We headed up the Outback Trail and immediately noticed the extent of recent fire mitigation efforts, with the Forest Service having cleared large stretches of underbrush along the hillside. The open terrain made us think this could be a decent spot for backcountry skiing this winter, especially when lower snow cover makes it hard to find clean lines around the valley. Partway up, my parents realized their dog, Belle, had wandered off, so I climbed toward the ridge to locate her. After a few calls she came into view, and soon we were all back on the trail and continuing toward the loop. At the start of the loop, we turned left to hike clockwise, under a layer of high clouds that contrasted with patches of blue sky farther south. We enjoyed early views over the Lake Chelan valley, with orchards—especially cherry trees—standing out sharply against the surrounding hills.
As we continued north, the trail gained around 200 feet of elevation—more than we had remembered—but we took a short break before carrying on. We passed the junction with Mallory’s Way but stuck to Outback, since the slightly higher views weren’t worth the extra climb for my dad. Around the halfway point, we crossed paths with a couple we had spoken to at the trailhead, the only other hikers we’d see all day despite two additional cars in the parking area. The northern side of the loop felt greener and more wooded, likely thanks to its shade and aspect. Eventually, we finished the loop and descended Outback back to the car.
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