Little Annapurna via Aasgard Pass

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Our Hiking Time: 2 Days
Total Ascent: 5800ft
Highest Point: 8450ft
Total Distance: 16.2 miles
Location: N 47° 28.0740, W 120° 48.8700
Required Permit: Northwest Forest Pass, (See overnight permit information below)
Difficulty: Hard

Last summer we visited The Enchantments via Colchuck Lake and Aasgard Pass. Among our stops was the summit of Little Annapurna, one of a number of prominences surrounding the Upper Enchantment Lakes. A climb to Little Annapurna’s summit is rewarded with breathtaking views in every direction and offers one of the better vantage points to see both the Upper and Lower Enchantment Lakes that together make up the Enchantment Basin.

The first recorded ascent of the mountain was in 1947, when it was dubbed “Little Annapurna” by the Sherpa Climbing Club of Ellensburg for a resemblance to the Annapurna of Himalayan fame. Little Annapurna is often accessed from Colchuck Lake via Aasgard Pass (officially named Colchuck Pass), a low saddle between the shoulders of Enchantment Peak and Dragontail Peak. The pass was likely named by Bill and Peggy Stark, who first visited the region in 1959. The couple returned every year for the next 35 years, naming features along the way, and ultimately drawing a topographical map labeling those features in 1967. While the US Board of Geographic Names officially adopted some of the Starks’ names, they did not adopt them all. However, many hikers and hiking guides prefer the Norse and Arthurian names chosen by the Starks, and their references to them can confuse the uninitiated. We use both for clarity.

From Colchuck Lake, continue following the Colchuck Lake Trail #1599.1 (sometimes referred to as #1599A) around the lake toward the base of Aasgard Pass. As you round the lake, the trail snakes into a talus field and the route moves from the ground to the tops of massive boulders. Alternate between the rocks and short sections of narrow trail hacked through the lakeside brush to the base of Aasgard Pass. From here the route becomes challenging. The route is steep and can be treacherous under certain conditions, as most of this portion of the trail is boulder and scree. Some route finding skills will be needed as shifting rock can topple cairns and obscure the trail. Unless you have a lot of experience and training, avoid an ascent in the snow.

From the base of the pass follow the cairns as they charge steeply upwards and to the left, passing over a creek buried under the rocks and eventually reaching the left cliff face. From here the route pushes further up and drifts back toward the center of the talus field, eventually crossing a small grassy meadow complete with a waterfall. Keep climbing upward, keeping an eye out for cairns on this last and often confusing section of trail. Eventually you’ll catch glimpses of Little Annapurna peeking over the top of the pass just before you reach the top. Take a moment to look down at Colchuck Lake shimmering over 2000 feet below before turning for your first glimpses of the Upper Enchantment Lakes.

From Aasgard Pass, the trail enters a grey moonscape of talus, rock and glacial till, contrasting with the stark white of the Snow Creek Glacier and the icy blue of the lakes. Press onward and quickly find Tranquil Lake (Lake Freya) and a view of the largest lake in the Upper Enchantments, Isolation Lake (Brynhild Lake). From here the trail begins to descend deeper into the basin, passing lakeshores and eventually depositing you into sprawling alpine meadows riddled with ponds and streams. The Starks called this area the Brisingamen Lakelets, and we can only call it enchanting. As you near the end of the meadows, keep an eye out for an unsigned trail heading to the right toward Little Annapurna. If you cross a small stream and a sign for the toilet, you’ve gone too far.

The route up Little Annapurna is more of a collection of well-worn paths than a trail. Cairns mark the way, though they are easy to lose and sometimes mark multiple routes. When in doubt, follow the path of least resistance up the left side of the mountain, switchbacking and scrambling as needed. Eventually you will be rewarded with commanding views of the Enchantment Basin: Dragontail Peak is to the northwest along with Aasgard Pass and Mt. Baker in the distance. Find Enchantment Peak directly to the north, with Prusik Peak and the Temple to the northeast rising above portions of Perfection Lake (Rune Lake). To the east McClellan Peak looms above Crystal Lake. Immediately to the south find the sharp points of Pennant Peak and The Flagpole with Mt. Rainier in the distance. Turn to the west to find Mt. Stuart and Argonaut Peak just to the left of Dragontail Peak. Do a little exploring and find your favorite vantage point to take it all in - you’ve earned it.

Little Annapurna is one of the most approachable peaks in the Upper Enchantment Lakes area. While the trail is sometimes thin or nonexistent, the climb is not technical and there is a minimum of actual scrambling. In the summer, the grassy summit offers plenty of room for hikers to find a quiet place to enjoy the scenery or spend the night. At the same time, this climb is not for everyone. If you’re not comfortable with some route finding and some scrambling, you may want to skip this one. Otherwise, we recommend you set aside enough time for a trip up Little Annapurna during your next visit to the Enchantments.

Note that permits are required for both overnight and day use within the Enchantment Permit Area.  Day use permits are free and avaliable at the trailhead.  Most hikers will choose to camp at Colchuck Lake before heading up Aasgard Pass, which will require an overnight permit.  There are three methods of obtaining a permit, outlined on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest website.

To get there, take US 2 to Leavenworth. Just before you enter town, take a right onto Icicle Creek Road (FR 76). Follow Icicle Creek Road for just over eight miles to Eightmile Road (aka FR7601). Turn left and follow the gravel road over Icicle Creek for about 4 miles to the road’s end and the parking area for Colchuck Lake and Lake Stuart. Trailhead at the far end of the lot. -Nathan

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Florence Peak & Alki Crest via West Boundary Trail

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Our Hiking Time: 5h 30m
Total Ascent: 3800ft
Highest Point: 5400ft
Total Distance: 7.4 miles
Location: N 46° 58.2483, W 121° 54.1433
Required Permit: National Park Pass
Difficulty: Hard

Not long ago we ventured back to the Carbon River area to hike some of the oldest sections of trail in Mt. Rainier National Park on our way up to the summit of Florence Peak. The trek promised big views of Mr. Rainier and a hike through a lush temperate rain forest. As we soon discovered, the West Boundary Trail delivered all this and more.

The West Boundary Trail is a remnant of the Boundary Trail that once circled the park, allowing rangers to patrol the park’s boundaries. In 1933 a division of the Civilian Conservation Corps known as the Emergency Conservation Corps established a camp at Isput Creek to make improvements to the Carbon River Road. In addition to work on the road, the Corps also built and improved many trails in the park, including the Boundary Trail. Over the next 40 years, the park boundaries changed as did the need to patrol the park boundaries on foot, and by the 1970s the Forest Service stopped maintaining the trail. While remote sections of the trail are now lost beneath the advancing forest, some portions were never truly abandoned by hikers, including what is now known as the West Boundary Trail. After the most recent washout of the Carbon River Road, the Washington Trails Association and other volunteer groups worked tirelessly to expand and reclaim this historical trail. Today, thanks to their efforts, the hike from the Carbon River Entrance up to Alki Crest is once again easily accessible.

The trail begins from the former Carbon River Ranger Station along Rain Forest Loop Trail. The short interpretive trail wanders under the forest canopy over a series of wooden boardwalks and low bridges. Connect with the signed West Boundary Trail at the far end of the loop as it begins to veer uphill. From the junction, the route begins a series of steep switchbacks through old growth forest, punctuated by brief plateaus that draw you southwest along the shoulders of Sweet Peak. At 1.2 miles at the end of a switchback a short side trail provides access to a cascade sometimes referred to as the West Boundary Trail Falls. Take a moment to catch your breath and take in the mossy waterfall before continuing ever upward.

As you press on, the trail almost immediately crosses the creek and provides glimpses of the upper reaches of the waterfall before beginning a set of tight switchbacks alongside the creek. After about a half mile of climbing, the trail veers away from the creek and rises steeply up to the ridgeline of Alki Crest and a trail junction. From here the West Boundary Trail continues on, and the approach up to Florence Peak is less well maintained. To continue your ascent, follow the bootpath heading southeast along the ridge, catching glimpses of the surrounding landscape through the thinning trees.

As you near the summit, the trail becomes something of a scramble through meadows and rocky outcroppings. Eventually find yourself clambering up onto exposed rock and what looks to be the summit. Technically, the true summit is further on, though that scramble is somewhat more treacherous. Wherever you decide to stop, Mt. Rainier looms large to the south. Tolmie and Howard Peak can be seen in front of Rainier as you begin to turn east. Arthur Peak is the closest peak to the east. To the north you can pick out Bearhead Mountain and Old Baldy. Settle in and break out a map to see how many more mountaintops you can identify.

With a lot of elevation to tackle and short sections to scramble, this can be a challenging hike. Likely because of the challenge, it does not see a great deal of traffic. While the views are excellent, they are rivaled by a trek through mossy forest and tumbling waterfalls. Tough but beautiful, this is hike is a good alternative to Green Lake and other popular hikes further down the Carbon River Road.

To get there, take I-5 South to I-405. From I-405 take SR 167 south toward Auburn. In 20 miles take the SR 410 Exit toward Sumner/Yakima. Follow SR 410 for 12 miles to SR 165. Take a right and continue on SR 165 for about 10 miles through Wilkeson and Carbonado to the Carbon River Road/Mowich Lake Road junction. Veer left onto the Carbon River Road and follow for 7.7 miles to the Carbon River Entrance of Mt. Rainer and parking. -Nathan

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North Fork 25 Mile Creek Trail #1265

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Our Hiking Time: 2h
Total Ascent: 500ft
Highest Point: 2800ft
Total Distance: 4.4 miles
Location: N 47°57.0170, W 120° 19.968
Required Permit: None
Difficulty: Easy

Not long ago we spent a weekend hiking around the bluffs above Lake Chelan. We explored a number of trails, all of which had something a little different to offer. One of those trails was the North Fork 25 Mile Creek Trail, a dusty mixed use trail that follows the creek to a washout.

Back around the turn of the last century, homesteaders settled in the area around Twentyfive Mile Creek, grazing sheep and cattle in the dry hills and the valleys made green by the streams working their way down to Lake Chelan. By the 1930s the area was overgrazed and the sheep and cattle declined, but left an area already prone to wildfires even more vulnerable to fire. In 1945, despite the occasional fire, Roger Hale built a mile-long pipeline from the North Fork Twentyfive Mile Creek to his family’s homestead. Throughout the 1970s the fires intensified, and the more recent 1994 Tyee Fire, the 1998 North 25 Fire and the 2004 Pot Peak fire have all left thousands of acres of charred forest behind. In 2006 floods washed out the trail just past the two mile mark, and the upper reaches of the trail have since become overgrown and been all but officially abandoned. Today, it is easy to spot large swaths of burnt trees on the hillsides near the trail and you can still catch the smell of ash in the air.

The trail begins from the main forest road, following a dusty utility road toward the sounds of the creek (ignore the mislabeled sign at the trailhead; rest assured that while it reads #1256 instead of #1265, you are in the right place). After about a quarter mile, catch your first glimpses of the creek in the ravine below the road. Continue following the pine tree and brush-lined trail out 1.2 miles to the road’s end. From here, leave the road behind and begin the hike in earnest, following the rocky trail down to the creek. Almost immediately, you’ll come across the North Fork Water System installed by Mr. Hale, which is still in full operation and easily accessed from the trail. After you’ve taken a look at the water system, continue deeper into the forest passing trees and brush scarred by recent fires along the way. As you progress, the creek is never far from your side, despite a few steep ups and downs. Reach the washout at the 2.2 mile mark and settle in to enjoy the water.

This is a short creekside day hike that offers a taste of the hikes in the area. Although once more of an ORV trail, since the 2006 washout this has become more of a hiking route. While the trail does not boast big views or a sparkling lake, the creek offers pleasant company as you wind your way through a forest still recovering from recent fires. With a limited amount of elevation gain, most hikers should not have a problem reaching the gravel beach created by the washout. If you’re looking for some adventure, you can push onward past the washout and try to connect with the Lone Peak Trail.

To get there, take I-90 to Exit 85 to Cle Elum/Leavenworth. Cross the freeway and head right on WA 970 toward Leavenworth as it merges into WA 97. As WA 97 ends, merge on US 2 toward Wenatchee following signs for US 2 and WA 97. In West Wenatchee, follow signs for WA 97 ALT. Once on WA 97 ALT, continue 23.5 miles to WA 971, taking a left and following to Lakeshore Road. Take a left and continue 10.4 miles past Twentyfive Mile Creek State Park to FR 5900. Take a left and follow FR 5900 3.3 miles to a switchback in the road. Park here. The signed trailhead is a few hundred feet up the road on the left. -Nathan

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