July Ridge is one of several hikes that branch off toward the south from the high plateau that comprises the upper elevation areas of Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness.
The July Ridge Trail #3120 is still on topo maps and starts at the same trailhead as the eastern end of The Mt Misery Trail at Kelly Camp, 5950' (46.12074,-117.50558). I was expecting to find it unmaintained for many years but was pleasantly surprised to see that it was signed, brushed and logged out though there are a few trees down here and there. This is a nice ridge walk with scenic views to the higher reaches of the wilderness as well as down into the deep drainages that spoke off to the south.
At about 2.5 miles where point 5248 is on the map, a series of switchbacks begin. This is where the trail becomes hard to follow as the terrain steepens and slumping rocks and soil have obscured the tread in places. I tried to follow the mapped trail here but it was sometimes easier to simply go cross country until the trail appeared again.
I made it to the 4100' saddle below point 4473 and noticed some freshly cut logs and limbs from the Low Saddle Trail that comes up from Rd 40 at Saddle Spring Trailhead to the east. This trail connects to July Ridge at this point.
I didn't have time to check out this trail but I suspect it has been cleared. The recent work appeared to continue on the opposite side of the saddle as well down toward the west fork part of The First Creek Trail but again, I didn't investigate.
I headed up to Point 4473 via a pretty good bootpath/game trail, (4480 according to LiDAR) passing an old prospect along the way, then returned to the saddle to begin the steep climb back to the car at Kelly Camp.
Stats were 7.6 miles and 2597' of gain.
Comments
Holly Weiler on July Ridge
Oh, very cool! I can't wait to check this one out at some point!
Posted by:
Holly Weiler on Dec 01, 2025 09:09 AM
RichP on July Ridge
I'm very curious about the condition of the trail from Saddle Spring TH and hope to check it out in 2026. Maybe I'm just hopeful about First Ck, but I'd like to check that out too. Old maps show the First Ck Trail crossing the saddle below Point 4473.
Posted by:
RichP on Dec 12, 2025 07:04 AM
Holly Weiler on July Ridge
Three years ago I did a trail project where the Forest Service allowed us to base camp at the First Creek Cabin. We were working on Crooked Creek Trail, but in the evening one of the nights we were there I tried to find some evidence on the ground of the First Creek Trail. I never could see anything, even when my GPS claimed I was standing on the trail. Maybe there will be more evidence higher up the drainage where it's drier, though! The forest is very lush & dense near the cabin.
Posted by:
Holly Weiler on Dec 15, 2025 10:38 AM