Icicle Ridge Trail, Leavenworth, WA - 10/15/12

So if you are in Leavenworth Washington, and you are admiring the surrounding mountain and want to go for a hike, where do you go?  I would say to check out Icicle Ridge.  It is just a couple miles SW of town (about as close as you can get), it's got a great view, and it has plenty of switchbacks to ease the pain.






An easy ascent with lots of switchbacks

 We only had a short time available to hike, but that's all you need.  You can do this hike in 2-3 hours, at least to the lower point of the ridge, and get a great view of town.

 

 

The beginning of the ridge
 

If you've got more time, and the weather is good, you can continue on up the ridge. 

 

 

 

 

The remains of an old forest fire

You can see the charred remains from an old forest fire and you can get a great view of Tumwater Mountain and Tumwater Canyon. 

A great view of Leavenworth, WA in the valley

 

Clouds began to blow through as we reached the ridge

 

 

 

Tumwater Mountain and Canyon to the west
 

After a couple hours of hiking, you can be back in town at the Icicle Brewery rewarding yourself with a local brew.  What better way to spend a day.

 

Our route on the Icicle Ridge Trail

 

You can see from the map above, how close the trail is to the town.  If we had more time, we would have continued on up the ridge.