Jack Ridge

Jack Ridge splits off from the Jack Creek Trail and climbs through a series of switchbacks to a ridgetop overlooking the Icicle Creek drainage. The views up top are honest: Trout Lake sits below, Eightmile Mountain fills the skyline, and the whole upper Icicle valley spreads out. This is not the kind of trail that draws crowds, and that solitude is a big part of its appeal.

The ridge itself is a connector. From the top, you can descend to Trout Creek and link up with the Eightmile/Trout Creek Trail, making a loop possible if you are willing to put in the miles. Most trip reports describe doing exactly that, running the Jack Creek, Jack Ridge, and Trout Creek trails as a counterclockwise loop. Expect roughly 16 miles and a full day if you go that route.

The trailhead sits at the end of Icicle Creek Road, about 16 miles from Leavenworth. Road access is straightforward. The trail sees blowdowns and overgrowth between maintenance cycles, and bugs can be persistent in early summer. Carry a map; the junction is easy to miss if you are not paying attention.