Trails
Below you will find some trail runs (both in the urban area and in the forest) that RunWenatchee has on its list of favorites. WenatcheeOutdoors also has this online guidebook to trail runs, which is very helpful.
If you have a favorite trail run or two, let us know and we’ll add them to the list here.
1. Sage Hills
Starting point: Day Drive or Number One Canyon Road
How to get to the starting point: To park at Day Drive, take Fifth Street west and then a right on Surry Road. Then take a left on Lester Road, a right on Day Road, and then a left on Day Drive, where you soon find a trailhead lot for four cars. To reach the Number One Canyon Road parking spot, head west on Fifth Street until it turns into Number One Canyon Road. Where the road intersects with Sage Hills Road you will note a parking area for trail users. After parking, follow Sage Hills Road on foot, take a right when a Y appears, and continue until it ends in a cul-de-sac. The trail starts on the right side of the cul-de-sac.
Distance of run: 7 miles (round-trip)
Elevation gain: 900 feet
Difficulty (Scale of 1-5 with 5 being most difficult):
What to watch for: Springtime brings forth a flurry of color as flowering plants such as balsam root and lupine, combined with typically blue skies, create an intoxicating palette for the trail user.
What to watch out for: Rattlesnakes and the heat during late spring and summer.
Notes: Sage Hill closes each year from Dec. 1 to April 1 to help protect wildlife in the area. The Chelan-Douglas Land Trust also asks users to respect private property rights and to observe rules set out at the two parking spots. Dogs should be leashed. Also, please stay off decommissioned spurs.
2. Saddle Rock
Starting point: Either the Wenatchee Racquet and Athletic Club parking lot or the Dry Gulch parking lot
How to get to the starting point: The Wenatchee Racquet and Athletic Club is at 1913 Skyline Drive, which can be reached by taking Western Avenue south until it turns into Number Two Canyon Road. Then take a left onto Skyline Drive. The club is one block from there. To reach Dry Gulch, take Miller Street south until it deadends. Then take a right onto Circle Street and follow until it deadends.
Distance of run: 3 miles (to the top and back); 6 miles (to the bottom of the other side and back)
Elevation gain: 920 feet.
Difficulty (Scale of 1-5 with 5 being most difficult): 3.5
What to watch for: As you climb steeply, you’ll encounter amazing views of the Wenatchee metropolitan area as well as surrounding features, including the Columbia River. During the spring, the hillsides are full of wildflowers.
What to watch out for: The occasional snake.
Notes: The Chelan-Douglas Land Trust, caretakers of these trails, asks users to stay off when the surfaces are muddy because that lead to erosion. If you bring your dog, it must be leashed.
3. Horan Natural Area
Starting point: Walla Walla Point Park
How to get to the starting point: The park is located off of Walla Walla Avenue in Wenatchee.
Distance of run: 2.5 miles (round-trip)
Elevation gain: None
Difficulty (Scale of 1-5 with 5 being most difficult): 1
What to watch for: The area, located at the confluence of the Wenatchee and Columbia rivers is teaming with water fowl, song birds, deer and small mammals year-round. There also is a nice stand of cottonwood trees located at the far north of the preserve.
What to watch out for: You may spot the occasional skunk. Don’t be too startled! And definitely run faster!
Notes: To make your run longer, add some mileage on the Apple Capital Recreation Loop Trail, which leads to the Horan Natural Area and then skirts it to the west.
4. Colchuck Lake
Starting point: Colchuck-Stuart lakes trailhead
How to get to the starting point: From Highway 2 in Leavenworth, take Icicle Road and go about nine miles. Then take a left onto Forest Service Road 7601, also known as the Eightmile Road, and travel four miles to the Colchuck-Stuart lakes trailhead.
Distance of run: 8.2 miles
Elevation gain: 2,200 feet
Difficulty (Scale of 1-5 with 5 being most difficult): 3.5
What to watch for: Mountaineer Creek comes crashing down alongside the trail for about half the way up to Colchuck Lake. You’ll also encounter meadows. At the lake, the blue-green waters will mesmerize as will the views of Dragontail Peak.
What to watch out for: The typical roots and rocks that mark forest trails.
Notes: A Northwest Trail Pass is needed to park at the trailhead. If you are planning to stay overnight, a permit is needed from the U.S. Forest Service. No dogs allowed at Colchuck.
5. Icicle Gorge Trail
Starting point: Icicle Road near Chatter Creek Campground
How to get to the starting point: From Highway 2 in Leavenworth, take Icicle Road and follow it for 17 miles.
Distance of run: 4 miles (loop)
Elevation gain: 200 feet
Difficulty (Scale of 1-5 with 5 being most difficult): 1.5
What to watch for: Icicle Creek is your companion for most of the run. So, too, are a myriad of wildflowers, including Indian paintbrush, tiger lily and lupine. This trail was constructed decades ago so you’ll encounter old bridges and rock walls along the way, too. Most of all, it is relatively flat and heavily shaded, which means it makes an ideal summer jaunt as well.
Notes: A Northwest Trail Pass is required to park near the trailhead.