Fabulous Icicle Divide near Seattle, Washington is one of the best hikes in the world.

Why? Washington, Woodmansee Frommer Washington2006	World > North America > Pacific NW > Icicle One of the best hikes in the world is the FABULOUS ICICLE DIVIDE This hike is more commonly known as: Icicle Ridge Good hikes in the same area: Fourth of July Creek Do you know this hike? This page is a stub we are researching. You can expand it by emailing suggestions in the appropriate sections below. Our editors will add your comments. Thanks! Red dot is ALPINE LAKES WILDERNESS, Washington. AT A GLANCE close to Seattle 4 days, 3 nights minimum 45mi (72km) for the Icicle Divide best months late-July to mid-Oct come in autumn to see the larch turn map reading & route finding skills needed tough, challenging hiking & scrambling 13,500 feet of elevation gain WHY WE LIKE THIS HIKE superb Icicle Ridge! remote and rugged sections it finishes close to Leavenworth, allowing an easy exit many lovely alpine lakes the physical challenge hike the nearby, much more famous Enchantment Traverse on the same trip ... add a comment here CONSIDERATIONS carry an ice axe if hiking early in the season it can snow any day of the year low lying areas between Ladies Pass and Lake Edna can hold snow until mid-August there is no water on Icicle Ridge be prepared for cold and wind biting insects can be a nuisance early season wild flowers are brilliant early season ticks in the early season are your biggest concern bring a rope to hang your food you may need to scramble sections of rough trail ... add a comment here Two permits are required to camp in Alpine Lakes Wilderness: a Northwest Forest Pass must be displayed in your vehicle while parked at the trailhead. Buy this pass at any Forest Service Ranger station, 240 private vendors, on-line at www.naturenw.org or by calling 1-800-270-7504. May 15 - Oct 15 you need a Wilderness Permit. Phone for details on the Wilderness Permit: Wenatchee River ranger station: (509) 548-6977 ROUTES In Backpacker Trekking Washington - Woodmansee, recommends 45 challenging miles in 3 days! Gladly, for us, he lays out an alternate itinerary over 4 days: start at Mountaineer Creek trailhead night 1 camp at Doelle Lakes night 2 camp at Lake Edna night 3 camp at Cabin Creek finish at Icicle Ridge trailhead, 35mi (56km) from where you started. Therefore you need to arrange transport back to your vehicle, if you left one, ... or walk to Leavenworth if you want to catch a bus. ... add a comment here The obvious, shorter, much hiked alternative is to start and finish at Icicle Ridge trailhead, backtracking whenever you choose. The most popular day hike to Icicle Ridge is 4mi, 6hr, return. Certainly there are many other possible routes. LOGISTICS Icicle Creek trailhead is close to Leavenworth, Washington on Icicle Creek Road. click for more information - Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce most hikers come from the Seattle area, about 2hrs away Sea-Tac International Airport is 130mi from Leavenworth Pangborn Airport in East Wenatchee is closer, only 30 mi from Leavenworth. Greyhound (800) 231-2222 can drop you at Stevens Pass trailhead and also has daily bus service Leavenworth to Seattle. ... add a comment here INDEPENDENT OR GUIDED? ... add a recommendation here We are unaware of any trekking guides you can hire for the Icicle Divide. You are on your own. LOCAL INFORMATION permit information - Alpine Lakes Wilderness understanding bears - Alpine Lakes Wilderness Nature of the Northwest Washington Trails Association hiking guide Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce ... add a recommendation here BEST TREKKING GUIDEBOOKS Backpacker Trekking Washington - Woodmansee, 2003 100 Hikes in Washington's Alpine Lakes - Ira Spring, Vicky Spring, Harvey Manning, 2000 Backpacking Washington's Alpine Lakes Wilderness: The Longer Trails - Jeffrey Smoot, 2004 ... add a recommendation here Woodmansee loves hiking. We use his book though there are other good options. BEST TRAVEL GUIDEBOOKS Frommer's Washington State - Karl Samson, 2006 Moon Handbooks Washington - Don Pitcher, 2002 Lonely Planet Pacific Northwest - McRae, Snarski, Jewell, 1999 Washington Road & Recreation Atlas ... add a recommendation here OTHER RECOMMENDED BOOKS The Backpacker's Handbook - Chris Townsend, 2004 Washington Fishing - Terry Rudnick, 2034 How to Shit in the Woods - Kathleen Meyer Bear Attacks: Their Causes and Avoidance - Herrero A Walk in the Woods - Bill Bryson. Funny! ... add a recommendation here BEST MAPS Green Trails - Stevens Pass, Chiwaukum Mountain, & Leavenworth on-line area maps - HikerBob.com ... add a recommendation here BEST WEB PAGES After this page, the best links are Icicle Ridge - TheBackpacker.com ... add a link here BEST PHOTOS & TRIP REPORTS Icicle Ridge and the PCT - Willett, 2005 photos - Alpine Lakes Wilderness ... add a link here