Little Wenatchee River

Name: Little Wenatchee River
Rating: 2.9

Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East

47.9180, -121.0877 Map & Directions

Length: 3.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 250 feet
Highest Point: 2,500 feet
Calculated Difficulty About Calculated Difficulty: Easy

Little Wenatchee Gorge. Photo by Shadowdad.

Wildflowers/Meadows
Mountain views
Established campsites
Summits
Good for kids
Rivers

Parking Pass/Entry Fee

Northwest Forest Pass

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This trail travels along the valley floor of the Little Wenatchee River for several miles before switchbacking up 1500 feet through intermittent slide alder and mature forest to Meander Meadows. While the trail does receive occasional brushing, the lower section can be challenging. Continue reading

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Hiking Little Wenatchee River

There are a number of good campsites in Meander Meadow, below Kodak Peak. Wildflowers abound, and it is a short scramble to the top of Kodak peak, steep but not at all technical, certainly worth the side trip. Above Meander Meadow the trail joins the PCT, and hikers heading for Lake Sally Anne will turn south and continue for 3 miles through Dishpan Gap, enjoying fabulous views in all directions.

Little Wenatchee River

Map & Directions

Trailhead

Co-ordinates: 47.9180, -121.0877 Open in Google Maps

Before You Go

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Parking Pass/Entry Fee

Northwest Forest 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

Proceed to the junction of Highway 207 and Highway 2 at Coles Corner. This is 20 miles east of Stevens Pass and 15 miles west of Leavenworth.

Turn north on 207, and at four miles (just past the bridge over the Wenatchee River) bear left to stay on Highway 207. Continue past the closed ranger Lake Wenatchee Ranger Station at 8.8 miles, and at 11.8 miles you will pass a gate. This is the end of the county road and the beginning of FS 65.

At 16.7 miles, pass the junction on the left of FS 6500, and at 19.1 miles pass FS 6504 on the right (road to Irving Pass / Poe Mtn Trailhead).

At 22.2 miles the pavement ends, in just under 3 miles your will come to the Little Wenatchee Ford Trailhead. This last section is dirt and develop large pot holes. Despite this, it is usually passable in a 2-wheel drive car, just take your time.

Trailhead

Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East

Little Wenatchee River (#1525)

Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Wenatchee River Ranger District

Guidebooks & Maps

Buy the Green Trails Benchmark Mtn No. 144 map

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Washington Trails Association

Little Wenatchee River

Parking Pass/Entry Fee

Hiking Little Wenatchee River

Map & Directions

Before You Go

Parking Pass/Entry Fee

Getting There

Trailhead

Guidebooks & Maps