Icicle Gorge Trail

Icicle Gorge Trail is a short, gentle loop hike near Leavenworth, Washington, built around Icicle Creek. The loop is described as roughly 4 miles and is typically treated as an easy, low-gain outing (about 150 feet of climbing).

The route stays close to the river corridor and crosses Icicle Creek on a steel foot bridge near the west end of the hike. It also includes crossings of other drainages (including Jack Creek) via wooden/log bridges on the loop.

As you work through the loop, you pass multiple interpretive elements on and near the trail (including an information kiosk and interpretive signs) that highlight habitats and creekside ecology along Icicle Creek Valley.

Access is from Icicle Road (Forest Road 7600) off US Highway 2 near Leavenworth. The trailhead is close to Chatter Creek Campground and guard station; if you reach Rock Island Campground, you’ve gone too far.

Parking is sized for the nearby trail use and includes a vault toilet. Potable water isn’t provided at the site.

A Northwest Forest Pass or Interagency Recreation Pass is required for access/parking, and day use is listed as a $5 per vehicle fee. The trail is hiker-only (no bicycles, and no motorized travel).

The loop traverses both banks of the Icicle Creek corridor; one side is described as drier and more thinly vegetated while the other side is more heavily forested. The trail also includes sections that can have a noticeable drop-off to the creek in places (a few feet down).

Icicle Gorge Trail is managed for access to Icicle Gorge Loop Trail #1596, a creek-following trail in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. If you want a longer outing, there’s a steeper “Icicle Gorge View Trail” connection that adds extra distance from the loop.

More information: Visitor information, Icicle Gorge Nature Loop — Washington Trails Association, Icicle Gorge Trail