Leavenworth-Icicle River

ATTRACTIONS: A groomed trail system for skate skiers, classic skiing, and snowshoeing. The trails around Leavenworth’s National fish hatchery here are flat and well suited to both beginners or competitive snow lovers out for a work out. The views of the surrounding ridges of the Icicle River Valley are beautiful and, after fresh snow or a heavy frost, the area can be drop dead gorgeous.

CONS: Using these trails is not a remote experience. They are well used and just on the outskirts of the town of Leavenworth. Locals, in fact, will find it hard to get around the trails without bumping into folks they know–great if you are a social butterfly, not so great if you’re trying to maximize the cardio-vascular workout.

SKILL. 1 (beginner)

FITNESS. 1 (easy)

LENGTH. There’s 8 kilometers (5 miles) of trail around the Fish Hatchery. Strong skiers and snowshoers will make multiple laps of the loops.

ELEVATION GAIN. Negligible. The trails are mainly flat though there are some little climbs and descents.

ACCESS.

—From the east: follow US Highway 2 east to the eastern edge of Leavenworth and turn left on East Leavenworth Road. Drive several miles and at the T intersection with Icicle River Road turn left. Iin under half a mile (just at the point where the road hooks hard to the right to head up Icicle Canyon) go straight, following signs to Sleeping Lady. In about 75 yards take the first left into the parking lot for the Icicle River Trail. The trail begins right beside the ticket booth.

—From the west: follow US Highway 2 west to the western edge of Leavenworth and right onto the Icicle Road, following signs toward the National Fish Hatchery. Drive about 2.4 miles and at the po

Dahlia Shaffer taking a ride with her momma on a ski outing.

MANAGEMENT and RATES. These trails are groomed and maintained by the Leavenworth Winter Sports Club (LWSC) a local non-profit. Individual seasons passes and family seasons passes are very inexpensive. Day rates in 2015 were $18/day for adults and $14/day for 6-17 year olds. Details about different rates and passes  are available at the LWSC website.

MAP: Print this schematic map of the trails located below.

INFORMATION: For more about the trail, the condition of the grooming, or the Leavenworth Winter Sports Club, visit the LWSC website

Leave It Better Than You found It. This should be every user’s goal. Pick up trash left by others, pull noxious weeds along your route, disperse old fire rings, throw branches over unwanted spur trails…

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.