Tronsen Head
Central CascadesBest Jan–Mar, Jun–Oct
Quick summit with 360-degree views, reachable as a summer side trip or winter snowshoe/ski tour from Blewett Pass.
About This Trail
Tronsen Head (5,980 feet) is a short summit side trip off the Table Mountain Trail, reachable from Ken Wilcox Horse Camp in under a mile. The actual spur to the summit is only 0.3 miles with 171 feet of gain, making it one of the easiest named summits in the Blewett Pass area. Views open up within five minutes of leaving the main trail, looking out across the Wenatchee Mountains and the Naneum basin burn zone.
The 2012 Table Mountain Fire left its mark here. Fallen burned trees cross the route in places, and the trail can be difficult to follow through the blowdown sections. The upside is that the fire opened views that were previously blocked by dense forest. The summit delivers a 360-degree panorama that includes Mount Stuart and the Stuart Range on clear days.
Tronsen Head also works well as a winter objective. Snowshoers and ski tourers reach it from the Blewett Pass sno-park via Haney Meadow, adding distance but avoiding the long forest road drive. Winter trip reports note reliable snow coverage and mellow terrain that rewards intermediate backcountry travelers.
Seasonal Highlights
Astronomy
Trail Conditions
“The conditions enticed us to keep going all the way to Tronsen Head.”
Last report: Sep 17, 2025
Scorecard
Moderate winter use from snowshoers and ski tourers starting at Blewett Pass. Quiet in summer due to rough road access.
Permits / Passes
Safety & Considerations
Today's Hazard
- Strong sun — sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses recommended
Persistent Hazards
- Blowdowns from burned trees across trail
- Trail can be hard to follow through blowdown sections
- Hunting season (fall) - wear blaze orange
Getting There
High-clearance vehicle recommended
Summer: Ken Wilcox Horse Camp, outhouse available. NW Forest Pass required. Winter: Blewett Pass sno-park with longer approach.
Recent Reports
Did this as a side trip. First, locating the start of Trail 1602 at Wilcox Horse Camp.
We headed to Tronsen Meadow, unsure if the snow conditions would be good for a full day of skiing, and found good snow coverage right from the trailhead that only got better as we climbed. The conditions enticed us to keep going all the way to Tronsen Head.
Day ski tour to Tronsen Head from the Tronsen Meadow Cross-Country Trail System on 1. 4.
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