Trail Overview
Little Creek Basin is a 4.6 mile long intermediate route through the Wenatchee National Forest that connects Cle Elum Ridge Trail to North Ridge Trail. The east half of the trail is mostly narrow side-hilling through a tight tree corridor, following the curvature of the mountain. It crosses several small streams coming off the hillside. There is some significant exposure in this east half of the trail, with really narrow or sloughed-off segments of trail, and a couple tight switchbacks. Expect sections full of loose rock, and small roots across the trail making small stair steps and drop offs. It descends gradually for the first 2.5 miles, losing about 1,400 feet elevation, as it drops down to a small water crossing over Little Creek. The next half mile is full of roots through a dense forest floor, as it starts to climb back up. You have to go over several moderate root ledges that can be slippery or rutted. There is one large blunt rock obstacle in this section as well that is during a side-hill portion of trail, and you have to pop over or push up it. The last mile and a half on the west end does more narrow side hilling, rides through a meadow, and climbs up gradually through the forest to meet up with the North Ridge Trail.
Difficulty
This is an intermediate route due to frequent moderate obstacles throughout the route, including large root and rock obstacles, narrow trail and significant side-hill exposure, switchbacks, steep climbs, and a small creek crossing. The roots and one large rock obstacle halfway through the route will likely be the most difficult part, but riders need to use caution in the exposed sections throughout the route.
