Cady Ridge
Central CascadesBest Jul–Sep
A historic sheep route along open ridgeline with Glacier Peak views, wildflowers, and blueberries in the Jackson Wilderness.
About This Trail
Cady Ridge follows a historic sheep route through the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness, climbing steep switchbacks from the Little Wenatchee Ford Trailhead before rolling along 7 miles of open ridgeline at 5,000 to 5,500 feet. The ridge walk delivers sustained views of Glacier Peak, wildflower meadows through July, and blueberry patches come August. Hikers can turn around at the 4-mile viewpoint for a solid day trip or push to the PCT junction at 6.5 miles, then continue half a mile to Lake Sally Ann.
The trail's reputation is complicated. The ridge itself rewards generously, but the Cady Creek Trail connecting below has degraded into shoulder-high brush with devil's club and thistle. Leavenworth Ranger District reports confirm the creek route is exceptionally difficult to follow. The ridge trail proper remains in better condition, though it still has rough stretches. Many hikers combine this with Meander Meadows and Kodak Peak for a multi-day loop from the Little Wenatchee trailhead.
Getting to the trailhead requires navigating a detour on FR 6500 where a section of road has been closed. The detour is signed and adds about 10 minutes to the drive. The last 3 miles are unpaved and can be rough. No toilet at the trailhead. Bugs and mud persist through early summer, and creek crossings run high until midsummer.
Seasonal Highlights
Mountain Weather
Astronomy
Trail Conditions
Cady Ridge trail itself is in reasonable condition. The Cady Creek Trail below is severely overgrown with shoulder-high brush including devil's club. FR 6500 has a signed detour. Mud and bugs persist through early summer. Snow lingers on north-facing slopes into July.
“As the previous trip report noted, there is a detour because a section of FR 6500 is closed.”
Last report: Sep 25, 2025
Scorecard
Weekday solitude is typical. Summer weekends see moderate traffic from PCT thru-hikers and backpackers staging from Little Wenatchee.
Safety & Considerations
Today's Hazard
- Strong sun — sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses recommended
Persistent Hazards
- Cady Creek Trail severely overgrown with devil's club and thistle
- Exposed ridgeline for extended distances
- Creek crossings high in early season
- Bugs heavy through July
Getting There
Little Wenatchee Ford Trailhead. No toilet. Road detour on FR 6500 is signed and adds about 10 minutes.
From Coles Corner (Highway 2/207), north on Highway 207 for 4 miles. Left on Little Wenatchee River Road for 6.1 miles, right on FR 6500 for 6.3 miles. Last 3 miles are unpaved. Follow detour signs around FR 6500 closure.
Recent Reports
As the previous trip report noted, there is a detour because a section of FR 6500 is closed. The detour is signed and probably adds 10 minutes to the drive since it sends you off the paved road sooner.
Got to the little Wenatchee trailhead around 9am. There is a road detour in the unpaved section but you don't have many options so it's easy to figure out.
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.
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