Washington State Hikes
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These day hikes took place while I was on vacation in Washington state.
Thursday, August 17, 2006- This roughly 2 mile hike took place along the Saddlerock Trail in Wenatchee, WA where I went to attend my wife's nephew's wedding. The mountain that this hike is on overlooks the neighborhood where my sister-in-law and her husband live. The trailhead is off of Number 2 Canyon RD in Wenatchee. The trail is maintained by a conservation group based in the area. It consists of either 2 loops or an up and back that goes up this mountain and over to the Mission Ridge Ski Resort. Elevation changes are about a thousand feet. I did the 2 loops but took some side trails that took me to a water tower of some sort as well as right below one of the rock outcroppings just below the top pf the mountain. I did this hike early in the morning as this is a dessert area and it gets very hot (90-105 degrees) by mid day. The mountain itself was very barren. Only ocassional trees in crevaces where moisture gathered. Most of the mountain was permeated with Sage Brush, which smelled very good in the morning air, as well as various weeds. The only animal that I saw on this hike was a small squirl like animal. Maybe a Prairie Dog? This was a nice hike and one of many in the mountains surrounding this area. Friday, August 18, 2006- This was a short walk along the Columbia River in Wenatchee, WA. The city has set up a neat 11 mile loop that goes between the 2 sides of the Columbia River as well as the confluence with the Wenatchee River. I did not do the entire 11 mile loop. I only walked a few miles of this trail near the motel that we were staying at and then took side streets back to the motel. This was a very nice trail and is reminiscent of the C&O Canal Toepath in MD or the Greenbriar River Trail in WV. I saw alot of people out walking, jogging and bike riding along this trail. The trail also goes through Confluence State Park, which is right where the Wenatchee River empties into the Columbia River and would be a great potential basecamp. Anyway, some day, I would like to do this entire 11 mile loop. Sunday, August 20, 2006- This hike was an up and back along the Pacific Crest Trail where it crosses US2 at Stevens Pass, WA. The goal was to find where the PCT crossed US2 and hike in a mile or so each way to get a feel for the trail and to do some reconnaissance for a possible future backpacking trip along this trail. I got up around 4:30AM for this one and drove 57 miles to get to the trailhead. The temperature was around 60 degrees when I left Wenatchee, but dipped to as low as 40 degrees as I was approaching Stevens Pass. I was a little worried as I only had a light jacket and shorts on. I had purchased some topo maps so I was prepared. However, when I got to Stevens Pass, I had a tough time finding the trail. There is a nice privy on the road for hikers and motorists to use. There is also a very nice ski resort located here that was pretty empty this time of the year. So I poked around the parking lot to the south of the highway and saw some backpackers getting geared up at their vehicle. So I assumed the trail was close by. I went up and introduced myself to the the young backpackers and asked if the PCT was behind their vehicle. They said yes. So I walked back to my vehicle, got my snacks, water and map and set out southbound along the PCT just behind the 2 backpackers. They told me that they were setting off on a week long trip that would take them to Snoqualomie Pass, about 75 miles to the south. I hiked in about a mile just past a ski lift, then hiked back to my car. I then wanted to explore north just a bit along the PCT. I again had a tough time finding the trail. It was set back between 2 buildings that belonged to the ski resort. Eventually, I found it and hiked about a mile north and then back to my car again. It looked like I was between 30 and 50 miles from the Canadian border.
The trail looked well used, well maintained and the grade was very pleasant.
I didn't see any blazes but the PCT is designated as trail #2000 by the USFS.
I have read that since this trail is used by horses, the grades are not that
bad. I was able to get back to our hotel in Wenatchee, WA before it got too
hot for the day. If I ever get back to this area, I would like to hike the
stretch of the PCT between Stevens and Snoqualomie Pass. 75 miles, 1 week,
looks doable. Another possibility would be around the base of Mount Ranier,
which would be 90 miles and 9-10 days. I hope this becomes a reality.
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Wenatchee, WA from Saddlerock MtnBy Mike Calabrese.
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