Little Wenatchee River
Central CascadesBest Jun–Oct
A mellow river walk that doubles as the front door to Meander Meadows and the high country beyond.
About This Trail
The Little Wenatchee River Trail starts easy and stays easy for the first few miles. The path follows the valley floor through forest with the river close by, gaining almost nothing in elevation. It is the kind of walk where you can hear the water, watch the light shift through the trees, and not think much about your legs. Good for kids, good for an afternoon stroll, good as a warm-up if you have bigger plans.
Those bigger plans are what most people come here for. The trail continues well beyond the easy section, eventually switchbacking up 1,500 feet through slide alder and mature forest to reach Meander Meadows, one of the more beautiful subalpine basins in the Central Cascades. From there, you can scramble Kodak Peak, connect to the PCT at Dishpan Gap, or loop back via Cady Ridge. The full Meander Meadow loop is a proper multi-day trip and one of the best backpacking circuits on the east side of Stevens Pass.
The drive to the trailhead is an adventure in itself. From Coles Corner on Highway 207, it is about 22 miles of pavement followed by 3 miles of unpaved road with potholes. Any car can make it, but slowly. Bugs and brushy trail conditions are common in midsummer on the upper sections.
Astronomy
Trail Conditions
“Cady Creek Trail: Those expecting standard trail conditions will find this route to the PCT exceptionally brushy and in many instances difficult to follow.”
Last report: May 31, 2026
Scorecard
Permits / Passes
Safety & Considerations
Today's Hazards
- Strong sun — sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses recommended
- Road Closed
Persistent Hazards
- brushy trail on upper sections (slide alder, devil's club)
- bugs in midsummer
- rough access road
Getting There
Little Wenatchee Ford Trailhead at the end of NF road 6500. Northwest Forest Pass required. Final 3 miles unpaved with potholes but passable in any vehicle.
From Coles Corner, head north on Highway 207 for about 22 miles until pavement ends, then continue 3 miles on unpaved road to the trailhead. The valley-floor section is straightforward. Upper trail gets brushy and harder to follow.
For the short river walk, any time works. If heading to Meander Meadows or beyond, start early. The drive alone takes time.
Recent Reports
Tried to head out to the Little Wenatchee Gorge (the trail that starts behind the Lake Creek Campground) but found the road closed about a few miles after the Lake Wenatchee Highway turns into FS65. According to the closure sign the entire road system from FS65 out to Smithbrook on Highway 2 is closed.
Cady Creek Trail: Those expecting standard trail conditions will find this route to the PCT exceptionally brushy and in many instances difficult to follow. Shoulder-high brush is continuous and often includes devil's club and thistle, which can be uncomfortable to physically navigate through.
Two night loop clockwise. Up Cady Ridge trail to camp at Lake Sally Ann night 1 - PCT over Dishpan Gap to Meander Meadow to camp night 2 - down and out via Little Wenatchee River trail.
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