Icicle Ridge, Icicle Ridge via Fourth of July Creek — Wednesday, Jun. 19, 2013

Central Cascades > Leavenworth Area

We started Wed. the 19th at the Leavenworth end of the Icicle Ridge Tr. after waiting an hour for the rain to stop. It stopped and we started up the climb, chosen to prepare us for longer (days) if not longer (vertical feet) trips to come. We were first on the trail for the day, and though the log later showed many day hiking groups, none caught up with us, or carried on as far. If you have never done this climb, the views are surprising, more like going up in an airplane and looking down at Leavenworth, than climbing a hill. Later, this extends to looking right down upon Highway 2 through Tumwater Canyon as well. Higher and higher, the views extend to Peshastin, Cashmere and ultimately to the Columbia R. The trail in not awfully steep, it just goes on and on, up and up. Brushy in places after the first 2000', and wet for us, but in good shape, a few logs, nothing to complain about even if it gets rare care. At 5200', 4000' up from the start, the steep bit ends and it is more of a ridge top trail, still ascending with some flat bits, but more gently as we made distance north rather than just upward. About 6400' the trail dips off the east side of the ridge to a basin. There are still many snow patches in this area and flowing water, though little snow on the trail, never any difficulty with following the trail. We camped in the basin finding a dry tentsite in what were largely soggy meadows. After sun breaks in the afternoon, the clouds came in and wind came up. We found a snug spot in some trees, but the wind howled above us all night, sometimes swirling around the tent. The fire deadened trees whistled, and tiny white ice crystals floated about in the dark like seed whisps, hardly identifiable as snow. It did not freeze at ground level, but close. In the morning, we continued on to the junction with the Fourth of July Tr 1579, and as we ascended to and along the top of the ridge, the snow had stuck to trees, grasses and snow patches, but little stuck on the bare ground. We descended to the Icicle Road as the day warmed, the clouds thinned and then later turned to drizzle in late afternoon. A mile above the road, a 30" rattlesnake lay coiled in the trail, sluggish in the cool temperatures, and not in a hurry to leave the tread. Good workout, and good shakedown for what's next. Passed no one from road to road.