Stunning scenery surrounds you from the start of this lasso loop in the Chelan Mountains. Before you begin hiking, take in views of the peaks bordering Lake Chelan and look for Mount Stuart to the south. Start by hiking west on an old, rocky jeep track, passing a stand of fire-burned trees that line the ridge’s north face (you may spot American three-toed woodpeckers along this stretch).
Less than half a mile in, veer left onto a maintained trail that travels past a thin pine forest and grassy slopes punctuated with wildflowers. Ahead, the route turns back onto the roadbed and heads southwest. Watch for the occasional glimpse of Crow Hill and scan the sky for raptors soaring above the ridge. Before the trail starts to descend at mile 2.1, turn right and climb southeast up game trails for the final 0.2-mile stretch to the summit.
From the top of Crow Hill, Lake Chelan stretches out to the northeast. In the fall, golden larch trees frame views of the Entiat Mountains to the southwest. The return route descends Crow Hill’s southwest ridge and reconnects with the main trail at Waypoint 7.
-Mapped by Alan Bauer, Alan Bauer Photography
To Trailhead
From Wenatchee, take WA 285 N to US 97 N to US 97-ALT N (toward Chelan). In 14.5 miles, turn left onto Entiat River Rd. In 28.5 miles, turn right onto Shady Pass Rd. In 8.1 miles, turn left onto NF 112. In 1.9 miles, bear left onto NF 1433. Follow 0.4 mile to trailhead parking at end of road.
