The Teanaway is a fabulous drainage with year-round opportunities. Koppen sits on an easily accessed ridge line which lacks the crowds of many of the other hikes in this area. Commanding views of the Stuart Range, and further away, the Pacific Crest make for stunning scenery. Although this trail’s rewards are an end unto itself, it may also easily be combined with numerous other peaks, ridgelines, or drainages for longer loop trails.
From the rustic DeRoux campground you will ascend the multi-use DeRoux trail 1392 for about a mile and a half. Thimbleberries can be thick through here in the summer. The North Fork of the Teanaway and DeRoux Creek merge shortly after you’ve gotten underway; sturdy bridges are present so the raging waters are easily crossed in the springtime.
After about 1.5 miles, bear left at the signed trail junction and head uphill on trail 1392.1. Going straight will take you to Gallagher Head Lake and to other trails up Esmerelda and Hawkins Mountains. Your trail now switchbacks significantly as it climbs 850 feet in about three-quarters of a mile on a very steep hillside. Large outcroppings of serpentine rock will start to appear near the top. This shiny greenish-black rock was formed in subduction zones in contact with salt water millions of years ago.
Upon reaching the saddle, take a left turn towards the south. The Koppen Mountain trail 1225 to the summit is not marked but can be easily found after passing through two campsites on the ridge. This old trail climbs quickly through light brush. There are a few blow downs and stretches that can be very steep. Reference your map if the trail peters out.
The views just grow and grow now. The hillside is draped in fabulous flowers in the spring and snow can last into early summer many years. Be sure to budget time for lounging on top as the views are superb and you aren’t likely to meet anyone else here. There was a brief history of this peak being a fire lookout, but its one year stint in 1933 left no remnants.
There are a number of extensions to this hike for the adventurous. Be sure to be well prepared with map, compass, and an understanding of what you are getting yourself into if you tackle a loop hike or other summits.
Koppen Mountain
47.4191,
-120.9391
Map & Directions
-
Length
- 7.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 2,300 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,031 feet
The Teanaway is a fabulous drainage with year-round opportunities. Koppen sits on an easily accessed ridge line which lacks the crowds of many of the other hikes in this area. Commanding views of the Stuart Range, and further away, the Pacific Crest make for stunning scenery. Although this trail’s rewards are an end unto itself, it may also easily be combined with numerous other peaks, ridgelines, or drainages for longer loop trails.
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Hiking Koppen Mountain
Map & Directions
Trailhead
Before You Go
Parking Pass/Entry Fee
Northwest Forest PassWTA 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
Drive I-90 to Exit 85 for Cle Elum. (If you need coffee or gas, get off at exit 84 and drive through town.) From exit 85, turn north (left if coming from the west, right if coming from the east) and then turn right (east) onto Hwy 10 (also North 970).
In about a mile Highway 10 will take a right-hand turn. Stay straight here, and follow Highway 970 around as it shifts left. After a few miles watch for Teanaway River Road on your left as you climb a little hill. Turn left here and reset your odometer.
Drive 12.9 miles on this road, and reach 29 Pines Campground and the road will turn to dirt. Stay right at the fork (NF-9737) just as the road changes to dirt. Road conditions vary from year to year on this heavily used road. Be prepared for washboard and potholes. At 15 miles you will pass an old cabin and some campsites. At 21 miles, just after a large horse camp take the left fork onto 9737-120. At 0.3 miles down this road is the De Roux camp Ground and the trailhead.
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