Chikamin Tie ORV

Chikamin Tie ORV traverses a high hillside route with sweeping views of Chikamin Ridge and the surrounding peaks near Lake Chelan. The 7.2-mile roundtrip trail gains 1,900 feet to a high point of 6,230 feet, passing through a large talus field about a mile in, then through forest sections with intermittent creek crossings. The talus field is the visual centerpiece, with open views north toward the Entiat peaks.

The trail shares its corridor with motorized users during summer months (mid-July through mid-October), but hikers have exclusive access from mid-October through mid-July. Trip reports describe a quiet, beautiful hike with excellent fall larch viewing when paired with nearby Chikamin Ridge. The access road is gravel and can be rough toward the end; parking a mile before the final trailhead avoids the worst section. Water is available in the first two miles but the upper trail is dry. October visits combine golden larch with solitude, making this a worthwhile alternative to the crowded Leavenworth-area larch destinations.