Little Wenatchee River Trail #1525

Dogs Off-leash

Features Commonly Backpacked · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Trail signs all say Little Wenatchee Trail for this trail, although (at least some) maps show it as Little Wenatchee River Trail.

To hike Little Wenatchee River Trail, from the Little Wenatchee Ford Trailhead take the only trail at the trailhead. This trail almost immediately comes to a signed trail junction. Go right here to follow the arrow onto Little Wenatchee Trail. Then almost immediately, at another signed trail junction, go left to follow the arrow to stay on Little Wenatchee Trail.

The trail climbs very gradually for the first four miles at it travels up the Little Wenatchee River Valley through beautiful fir forest and lush lowland meadows. The river is to the left/west but too far away to be seen, although it can be heard in many places. When in the open meadows there are nice views of the nearby high ridges, especially Poets Ridge to the right/east.

At about the 4.3 mile mark, the trail begins its climb into the high country. It will climb almost 1,200 feet over the next mile, mostly on good switchbacks and nicely shaded in the forest with some open areas. Views of the surrounding mountains can be seen through the trees.

Done with its big climb, the trail arrives in the meadows of the open high country at the 5.3 mile mark. It soon passes Meander Meadows trail camp accessed by a side trail to the trail camp - Meander Meadows Campground Access Trail. Go straight at the two junctions pointing to Meander Meadows.

Leaving Meander Meadows behind, the trail again climbs gradually as it traverses the grassy slopes with summer wildflowers leading up to the PCT. The trail ends at a signed trail junction with the PCT.

Lower down over the first 4 miles there are fir forests and lush meadows with vegetation and wildflowers up to shoulder high in places. In the high country, there are grassy meadows and wildflowers. Deer live here. Marmots also, in the high country.