Meander Meadows
Central CascadesBest Jul–Sep
Six miles of river valley lead to sprawling alpine meadows at the headwaters of the Little Wenatchee, with loop options through the high country.
About This Trail
Meander Meadows is the headwaters of the Little Wenatchee River, and getting there means walking 6 miles through the river valley before the country opens up into something special. The trail follows the Little Wenatchee upstream from the ford trailhead, gaining elevation gradually through forest and avalanche paths. The last two miles climb more steeply to reach the meadow system near the Cascade crest at just under 5,000 feet.
The meadows themselves are the draw. A meandering stream winds through mile-high alpine parkland ringed by peaks, with wildflowers carpeting the open ground in late July and August. Good campsites are scattered through the meadow system, and the area connects directly to the PCT at Dishpan Gap, opening up a web of high country options. The classic loop runs from Meander Meadows up to Dishpan Gap, south along the PCT, and back down Cady Ridge to the trailhead, covering about 16 miles total.
The trail crosses numerous avalanche paths that fill with dense brush in summer. Chest-high vegetation obscures the tread in sections, and morning dew will soak you through if you start early. This is not a trail for people who want clean, groomed paths. It is a trail for people who want to stand in a high meadow watching a stream curve through wildflowers with nobody else around.
Astronomy
Trail Conditions
“Excellent nice long infinity loop backpack!”
Last report: Aug 16, 2025
Scorecard
Permits / Passes
Safety & Considerations
Today's Hazard
- Strong sun — sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses recommended
Persistent Hazards
- Dense brush through avalanche paths obscures trail
- Devil's club in lower valley sections
- Creek crossings that rise with snowmelt
- Remote location with long approach
Getting There
Little Wenatchee Ford trailhead. Limited parking that fills on holiday weekends. No privy. Northwest Forest Pass required. FR 6500 is a standard forest road requiring some care but no high clearance.
From Coles Corner on Highway 2, turn north on Highway 207 for 4 miles. Continue 6.3 miles, bear left on Little Wenatchee River Road for 6.1 miles, then right on FR 6500 for 6.3 miles, finishing on 3 miles of dirt road to the trailhead. The trail follows the Little Wenatchee River upstream. Stay on the main river trail, ignoring the Cady Creek and Cady Ridge junctions. The meadows begin opening up around mile 5.5.
Budget a full day for the out-and-back, or plan for an overnight to enjoy the meadows properly. The approach through brush is slow going, so add time beyond what the mileage suggests. An early start means wetter brush but more solitude in the meadows.
Recent Reports
Excellent nice long infinity loop backpack! Day 1: Quartz Creek TH (road is good - if you have a sedan, take the little rocky section just before the Blanca Lake TH slow, but it's fine).
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.
It was the best of trails, it was the worst of trails... Hiked up Cady Ridge, over to Dishpan Gap, down to Meandering Meadows and finished on the Little Wenatchee River trail clockwise as a day hike (clocked 16 miles round trip).
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