Icicle Creek
Central CascadesBest May–Nov
Old-growth forest and creek music on a gentle valley-floor walk at the end of Icicle Creek Road.
About This Trail
This trail follows the upper Icicle Creek valley through old-growth forest, with the creek rumbling below in the drainage. The first mile and a half is nearly flat, winding through big trees with very little elevation change. You can hear the water the whole way. At roughly 1.5 miles, you reach the French Creek confluence, where established campsites make a good turnaround or overnight destination.
Worth knowing: both the French Creek bridge (at 1.5 miles) and the Icicle Creek bridge (at 5 miles) have been out for some time. During high water, fording is not safe, so plan on the first section being the practical limit for most visits. That said, the first section is genuinely the best part for a day hike. The old growth, the creek sounds, the quiet. It delivers without asking much.
The trailhead sits at the end of Icicle Creek Road, past the horse camp. A self-issue wilderness permit (free) is required. This is a well-loved trail with over 180 trip reports on WTA, and it serves as the gateway to deeper Alpine Lakes Wilderness destinations like French Ridge, Klonaqua Lakes, and Snowall Cradle Lake.
Forecast
Astronomy
Trail Conditions
“The road is washed out about 1/2 a mile from the TH.”
Last report: May 5, 2026
Scorecard
Safety & Considerations
Today's Hazard
- Strong sun — sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses recommended; water reflection adds glare near the lake
Persistent Hazards
- French Creek bridge out (1.5 mi)
- Icicle Creek bridge out (5 mi)
- high water fording dangerous in spring/early summer
Getting There
Park at the end of Icicle Creek Road past the horse camp. Northwest Forest Pass required. Toilet at the trailhead.
From the trailhead, the path heads into the valley on a well-maintained trail. Nearly flat for the first 1.5 miles to French Creek. The bridges at French Creek and Icicle Creek are broken, so plan on turning around at the first confluence unless you are prepared to ford.
No need for an early start on this one. Any time of day works for the short out-and-back. Late afternoon light filters nicely through the old growth.
Recent Reports
The road is washed out about 1/2 a mile from the TH. You can park on the side of the road and walk through the water, but we passed on that and hiked the Icicle Gorge trail instead.
This was a super easy stroll up to French Creek. There was hardly any elevation gain.
This was a backpack trip to camp and do a couple days hikes I wanted to cross off my 100 Hikes in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness list. Our group of five included my infamous friend kidz won't hike whose research and tracks motivated me to add Bulls Tooth to my adventure.
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