Icicle River Gorge Trail

Went on a casual hike yesterday, to Icicle River Gorge Trail, which is located 16 miles west of us.  Deep in the Cascades.  The area has restored my feelings about being in a pretty area whereas the drive we took the other day on Route 2 westbound to Stevens Pass was not pretty.

Our drive up the Icicle Canyon to trailhead

We knew we would have to drive on a gravel forest service road but that did not hinder us from getting to the trailhead.  Saw rock climbers shinnying up the cliffs, passed the Chatter Creek Ranger Station (I could live there!), climbed about 1500 feet in elevation to get to the trailhead.

Ranger station - I like this little house!

Seemed to be popular, about a half dozen cars in the lot already.  The trail, if we chose the river loop, would be 4 miles round trip.  Rated easy, no elevation gain, packed up our stuff and off we went.  The Icicle River flowed right beside us on the trail.  Always heard the water roaring, most of the time we could see it.  Sometimes the river was deep in a gorge below us, other times right beside us at same level.

Crossed over Icicle River and started loop back

Can you say lovely?

Delightful walk.  There were enough people hiking also that we did not worry about bears, although we saw plenty of signs they were out there.  Crossed over the river, stared down at the swiftness of the water and how clear it was.  Continued on and crossed Trout Creek and Jack Creek, came to the Rock Island Campground where a group of teens were being lead on a team-building exercise.   Had a quick snack while we relaxed, then started back on the other side.

Little bridge over Trout Creek

In and out of the forest canopy

The only wildlife we saw were squirrels.  Since we were on the trail at noonish, heard very little bird songs.  People passing us (we tend to go slower and take pictures and marvel at what we see), temperature in high 60s, could see snow on the mountains way up there, just a great day in the forest.

Berries almost ripe

In all our walks, never seen this sign

Crossed over Jack Creek, the force of the water to move trees!

Getting ripe!

Deceiving - quite a drop off along the path to the river

Chomp, chomp, chomp, chomp

Got to Rock Creek and the bridge over Icicle River

Teens doing team building exercise

Setting up tents, no RVs allowed at this campground

As we drifted in and out of the forest canopy along the trail, the smells of the forest, wind rustling, hearing and seeing the water rushing by, reading interpretive signs along the way, just a great 4 mile hike.  We could see rain coming in over the mountains and hoped we would get back in time to the RV, we had left the windows open.  About half an hour later we got a great rain storm, then hail for about 10 minutes, then hard rain again.  Lasted about an hour.  Then fog set in, very dreamy.

Dave was a little cautious, he did not like this tree overhead

Woodpeckers were busy here!

Last view of the river before getting back to parking lot

Ah - the car!  We were glad to finish

These berries were prevalent along drive back to campground