Great views are worth a little snow going

Hikers who don't mind stomping through a little bit of snow can get rewarding views on the Kachess Ridge Trail near Easton. If you've eaten too much Halloween candy, the route -- sometimes called the Silver Creek Trail -- also provides a good workout.

As conditions change, hikers may need to carry snowshoes, but the trail still was passable on Saturday. Though there was only a dusting of snow at higher elevations, expect wintry conditions and be prepared with plenty of extra clothing. It was very cold, with snow in the forecast, so we started out with hats, gloves and an extra layer under our parkas.

The trail begins at an elevation of 2,400 feet, and when snow begins to accumulate, you may need to snowshoe or ski the 1.5-mile access road to the trailhead.

The trail gets down to business immediately, climbing through forest with occasional views of Easton Ridge from the ends of switchbacks. The fall color is fading quickly and leaves are falling; there was not much color to be seen along the trail. The trail also appears to be getting quite a bit of use by mountain bikers -- they are permitted, though we didn't see any.

The trail was in good condition, though the surface was frozen in spots. Other sections sparkled with hoar frost where the soil was a little softer and crunched under our boots.

Before the trail levels off, you may spot an unmarked side trail -- blocked by branches -- at the end of a switchback. We were tempted to explore but didn't follow the spur, and we recommend that you don't either, unless you are experienced with navigation and route finding. Instead, we followed the main trail as it continued its climb to a hanging basin at the top of Silver Creek Gorge.

Here the trail levels off near the creek and you can look through the trees for a view of a waterfall that is not easily seen from the trail. On this cold day, icicles had formed along the creek encasing the rocks and branches in crystal.

After stopping for photography, we continued on the trail as it leveled out, paralleling the creek for about a half-mile through very dense forest. At two miles from the trailhead, we came to the junction for the Kachess Beacon Trail. It is about 1,600 feet of elevation gain to that point. The Green Trails map indicates that this junction is difficult to find -- but it isn't. It is very well marked. Up to that point the Kachess Ridge Trail is in good condition, but the Kachess Beacon Trail No. 1315.3 is another story.

The 3/4-mile Kachess Beacon Trail is hiker-only, and mountain bikers would find it impossible anyway as several large trees have fallen across the route. Other "delights" also await hikers. In addition to the blow-downs, there are patches of ice that we crossed very cautiously, with nothing to grab onto except the spiky devil's club.

Fortunately that stretch was short and once past the devil's club "skating rink," the trail was easier to navigate as it climbed through the forest, breaking out into the open on the ridge just below the Kachess Beacon, at 4,600 feet. That was our high point for the day.

Other high points along the ridge may beckon -- use your discretion. This is a good turnaround point this time of year.

The beacon tower is left from the time when an airway over the mountains was lighted at night by a series of beacons near Snoqualmie Pass. Other sites for the beacons were on Mount Catherine, McClellan Butte, Rattlesnake Mountain and West Tiger. A search on the Internet may produce more historical information on the beacons.

From the ridge there are views to the south -- Lake Kachess, Interstate 90 and some of the Snoqualmie Pass peaks. On a clear day, Mount Rainier probably can be seen.

On this day, the skies were overcast and Kachess Lake looked cold and metallic in the gloom. After a hasty lunch, we retraced our route and found the descent a bit easier as we knew what to expect. We were soon at the car and saw no other hikers on the trail.

The Kachess Ridge Trail is about 13 miles in length and ends on No-Name Ridge. That end is accessed from Salmon La Sac via logging roads. There are several points of interest along this route, including the Thorp Mountain lookout. The lookout can be accessed from the Knox Creek trailhead, also in Salmon La Sac. However, getting to those trailheads involves a long drive, and snow is beginning to fall, so we strongly recommend that you call the Cle Elum Ranger District before setting out for Salmon La Sac.

If you go

* Getting there -- From the west, take Interstate 90 over Snoqualmie Pass and get off at Exit 70. Turn left over the interstate, then left onto the frontage road and continue a short distance to Forest Service Road No. 4818 and a big sign for Kachess Ridge and Easton Ridge. Turn right onto Road 4818 and drive about a mile, turning right again at the next road junction with another trail sign. From the second sign, it is another half-mile to the trailhead, elevation 2,400 feet. This is a gravel road, but it is in good condition. This is also the trailhead to Easton Ridge, which has been described in a previous column. There's room for about five vehicles at the trailhead; no facilities.

* Trail data -- From the trailhead to the beacon, it is about 5.5 miles round trip with an elevation gain of about 2,400 feet.

* Information -- The map is Green Trails No. 208 Kachess Lake. For information on road and trail conditions, call the Cle Elum Ranger District at 509-674-4411. A Northwest Forest Pass is required.

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