Fourth of July Creek to Icicle Ridge

Hiked the Fourth of July Creek to Icicle Ridge Trail in Leavenworth. This is a 12 mile round trip hike with 4,370 ft elevation gain up to a peak that once held a fire lookout.

We were fortunate that it was a coolish day with high clouds that kept us from getting hot without interfering with the wonderful views!

The trail goes through Fourth of July Creek twice in the first 1/2 mile.

The first part of the trail is in the forest, as it gains elevation, we began to see Cashmere Mountain across the valley to the south.

 Second crossing of Fourth of July Creek

There were lots of wildflowers in bloom along the trail today.

We would pass some lovely fields full of wildflowers

 We could judge how far up the trail we had gone, by where we were compared to Cashmere Mountain across the valley.

As we continued gaining elevation, we could also see Dragontail and Colchuck Peaks

Looking up through the burned trees to the peak which is our goal today.

As we neared Icicle Ridge, we could also see Mt Stuart among the peaks to the south.

 Fields of avalanche lilies up on Icicle Ridge, our peak in the distance (side view)

We crossed several snow fields on Icicle Ridge, the snow was soft enough that traction was not needed.

junction with the Icicle Ridge Trail is reached after 5.7 miles and 4,100 ft of gain.

 0.2 miles along the Icicle Ridge trail is the turn off the peak that once had a fire lookout on it.

 There is a boot path most of the way to the peak, then a short scramble up the boulders. I was content to take photos from the ledge of the right side.

Pano from the peak to the south:

 Pano from the peak to the north including a cloudy Glacier Peak

 some of the many wildflowers we saw along the trail today: