Icicle Gorge Nature Loop — Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025

This was a fabulous hike - 4.2 mi, nearly level, along Icicle Creek with lots of flowing water still in late August - and the trail was in the shade all the way on both sies of the river.  You can start anywhere - its a loop.  From the trailhead for the Icicle Gorge Nature Loop you can go either way since the trail crosses the river and back with two big bridges.  We started on the trail about 10:30a on a day that the Leavenworth temperature was forecast to be mid 90's.  But up on the trail the temp in the morning was in the 70s all morning.  The trail has lots of access points to enjoy stopping for rest, viewing, lunch, etc, on both sides of the creek.  The trail was nearly flat and very well maintained.  It is a Nature trail with several signs discussing the plants and environment.  On this day, the start of Labor Day weekend 2025, we encountered some, but not a lot of  people and there was no problem parking at the trailhead.  You can see the creek nearly continuously for much of the trail.  We did not notice any mosquitoes or other bugs.  It was just a lovely morning.