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Tronsen Ridge

Central Cascades > Blewett Pass
47.3227, -120.5265 Map & Directions
Length
8.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
1,000 feet
Highest Point
5,800 feet
Calculated Difficulty About Calculated Difficulty
Moderate
Enjoy the wildlife and mountain views available at Tronsen Ridge. Photo by logmorg. Full-size image
  • Wildflowers/Meadows
  • Mountain views
  • Fall foliage
  • Ridges/passes

Parking Pass/Entry Fee

Northwest Forest Pass
Saved to My Backpack

In a word, Tronsen Ridge is dynamic. It’s a place that evolves with each new season, showcasing the variance of Washington state as few trails can. Hike here in June and you’ll be met with bouquets of wildflowers dominating it’s many meadows. Come October, long after the flowers have died off, and you’ll find yourself bound-in by walls of golden larches. Winter offers something altogether different -- an austere, muffled environment with views of the western and eastern faces of the state. Continue reading

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Hiking Tronsen Ridge

In a word, Tronsen Ridge is dynamic. It’s a place that evolves with each new season, showcasing the variance of Washington state as few trails can. Hike here in June and you’ll be met with bouquets of wildflowers dominating it’s many meadows. Come October, long after the flowers have died off, and you’ll find yourself bound-in by walls of golden larches. Winter offers something altogether different -- an austere, muffled environment with views of the western and eastern faces of the state.

From the southern parking lot near the Mount Lillian trailhead, the trail begins along a Jeep path through an old burn zone. You’ll hike a short while through bleached and creaking trees until you reach the official signage for the ridge trail.

From here the trail drops, winding in and out of patchwork meadows, pine groves and basalt spires. This is the pattern for the trail, but it doesn’t get old.

The trail dips and climbs on your journey northward, at times offering you views east into the endless steppes of eastern Washington and at other times back west to the jagged granite of the Stuart range or the crown of Rainier.

Take your time enjoying both the distant views and the ones at arm’s reach, as each are equally breathtaking depending on when you come.

The trail is often quite exposed and the sun will certainly catch up with you in the summer. Naturally, bring plenty of sun protection and water.

Hike Description Written by
Joey Smith, WTA Community

Tronsen Ridge

Map & Directions

Trailhead
Co-ordinates: 47.3227, -120.5265 Open in Google Maps

Before You Go

See weather forecast

Parking Pass/Entry Fee

Northwest Forest Pass

WTA Pro Tip: Save a copy of our directions before you leave! App-based driving directions aren't always accurate and data connections may be unreliable as you drive to the trailhead.

Getting There

Drive I-90 to exit 85 for East Cle Elum. After exiting, cross over the freeway if you're coming from the west, and turn right onto State Route 970. Merge left onto Highway 97 and drive to Blewett Pass. In the pass, turn right onto FR 9716

3.5 miles down this road, turn left onto 9712 and continue five miles to Haney Meadow and the Ken Wilcox Horse Camp. Pass the horse camp, driving another mile and then cross Naneum Creek. The southern trailhead can be found in the Upper Naneum Meadow at a sharp righthand switchback in the road. This is the trailhead it is recommended most people start from.

However, those with high-clearance vehicles can also access the northern trailhead. Directions to that trailhead from Blewett Pass are as follows. Drive north on 97 for 5 more miles past Blewett Pass, then turn right onto Five Mile Road (FR 7224). Proceed 3.5 miles to an undeveloped campsite and trailhead.

More Hike Details

Trailhead

Central Cascades > Blewett Pass

Tronsen Ridge (#1204)

Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Cle Elum Ranger District

Guidebooks & Maps

Day Hiking: Snoqualmie Pass (Nelson & Bauer - Mountaineers Books)

100 Hikes in Washington's Alpine Lakes Region (Spring and Manning - Mountaineers Books)

Buy the Green Trails Wenatchee/Mission Ridge/Devils Gulch No. 211S map

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Tronsen Ridge

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