| Bygone
Byways Interpretive Trail
Drections:
Located 28 mi W of Lake Wenatchee on US 2 at Stevens Pass
 Features:
At the entrance to the Stevens Pass Historic District, this, is
a .75 mile, brochure-guided, barrier free trail that takes you
through the colorful history of transportation through the pass.
There is a view of creek, falls, old highway.
Other:
Accessible restrooms.
Tumwater Canyon Trail (AKA Old Pipeline Trail)
Drections:
From Leavenworth, start your odometer after you pass the gas station
on the corner of Icicle Road and Highway 2 West. Drive 1.7 miles
West on Highway 2. Turn left at a non-descript parking area next
to the river (if you pass by an old bridge over the river on your
left you've gone too far).
Features:
The beginning of this easy 2 mile trail is at a little rest area
about a mile west of Leavenworth. From there it crosses the Wenatchee
River on an old pipeline bridge and heads upstream. The Wenatchee
River tumbles down Tumwater Canyon. The steep rock walls on either
side of the highway, the whitewater rapids too dangerous for even
the most expert kayakers or rafters, and the foliage (even more
spectacular in the autumn) all contribute to the breathtaking
beauty of Tumwater Canyon. There are a number of hidden, sandy
river beaches and calm pools along the way for swimming or relaxing
to the sounds of the river. From the parking area, the trail begins
just beyond the rustic outhouse and continues over an old half
pipe shaped bridge. After you walk over the bridge, follow the
main trail to the right. In Chinook jargon, the word tumwater
means "rough water." If you view the raging waters of
the Wenatchee River in Tumwater Canyon during the spring and early
summer, it's easy to understand how this canyon got it's name.
Note: this trail is sometimes flooded in the spring due to the
high volume of water in the river. An easy trail, included here
for slow walkers, but not wheelchair accessible.
Other:
A little further west of Tumwater Canyon along Highway 2 is Tumwater
Campground. Across the highway and a bit west of the campground
are two Forest Service roads to explore, Hatchery and Chiwaukum
Creek.
Chiwaukum Creek
Directions:
From Leavenworth, start your odometer after you pass the gas station
on the corner of Icicle Road and Highway 2 West. Drive 9.6 miles
on Hwy 2 West and go left on the Chiwaukum Creek Road #7908. From
Stevens Pass, travel Highway 2 East for 25.1 miles and go right
on Chiwaukum Creek Road #7908 (if you reach the Tumwater Campground
you've gone too far - turn around and go back about one mile).
As you turn off of Highway 2, follow road #7908 for about 0.3
miles to the trailhead.
Features:
An easy stroll alongside a babbling creek under a canopy quilt
of Douglas Fir and Ponderosa Pine offering peace and tranquility.
You can follow this trail for as long or as short as you like.
From the parking area, head past the gate on road #7908 for 1.5
miles to Trail #1571. Your hike begins here. Hike through creekside
jaunts with occasional openings. The logical turn-around point
is at 5.5 miles at the juncture of Trail #1591 and Trail #1571
(you will reach this soon after crossing the stream). Not accessed
for accessibility at this time.
Other:
See Seattle
PI Getaways article.
Waterfront Park - Leavenworth
Drections:
From Downtown Leavenworth go to the corner of 8th Street and Commercial
Street. Follow Commercial Street behind some businesses and go
down a steep hill. At the bottom of the hill find the trail to
the left.
 Features:
Waterfront Park's flat, 3-mile round trip trail winds along the
Wenatchee River and through quiet riverbank forests on paved and
red crushed rock paths. The nature trails can be a little bumpy,
but wheelchair users can negotiate this trail.
There are benches for sitting and interpretive signs to explain
the natural and cultural history of the area. Throughout the park
there are small beach inlets that are perfect for swimming on
hot summer days. This is a great birding site in the Spring or
a place to spot salmon making their upstream journey in the Fall.
The trail is two blocks from downtown Leavenworth. Two hills are
very steep so help is needed. You can also drive to the park and
avoid the hills.
Other:
There are accessible restrooms with ramps and standard picnic
tables. This trail is located in the town of Leavenworth.
Icicle Creek Interpretive Trail
Drections:
Follow US Highway 2 West through Leavenworth and go left at the
end of town on Icicle Road (follow signs to the Leavenworth National
Fish Hatchery, there is a large gas station at the corner). If
you are traveling Eastbound on Highway 2 over Stevens Pass go
right on Icicle Road when you first enter Leavenworth. Follow
Icicle Road for 2 miles and go left into the Leavenworth
National Fish Hatchery.
 Features:
This is a easy interpretive trail focusing on the fish hatchery
and the spectacular Icicle River Valley. It's one of the best
areas to learn about Northwest Salmon, river ecology, and the
role of fish hatcheries in our state. The hatchery releases over
one million salmon per year. Spectacular adult salmon, some weighing
over 30 pounds, can be seen in the hatchery and the river from
about May to August.
Most of the distance can be managed alone by wheelchair users,
including the viewpoint of the Icicle Creek and the wildlife viewing
blinds. The rest of the hatchery has many great opportunities
that are fully accessible. The hatchery grounds are paved and
level, and the exhibits in the Visitor Center are fully accessible.
Wheelchair users may need some assistance on one short section
of the trail (about 100 feet). It has a switchback to reduce the
grade and meets ADA requirements. However, this area can be avoided
if you want to bypass it. The side trails to the wildlife viewing
blinds are not paved, but are fairly wide and generally level.
Sometimes rain can make these areas muddy.
Other:
Pick up an interpretive brochure before heading out on the trail
and touring the nursery and raceways. The hatchery is open year
round, but you'll need to take the trail when there is no snow
in the area. Visit their
website for contact information so you can call or email them
on weather conditions. Exhibits can be viewed between 7:30 a m.
and 4:00 pm., daily except Christmas. There are accessible restrooms
at the Visitor Center, picnic tables in the summer and many benches
throughout the grounds and trail. There is a ramp along the river
(near the Hatchery
boat launch) that is used during salmon fishing season. During
the summer, the Hatchery often hosts special fishing events for
disabled visitors. (This is something that is planned ahead of
time with organized groups.)
| Trip
Notes:
 May
9, 2003 - This is a great trail! Don't miss this one
if you are in the Leavenworth area. Icicle Creek has always
been one of my favorite spots, but this is the first time
I had visited the hatchery.
The trail starts near a bridge over Icicle
Creek where there is a fish ladder and Tribal fishing grounds.
I watched two huge salmon being reeled in by Indians fishing
from platforms on the river.
This is a fully accessible, paved trail.
The one switchback
is minimal and should present no problems to most wheelchair
users. I did not take my scooter on the side trail to the
wildlife blind. It was too narrow and there was so much
else to see. I especially liked the open field views with
the wonderful sights and smells of ponderosa pine trees.
The plants and vegetation were varied and incredible. One
part of the trail had lilies of the valley. Other wildflowers
and shrubs were in bloom attracting lots of butterflies.
It also provides habitat for many birds. I heard a varied
thrush, but could not see him. I did see some Common Merganzers
in the river. A side trail leads to a quiet tributary with
a bench for resting and enjoying the view. This is a special
place - and fully accessible!
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Icicle Gorge Trail
Directions:
Follow US Highway 2 West through the town of Leavenworth and go
left at the end of town on Icicle Road (follow signs to the Leavenworth
National Fish Hatchery, there is a large gas station at the corner).
If you are coming from the East on Highway 2 over Stevens Pass
go right on Icicle Road when you first enter Leavenworth. Follow
Icicle Road for about 9 miles to Chatter Creek Campground. 3/4
of a mile past Chatter Creek Campground turn left into the large
parking lot (you will see a well marked sign for the Icicle Gorge
Trail).
  Features:
A gentle 3.5 mile loop trail that traverses both banks of the
Icicle River without significant elevation gains connecting Rock
Island and Chatter Creek campgrounds. This is one of the most
beautiful river valleys in the state. Click
here for more photos of the Icicle River Valley. The north
side of the river is dry and sparsely vegetated while the south
side is a canopied forest. Mid-way through the hike you cross
a bridge over the raging river.
The Icicle Gorge Trail is a favorite trail for senior citizens
and families with young children. The grade in most places is
gentle and wide enough for a wheelchair and there are rest areas
scattered along the trail for slow walkers to rest. However there
are two sections of the trail that are narrow with steep grades
that would be difficult for wheelchair users (especially outside
Rock Island Campground on the north side of the river). These
portions are not accessible to wheelchairs at all, but are easily
do-able for slow walkers. If wheelchair users can make it to the
south side of the trail (on the south side of Icicle River outside
of Rock Island Campground) they would be able to go quite a distance
until they reached inaccessible segments of the trail and need
to turn around.
Other:
Leashed dogs allowed on this trail! Currently, a Northwest Forest
Pass is not required for parking at the Icicle Gorge Trailhead
(this may change in the future). Besides Rock Creek and Chatter
Creek Campgrounds, there are numerous other
campgrounds along this beautiful river such as Bridge Creek,
Eight mile, and Johnny Creek, all along the Icicle Road. These
are popular campsites during the summer and usually are full on
weekends.
Eightmile Campground (located approximately 8 miles up the Icicle
drainage) is usable, but not fully accessible for wheelchair use.
The campground lies adjacent to the Icicle River. Views from the
campground include rugged rocky outcrops and sometimes even mountain
goats. The campsites are fairly level and open with paved roads
and parking spurs. Sand in some areas can be difficult for wheelchairs.
The only other campground on the Leavenworth Ranger District
that would be considered wheelchair accessible is Tumwater Campground
located off of State Highway 2 in Tumwater Canyon approximately
10 miles northwest of Leavenworth. The campground is in an open
timber
area with fairly level riverside campsites. Roads and parking
areas are paved. The campground has flush toilets and all of the
campground is usable, but not fully accessible for wheelchairs.
A Northwest Forest Pass is required at most trailheads on National
Forests in Washington and Oregon. An annual pass is $30 and a
daily pass is $5. For more information about the Northwest
Forest Pass please contact any National Forest office.
Horan Natural Area - Wenatchee Confluence State
Park
Drections:
From U.S. Hwy. 2: The park is about 1.3 miles off the highway.
Take U.S. Hwy. 2 east, and look for park signs as you enter Wenatchee.
Take Easy St. exit, and head south. Turn left at first traffic
light on Penny Rd., then turn right onto Chester Kimm St. Continue
to T-intersection, and turn left onto Old Station Rd. Continue
past railroad tracks. Park is on the right.
From Interstate 90: Drive north on SR 28 through East Wenatchee.
At stoplight at intersection of SR 28 and U.S. Hwy. 2, turn left.
Move to right lane and cross Columbia River. Exit to the right
immediately after crossing river and come to stop sign. Turn left
and travel about 1/4 mile and turn left onto Old Station Rd. and
follow roadway to the park.
Features:
Located at the confluence of the Wenatchee and Columbia Rivers
at the north end of Wenatchee, the Horan Natural Area interpretive
trail has 2 miles of gentle paved path and flat gravel trails.
The path leads from the parking lot over the Wenatchee River via
a high bridge, passing over gravel islands thick with willows
and cottonwoods. Fifteen viewing stations with educational kiosks
help visitors learn about the wetland's habitats and animals.
Eagles gather here in late winter, and mink, muskrat, beaver and
raccoon find year-round refuge. The Columbia Basin is located
along the Pacific flyway, and migratory birds join resident species.
Located on the south end of the park, the Horan Natural Area is
part of the 12 mile Wenatchee Apple Capital Recreation Loop Trail
that skirts the outer edge of the park.
Other:
The north end of Wenatchee
Confluence State Park is a multi-use park with an accessible
camping area (51 full hookup sites, 8 standard sites) picnic sites,
swim beach, boat-launch, picnic shelters, 6 ADA accessible restrooms,
8 ADA showers, trailer dump. Dogs OK - Leash and scoop laws in
effect.
Wenatchee Apple Capital Recreation Loop Trail
Drections:
From Wenatchee Confluence State Park (see above) at the north
end of Wenatchee on Olds Station Road.
 Features:
The Wenatchee Apple Capital Recreation 12-mile loop Loop Trail
is the longest loop trail in Washington State. It travels through
river front parks all the way through Wenatchee. This relatively
flat cement and gravel path stretches along the Columbia River
past wilderness wetland areas brimming with waterfowl and nesting
areas. Keep your dog on a leash and watch out for skunks and muskrats
-- there's plenty of them along the trail. Signs along the trail
identify wildlife species found in the area.
There are several places to start your trip, but a logical place
is at Wenatchee Confluence State Park. From there, head south
and cross a footbridge over the Wenatchee River and continue south
to Walla Walla Point Park and on to the east side of the trail
to Jude's Oasis, a small waterfall near a footbridge crossing
the Columbia River. From here you can either turn around for a
six-mile round trip, or continue on around the 12-mile loop if
your batteries on your scooter or power chair can go that far.
(Or for you slow walkers, your own batteries.) See a biking website
that describes the route (with pictures).
Other:
If you like museums, be sure to visit the Wenatchee
Valley Museum and Cultural Center. Also see
some photos of the museum's displays.
Rock Island Hydro Park Trail
 Directions:
Rock Island trailhead is at the Rock Island Hydro parking lot
2 miles south of East Wenatchee, on Highway 28. The East Wenatchee
trailhead is at he bottom of Southeast 3rd Street in East Wenatchee,
at the intersection with Highway 28.
Features:
A paved 1.3 mile trail that connects the Apple Capital Recreation
Loop Trail to Rock Island Hydro Park opened in October 2002. The
trail, which is on the Douglas County side of the river, offers
a scenic view of the river, but does have some hills to negotiate.
Whereas the Wenatchee side is an urban park, this section of winding
trail is more of a dryland experience with open views.
 Daroga
State Park
Directions:
Located 18 miles north of East Wenatchee, Wash., on the east side
of the Columbia River. From East Wenatchee: From the south, drive
18 miles north on Hwy. 97. Be on the east side of the Columbia
River. Pass Lincoln Rock State Park on your way.
From Spokane and points east: Take Hwy. 2 north, and turn right
on Hwy. 97 at the very small town of Orondo. Daroga
State Park is six miles north of Orondo.
Features:
This lovely park with 28 RV hookups has accessible tree-lined
trails and river pools with accessible restrooms, picnic tables,
camping, and water.
Lincoln Rock State Park
Drections:
Located seven miles north of East Wenatchee, Wash., on the eastern
bank of the Columbia River. From East Wenatchee: Drive north on
SR. 2 about seven miles. Signs indicate park entrance on the left.
Features:
Beach access and accessible hiking.
Other:
Accessible utility campsite, water, picnic tables. No accessible
restrooms. This park attracts those who like "big toy"
water activities.
Silver Falls Campground and Barrier Free Trail
 Drections:
From Entiat, drive NW on County Rd 371 for 30 mi to site.
Features:
This is a 1.25 mi riverside ecosystem trail with viewing playforms
overlooking Entiat River.
Other:
Accessible restrooms, partially accessible camping and picnic
tables. Water is not accessible.
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