Upper Icicle Creek, French Creek — Monday, Aug. 11, 2014

Central Cascades > Leavenworth Area

We were staying in Leavenworth, where there is smoky haze from two fires South and North of here. We had walked Icicle Gorge a couple days ago, and it was mostly clear of any smoke, but today, there was a haze throughout the local mountains. It was also predicted to be be 100 degrees and we hoped to get a little less heat in the mountains. The road in isn't a big issue, but it does have potholes and there is a place just before the trailhead where you have to drive through streamwater.... strange. The first part of the trail, Icicle Creek to French Creek, was easy, mostly flat, a bit dusty. Just before the French Creek JunctionlCampground, there was a sign for "toilet" - someone has constructed a clever wooden toilet seat with lid over a pit. Actually pretty convenient... Anyway, the camp area has a beautiful view where Icicle Creek meets French Creek. After the sturdy bridge over the Creek, we followed French Creek trail, which climbs a bit to more exposed (hot) areas, We were surprised to discover that the trail never really drops to the Creek itself, at least not the 3 miles or so that we followed it. There were some bothersome biting flies at times along the trail, and there were a number of overgrown areas, very brushy and thick in places. One tree was across the path, but easily crossed. We did see some wildlife - chipmunks, a grouse, a few common songbirds, a hawk at distance, an admiral butterfly, and a big unusual caterpillar in the parking lot. There were what had to be wild blueberries along the trail, and one lone larkspur, and some kind of aster, but most flowers were spent. There was a slight breeze from time to time, but mostly, it was hot. It did seem a bit less hot and less hazy where we were than the haze that seemed to hang over the mountain ranges we could see from town. If I had it to do again, I'd probably follow Icicle Creek rather than take the French Creek Trail...