Icicle River Nordic Trail
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.
***Permit details: Leavenworth Winter Sports Club ski pass
Directions to Trailhead
Follow US Highway 2 West through Leavenworth and turn left at the end of town onto Icicle Road (follow signs to the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery, there is a large gas station at the corner). If you are traveling Eastbound on Highway 2 over Stevens Pass go right on Icicle Road when you first enter Leavenworth. Follow Icicle Road for 2.5 miles until you see signs for Sleeping Lady. Continue straight into the Sleeping Lady entrance. Take your first left into a large parking lot marked Icicle River Trail. The trail begins just to the right of the ticket booth.
