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Joe Watt Canyon

Snoqualmie Region > Cle Elum Area
 47.0711, -120.7353 Map & Directions
Length
6.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
1,000 feet
Highest Point
3,100 feet
Calculated Difficulty About Calculated Difficulty
Moderate

This area is closed from 12/15/22 - 5/1/23 to protect wintering elk herds.

Photo by David Hagen. Full-size image
  • Wildflowers/Meadows
  • Wildlife
  • Good for kids

Parking Pass/Entry Fee

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Joe Watt Canyon is a quiet area of the L.T. Murray Wildlife Area that is a great place to spot fields of colorful lupine and the occasional elk heard. Continue reading

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Hiking Joe Watt Canyon

Joe Watt Canyon is a quiet area of the L.T. Murray Wildlife Area that is a great place to spot fields of colorful lupine and the occasional elk heard.

The Joe Watt Canyon trail itself is only 1.0 mile long, but it is often extended into loops via the connection of old road beds and other trails in the area.

Joe Watt Canyon

Map & Directions

Trailhead
Co-ordinates: 47.0711, -120.7353 Open in Google Maps

Before You Go

This area is closed from 12/15/22 - 5/1/23 to protect wintering elk herds.

See weather forecast

Parking Pass/Entry Fee

Discover Pass

WTA Pro Tip: Save a copy of our directions before you leave! App-based driving directions aren't always accurate and data connections may be unreliable as you drive to the trailhead.

Getting There

From I-90 East: Take exit 93 and turn left onto Elk Heights Road. In 0.4 miles, take a right onto Thorp Praire Road and continue for 3.5 miles. Take a right at the junction with E Taneum Road and then take the next left onto thorp Cemetery Road after crossing over the freeway. Continue for 1.7 miles before taking a sharp right onto Watt Canyon Road. Follow this for just over a mile before arriving at a large gravel parking lot on the left-hand side.
 
From I-90 West: Take exit 101 just past Ellensburg and turn left onto Thorp Highway. In 0.7 miles, turn right onto Thorp Cemetery Road and continue for 3.0 miles. Take a slight left onto Watt Canyon Road and follow this for just over a mile before arriving at a large gravel parking lot on the left-hand side.

More Hike Details

Trailhead

Snoqualmie Region > Cle Elum Area

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, L.T. Murray Wildlife Area

Guidebooks & Maps

Day Hiking: Snoqualmie Pass ed. II (Nelson and Bauer - Mountaineers Books)

Department of Natural Resources Yakima

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Hiking Maps and Why You Need Them

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Winter Safety Tips

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Joe Watt Canyon

43 Trip Reports

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