Big Tree Loop
Central Cascades
A formerly accessible old-growth loop near the Little Wenatchee, now closed from fire damage and years of neglect.
About This Trail
Big Tree Loop was a short trail through old-growth forest at the Soda Springs Campground along the Little Wenatchee River. The 0.9-mile loop wound through large trees near the campground, but the trail has been abandoned and overgrown for years. The White River-Irving Peak fire in August 2022 burned through the area, and both the campground and trail system remain closed.
Finding the trailhead was always part of the challenge, as signage was poor. The route followed Forest Road 6500 (an unmaintained paved road) along the Little Wenatchee River to the old campground. Even before the fire, trip reports described difficulty locating the trail and navigating downed trees.
This trail should be considered closed indefinitely. No restoration plans have been announced, and the fire damage compounds years of neglect. The nearby Soda Springs Big Trees trail in the same area is in identical condition.
Astronomy
Trail Conditions
“An early July visit found the road clear to the old Soda Springs campground (Wenatchee River Ranger District), if a little buggy.”
Last report: Jul 1, 2019
Scorecard
Getting There
Recent Reports
An early July visit found the road clear to the old Soda Springs campground (Wenatchee River Ranger District), if a little buggy. We walked from the main forest road, not knowing what conditions we would meet.
Good luck locating this hike. We took FR 6500 (unmaintained paved road)along the Little Wenatchee River towards Soda Spring Campground.
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