Leavenworth is tucked against the eastern slopes of the spectacular northern Cascade Mountains in Washington. The location provides an excellent home base for all varieties of mountain adventures. There are family-friendly trails, day hikes, trail running, rock climbing, overnight backcountry camping adventures, mountain biking and during the winter, sledding hills and nearby ski areas. Some of our top mountain adventures in Leavenworth include:
State and National Park Trailheads
Our all-time favorite trail is the Snow Lakes Trailhead, the main trail heading south across Icicle Creek and up towards the Snow Lakes. Each year my two older kids (now 7 and 9) and I get up a little further along the trail. I’m hoping next year we actually make it all the way to the Snow Lakes!
There are a plethora of other fantastic trails leading up into the Enchantments and surrounding Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Anywhere you can find access to Icicle Creek is great, such as the Fourth of July Creek Trail. If you have younger kids or just looking for more of a beautiful walk, the Icicle Gorge Nature Loop or along the Wenatchee River the Tumwater Pipeline Trail are both highly recommended. Further afield, there’s also Lake Wenatchee State Park and Peshastin Pinnacles State Park.
Bouldering, Rock Climbing (and Ice Climbing!) along Icicle Creek
Up along Icicle Creek there’s a wide range of climbing options, from Barney’s Rubble (bouldering, beginner routes) to Icicle Buttress and more. Here’s a quote from someob at the local guide shop that offer daily rock climbing lessons and guided rock climbs near Leavenworth for all levels, The Northwest Mountain School:
“Leavenworth is Washington State’s premier rock climbing destination, neatly divided into 3 main areas: Icicle Creek Canyon, Tumwater Canyon, and the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. In addition to these three cragging areas, Leavenworth has developed into one of the best bouldering areas on the West Coast.”
Mission Ridge/Stevens Pass Ski Areas
No northwest mountain town would be complete without a nearby ski area, and Leavenworth is no different. For more vertical and a bit wetter snow, you can drive west along highway 20 and in less than an hour enjoy the slopes at Stevens Pass, or head east toward Wenatchee up to Mission Ridge Ski Area. Both are quality ski areas, with Mission Ridge being generally less crowded and little more family friendly.
Leavenworth Ski Hill
In addition to building snowmen and making snow angels, you can go the Leavenworth Ski Hill and go snow tubing, or skiing, or snowboarding, or fat fire biking! All of the equipment can be rented right there.