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North Fork Taneum Creek & Taneum Ridge

Hike a longer loop or shorter out-and-back in the ponderosa pine country south of Cle Elum. It's not really wilderness, and there are not any grand views or dramatic terrain, but these same reasons may help you escape the hordes. Motorcycles make this an unpleasant area for hiking, except during two brief windows when they are not allowed and the trail is accessible: May and October. Go in May for early flowers, sunshine and the smell of ponderosa pine. Go in October for the fall colors.

getting there

north fork Taneum Creek

Take Exit 93 (Elk Heights Road) off of I-90, turn left, and cross over the freeway. Continue 0.3 mile and turn right onto Thorp Prairie Road. In 3.5 miles, turn right onto East Taneum Road, cross I-90 agin, and in another 0.2 mile, turn right onto West Taneum Road. Drive 7.1 miles, passing the Ice Water Campground at 6.1 miles. The road name changes to Forest Road  33 just after the campground. In another 2.8 miles bear right at the Y junction to stay on Forest Road 33. Drive 1.4 miles and turn right off the paved road onto Forest Road 33-133. Drive 1.1 miles to the trailhead at a switchback in the road. Park on the side of the road (3,100 ft).

Taneum Ridge

To reach the east trailhead for Taneum Ridge, follow the directions for Noth Fork Taneun Creel above, but stay on Forest Road 33 at the junction with Forest Road 33-133. Continue ~1 mile the to the trailhead on the right (uphill) side of the road (2,840 ft).

on the trail

north fork taneum creek

8 miles round trip with 300 feet of elevation gain, 3,300 ft high point

Hike out and back along the North Fork Taneum Creek Trail. It is an easy trip on trail that stays near the creek the whole time.

Taneum Ridge—Fishhook Flats Loop

14 miles round trip with 1,400 feet of elevation gain, 4,200 ft high point

To hike the loop counterclockwise, start from the North Fork Taneum Creek Trailhead.  It is 5.6 miles to the junction with the Taneum Ridge trail. From the junction, head up the ridge, climbing about 1,000 feet in a mile. Once on top the ridge the grade levels out and it is up and down along the ridge. At 2.8 miles from Taneum Creek the trail intersects a logging road. Walk the road a short distance to pick up the trail again. The trail follows the ridge and eventually descends back to the Forest Road 33 at 6.8 miles from the Taneum Creek junction. From this trailhead walk just over a mile walk back to the North Fork Taneum creek trailhead.

  • Suitable Activities: Day Hiking
  • Seasons: June, July, August, September, October
  • Weather: View weather forecast
  • Difficulty: Moderate, Moderate/Strenuous
  • Length: 13.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 1,300 ft
  • 4,300 ft
Map
  • Green Trails Cle Elum No. 241
  • Green Trails Easton No. 240
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Titles

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  • North Fork Taneum Creek
  • Taneum Ridge—Fishhook Flats Loop
  • Taneum Ridge
  • Fishhook Flats
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