All about muscle-powered outdoor sports within an hour's drive of the Wenatchee Valley

Choice of the day

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First Steps for the Valley Trail

The Friends Of Our Trail (F.O.O.T.), a sub-committee of the Land Trust, will be hosting a trail clean up at Barn Beach Reserve (July 10, 5-8 p.m.) in Leavenworth that kicks off the process of creating a trail linking Leavenworth to Wenatchee. Come help launch a trail.

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School of Rock

Charlie Hickenbottom, an elementary school teacher in Wenatchee, is described by his fellow teachers as a guy who “teaches when he isn’t climbing.” Recently, Charlie took some of his fellow teachers climbing and exposed them to what could be learned at the School of Rock. 
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Picture of the Week - 7/04

Photo by Shane Wilder, taken near Leavenworth early this week while salmon fishing.

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Devils Gulch Trail

Described as one of the premier mountain bike rides in the state, this is also a beautiful hike on buff trails through ponderosa-pine forests. Because it is such a popular ride, hikers are advised to leave it for the heavy-metal crowd on weekends... unless they're walking early or late in the day.
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Devils Gulch Alternatives

A little-know fact is that, from the upper trailhead of the famous Devils Gulch Trail, there are a half dozen excellent hikes to enjoy. Some of these hikes may appeal to family members accompanying mountain bikers, but all are worth walking for their own sake.

Recent Posts

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Earl Peak

Earl Peak is one of the highest in the area and offers a stunning panorama the entire Stuart Range from Mount Stuart to McClellan Peak. A high starting spot, a well maintained and shaded trail, meadow flowers in profusion, and a moderate scramble make this a hard-to-beat hike.
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Fourth of July Creek

The elevation gain of this trail is stiff (4800 feet), but rewarding views start early in the hike and only get better. The final panorama is one of the best in the area, offering views of the Chiwaukum Mountains, Cashmere Moutain, Icicle Ridge, and Mt. Stuart.
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"Loop" Trail -- Apple Capital Loop Trail

This locally famous paved trail follows a series of riverside parks along the Wenatchee side of the Columbia River, crosses the river, and follows the much wilder waterfront of East Wenatchee before recrossing the Columbia and returning to the starting point.
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Eightmile Lake

A fun, intermediate hike suitable for families with older children. The trail climbs to a pretty lake nestled at the base of impressive peaks in the Alpine Wilderness. The lake is great for swimming and fishing and, if you wander around the lake, you will find unique fields of rusty-colored boulders.
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Burch Mountain

This trip offers beautiful views of the Cascades, Columbia River, and Wenatchee River. You feel a world removed though you’re very close to the city of Wenatchee. This trip also has excellent wildflower viewing in the spring.
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Caroline -- Lake and Windy Pass

This trip covers a wide variety of terrain: gentle climbing through the forest, steep hillside climbing through an old burn, a couple of high mountain lakes, alpine meadows, ending on a windswept ridge near Mount Cashmere.
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Clara Lake

A peaceful, wooded hike that breaks out into an alpine lake basin with beautiful larch glades. The lake is a good launching point for longer trips in the basin above the lake and to Mission Peak and is often a welcomed escape from the summer heat down in the valley floor.
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Beehive Trail

The narrow single track offers nice overviews toward Mission Ridge and the Columbia River. Wildflowers make for a beautiful outing, as do an interesting mix of steppe-shrub and forest vegetation.
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Alpine Lookout via Nason Ridge

This hike takes you to one of the last manned lookouts in the state. Nine Mile Saddle is a narrow ridge that lets you look into both the Lake Wenatchee drainage and the Stevens Pass valley. A pleasant, and not overly strenuous hike.
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Ancient Lake -- Variation

A great spring or fall outing is to explore the dramatic landscape of the Ancient and Dusty lakes. Approaching these dry lands just southwest of Quincy, you expect a drab landscape. Instead you’re treated to a surprisingly beautiful landscape of red-walled coulees, waterfalls, and pocket lakes.

Weekly Highest Rated

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Wedge Mountain Hike

On June 18, Tina Rieman reported that the access road to Wedge Mountain was in good condition, and the hike was excellent--with wildflowers and views to please the eye, and goats for company.

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Out, Out Damn SPOT

One of the more newsworthy products I saw this winter at the Outdoor Retailer Show was the SPOT Satellite Messenger, a tracking beacon that can activate SOS calls through emails and text messages. Today I received this compelling story about someone using SPOT to activate a rescue on Mt. Denali.

Picture of the Week

Wenatchee climber and doctor, Mark Shipman, took this picture of Adam Vognild near the submit of Mt. Forbidden . The two climbed the West Ridge of the peak during the last weekend of June. Eldorado Peak and the Inspiration Glacier provide the spectacular background.

Video of the Week