Cairn Hill
Central CascadesBest Dec–Mar
A winter snowshoe summit on the Wenatchee Crest near Blewett Pass; avoid in summer.
About This Trail
Cairn Hill rises to 4,743 feet on the Wenatchee Crest near Blewett Pass. The standard winter route starts from Blewett Pass or Pipe Creek Sno-Park and follows groomed cross-country ski trails (XC141, XC800) along the Wenatchee Crest to the summit area. In winter, the route is a pleasant snowshoe on compact snow with views of the surrounding ridges.
In summer, the approach is a different experience entirely. Trip reports warn against attempting it: heavy brush, steep sidehilling over loose scree, and no maintained path. The brushy cross-country bushwhack makes summer access miserable. An alternative short approach (1.5 miles round trip) exists from an old forest road, but access is not well-documented.
Cairn Hill is best treated as a winter-only objective. The Blewett Pass Sno-Park fills by 9 AM on winter weekends; the Pipe Creek Sno-Park serves as overflow. A Sno-Parks permit is required November through March.
Seasonal Highlights
Astronomy
Trail Conditions
“Arrived at the trailhead at 6:30.”
Last report: Apr 4, 2026
Scorecard
Winter weekends see some traffic on the shared XC ski trails. The summit itself is rarely visited.
Permits / Passes
Safety & Considerations
Today's Hazard
- Strong sun — sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses recommended
Persistent Hazards
- Summer approach involves heavy brush and loose scree, not recommended
- Shared trail with cross-country skiers in winter
Getting There
Blewett Pass Sno-Park fills by 9 AM on winter weekends. Pipe Creek Sno-Park is the overflow option. Sno-Parks permit required.
Recent Reports
Arrived at the trailhead at 6:30. No one else parked.
Beginning just before 5pm, my brother and I hiked to Cairn Hill from an old forest road as my family has done for decades, rather than the sno-park, which changes the distance to 1. 5 miles rt.
Do NOT attempt this in the summertime! It is a very brushy high impact cross country bushwhack, reminiscent of Bearjack Ridge with some steep sidehilling over loose scree and rock.
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