Dirty Face Lookout and Peak

Dirty Face gains nearly 4,000 feet in 4.5 miles on the south shore of Lake Wenatchee, making it one of the more relentless climbs in the Stevens Pass corridor. The lower mile passes through ponderosa pine and big leaf maple forest before reaching a waterfall viewpoint overlooking the lake. Above that, abandoned logging roads give way to short, steep switchbacks that just keep going. A 2005 wildfire burned the upper mountain, opening views but eliminating shade on the exposed upper slopes.

The former lookout site at 5,989 feet delivers a panorama that includes Glacier Peak, Mount Stuart, the Entiat Range, and Lake Wenatchee directly below. On clear days Mount Rainier appears to the south. The fire-scarred terrain supports wildflowers and thimbleberries in summer, and the dry east-side conditions mean this trail melts out earlier than most high-elevation hikes near Stevens Pass.

The combination of south-facing exposure and no tree cover above mid-mountain makes this a furnace on hot days. Carry more water than you think you need. The trail sees light use despite its proximity to Lake Wenatchee, and the trailhead parking area rarely fills.