This curious high point is best enjoyed in the spring when the wildflowers are blooming. April and May are best, but a few smaller varieties are already blooming in March. The terrain drops in all directions from the summit, but on either side are narrow canyons flanked by taller hillsides. You are on a summit nearly surrounded by higher terrain. If you’re very lucky, an additional bonus might be sighting some of the resident bighorn sheep. They’re down near the Columbia River in winter, then gradually move back up into the mountains as spring progresses.
Maps: View our topo map below for more information.
Note: use ‘Print Preview’ before printing to properly scale this map to a full sheet of paper.
Activity: Hiking
Nearest Town: Wenatchee
Skill Level: 3
Fitness Level: 2-3, depending on route taken
Distance: About 1.5 miles one-way to the top of Point 1881’. For the loop, the entire trip is about 6 miles.
Elevation: At Point 1881’, elevation gain is about 1200 ft. The elevation gain at the highest point of the loop is 2300 ft.
Recommended Season: Spring
Access:
–Take Highway 97A from Wenatchee towards Lake Chelan following the western side of the Columbia River
–About halfway between the edge of Wenatchee and the Rocky Reach Dam is a flat parking spot with no restrictions. In essence, you are parking at the foot of the eastern most slopes of Point 1881′.
Trip Instructions:
–Backtrack towards Wenatchee a few hundred yards and ascend the southeast slopes to the top.
–A fun variation which allows the hiker to make a loop trip ascends the southeast slopes of Point 2301′, then circles counterclockwise over the top of Point 2690′, then down/up to Point 1881′.
Additional Suggestions:
Carry the water you need. 3-4 hours would be enough time to hike the loop trip and enjoy the scenery. Occasional deer trails can be followed, but the way is essentially cross country on sage brush slopes. Expect marvelous views of the nearby Columbia River.
Land Designation: Private/Swakane State Wildlife Area
Fees/Permits: None required
Trip Reporter: Charlie Hickenbottom, Wenatchee, 3/26/06
Leave It Better Than You Found It. This should be every outdoor user’s goal. Pick up trash left by others, pull some noxious weeds along your route, throw branches over unwanted spur trails, don’t ride or walk wet trails when you’re leaving ruts/footprints deeper than ¼ inch…
Disclaimer. Treat this information as recommendations, not gospel. Conditions change, and those contributing these reports are volunteers–they may make mistakes or may not know all the issues affecting a route. You are still completely responsible for your decisions, your actions, and your safety. If you can’t live with that, you are prohibited from using our information.
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