Little Wenatchee Ridge Trail #1543

Little Wenatchee Ridge Trail begins in the fir forest where Irving Pass Trail #1545 ends. However, there is no sign to show exactly where this is. From its start in the fir forest on the ridge top, Little Wenatchee Ridge Trail follows the ridge line northwest as it climbs to the Poe Mountain summit that is a high point on this ridge. Most of this climb is gradual however there are a few short, steep stretches. Slopes of the ridge clearly drop off on each side of the trail, although the ridge top is easily wide enough for the trail and the dropoffs aren't so steep as to invoke fear. In other words one definitely knows they are on a ridge top and can enjoy it without worry. Heading toward Poe Mountain, the trees begin to thin revealing snowy mountain views into the far distance to the southwest. On a clear day Mt. Rainier, 14,411 ft., can be seen. Soon the trees give way to grassy, high meadows with beautiful summer wildflowers. The now unobstructed views are even more awesome on both sides of the trail - left/southwest and right/northeast. To the right is a vast panorama of nearby mountains. On the left, the Little Wenatchee River is nearby in the valley below, and the mountains start across this valley. At about the 1.2 mile mark the trail makes a short, very steep climb to a nice lookout point. Besides the views to the southwest and northeast, there is a good view down the ridgeline here and plenty of places to sit and admire these views. Continuing on, Little Wenatchee Ridge Trail reaches a trail junction with Poe Mountain Trail at the 1.9 mile mark. However, the trail sign here only points to Irving Pass and Poe Mountain. There is no arrow to Poe Mountain Trail that just climbed up to this junction to join Little Wenatchee Ridge Trail for the final push to the Poe Mountain summit. Bear right at this trail junction to circle around and climb to the summit over the next few hundred feet. A the summit there are awesome views in all directions - nearby mountains to the northeast, the ridgeline of this hike to the southeast, the Little Wenatchee River valley and distant mountains including Mt. Rainier to the southwest, Cady Ridge and the Little Wenatchee River drainage to the northwest, and Poets Ridge with Longfellow Mountain as its next high point to the north.