Cady Creek
Central CascadesBest Jul–Oct
A brushy, unmaintained connector to the PCT at Cady Pass, built for backpackers willing to earn their way into the high country.
About This Trail
Cady Creek is a connector trail, not a destination. It climbs from the Little Wenatchee Ford trailhead through dense valley-bottom forest, crossing and re-crossing the creek before linking up with the Pacific Crest Trail at Cady Pass. The route sees minimal maintenance and the brush situation is serious: shoulder-high devil's club, thistle, and slide alder choke the trail for extended sections, particularly beyond the Cady Ridge junction. The Forest Service ranger district has confirmed the overgrown conditions. Expect to push through vegetation that obscures the tread entirely in places.
That said, this trail serves an important purpose. It connects the Little Wenatchee drainage to the PCT, opening up multi-day loop options through some of the finest alpine country in the Central Cascades. Backpackers heading to Pass Creek Camp, Lake Sally Ann, or the Meander Meadows loop use this corridor regularly. Good campsites appear after about 3.5 miles, and water is abundant throughout the valley.
Come prepared for a fight. Long pants, gaiters, and a tolerance for wet brush are standard equipment here. The final 1.5 miles to Cady Pass steepen considerably on eroded tread. This is not a casual day hike. It is a means to an end, and that end is the high country above.
Astronomy
Trail Conditions
“I packed up Cady Creek to Cady Pass (intersects with the PCT) with a friend on August 26, 2025.”
Last report: Aug 26, 2025
Scorecard
Permits / Passes
Safety & Considerations
Today's Hazards
- Strong sun — sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses recommended
- Difficult Crossing
Persistent Hazards
- Shoulder-high devil's club and thistle
- Overgrown tread difficult to follow
- Creek crossings that may be hazardous at high water
- Eroded and steep final section to Cady Pass
Getting There
Little Wenatchee Ford trailhead. Limited spots; fills on holiday weekends. No privy. Northwest Forest Pass required. FR 6500 is a standard forest road, passable in most vehicles with care.
From Highway 2, turn north at Coles Corner onto Highway 207. Drive 10.5 miles, then bear left on Little Wenatchee River Road (FR 6500) for 14 miles to the trailhead. The trail starts along the creek bottom and immediately enters dense vegetation. Bear left at the Cady Ridge junction to stay on the Cady Creek route.
Start early if using this as a connector for a multi-day trip. The brush slows progress significantly, so budget more time than the mileage suggests.
Recent Reports
I've never left a trip report before, but this trail was so bad/non-existent that I am compelled to do so now. I packed up Cady Creek to Cady Pass (intersects with the PCT) with a friend on August 26, 2025.
Cady Creek Trail: Those expecting standard trail conditions will find this route to the PCT exceptionally brushy and in many instances difficult to follow. Shoulder-high brush is continuous and often includes devil's club and thistle, which can be uncomfortable to physically navigate through.
A four day backpack began going up Cady Creek Trail to Pass Creek Camp ( on the PCT) for the night. After passing the junction with the cady ridge trail, the route slowly became buried under heavy brush and the fun challenge of a good bush wack began.
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