By John Chelminiak, North Cascades Initiative Director, The Wilderness Society
The ease of introducing our children to the North Cascades is one of the great advantages of living in the northwest. I remember family hikes and picnics in the 60’s from places like Denny Creek off of what was then Highway 10 (now Interstate 90).
Now, I have the opportunity to introduce my daughter Megan to the North Cascades. We spend a lot of our time in the Stevens Pass, Lake Wenatchee and Leavenworth areas and there are some terrific hikes for young children. The two I feature here let you spend a couple of hours on the trail and still leave a lot of time for other fun family activities like swimming, biking or boating. Each hike is perfect for kids as young as three or four.
Hidden Lake near Lake Wenatchee is a great easy hike with a rich reward. The trail climbs steadily through the forest with a couple of nice views of Lake Wenatchee and Dirty Face Mountain. Reaching the lake, you’ll find several areas on the lakeshore for a picnic or to dip your feet in the cold waters. You can scramble your way around the southwest corner of the lake to a small waterfall. At just over a ½ mile, it’s great for introducing young children to the experience of a trail and the lake is a beautiful reward for young and old. There are several “Hidden Lake” trails in the northwest, so read your guidebook carefully.
Directions: Access this trail from Highway 207 at Coles Corner. It’s about 20 miles east of the Stevens Pass summit or about 15 miles west of Leavenworth. At Coles Corner go north on Highway 207 about three miles and turn left toward the State Park. Just before the park gate, turn left on Cedar Brae Road. At Camp Zanika Lache, the road becomes dirt. Continue to the trail head where a USFS Forest Pass is required.
Tumwater Pipeline Trail is just outside Leavenworth on Highway 2 heading toward Stevens Pass. The trail is about a mile long and starts with a walk across an old bridge. Turn right after crossing the bridge and follow the trail on the south side of the Wenatchee River. It’s great for early wildflowers in the spring and the vine maples turn color later in the fall. There are also several areas to scramble down to the river and sandy beaches. At two miles round-trip, it’s a short, flat hike so there is plenty of time for other fun family activities during the day. If it’s hot, a picnic and some time spent wading in the cold water of the Wenatchee River is a great way to relax.
John Chelminiak and his daughter, Megan, relax after a hike on the Tumwater Pipeline Trail
Directions: From Leavenworth, head west on Highway 2 about a one and a half miles. Between Mileposts 99 and 98 you’ll find a small parking lot where no parking pass is required. Park and walk up to the bridge about an 1/8 of a mile and cross the Wenatchee River. Turn right and hike the trail. At about a mile, you’ll run into rocks and the trail disappears.
For more information try The Mountaineers Books 55 Hikes around Stevens Pass by Rick McGuire and Ira Spring, or click here for info on hiking with kids.
The North Cascades