Upon arrival in Washington State last summer and meeting up with family, we started on a series of easy hikes in the stunning Cascade Mountains. The Icicle Gorge Trail, the first hike we completed, was located just outside our home base for the week, the resort town of Leavenworth!
Located at the base of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Icicle Gorge is not a super wild destination, but the beauty doesn’t disappoint! While exceptionally fit adventurers may tackle the Enchantments (a set of renowned alpine lakes), for more casual hikers, Icicle Gorge makes for a nice introduction to the area, and is a beautiful walk through the mountains!
Miles/Elevation:
4.5 miles
387 feet vertical gain
About the Alpine Lakes Wilderness:
Split between Wenatchee National Forest and Snoqualmie National Forest, the Alpine Lakes Wilderness is a stunning stretch of wild land in the heart of Washington’s Cascade Mountains. Roughly bounded by I-90 to the south and US-2 to the north, this wilderness contains over 400,000 acres of forests, high peaks, and it’s namesake alpine lakes.
With over 700 mountain lakes, the hiking opportunities in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness are nearly limitless. This wilderness is probably best known for the legendary Enchantments, a chain of lakes that make for one of the most sought after wilderness permits in the country! Don’t worry though, if you can’t get that permit, there’s 47 trailheads here leading to 615 miles of trails!
Permits are required for overnight backpacking in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Some areas do also require day use permits which can be filled out at trailheads, though this hike does not.
Getting To The Trailhead:
The trailhead accessing the Icicle Gorge Trail is the aptly named Icicle Gorge Trailhead. Located about 16 miles outside the city of Leavenworth, the trailhead is reached via a gravel forest road.
First reach Leavenworth by taking US-2. On the western outskirts of Leavenworth, turn onto Icicle Road heading south. Continue on Icicle Road as it leaves Leavenworth. Eventually, the road will turn to well maintained gravel and become forest road 7600.
As you travel into and through Icicle Gorge, you’ll pass a number of trailheads and campgrounds. Continue until you reach the Icicle Gorge Trailhead, and turn left to enter the gravel parking lot. It’s about 15 miles on Icicle Road/7600.
The Icicle Gorge Trail:
Starting Off:
From the trailhead, you first need to decide whether to hike in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. This trail is a true loop, and while we elected to hike it clockwise, I really don’t think it matters which way you go.
Always be sure to follow the 7 Leave No Trace Principles when in the outdoors!
From the trailhead, the trail immediately enters a thick stand of overgrown forest. Tall pines make up the roof of this forest, but here, there are tons of shrubs and bushes obscuring the trail. Push through, and very quickly you’ll emerge along the banks of Icicle Creek, out of the shrubbery.
Icicle Creek is a powerful, wide, body of water that I think is closer to a river than a creek. It will be the centerpiece of your hike, and you’ll spend most of the day traveling along it’s banks. For now, continue on the trail for about half a mile until you reach a large bridge crossing Icicle Creek.
There are plenty of black bears in Washington so make sure you’re bear safe!
At this first bridge, you will have some really nice views looking up and down Icicle Creek. With sunny skies I imagine there would be some nice mountain views in the background as well, but we hiked this trail in smoke clogged conditions so the mountains were hiding! Stop for your pictures and then continue to the far bank!
The Far Bank:
Once on the far bank of Icicle Creek, you’ll reverse direction and begin hiking back towards the trailhead, albeit on the other side of the creek. The trail here is very well constructed, and nicely maintained. The trail alternates between dense forest, out of sight of the creek, and stretches right along the water.
Always follow basic trail etiquette when on trail!
There’s a handful of smaller wooden bridges during this leg of the hike that cross many of the local tributaries of Icicle Creek. None of these smaller creeks present comparable views or power to Icicle Creek, but you may still find some decent photo opportunities.
After a predominantly flat trail where the largest sustained incline is only 80 vertical feet, you will eventually reach an overlook with views across Icicle Creek. Here, you will notice a large concrete bridge carrying the road across the raging waters below. Continue on for a few hundred yards, and then cross Icicle Creek on the road bridge.
Back On The Near Side:
After crossing back across Icicle Creek on the road, you will be at Rock Island Campground. The trail here actually passes through the campground, so take a right into the smattering of tents and continue on the obvious trail. It should go without saying not to bother the campers here and stay on trail!
The remainder of the trail follows this bank of Icicle Creek as it makes its way back to the trailhead. From the campground, it’s about a 1.5 mile hike back to the parking lot. While there is still nothing I would call a climb, there is a bit more incline on this side of the creek. Again, we’re talking 30-50 foot ascents, but the trail does undulate a bit more! There are a few nice viewpoints on the cliffs above the creek below through here as well.
Before long, you will reenter the shrubby, overgrown, forest that you started in which signals the end of the loop. Make sure that you turn left here to get back to the parking lot and don’t continue straight, and then you’re done!
Topdown Lifestyle Rating: 7/10
This is a nice, easy, walk through the woods. If you’re just looking for an easy day outdoors, somewhere to get your steps in, a walk not on pavement, then this is a nice option. However, while there are some pretty spots going through the woods and along the river, there just aren’t any great views here.
This hike provides no spectacular moments or great views, and because it honestly is pretty forgettable, it earns a 7/10. If you’re looking for an easy hike and have no other great ideas, then sure, go ahead and try this out, otherwise, don’t sweat missing it!
Pros:
- Very nicely constructed trail
- Lots of river access
Cons:
- No great views
- Nothing spectacular
- Some road and campground hiking
Alternative Hikes:
Trout Lake via West Fork Foss Lakes Trail
When To Hike The Icicle Gorge Trail:
This trail probably could be hiked all year round, if you’re willing to strap on snowshoes during winter! If you’re not a snow person, this is a 3 season hike.
The Icicle Gorge Trail is at a low enough elevation that it won’t be snowed in nearly as long as the high peaks and valleys of the Cascades. I would expect to be able to hike this trail relatively snow free from sometime in April or early May, all the way to October or November.
I actually don’t think summer is the best time to hike this trail. It gets extremely hot at these lower elevations, so I would recommend hiking here in spring or fall. For the best chances at good weather and snow free conditions, I would personally recommend May or September!
Links For Further Reading:
Icicle Gorge Trail – Washington | AllTrails
Icicle Gorge – Leavenworth Washington
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