This forested lake is not the most spectacular hike in the area but it's a fun jaunt for family picnics. Part of the hike goes under power lines which make an eerie noise like sizzling bacon. The trail is steep and hot so bring water and be sure to have a healthy supply of treats to get your kids to the top. From the Stevens Pass Nordic Center find the Lanham Lake Trail at the main parking area. The trail is easy to follow and well defined. Legend has it that this lake was named after a prospector with the last name of Lanham. In the early 1900's there was a trail leading up to a prospect hole along Lanham Creek. It's suspected that Lanham never got very rich from this claim as the creek was never a very productive mineral source.

This trail only goes one way, up! Get ready to feel your thighs thump as you work your way up to better and better views. The hard work is well worth it though, as you reach the lake. This is one of the most scenic alpine lakes in the area that is accessible within a days climb. The lake was named after Grecian heroes and when you get to the lake you'll know why. The wind-blasted rock that surrounds the lakes reminds one of the salty cliffs found throughout the Greek coast. Lots of great views and swimming opportunities on top. Take your time, explore the foothills, and praise to Zeus and the rest of the gang for such a spectacular setting.

Perhaps one of the most spectacular high alpine meadow hikes in the Pacific Northwest. The most challenging part of the hike, may be the long car drive to the trailhead. But, the dirt road is in relatively good condition and the views as you work your way up the trail is reminiscent of the Swiss Alps. The trail begins at the gate in the road and rambles up, and over creeks and past tributary trails. Follow signs to Spider Creek. At 5.5 miles you will break out through the forest and begin to get glimpses of the meadows and the hanging cliffs of Red Mountain. Explore the trail from here as far as you like. In the earlier part of the season be sure to bring lots of bug repellant!

This trail provides wonderful views into Lake Wenatchee and the Glacier Peak Wilderness. The views come with a price though, the trail is steep, dry, and hot. The trail gains 4000 ft in 4 miles, ascending some 90 switchbacks. Bring lots of water, eat your Wheeties and don't forget a camera. After about an hour into the hike you will come upon an old logging road. Follow it for about a half mile to its end where you will find the trail starts back up (and up, and up) again. There is an old fire lookout site at the top of DirtyFace which has now been reduced to a pile of rubble. How did this peak get such a distinguished name as DirtyFace? Legend has it that JS Barnard homesteaded at the base of the peak in the late 1800's. He worked avidly clearing his land and burning brush day in and day out. Passers by often found him with a sweaty, soot covered face. He came to be known as "old dirtyface" and the peak behind his homestead stands as a testament to his nickname.

If you have enough M&Ms with you, you can probably coax your kids up this short trail. The lake is surrounded by thick forest and brambles. There are no views to speak of but the massive Ponderosa pines will take your breath away. The lake can be crowded during the summer season with hikers and people pretending to catch fish. The water is nice for a swim by mid-summer. Take care to return on the correct trail; an alternate route descends steeply to the Glacier View Campground at road's end.

This is a wonderful hike to a delightful alpine lake surrounded by steep mountains and fields filled with whistling marmots (sometimes they're shy though). This trail is steep and dry with some exposed areas, so bring lots of water and sunscreen. The lake can be quite buggy in the summer so bring your bug juice, too. Climb up Merritt Lake Trail #1588 steeply for 2.5 miles to a junction. Go right (the left trail leads to Rock Lake). The trail begins to flatten somewhat here. Another 0.5 miles and you'll reach the lake. This lake was named after the town of Merritt, which was one of the first Eastern Cascade stops for the Great Northern Railway. In 1937, the town of Merritt had a railroad station, a post office, one hotel, a service station, and three recorded farms. Locals used to picnic and fish at the lake. Still do.

This short interpretive trail follows the original route of the Great Northern Railway. The trail stays in forest most of the way and skirts the perimeter of Nason Creek. The trail is flat and well marked. There are interpretive brochures & kiosk at the trailhead to help explain the natural and cultural history of the area.

This trail offers splendid views of Nason Ridge, The Stuart Range and DirtyFace Peak. The views are best from the Alpine Lookout (an active staffed fire lookout at the top of the mountain). You don't even have to work that hard for these views - comparatively speaking of course. Follow the Round Mountain Trail #1529 for 1.6 miles to where it intersects with Nason Ridge Trail #1583. Go left on #1583. Here the trail follows the ridge line up and down 5.2 miles from the trailhead you will reach the lookout. Bring lots of water with you; this is a dry, hot trail and there is not water available at the lookout. The views from the lookout are well worth lugging your camera up the trail with you.

The Penstock, now on the National Historical Register, was a huge water pipe used to deliver water to a powerhouse located where the parking lot is now. The electricity powered electrical engines which pulled trains through the Cascade Tunnel at Stevens Pass. Prior to this the coal-fired engines caused problems with asphixation. In Chinook jargon, the word tumwater means "rough water." If you view the raging waters of the Wenatchee River in Tumwater Canyon during the spring and early summer, it's easy to understand how this canyon got it's name. Note: this trail is sometimes flooded in the spring due to the high volume of water in the river.

A gentle loop trail that traverses both banks of the Icicle River. A great trail for those that want to experience the magic of the Icicle Valley without having to grunt up and down significant elevation gains. One side of the river is dry and sparsely vegetated while the other is a canopied forest. Guess which one is south facing and getting the most sun? Mid-way through the hike you will cross a bridge over roaring waters. Take a minute to relax here and enjoy the cool breeze generated by this roaring, surprisingly powerful creek. The native name for Icicle Creek was Nasikelt. As pronounced this name sounds very similar to Icicle. Legend has it that early pioneers mistook the proper native name and interpreted it as Icicle. The name Icicle was established by USGS maps in the early 1900s.

If you are looking for great views of the scenic Stuart Range, then this is a hike for you. Get ready to work for the view though, as the hike is a long, dry and steady uphill grunt. If you decide not to go all the way to the top, you still can catch nice views about two miles into the hike. From the parking area the trail is easy to find. The climbing never really stops until you get to the ridge in about 6.5 miles. Bring lots of water and lots of sunscreen in the summer. The trail is dry and exposed.

Next to Stuart Lake, this has to be one of the most glorious day trips in the area. This hike is challenging in that it is mostly up, and up, and up. However, the views at the lake are well worth the effort. Many great spots for swimming and snoozing. The trailhead is easily found from the parking area. The first part of the trail follows a creek for about one mile to a log footbridge. After the bridge the trail begins to climb, switchbacking its way up to a junction at 2.5 miles. Take the left trail (the right trail goes to Stuart Lake) and cross the creek. You will need to navigate over a large boulder field bearing to the right. The trail continues up with multiple switch backs. There is a beautiful view of a waterfall along the climb. Just prior to reaching the lake there are breath taking views of Mount Stuart. At 4.5 miles you will reach this incredible blue, shimmering alpine lake. Dogs are prohibited

Get ready for one of the prettiest hikes in the Leavenworth Area (if not the entire state). This trail is like a field course in alpine geology. From babbling brooks to lowland forests to dry scree slopes to wildflower speckled meadows to an alpine lake surrounded by granite peaks stretching to the sky. The trailhead is easily found from the parking area. The first part of the trail follows a creek for about one mile to a log footbridge. After the bridge the trail begins to climb, switchbacking its way up to a junction at 2.5 miles. Take the right trail (the left trail goes to Colchuck Lake) and continue climbing to spectacular views. In a short while the trail begins to flatten out as you enter open wildflower meadows with jaw-dropping views of Mt. Stuart. At 4.5 miles you reach Lake Stuart. Continue to explore, take a dip in the lake, enjoy the magic of the area! Mt. Stuart was named by the famous Northwest explorer George B. McClellan. He reportedly named the mountain after his friend and fellow army officer J.E.B. Stuart. The mountain was named in 1853, which marks it as one of the earliest place names in the state. Dogs are prohibited.

This is a beautiful and popular hike to a lake surrounded by impressive mountains and geological wonders. The hike is generally uphill the whole way, but it's a reasonable climb. The trailhead is easy to find, just the opposite side of the road from the parking area. The hike begins climbing uphill and shortly intersects with an old logging road. The trail follows this road for awhile then dips off to the left. At 2.5 miles from the trailhead you will reach Little Eightmile Lake (actually it's just a small pond). A few steps from the lake is a junction. Stay to the left (the right fork goes to Lake Caroline #1554). Follow the trail for another mile to Eightmile Lake. The lake is great for swimming, picnicing and fishing. Curve around to the right side of the lake to see a large landslide of deep red lunar-looking rocks; part of a larger serpentine formation. You may expect Martians to greet you here, but more likely it will just be a marmot trying to steal your bologna sandwich. Dogs are prohibited.

This is a fun trail for walking and learning about the spectacular Icicle River Valley. Be sure to pick up the interpretive brochure before heading out on the trail. The hatchery releases over one million salmon per year. It's one of the best areas to learn about Northwest Salmon, river ecology, and the role of fish hatcheries in our state. The native name for Icicle Creek was Nasikelt. As pronounced this name sounds very similar to Icicle. Legend has it that early pioneers mistook the proper native name and interpreted it as Icicle. The name Icicle was established by USGS maps in the early 1900s.

This trail goes one way, up. It can be hiked for as long or as short as you like. The natural turnaround point is two miles into the hike at a small flat spot on the ridgetop. This is a good spot to eat your lunch, enjoy the views and rub Icy Hot on your aching thighs. The trail keeps going after this point but you have to go a long way to get better views. For those looking for views into the Leavenworth Valley, you can climb this trail for about a half mile and get a splendid overview into town.

This is a thigh-pumping, brake-burning type of ride that no sane person would attempt if it were not for the awe-inspiring views at the top. The trail is dry and hot so make sure that you have plenty of water for the journey and fill your belly with lots of carbos. From the trailhead, follow Nason Creek Trail #1583. After a short jaunt through the lakeside forest you will begin a grinding ascent. In 2 miles you will get glimpses of Lake Wenatchee and Fish Lake. At 2.6 miles, you reach an intersection. Go right following the trail signs up an old logging road. At 3.2 miles you will top out and begin descending. Alas, the descent does not last as soon you begin climbing again. Switchback your way up to Round Mountain which you will reach at 6 miles. This is an admirable turn-around point. You can continue further to a saddle in 9 miles, but only if you are true believer in finding pain in your gain. From Round Mountain, bear right to a series of thumping switchbacks. Ride all the way to the top of this ascent (at about 8.8 miles), catch your breath, take in the views, and eat a Power Bar. Turn around and get ready to test your brakes for an exciting descent back down to the car

This peaceful trail winds a path through lowland forests meandering above the White River. The trail can be followed beyond Sears Creek for another 2 miles if you're feeling energetic. The trail immediately crosses the river on a bridge. Follow the trail for 2 miles to Sears Creek. This trail is open to snowmobiles but you will rarely see them because it is such a short trail.

This trail is actually a section of The Little Wenatchee Road that is left unplowed in the winter months. This is a great skiing area because you can make your trip as short or as long as you like. It's about 8 miles to the scenic views but there is plenty of scenery along the way, too. The first 3 miles of the trail (which is actually just an unplowed road) offer views down to the winding Little Wenatchee River. At about three miles there is a main spur going off to the right. You can either stay on the main road and descend to the river (about two more miles ahead) or follow the right spur road to see some spectacular views. The spur road leads uphill and in two miles comes to a meadow opening on the left. Follow the road to the backside of the meadow and you will see a sign for scenic views pointing to the right. The views are about three more miles from this point. If you don't feel like going that far, go 200 yards to your left for equally pleasing mountain views. This is a good spot to eat some chocolate and turn around.

This groomed trail traverses the outer bounds of the Kahler Glen Golf Course. The way is mostly easy up and down, perfect for kids and beginners

This is a beautiful glide that travels through lowland forests and cruises along a refreshingly undeveloped portion of the Wenatchee River. From the parking lot follow the road to the right past a Forest Service gate. The trail begins with a steady climb to views of the river. As you begin your descent you'll pass an old log cabin on your right. Continue until you reach a red house with a lime green barn adjacent to it. Go between the house and the barn, bearing right around the barn. Follow the road down to the Wenatchee River. Here the trail meanders up and down along the river with great views at every turn. The road ends at a green "No Trespassing" sign. This is the turn around point. Please respect the rights of the private property owners in the area. This trail is relatively easy but if icy the downhill to the trail head can be quite speedy.

This is a scenic part of Leavenworth that is often overlooked. The landscape here is dry and barren compared to the Icicle Creek area. From the parking area, follow the unplowed road as it continues uphill (don't take the left turn as that is Snowmobile-Only in the winter months). At one mile continue past the spur to the right. At 2 miles you will reach a three way intersection. This is a good turn around spot. If you still have energy left though, follow the road to the left. At about 4 miles from the trailhead the scenic vistas begin. This road is well traveled by snowmobiles. Please show them the same respect you would like for them to show you.

In this lovely setting the tracks and skating lanes climb hills to offer skiers spectacular views of the Icicle River below and the Cascade mountains beyond. They descend in wide sweeping curves and wind through open groves of huge pines. This trail also connects to the Blackbird Island Trail when the snow is plentiful.

This trail is part of the Leavenworth Winter Sports Club system and it is groomed regularly. An excellent trail for either skate skiing or cross country. The trail winds its way through the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery preserve. There are views of Sleeping Lady Mountain (if you use your imagination and look at it from the right angle, it really does look like, well, a sleeping lady).

This trail is appropriate for skiers of all abilities. There are some downhill sections but it's mostly flat. The native name for Icicle Creek was Nasikelt. As pronounced this name sounds very similar to Icicle. Legend has it that early pioneers mistook the proper native name and interpreted it as Icicle. The name Icicle was established by USGS maps in the early 1900s. The valley is aptly named as you can see the huge icicles hanging from steep cliffs that line the road.

From Leavenworth, start your odometer after you pass the gas station on the corner of Icicle Road and Highway 2 West. Drive 9.4 miles on Hwy 2 West and go right on the unmarked road #7906. The road is about a half mile past Tumwater Campground. There is a small parking area. From Stevens Pass, travel Highway 2 East for 25.3 miles and go left on the unmarked road #7906.

This is a beautiful snowshoe that travels through lowland forests and cruises along a refreshingly undeveloped portion of the Wenatchee River. From the parking lot follow the road to the right past a Forest Service gate. The trail begins with a steady climb to views of the river. As you begin your descent you'll pass an old log cabin on your right continue until you reach a red house with a lime green barn adjacent to it. Go between the house and the barn, bearing right around the barn. Follow the road down to the Wenatchee River. Here the trail meanders up and down along the river with great views at every turn. The road ends at a green "No Trespassing" sign. This is the turn around point. Please respect the rights of the private property owners in the area.

If you are looking for a leisurely stroll alongside a babbling creek under a canopy quilt of Douglas Fir and Ponderosa Pine, than this snowshoe is for you. It's not the most spectacular trail in the area, but it does offer peace and tranquility. You can follow this trail for as long or as short as you like. From the parking area, hike the Chiwaukum Creek Road for about a half mile to the trailhead. Go past the gate on road #7908 for 1.5 miles to Trail #1571. Follow Trail #1571 up and down (mostly up) to the logical turn-around point at 5.5 miles. Here is the juncture of Trail #1591 and Trail #1571 (you will reach this soon after crossing the stream). Chiwaukum is the native Wenatchee word meaning "many little creeks running into one big one." This is an apt definition as there are a number of tributaries in this area that all flow into the Wenatchee River.

This trail climbs upward to splendid views of the winter snow-crusted mountains. It makes for a great snowshoeing journey. This is not a popular route so chances are you will have the whole area to yourself. Follow road #7905 and start climbing. Stay right at a junction that you'll come to after about a mile. Keep climbing and shortly you'll reach a saddle, follow the spur road to the right (road #7905-111) and climb to a small lake. If you'd rather see views, don't follow the spur to the lake but continue on the main road. In a short while you'll encounter another junction, stay right. Soon you'll arrive at the Lake Augusta Trailhead. Follow the rough trail past the trailhead to catch views of the Wenatchee River Valley. This section is normally safe but can be avalanche prone after heavy snowfalls, so be very cautious. This trail was named by Albert Hale "Hal" Sylvester, the first Supervisor of the Wenatchee National Forest, in 1912. In the early 1900s the State had a small fish hatchery along the Wenatchee River here. That hatchery was abandoned after the Davis Lumber Company damned the river in Leavenworth to form a log pond.

This is a scenic part of Leavenworth that is often overlooked. The landscape here is dry and barren compared to the Icicle Creek area. From the parking area, follow the unplowed road as it continues uphill (don't take the left turn as that is snowmobile only in the winter months). At one mile continue past the spur to the right. At 2 miles you will reach a three way intersection. This is a good turn around spot. If you still have energy left though, follow the road to the left. At about 4 miles from the trailhead the scenic vistas begin. This road is well traveled by snowmobiles. Please show them the same respect you would like for them to show you.

This trail is actually the end section of Icicle River Road that is left unplowed in the winter months. It is fun for snowshoers of all ages and skill levels. The trail slowly ascends its way up the Icicle Creek Valley, offering impressive views of Grindstone Mountain and the meandering, peaceful Icicle Creek. From the parking area, strap on your snowshoes and continue on Icicle Road for as long or as short as you like. This isn't a loop trail nor does it really "lead" to anywhere in particular. The trail simply meanders alongside the creek, gently rising and falling with occasional mountain views. This trail is used by snowshoers, skiers, snowmobilers, even dogsledders. It is not plowed but the snowmobilers do a great job of breaking trail for their fellow skiers. The native name for Icicle Creek was Nasikelt. As pronounced this name sounds very similar to Icicle. Legend has it that early pioneers mistook the proper native name and interpreted it as Icicle. The name Icicle was established by USGS maps in the early 1900s. The valley is aptly named as you can see the huge icicles hanging from steep cliffs that line the road.