Wenatchee Heights-Long Loop

This enjoyable training ride leaves from the southern edge of Wenatchee and climbs up to the orchards of Wenatchee Heights and to that area’s long views over the Columbia River Valley.

DISTANCE: 25.5 miles round trip.

ELEVATION: Start 820 feet. High point 3020′. Gain 2,200′

RECOMMENDED SEASON: Spring when the fruit trees up on the heights are in bloom. Also fall when the air is cool and ripe with the scent of fruit.

ACCESS. Drive to Lincoln Park in south Wenatchee and park in the parking lot off Methow Street near the intersection of Crawford and Methow.

TRIP INSTRUCTIONS

• Follow Methow Street south for about 2 miles.
• At the stop sign, turn right on Squilchuck Creek Road and bike uphill.
• In roughly 2.75 miles, turn left on the Wenatchee Heights Road and start climbing more steeply.
• In another 2.5 miles, reach a Y with Edgemont Road fading left and the Stemilt Loop Road heading up Wheeler Hill going right. Go right and keep climbing.
• In another 3.3 miles you’ll reach your high point (3020 feet). Now begins a long descent.
• Contour and drop on the Stemilt Loop Road for 5.45 miles to an intersection with a little church and Joe Miller Rd on right and Stemilt Hill Road on left. Go left.
• In 3 miles the Stemilt Creek Road comes in on your left. Keep heading downhill on what is now named Stemilt Creek Road.
• In another 3 miles you’ll reach the Malaga-Alcoa Highway. Turn left. (Note: the highway has a good shoulder).
• Ride about 3.1 miles back to town and turn left on Crawford. Ride about 0.25 miles uphill back to the car.

MAPS. See map below for more information.

REPORTER: Andy Dappen, July, 2005. Updated 2010.

LEAVE IT BETTER THAN YOU FOUND IT. This should be every user’s goal. Pick up trash left by others and pull a few noxious weeds along your route.

DISCLAIMER. Treat this information as recommendations, not gospel. Conditions change and those contributing these reports are volunteers–they may make mistakes or not know all the issues affecting a route. You are responsible for yourself, your actions, and your safety. If you won’t accept that responsibility, you are prohibited from using our information.