This 7.4-miler starts out gently, traveling northeast through forest—you’ll follow an old road bed and trace Rock Creek for the first .8 mile. From here, the trail swings to the west and starts a steep switchback climb, passing Columbia lewisia, paintbrush, and buckwheat. Views of surrounding peaks pop in and out of view. At mile 3, the trail mellows slightly as it climbs a ridge covered with Douglas firs and lodgepole pines—pause to admire the wildflower show in the grassy, open forest. After 3.7 miles, the route crests a 5,397-foot summit, which was the former site of a fire lookout. Drop your daypack and enjoy panoramas of the Chiwawa and White River valleys to the northwest and Seven Fingered Jack to the north. Follow the same route back to the trailhead.
-Mapped by Alan Bauer, Alan Bauer Photography
To Trailhead
From Coles Corner, WA: US 2 for 2.4 miles. Left onto WA 207 toward Lake Wenatchee. In 4.4 miles, right on Wye Conn toward Fish Lake. In .4 mile, right on CR 22/Chiwawa Loop Rd. In .8 mile, left on Meadow Creek Rd. (becomes NF 6200). Go 14.6 miles to parking on right (a signpost marks the trail).
