Day Hiking Central Cascades: Stevens Pass * Glacier Peak Wilderness * Lakes Wenatchee & Chelan

By Craig Romano

• Now in full color!
• Features 136 hikes, with a deep dive into the Lake Chelan and Stehekin areas
• 1% of sales donated to the Washington Trails Association for trail maintenance

With some of the largest tracts of wilderness to be found in the Pacific Northwest, the Central Cascades are packed with wildlife, geological diversity, and opportunity for adventure. Using US Highway 2 as its primary organizing principle, this second edition of Day Hiking Central Cascades focuses on the best day hikes to be found between the Sultan Basin and Wenatchee, and around Blewett Pass, Chelan, and the Stehekin and Entiat River Valleys.

In this fully updated guide, best-selling author Craig Romano covers everything from leisurely strolls close to town to all-day treks (with overnight backpacking options) deep into the Alpine Lakes, Glacier Peak, Henry M. Jackson, and Wild Sky Wilderness Areas. Scenery, destinations, and highlights vary too--included are hikes along rivers; to lakes, mountain tops, and fire lookouts; and through old-growth forests or alpine meadows. There are hikes that are well known and popular, hikes that are a bit more obscure and remote, and hikes that are perfect to explore with kids or dogs. Romano has selected his favorite trails for escaping crowds, spotting wildlife, and getting the best bang for your boot.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mountaineers Books
• Release date: Apr 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9781680515589

Craig Romano

Craig Romano is a prolific and award-winning author, an ardent conservationist, and a Northwest trails and hiking expert. He hikes, runs ultra-marathons, paddles, and bikes and has written for more than two dozen publications including Northwest Travel and Life and Washington Trails; and for numerous tourism publications and websites. He provides weekly content for Hikeoftheweek.com and is co-host of the Washington State Hiking podcast. He lives in Skagit County, Washington, but he is most frequently out hiking or trail running somewhere, often accompanied by his wife, Heather, and son, Giovanni. Visit Craig online at craigromano.com, on Facebook at Craig Romano guidebook author, and on Instagram @craig.romano.

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skykomish river valley

Glacier and Surprise Lakes from Surprise Mountain (Hike 26)

Sultan Basin

A rugged watershed on the western edge of the Central Cascades, the Sultan Basin houses the Spada Reservoir, the city of Everett’s public drinking water supply. Managed by the Snohomish County Public Utility District (PUD), access is restricted to a couple of roads and trails, two boat launches, and several walk-in picnic areas. Camping is prohibited on PUD lands. However, backcountry camping is allowed at designated campsites (June 15 to October 15) on the Greider Lake Trail, which is in the adjacent Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Morning Star Natural Resources Conservation Area.

Crowds: 2; Map: Green Trails Index No. 142; Contact: Snohomish County PUD; Notes: Dogs permitted on-leash. Hikers must register (for free) at the Olney Pass kiosk upon entering Sultan Basin watershed; GPS: N 47 58.367 W 121 40.817

Walk an easy mile through quiet forest before descending into a rugged canyon cut by the Sultan River. Admire towering cedars and firs and numerous cascading creeks. And admire the free-flowing stretch of river below the Culmback Dam.

GETTING THERE

From Everett follow US Highway 2 east to Sultan. At a traffic light east of the town center, just past milepost 23, turn left onto Sultan Basin Road. Drive 13.2 miles (pavement ends at 10.4 miles) to an information kiosk. Stop and sign in, acknowledging that you understand the rules and regulations for visiting Sultan Basin. Proceed 0.1 mile and bear left at a Y intersection onto Culmback Dam Road. Continue 1.6 miles to the parking area and trailhead (elev. 1500 ft). Privy available near dam.

Relaxing along the Sultan River

ON THE TRAIL

Opened in 2015, this short trail takes you deep into the Sultan River Canyon. The trail provides access to the river, but the real treat is the old-growth trees within the canyon that escaped logging. Start your hike by walking west past a yellow gate and following a dirt road. Enjoy pleasant walking beneath a forested cover, gradually climbing about 250 feet.

After 1 mile, come to the start of the actual trail. Head right and begin descending into the deep dark canyon. Via a good grade, the way switchbacks downward into the rugged canyon. The steep slopes here prevented past loggers from harvesting the canyon’s towering old trees. You’ll pass some impressive ancient cedars and Douglas-firs—some nice small seasonal cascades too. The trail can get quite wet during the rainy season.

At 2.2 miles reach the canyon’s lush bottom and the rippling Sultan River. During the summer months, sunlight reaches the canyon floor, allowing you to prop on a riverside rock and enjoy a sunny spot along the river. Watch for dippers flitting in the cool waters. After enjoying this quiet and remote spot, prepare for your return journey where a 600-foot climb out of the canyon waits for you.

EXTENDING YOUR TRIP

From the trailhead walk 0.8 mile along a gated road northwest to the Culmback Dam and North Shore picnic area for some excellent views of the Sultan Basin.

Crowds: 3; Map: Green Trails Index No. 142; Contact: Snohomish County PUD; Notes: Dogs permitted on-leash. Hikers must register (for free) at the Olney Pass kiosk upon entering Sultan Basin watershed; GPS: N 47 58.381 W 121 36.830

Hike to a pair of scenic lakes tucked in an open cirque awash in avalanche greenery and streaming with cascades tumbling down shiny ledges. Visit in late spring for the flowers, late summer for the berries, or late autumn for a last hiking hurrah. But no matter the season, keep your senses keen for Ursus americanus . They’re as fond of this valley as you’ll soon be.

GETTING THERE

From Everett follow US Highway 2 east to Sultan. At a traffic light east of the town center, just past milepost 23, turn left onto Sultan Basin Road. Drive 13.2 miles (pavement ends at 10.4 miles) to an information kiosk. Stop and sign in, acknowledging that you understand the rules and regulations for visiting Sultan Basin. Proceed 0.1 mile and bear right at a Y intersection onto South Shore Road. Reach the trailhead (elev. 1560 ft) at South Shore Recreation Site in 5.3 miles. Privy available.

ON THE TRAIL

Start by walking on a decommissioned road, which has added considerable mileage to this once-short hike. The road-trail walk is easy going, however, and you’ll cross more than a dozen creeks, including two that may soak your boots. One can be bypassed, but you’ll miss the pretty cascade falling at the crossing. You’ll pass a couple of picnic areas and some good views of Spada Lake too.

After 2 miles of easy walking, come to the original trailhead. Locate the trail taking off right and skirting the Reflection Ponds, two little insect-incubating wetland pools responsible for feeding area frogs, dragonflies, flycatchers, and sparrows. A side trail diverts left to circle the ponds. Take it as an easy kid-friendly destination or, for a slight variation on the return, consider taking it after you reach the Greider Lakes.

Big Greider Lake

The trail then quickly heads upward, steeply at first on somewhat rocky and rooty terrain. Traversing slopes that succumbed to fire many decades ago, you’ll see blackened snags punctuate an even-aged canopy of maturing second growth. After climbing 1000 feet on sections of steps and forty switchbacks over a course of 1.5 miles, the grade eases, the tread becomes more agreeable, and old growth fills the backdrop.

At 4 miles, come upon the forested western shoreline of Little Greider Lake (elev. 2900 ft). Look across the placid lake to the herbaceous eastern shoreline where it’s not unusual to witness a critter or two. Continue hiking past appealing campsites, crossing Greider Creek on sturdy planking and emerging into more open terrain.

Then climb a scant 50 feet or so, passing above a small set of tumbling falls to arrive at Big Greider Lake at 4.5 miles. Quite a contrast from Little Greider, in addition to being much larger, Big Greider’s environs are much more dramatic and rugged. Flanked by slopes of exposed cliffs and avalanche chutes, cascades crash from above into the lake basin. And although Big Greider sits at an elevation just shy of 3000 feet, it has the appearance of being much higher thanks to heavy winter snows due to its location within the Puget Sound Convergence Zone. Sit yourself down on one of the large smooth logs lining the lake outlet and savor the scene. Find a handful of nearby backcountry camps (first come, first served) too.

US 2 West

With quick and easy access from Seattle and Everett, some of the most popular hikes in the Central Cascades can be found along US 2 in the Skykomish River valley. An area of beautiful alpine lakes, several of which can be reached by short and easy trails, these hikes are prime candidates for introducing children and hiking neophytes to the beauties of the natural world.

Crowds: 3; Map: At trailhead; Contact: Sultan Parks and Recreation; Notes: Dogs permitted on-leash; GPS: N 47 52.141 W 121 49.299

Riparian forest along Sultan River

Wander on a series of interconnected trails through a mature forest of towering conifers and cottonwoods along the churning Sultan River in this 70-plus acre park. Enjoy walking across sturdy bridges spanning various river channels that were built to aid spawning salmon. Then follow the river on a new trail to Riverside Park.

GETTING THERE

From Everett follow US Highway 2 east for 22 miles to Sultan. Turn left onto 3rd Street and drive 0.6 mile north. Turn left onto High Street and continue 0.1 mile. Turn right onto 1st Street and come to street-side parking areas for Osprey Park. Privy available.

ON THE TRAIL

Once a neglected parcel, this slice of riparian forest along the Sultan River is now, thanks to concerned citizens and government officials, a wonderful recreational area and productive wildlife habitat. The park’s transformation came about as a result of the relicensing of the Jackson Hydroelectric Dam upriver, requiring that salmon habitat downriver be enhanced. This resulted in the Snohomish County Public Utilities District constructing new channels in the park favoring the spawning fish.

For a good introduction hike, begin at the North Trail, which starts just north of the soccer field on 1st Street. An outdated map is posted here that should help a little in orientation. A kiosk displays an interpretive map designed by local artist Jacquie Miner. While this map is confusing to use for navigation, it’s beautifully illustrated, highlighting the park’s wildlife, plant life, and recreation opportunities. The map also pays homage to the late Bob Knuckey and Susie Hollenbeck, two Sultan residents who worked tirelessly to improve this park.

Head out on the North Trail and intersect an old road. Bear left and cross a channel on a bridge and come to the churning river. Then hike south along the river, coming to a junction at 0.4 mile. Here the Middle Trail heads left back to the park’s playfields. Continue straight, passing excellent river views, crossing another channel, and coming to another junction at 0.6 mile.

Here the South Trail takes off left to intersect with the Middle Trail, offering a slightly longer alternative for the return. Continue straight and turn left at another junction (the trail straight dead-ends) onto Susie’s Trail. Cross a channel and skirt a pasture. The way then travels along the river beneath a canopy of towering cottonwoods. At 1.4 miles reach Riverside Park off of Main Street. Check out the statue of Chief Tseul-Ted (also known as John Sultan) for whom the city was named, and then turn right and walk 0.1 mile across the river on an extensive pedestrian bridge to Sportsmans Park. Enjoy a picnic and return to your start, considering taking the South and Middle Trails to extend your hike.

Crowds: 5; Map: Green Trails Index No. 142; Contact: Wallace Falls State Park; Notes: Discover Pass required. Dogs permitted on-leash; GPS: N 47 52.015 W 121 40.683

A series of falls, nine in all, two that are stunning and one—the tallest at 265 feet—that’s absolutely spectacular! And while these falls are grand any time of year, visit on a rainy day. Each raindrop that falls from the heavens and makes its way to the Wallace River enhances the intensity and stimulating beauty of this cavalcade of crashing