Icicle Gorge –Cool Hike for a Hot Day
Quick Facts:
Location: Icicle River Valley
Land Agency: National Forest Service
Distance: 4.2 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 350 feet
Contact: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Wenatchee River Ranger District, Leavenworth
Detailed Information: Day Hiking Central Cascades 2nd edition (Mountaineers Books)
Notes: NW Forest Pass or Interagency Pass required; dogs permitted on leash
Access: From Leavenworth, follow the Icicle Creek Road (Forest Road 76) for 15.3 miles, passing the Chatter Creek Guard Station and reaching the trailhead on the left side of the road.
Good to Know: Dog-friendly, kid-friendly, busy on weekends
With its gentle grades and well-groomed tread, this loop is perfect for children and new hikers. The interpretive trail travels along a tight gorge carved by the Icicle River. A few remnant towering old growth ponderosa pines line the way.
From the trailhead kiosk, head right. The trail left leads to the Icicle Gorge View Trail, an option for a longer hike. The trail soon reaches the Icicle Gorge River Trail where you can head left or right. I prefer heading downstream first so bear left traveling through a diverse forest of conifers. After crossing Chatter Creek come to the eastern junction of the Icicle Gorge View Trail. Continue straight to excellent viewing spots of the gorge below.
The way then drops to cross Icicle Creek on a sturdy bridge at a well-photographed section of the water-sculptured gorge. The trail now heads upriver and passes excellent viewpoints of tumbling rapids. The trail makes a brief climb and descent as it works its way up the gorge. Cross Trout Creek and various outwashes and channels on good bridges. Then traverse a cedar swamp and patches of huckleberries that have you picking when they are ripening.
The creek mellows as the trail travels alongside it through an open forest of firs and big pines. Cross Jack Creek on a sturdy bridge and come to FR 76 at the Rock Island Campground. Turn right here crossing Icicle Creek on the road bridge, and pick up the trail once again at the edge of the campground. Then head downriver to more excellent gorge views and impressive ponderosa pines.
The trail passes the junction with the western terminus of the Icicle Gorge View Trail as it continues downstream through cedar groves and along scenic bluffs, occasionally brushing up against FR 76. At 4.2 miles arrive back at the trailhead.
Icicle Gorge is one of 136 Hikes in my updated and trusted second edition of Day Hiking Central Cascades. No AI slop-just boots-on-the-ground research by a real passionate about hiking and trails human. Get your copy today and thanks for supporting real writers!
