Icicle Gorge
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.
Directions to Trailhead
From the west end of Leavenworth on State Highway 2, turn onto Icicle Road and follow it approximately 16.6 miles (road eventually becomes forest road 7600). At mile 12, the road becomes primitive and gravel (just before Ida Creek Campground). Trailhead parking for the Icicle Gorge and View Trails is located approximately 1/2 mile past the Chatter Creek Guard Station on the left side of the road.
