North Fork Entiat River
Central CascadesBest Jul–Oct
Deep alpine meadows below Cardinal Peak, with solitude and larch color that few ever see.
About This Trail
The North Fork Entiat River Trail opens up one of Washington's most undervisited alpine landscapes. The 26-mile round trip begins with a dusty climb through a 2017 burn zone, then transitions into the kind of high meadow country that keeps backpackers coming back: open parkland dotted with pine, fir, and larch, threaded by clear-running creeks, with jagged peaks like Cardinal Peak and Pinnacle Mountain rising directly above.
The main route follows Trail #1437 for 6.1 miles to the Fern Lake junction, gaining 1,300 feet through the burn and into recovering forest. Above Fern Lake, the terrain steepens and loosens as it enters the upper meadows below Cardinal Peak. Trip reports consistently describe these meadows as the highlight -- expansive, well-watered, and ideal for basecamp exploration. An optional loop returns via Pyramid Mountain Trail (#1433) and South Pyramid Creek Trail (#1439), with a side trip to the 8,243-foot Pyramid Peak viewpoint overlooking Lake Chelan.
The access road has deep potholes and demands a capable vehicle. A 4WD truck handles it easily; a standard SUV may struggle. Larch season in October brings golden color to the upper basin, but snow can arrive early at these elevations. Bugs are fierce from late June through mid-August.
Seasonal Highlights
Astronomy
Trail Conditions
Scorecard
Low visitation even in peak season. The rough access road and long distance filter out casual visitors. You may see a handful of other backpackers over a multi-day trip.
Safety & Considerations
Today's Hazard
- Strong sun — sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses recommended
Persistent Hazards
- Rough access road with deep potholes -- high clearance recommended
- Steep, loose terrain in upper meadows requires careful footing
- Bugs are intense from late June through mid-August
- 2017 burn zone has ongoing blowdown potential
Getting There
High-clearance vehicle recommended
Northwest Forest Pass required. Small trailhead lot. Road is narrow and overgrown in sections.
Drive Entiat River Road (FR 51) to the North Fork trailhead. The road has deep potholes in sections. A 4WD truck handles it easily; a passenger car will struggle. Road is narrow and overgrown near the trailhead.
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