 Situated at the extreme eastern reaches of the Central Cascades, Blewett Pass is blessed with ample sunshine well into autumn. Its geology is diverse: high tableland meadows and deep basaltic canyons are remnants of massive lava flows from 15 million years ago.
Autumn is the perfect time to hike this region. Not only is the mercury at an agreeable level and the snakes are preparing for their winter’s rest but thanks to a profusion of western larch the hills are aglow in gold!
Here are a handful of great hikes for you to explore in this easy-to-get-away-to region.
Swauk Forest Discovery Trail
Roundtrip: 2.8 miles
Elevation gain: 350 feet
High Point: 4,550 feet
Green Trails Map: Wenatchee/ Mission Ridge, WA- No 211S
Directions: From Cle Elum follow WA 970 east for 7 miles to US 97. Continue north on US 97 for 14 miles to Blewett Pass. Turn right onto FR 9716 and proceed .4 mile to trailhead.
Despite being located just minutes off US 97, this well developed trail sees little use. A delightful loop with great views and interpretive signs highlighting forest management practices and tree identification; pamphlets are available for you to take along.
The trail contours a ridge above the busy highway, meandering through patches of forest with window views west to Teanaway Ridge. The way then gradually climbs a ridge through open forest providing excellent views to Diamond Head hovering above. In autumn, larches set this locally prominent peak aglow!
At 1.4 miles you’ll reach a junction where you can shorten your loop. Otherwise continue straight crossing a forest road and wind your way up to a 4,550-foot knoll with excellent views to Mount Stuart and all the way out to Mount Rainier. Close the loop by meandering through towering ponderosa pines before returning to the trailhead.
Naneum Meadow
Roundtrip: 7 miles
Elevation gain: 1,000 feet
High Point: 5,950 feet
Green Trails Map: Liberty, WA- No 210
Directions: From Cle Elum follow WA 970 east for 7 miles to US 97. Continue north on US 97 for 14 miles to Blewett Pass. Turn right onto FR 9716. At 3.7 miles bear left onto FR 9712 and after 1.6 miles up a steep (unnerving to some) open slope, reach a junction with FR 35. Continue left on FR 9712 for 3.1 rough miles to trailhead at Haney Meadow, just beyond Ken Wilcox Horse Camp.
On this delightful loop, enjoy superb views of Mission Ridge and Table Mountain, and the basalt canyons fluting from them. Traverse miles of high country meadows, watching for grazing deer and elk. And admire the soft golden hue emitted by canyon-clinging larches.
Start by an old log cabin on the edge of sprawling Haney Meadow. Immediately cross Naneum Creek and come to a junction. The trail right is your return; head straight on the Grass Camp Tie Trail climbing through thick forest. At .8 mile, come to a junction. Go left cresting a broad ridge with views of canyons near and far.
Continue southward through meadows along the rim of a basaltic canyon. After re-entering the forest, drop rapidly to a junction with the Howard Creek Trail. Head right along the smaller canyon rim of Naneum Creek taking in good views of Table Mountain across the way. At 4.5 miles reach the Naneum Creek Trail. Steeply drop, reaching a junction with the Naneum Meadows Trail at 5 miles.
Turn right here following Naneum Creek through beautiful meadows beneath an imposing wall of basalt. Golden larches lighten up the dark canyon walls. At a three-way junction continue straight. Gradually climbing, follow Naneum Creek two miles through larch groves and meadows back to Haney Meadow.
Mount Lillian
Roundtrip: 6.5 miles
Elevation gain: 1,100 feet
High Point: 6,140 feet
Green Trails Map: Wenatchee/ Mission Ridge- No 211S
Directions: Same as Naneum Meadow.
Consisting of sandstone spires, Mount Lillian offers an intriguing landscape to hike through. From Haney Meadow walk up FR 9712 a short distance coming to the trailheads for the Old Ellensburg Trail (your return), the Tronsen Meadow Trail (ignore) and the Mount Lillian Trail; take it!
Paying attention to signs, follow the Mount Lillian Trail through forest and meadow and along Naneum Creek to a ridge crest and trail junction. The way left heads to Tronsen Ridge, an excellent side trail. Go right climbing and after a half-mile begin encountering outcroppings providing excellent views of Mount Rainier, Mount Stuart, Glacier Peak, Mission Ridge, and the Columbia River. The drop here is precipitous, so be careful!
Crest Lillian’s 6,140 foot highpoint and begin switch-backing down beneath fascinating sandstone spires. Reach FR 9712 and head left coming to the Howard Creek Trail in 0.1 mile. Turn right following Howard Creek downward to a three-way junction. Veer right onto the Old Ellensburg Trail climbing along the sunny south slopes of Lillian through meadows and larch forest. Reach an elevation of 5,700 feet before descending back to Haney Meadow and FR 9712.
If You Go
Contacts: Cle Elum Ranger District: Wenatchee National Forest; (509) 852-1100; http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/wenatchee
Fees/Notes: Northwest Trails Pass ($5 day/$30 annual) required at Swauk Forest Discovery Trail. Mount Lillian Trail opens to motorcycles until Oct 15. Entire area popular with hunters; wear orange during hunting season.
Good Reference: "Day Hiking Central Cascades" (Mountaineers Books 2009: Romano) has an entire chapter on the Blewett Pass area.
Craig Romano is Trails Editor of Outdoors Northwest and the author of a half dozen Northwest hiking guidebooks including the newly released “Western Washington Winter Hikes Card Deck” (Mountaineers Books).
Visit him at http://CraigRomano.com
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