. Day hike
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Wanted something out of the clouds but not too far a drive. I suggested this hike as I did it last ...
Wanted something out of the clouds but not too far a drive. I suggested this hike as I did it last Labor Day weekend as the first hike for that weekend with the second the much more interesting Ingalls Lake.
This time it was its own. It starts out steep on a trail used by mountain bikers. The churn exposes small rocks/gravel "lubricating" the surface. At around 1 to 1.5 miles there is the UNofficial junction with the steeper ridge trail or the main trail. I was not in the mood for the steep way so I went main trail while my friend went ridge. The junction comes just at the end of the switchback that passes a boulder field. Apparently, lots of folks miss the branches and logs intended to dissuade and head up, uncomfortably, the steeper ridge. The trail climbs steeply for a bit more than enters the hanging valley following besides and above the creek. A few gentle ups and downs and the junction to the beacon (hiking only) appears just before the trail drops to cross the creek. It then meanders up to the ridge with maybe 20 or so variously sized logs and blow-downs from simple step-overs to scramble up and over. Not many flowers left but the cool breeze kept the hike pleasant. My friend and I managed to arrive at the top within a minute of each other. He stalled briefly he claimed. Spent about a half hour in breezy conditions eating a very early lunch at 10:30am. Broken clouds. Windy on the way back down. No issues with I-90 traffic in either direction. The winds on the ridge and even down low in the forest can explain the fire fighting efforts further east. Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
Issues:
Blowdowns
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Started off on the trail early as the forecast called for 95 degree weather.
The overview doesn't...
Started off on the trail early as the forecast called for 95 degree weather.
The overview doesn't lie. Ooh my goodness... It is a steep climb! The trail was a little dusty and had very few biting insects on it. We ended up taking the trail that has sticks blocking it as we thought that it might be the fork that was talked about- guess it wasn't but it brought us to some cool views and steep trails. On our way back- we took the official trail down and found it to be a pleasant way to avoid the sun and stay cooler due to the fact that there is a nice stream down there. There were tons of blowdowns to hop over on the official trail- so take care and avoid the sappy hands that await a careless hand-hold. Day hike
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Sometimes it seems that the more hiking we do, the more trails we discover. For all the trail miles ...
Sometimes it seems that the more hiking we do, the more trails we discover. For all the trail miles we’ve put into the I-90 corridor, there are always more trails on our list to hike. Recently we had the chance explore Kachess Ridge, a somewhat lesser-known trail that scales one of the many ridges surrounding Lake Kachess.
Kachess Ridge is probably best known for its abandoned airway beacon. For a short time beginning with the installation of beacons on Mt. Catherine and McClellan Butte in 1934, a series of lighted beacons were strung across Snoqualmie Pass every 10 miles, allowing pilots to deliver mail and cargo after then sun went down. The “lighted airway” was part of a nationwide effort that began in the 1920s and sought to modernize air traffic by installing around 1,500 beacons. To read the full report, check out: http://www.hikingwithmybrot[…]idge-beacon-trail-1315.html Nathan & Jer Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
Issues:
Blowdowns | Mudholes
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This is a great hike if a bit steep in places. The weather today was perfect, clear, sunny but not ...
This is a great hike if a bit steep in places. The weather today was perfect, clear, sunny but not too hot. The trail starts out steep on gravelly tread but the tread is not too bad going up or down with poles or without as one of our party chose to do.
The trail surprised me as it was 99 percent in trees and shade. The first mile or so was nice to get over but the second up hill section was a bit much particularly with the large number of blow downs. This uphill also had several muddy sections prior to breaking out on the ridge which was dry if a bit overdone with numerous blow downs. Views from the Beacon were nice but can be had more easily from other trails which do not require so much effort. Lots of flowers out and we saw a number of other hiking groups on what should have been a non-crowd hike. We even saw some 'crazy' trail riders (bicycles) coming down. Well this hike is off my bucket list and I am glad to have done it. |
 Kachess Ridge by insomniac
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