Lake Kachess & Box Canyon Creek

getting there

Take Exit 62 off of I-90 and turn north onto Kachess Lake Road. Continue ~3.5 miles to the Lake Kachess Sno-Park (2,400 ft).

On the Trail

Box Canyon Creek

12 miles round trip, 500 feet of elevation gain

Ski or snowshoe Kachess Lake Road (Forest Road 49) 3 miles, passing the Kachess Lake Campground to Forest Road 4930, the road to the Rachel Lake Trailhead. Continue up Forest Road 4930 following Box Canyon Creek as far as desired.

Snooze Peak (4,080 ft)

6.8 miles round trip, 1,800 feet of elevation gain, Difficulty: Winter Scramble

Ski or snowshoe Kachess Lake Road (Forest Road 49) 3.5 miles, passing the Kachess Lake Campground and Forest Road 4930, the road to the Rachel Lake Trailhead, to a gated road on the left. Follow this road as it switchbacks up the mountain to near a ridgeline. Leave the road, climb to the ridgeline, and follow the ridgeline  through the forest looking for another road to follow. Follow this road to the summit ridge. The final rise to the summit is ~250 feet of 25-30° snow climbing.

• Suitable Activities: Cross-country Skiing, Scrambling, Snowshoeing
• Snowshoeing Category: Basic
• Seasons: January, February, March, December
• Weather: View weather forecast
• View avalanche forecast.

• Difficulty: U-XC 2 Advanced Beginner Ungroomed, Very Strenuous
• Length: 12.0 mi
• Elevation Gain: 500 ft
• High Point: 2,800 ft

• Land Manager: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forests
  Cle Elum Ranger District (OWNF)
• Parking Permit Required: SnoPark Pass
• Recommended Party Size: 12
• Maximum Party Size: 12
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12