North Fork Entiat River — Friday, Jul. 3, 2026

A word of caution re downed trees on this route. I would not recommend taking this loop as described until crews have had a chance to do some more clearing. It’s doable but demoralizing. The density of obstacles on the North Fork Entiat River Trail (especially north of the junction with Fern Lake Trail) as well as on Pyramid Creek Trail (especially the southern half of it) made for frustratingly slow progress. Instead, consider parking at the Pyramid Mountain Trailhead, hiking in to a campsite, and setting Pyramid Mountain as your second-day objective—which would make for lovely excursion on more open trails.

Anyway, after an overnight at Silver Falls Campground, my partner and I arrived at the North Fork Entiat River Trailhead at 10 a.m. on Friday morning—five other cars in the parking lot. We set out on Wenatchi ancestral land, making our gradual way up the valley, whose forest burned several years ago. Young trees and hardy shrubs revel in the now abundant sun.

Taking the loop clockwise, we reached the junction with Fern Lake Trail shortly after lunch. One must cross the North Fork Entiat River to take the lake trail; just north of where one might think to ford is a fallen tree suitable for foot traffic across the river. The path to Fern Lake is a very steep forested ascent. The pristine lake views at the top perhaps offer an adequate reward. We met three people enjoying the lake—the only others we encountered on our journey that day.

After refueling and resting, we descended to the main trail, continued north, and ended up camping in a small lush clearing by the babbling river, just before where the route climbs the ridge to Pyramid Mountain Trail.

On Saturday morning we took the switchbacks to this junction and turned south, following the contour of the hill around to Grouse Pass, the ascent to which was challenging. We rested in the high meadow in the saddle before dropping back down into the valleys. We passed two other pairs on this leg, otherwise enjoying solitude and the scent of pine baking in the sun, crystal waters rushing over rock and glade.

We reached Three Trees Camp by midday, eating lunch and lightening our packs before setting out for Pyramid Mountain. It was arguably too ambitious an objective for an afternoon, but we made it. Ironically, the sweeping switchbacks up to the summit ended up being the easiest hiking of the weekend, the scrubby, featureless face of the mountain allowing for a steady grade with no hindrances. We passed one hiker. At the top, breathtaking views—the highlight of the trip. We flew back down the slopes to our camp for the evening, exhausted.

On our third day we took the Pyramid Creek Trail back to the North Fork Entiat River Trail to complete our loop. Total mileage according my Garmin watch: 30.36.