by Rob Shurtleff
Patience – many of the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust’s (CDLT) accomplishments are fruits of this virtue. Nason Ridge, forming the forested southeastern slopes above Lake Wenatchee, exemplifies how patience resulted in a big conservation win for the region.
To explain, consider that CDLT and a number of Lake Wenatchee residents began discussions in 2000 with Longview Fibre, the owner of Nason Ridge at that time. The hope then was to minimize the impact of a proposed cut on the ridge’s steep slopes above a number of private residences and Lake Wenatchee State Park. Those discussions resulted in a more careful thinning of the 3700-acre property and top-lining logs taken from the steep slopes, which greatly reduced damage to the remaining trees and to the Nason Ridge Trail, which wanders upward through the property to the summit of peaks bordering the lake’s south shore.
From 2008 to 2015, CDLT was an important player (along with the Trust for Public Land, State Parks, and local citizens) in efforts to protect the property as it changed hands to Weyerhaeuser and was put on the auction blocks multiple times but failed to sell.
During the summer of 2017, residents adjacent to Nason Ridge found a row of blue flagging tape along the back of their property. Investigating what was afoot, they discovered Weyerhaeuser intended to clear-cut the slopes the community had worked to protect for the past 17 years, with cutting possibly beginning within one week. Local residents immediately organized a petition, distributed leaflets to campers visiting Lake Wenatchee State Park, looked into legal options, and researched less impactful solutions.
The petition gathered 4,500 signatures in three weeks and a subsequent fund-raising campaign led by CDLT and Lake Wenatchee residents raised $1.3 million in six months to save Nason Ridge. These funds were instrumental in tempting Weyerhaeuser to consider a sale of the property that served their interests as well as those of local residents and regional visitors.
Ultimately the petitions, fund-raising, and exploration of different options led to an interim partnership with Western Rivers Conservancy, which acquired the property on an interim basis until it was purchased by Chelan County in 2021 to become the county’s second community forest. Over the 20-year period of trying to protect Nason Ridge from being clear-cut, CDLT has been a consistent and pivotal player that sustained existing relationships, built new partnerships, and continued the civil discourse necessary to fulfill the community’s vision for these forests flanking Lake Wenatchee.
The scars on Nason Ridge from past cuttings are healing quickly. This community forest is being managed for fire protection, selective logging, habitat improvement along Nason Creek, and year-round recreation. Recreation options vary by season and include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, mountain biking, equestrian use, and dirt-bike riding (the Nason Ridge Trail has historically allowed motorized use). Chelan County continues to work with CDLT and adjoining property owners to improve the health and access to this 3700-acre gem, but it was the patience and persistence of the Land Trust and its partners that made all this possible.
Details: Nason Ridge in Winter
Come winter, Nason Ridge has both groomed Nordic skiing and snowshoeing trails to enjoy. Consider snowshoeing (or using metal-edged skis with climbing skins) to visit ‘Big Red’, a massive ponderosa pine that became the mascot for the Save Nason Ridge campaign. The route to Big Red provides excellent views across Lake Wenatchee to the imposing slopes of Dirtyface Peak.
Access. Winter access to the skiing and snowshoeing options at Nason Ridge leave from the Nason Ridge Sno-Park at the Kahler Glen Golf Course. From Coles Corner along Highway 2, follow Highway 207 and signs to Lake Wenatchee State Park. Turn left on Cedar Brae Road (the first turn for Lake Wenatchee State Park). In 0.35 miles, turn left again, staying on Cedar Brae Road rather than entering the state park. In another 0.3 miles, turn left on Kahler Drive and in a few hundred yards stay left at a fork, which puts you on Club House Drive. Continue 0.5 miles to the Sno-Park located on the left and across the street from the golf course’s barn and driving range. Note: Some signs seen along this route direct drivers to the summer parking lot (which is not plowed), so follow these instructions to access the winter parking.
Permits. Required for parking are either 1) a daily Sno-Park permit ($20/vehicle) and a Discover Pass or 2) a seasonal Special Groomed-Trail Sno-Park Permit. Daily passes are available a mile away at the kiosk inside the state park.
Trip Instructions. To reach Big Red from the Sno-Park, cross the street to the golf course and head to the ice rink behind the cart barn. Follow small blue signs marking the snowshoe route that heads west 0.5 miles to the large, round water tank located at the base of Nason Ridge. Note: If snowshoeing, stay to the side of ski tracks carved into the groomed trails. Snowshoe tracks over ski tracks makes for poor skiing and is considered poor etiquette.
At the water tank, look for strips of tape and/or trail markers for the trail heading up Nason Ridge proper. This trail (ungroomed) climbs steadily as it heads in a westerly direction. About half-mile up the trail, good views across the lake to nearby peaks are visible through the thinned forests. A mile up the trail Big Red provides a good turnaround destination.
Skiers using climbing skins might opt to continue 1.1 miles farther (and higher) until the trail intersects the groomed Upper Nason Loop Trail. Here the skins can be stripped and 7.2 miles of groomed skiing (primarily downhill) leads back to the start.
Trip Stats. The roundtrip to Big Red is 3 miles and climbs 700 vertical feet. The longer loop passing Big Red and returning via the groomed Nordic trails is 9.75 miles and climbs 1300 vertical feet.
More. For additional details and maps of Nason Ridge, see the ‘Skiing-Nordic’ guidebook at www.WenatcheeOutdoors.org
Rob Shurtleff is a Lake Wenatchee resident who has served on the board of the Washington Trails Association and helped lead the Nason Ridge campaign. He is currently a board member of CDLT, and was formerly board president.
