Cady Ridge & Pacific Crest Trail

getting there

From Coles Corner on US-2, turn north onto SR-207 toward Lake Wenatchee. Drive 4.2 miles, crossing the Wenatchee River, and turn left onto North Shore Road, passing the ranger station and crossing the White River. In 7.6 miles the road becomes Forest Road 65. Drive 14 miles to the road's end and Little Wenatchee Ford Trailhead (3,025 ft).

on the trail

Three trails that start at the Little Wenatchee Ford Trailhead—Cady Creek, Cady Ridge, and Little Wenatchee River—lead to the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) which opens up several options for day hikes and backpacking trips.

cady ridge

13 miles round trip, 2,700 feet of elevation gain, 5,400 ft high point

Hike the Cady Creek Trail, No. 1501 for 0.6 mile and take the right fork to Cady Ridge Trail, No. 1532. Continue 6.3 miles to the PCT. Lake Sally Ann is 0.3 miles south on the PCT.

cady creek

10.2 miles miles round trip, 1,200 feet of elevation gain, 4,300 ft high point

Hike the Cady Creek Trail, No. 1501 for 0.6 mile and take the left fork to stay on the Cady Creek Trail. Continue 4.5 miles to Cady Pass and the PCT (4,300 ft).

meander meadows

12.5 miles round trip, 2,475 feet of elevation gain, 5,500 ft high point

Hike 5.6 miles on the Little Wenatchee River Trail, No. 1525. Turn left and hike 0.4 mile to Meander Meadows.

cady ridge & Little Wenatchee River loop

15.9-mile loop, 2,750 feet of elevation gain, 5,709 ft high point (camping at meander meadows adds 0.8 miles)

Hike the Cady Creek Trail, No. 1501 for 0.6 mile and take the right fork to Cady Ridge Trail, No. 1532. Continue 6.3 miles to the PCT. Turn right and hike 1.3 miles to Dishpan Gap (5,600 ft). Continue 1.0 mile on the PCT and then turn right onto the Little Wenatchee River Trail, No. 1525. Hike 1.1 miles to a junction. Turn right to head 0.4 mile to Meander Meadows and good camping. Or go straight and hike 5.6 miles to the trailhead.

Cady Ridge & Cady Creek Loop

16.3-mile loop, 2,700 feet of elevation gain, 5,640 ft high point

Hike the Cady Creek Trail, No. 1501 for 0.6 mile and take the right fork to Cady Ridge Trail, No. 1532. Continue 6.3 miles to the PCT. Turn left and hike 0.3 mile to Lake Sally Ann (5,470 ft). Continue 4.0 mile south on the PCT to Cady Pass (5,400 ft), turn left onto the Cady Creek Trail, No. 1501, and hike 4.5 mile to the junction with the Cady Ridge Trail and then 0.6 mile to the trailhead.

Cady Creek & Little Wenatchee River Loop

18.4-mile loop, 2,740 feet of elevation gain, 5,709 ft high point (camping at meander meadows adds 0.8 miles)

Hike the Cady Creek Trail, No. 1501 for 0.6 mile and take the left fork to stay on the Cady Creek Trail. Continue 4.5 miles to Cady Pass and the PCT (4,300 ft). Turn right and hike 4.0 miles to lake Sally Ann (5,470 ft). Continue 1.6 mile to Dishpan Gap (5,600 ft) passing the Cady Ridge Trail junction. Continue on the PCT for 1.0 mile and turn right onto the Little Wenatchee River Trail, No. 1525. Hike 1.1 miles to a junction. Turn right to head 0.4 mile to Meander Meadows and good camping. Or go straight and hike 5.6 miles to the trailhead.

cady ridge to red pass

26 miles round trip, 3,200 feet of elevation gain, 6,500 ft high point

Start at the Little Wenatchee trailhead and climb Cady Ridge on Trail No. 1532 6.5 miles to the PCT at Lake Sally Ann (5,470 ft) and then 2.3 miles to camps below Kodak Peak . From here, hike 17 miles out and back to Red Pass (6,500 ft) with light packs traversing some of the most beautiful flower-strewn meadows in the state, on the west flank of Glacier Peak. From Red Pass the view is stunning down the White Chuck River valley with Glacier Peak to the northeast. From camp return the way you came.

other options

• A side trip up Kodak Peak (6,121 ft), about a mile north of Dishpan Gap, is a must-do for amazing views of Glacier Peak and the surrounding country.
• A trip south on the PCT from Cady Pass to Pear Lake is a nice day trip.

• Suitable Activities: Backpacking, Day Hiking
• Seasons: August, September, October
• Weather: View weather forecast

• Difficulty: Strenuous
• Length: 20.6 mi
• Elevation Gain: 3,200 ft
• High Point: 6,634 ft

• Land Manager: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forests
  Henry M Jackson Wilderness, Wenatchee River Ranger District (OWNF)
• Parking Permit Required: Northwest Forest Pass
• Recommended Party Size: 12
• Maximum Party Size: 12
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12