If you love to hike, you've come to the right place. The area is just teeming with great hiking trails. If you're looking for a relatively easy hike with little elevation gain, try the trail at Wallace Falls State Park .
Sunset Falls boasts one of the highest volume waterfalls in the state, no hiking is required to visit the falls. Mysty Mountain Properties is proud to own the only cabin located on the banks of Sunset Falls .
Iron Goat Trail/Deception Falls
The Iron Goat Trail follows the old Great Northern Railway and passes through tunnels and snow sheds. There is a nice little place to rest at Deception Falls . Or you can take a very short hike right to the fall from the parking lot. More information can be found here:
Other Hiking Information
• Pacific Crest Trail - Long hiking trail that runs north/south through the cascades. The entire trail runs from Canada to Mexico.
• Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Trail Guide
• Skykomish Area Trails from Trails.com
• Trail Guide and Reviews from Washington Trails Association
• Skykomish Area Hikes from Washington-Hiking-Advisor.com
Mountain Biking
In addition to Wallace Falls State Park , which has some great mountain bike trails , there are several other places to take your bike. Here are a few suggestions:
Snowmobiling
From old forest service roads to Sno-Parks, you'll find all kinds of places to run your sleds.
Fishing
The Skykomish River enjoys some of the best salmon and steelhead fishing in the state. Steelhead can be found year round in the Skykomish. Primetime salmon fishing is during the months of September and October when Coho runs are strong.
Boating
If you're planning to bring your boat to do some fishing or skiing there are plenty of places to launch it:
Kayaking/Whitewater Rafting
The Skykomish River runs swift and wild down the slopes of the North Cascades. There is some really great kayaking and whitewater rafting to be done here. This article in Sunset magazine documents a novice kayaker's experience with the wild Skykomish! The article also provides a couple of links to kayaking and whitewater rafting outfitters in the area. Here are a couple more:
These people even canoed down the Skykomish : wild!
Horseback Riding
Skyland Ranch outside of Gold bar offers hourly horse rental year round.
Other Area Links:
These also might be useful in planning your trip:
Eastside
Leavenworth History
As a major hub for the Great Northern Railroad in the early 1900s, Leavenworth was a bustling center for commerce in Chelan County . When the railroad hub relocated to Wenatchee in the 1920s, Leavenworth experienced a downturn of economic activity. In the 1960s, a committee, Project LIFE (Leavenworth Improvement for Everyone), made efforts to revive the area's economy and turned its small downtown into a mock Bavarian village. Now, Leavenworth is a destination for those looking to get away to the mountains. The town has a fabulous Oktoberfest celebration in October and Christmas tree lighting ceremony in early December, which are the main events that draw people to the area.
Activities
Alpine Skiing
Alpine (or downhill) skiing is the area's most popular attraction. With a top elevation of 5,845 feet and an average of 450 inches of snowfall a year, Stevens Pass Ski Area offers some of the best skiing in the Cascades with 1125 acres of ski terrain with 37 runs and “numerous bowls, glades and faces .” And for the enthusiast that just can't get enough during the daylight hours, Stevens Pass offers night skiing with up to six lifts open an numerous lighted runs.
ass="text_heading" >For the ultimate pristine powder skiing and boarding experience, Cascade Powder Cats' excursions are unmatched! Cascade Powder Cat's is the ONLY snowcat skiing/boarding operation in the state of Washington . From their home base located just 6 miles west of Stevens Pass at Scenic, CPC transports skiers and boarders 8 miles into the backcountry to their private 2400 acre ski area. Guests then spend an entire day in groups of 12 or less, escorted by experienced guides riding pristine powder averaging 10,000 feet of vertical per day.
Mission Ridge , just south of Wenatchee , is just about an hour's drive from Leavenworth . With its easy access and over 2000 vertical feet of skiing, Mission Ridge provides a nice alternative to Stevens Pass. You can also stay for night skiing, which goes from 4-9pm.
Cross-Country Skiing
Stevens Pass Ski Area also boasts 17 miles worth of cross-country skiing . The snow pack generally provides good cross-country skiing until April. They also offer lessons for all ages and great trail and rental packages in case you need gear. This is a great way to get some exercise during the winter.
There is also a ton of cross-country skiing around Leavenworth . If you're a seasoned pro and are packing your own gear, here is a trail map of cross-country skiing around Leavenworth .
Or, if you just want to get out and try it for a day and don't really know where to start, you should check out the Leavenworth Winter Sports Club . They offer day passes to several groomed runs right around town. They also have a nice ski hill with a couple of rope tows for downhill skiing and tubing. The club is the perfect place to find fun activities the whole family can enjoy together.
Perhaps you just want to strike out on your own. Well, if you need equipment, try one of these rental shops…:
- Leavenworth Mountain Sports 509-548-7864
220 Hwy 2
Leavenworth , WA 98826
- Der Sportsmann 800-548-4145
837 Front Street
Leavenworth , WA 98826
…then check these links out to find a place to go cross-country skiing:
Snow Shoeing
The Stevens Pass area also offers some excellent trails for snowshoeing. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned expert, there are plenty of trails to fit any skill and ability for winter hiking. If you're a beginner, check out this Seattle-PI article on a guided tours from a seasoned pro . For more information and updated trail information, check out this page from trails.com or this page too !
There are also many places to go snowshoeing around Leavenworth :
Sleigh Rides
One of the most unique experiences that the Leavenworth area has to offer is a sleigh ride. Icicle Outfitters offers sleigh rides during the winter along the Icicle River . Just head out of town a couple of miles along Icicle Road and East Leavenworth Roads to Icicle Outfitters. Specific directions are included on the Icicle Outfitters Web site . Sleigh rides are $16.67 for an adult. Kids are half price and little ones are free. They offer special group discounts. Other great places that offer sleigh rides at competitive rates are:
Hiking
There is some amazing hiking around Leavenworth and Lake Wenatchee . If you are staying at Vista View Chalet , take a day hike up to DirtyFace Peak . There are several other day hikes in the Leavenworth area : Colchuck Lake , Stuart Lake , and Eight Mile Lake are more difficult trips, but well worth the effort for their incredible views; easier hikes where you can bring the kids and dog are Chiwaukum Creek , Hidden Lake , and Bygone Byways Interpretive Trail just off Highway 2.
There is a three-mile trail connecting Riverfront Park, Blackbird Island and Enchantment Park . This area is popular among bird watchers and you can easily access this trail right from downtown Leavenworth on 9 th Street .
Icicle Gorge Loop is another gentle trail that you can take kids and dogs on. It is just out of Leavenworth on Icicle Road .
• http://www.experiencewashington.com/v5/poi/poi.aspx?poiId=1443
Lake Wenatchee State Park has over eight miles of hiking trails in addition to all of the other recreation it has to offer. You can stop by the Lake Wenatchee Ranger District in Leavenworth for maps and detailed trail information.
Alpine Lakes Wilderness
The Alpine Lakes Wilderness is one of the most beautiful areas in the state. There are many day hikes you can take from the Leavenworth area.
Other Hiking Information
Mountain Biking
Mountain biking trails abound in the Leavenworth area. Try Das Rad Haus , a local bike shop for rentals and help finding local trails and other places to ride.
Lake Wenatchee State Park has over seven miles of biking trails.
On the west side of Stevens Pass :
In addition to Wallace Falls State Park , which has some great mountain bike trails , there are several other places to take your bike. One of the most popular places is Doolittle Pioneer Park in Index . Here are a few more suggestions:
Snowmobiling
From old forest service roads to Sno-Parks, you'll find all kinds of places to run your sleds.
Fishing
Fish Lake has some wonderful fishing and is regularly stocked with bass, trout and perch. The Cove Resort at Fish Lake offers boat rentals and fishing off the dock. Fish Lake is the perfect place to take the kids and catch some fish!
Lake Wenatchee boasts some great bull trout, as well as kokanee and sockeye salmon. Checkout these resources for more fishing on Lake Wenatchee :
• English Fly Fishing School . 321 9th Street, Suite 201 , Leavenworth , WA 98826 . Phone: 509-548-5218.
• Icicle Outfitters & Guides . 5696 Entiat River Road , Entiat , WA 98822 . Phone: 509-784-1145; Toll-free: 1-800-497-3912. E-mail
• Leavenworth Fly Fishing. 252 Prospect Street , Leavenworth , WA 98826 . Phone: 509-548-6414.
The Skykomish River enjoys some of the best salmon and steelhead fishing in the state. Steelhead can be found year round in the Skykomish. Primetime salmon fishing is during the months of September and October when Coho runs are strong.
Boating
If you're planning to bring your boat to do some fishing or skiing there are plenty of places to launch it:
Kayaking/Whitewater Rafting
The Skykomish River runs swift and wild down the slopes of the North Cascades. There is some really great kayaking and whitewater rafting to be done here. This article in Sunset magazine documents a novice kayaker's experience with the wild Skykomish! The article also provides a couple of links to kayaking and whitewater rafting outfitters in the area. Here are a couple more:
These people even canoed down the Skykomish : wild!
Horseback Riding
There are a few places to go horseback riding in the area:
Rock Climbing
Leavenworth Area:
West side of Stevens Pass :
Index Town Wall features many technical climbs. The link below features a guidebook you can print yourself, or you can buy a guide book at the Index General Store.
Here are a few more links for rock climbing:
Icicle Junction
Perhaps you're looking at getting in a competitive round of mini golf, or want to play at the arcade and catch a movie. Icicle Junction has this plus pool tables and other activities for you and your family.
• http://www.iciclejunction.com/
Cinema
The latest releases are playing at Icicle Junction , which is a popular place to go for fun in the Leavenworth area.
• http://www.iciclejunction.com/movies.htm
• There is also Vue Dale Drive-In Theater in Wenatchee , which is fun during the summer.
Golf
• Kahler Glen is an 18-hole golf course about 20 minutes from Leavenworth and only a few miles from Vista View Chalet .
• Enzian Falls Championship Putting Course is a fun course to play and is open seven days a week April through October.
• Leavenworth Golf Club is usually open to the public except for Wednesday and Sunday mornings. You can reach them at 509-548-7267.
• The Highlander Golf Club in East Wenatchee is a spectacular place to play if you're willing to be a little adventurous. It's about 30 miles from Leavenworth in East Wenatchee, on the east side of the Columbia River .
• Three Lakes Golf Club is also in Wenatchee and a great place to play too.
Wine Tasting
Leavenworth also features some excellent wine tasting opportunities. You can sample a variety of wines from the area's best wineries.
Art and Theater
From theater, to crafts, to music, Leavenworth has more than enough to keep you busy with the arts.
Town of Plain , WA
This is one of the coolest hidden treasures, if you will, of the state. There is a nice, little loop that runs from Lake Wenatchee , through Plain, to Leavenworth . It's a neat little drive and there is stuff to do along the way. Napeequa Vinters offers wine tasting, plus there are plenty of little roads to drive on to explore this unique gem of the Cascades.
Applets & Cotlets Plant and Country Store
Liberty Orchards offers a factory tour where they make Applets and Cotlets. There are also many other treats and souvenirs at the country store. The factory is located in Cashmere, between Wenatchee and Leavenworth .
• http://www.visitcashmere.com/liborfactour.html