Trail Map
Below is a link to a downloadable and printable trail map PDF. This map also appears on signposts throughout the trail system. Any roads or trails not shown on this map are not open to the public.
Route descriptions
This description will make the most sense if you consult the map while reading it. After a roughly 0.25 mile ascending trail from the parking lot — please pause at the kiosk and acquaint yourself with the rules — the trail merges into a system of old farm and fire roads that are one of the pleasures of Cashmere Canyons – walking and talking side-by-side rather than shouting over your shoulder. For the next 1.7 miles and ~1200’ of elevation gain, the trail climbs consistently, first up a little valley and then switch-backing and contouring along hillsides, to reach a saddle called “the Crossroads” (Junction 2 on map). From the Crossroads you have several options…
For those wanting to “summit” something, turn left and make for the twin summits of Little Bear and Sunrise, following the map (posted at each major intersection) to “the Saddle” (Junction 4), 0.6 miles and 300’ above the Crossroads. From there, continue straight ahead and, briefly, downhill, for a quick 0.3 miles and 150’ gain to the top of Little Bear. Or turn left at the Saddle for a 0.2 mile, 100’ switchback climb to the top of Sunrise. Each has beautiful views into the heart of the Enchantments to the west and the Entiat Range to the north, while Sunrise also enjoys views down the Wenatchee Valley to the Columbia River to the south. Doing both summits is a round trip from the Crossroads of 2.2 miles and 550’ of total elevation gain.
For those wanting a bit more distance and variety, there’s the Spring Canyon Loop, which meanders through a Douglas-fir and Ponderosa forest with views along the way in every direction. Follow the directions above from the Crossroads to the summit of Little Bear (Junction 5) but then, rather than retracing your steps, follow the signs and faint jeep track to Spring Canyon Loop. You’ll descend, initially to the southwest, along a ridge crest, looping counter-clockwise and eventually returning to the Crossroads. This makes for a 3.5 mile roundtrip from the Crossroads, with 700’ of total elevation gain.
Alternatively, from the Crossroads, you can head in the opposite direction of the Saddle, following the Ridge Road to the northeast and towards the Lower Loop. This route undulates gently over a long ridge line with expansive views in all directions. (En route, you might see students of the paragliding school that shares this land floating down from the Ridge Road to the valley floor.) From the Crossroads to the northern-most point of the Ridge Road (Junction 8) is 1.3 miles with 350’ of total elevation gain. At that point, you can either retrace your steps for a 2.6 mile out-and-back or, instead, turn right and downhill following the Lower Loop signs to Junction 7, and then completing a clockwise loop that returns you to the Ridge Road at Junction 6. This loop adds an additional 1.3 miles and 200’ of elevation gain to the simple out-and-back. It is often in the lee of our sometimes strong northwest winds and traverses particularly good deer and bird habitat.
At most of the viewpoints you’ll find large wood rounds for resting your legs and, at all the major trail junctions, clear trail maps with mileages and elevations. Enjoy!