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Area 3 - The Apline Lakes
Pete Lake Trail #1323
Length: 6.4 Miles
Gain: 300’
High: 3200’
Low: 2900’
Recommended Seasons: Summer and Fall
Open to: Hikers, Horseback, Mountain Bike (MTB for
first two miles ONLY).
Access: Take I-90 Exit #80, go through Roslyn on
Highway 903 to Lake Cle Elum, along Lake Cle
Elum to FS Road 46, then westerly on 46. Take the
right turn to Cooper Lake and then follow FS Road
4600-113 to the Pete Lake trailhead above Cooper
Lake.
Setting: River valley, creek, mountain lake,
meadows, old-growth forest.
Parking and Facilities: This trailhead has parking
for numerous vehicles, loading ramp for stock, and
toilets. Camping sites are available nearby on
Cooper Lake at OWHI walk-in campground or
Cayuse Horse Camp a Salmon La Sac. There is
no water at the trailhead.
Trail: It is 4 miles to Pete Lake itself, and the trail
has a gentle grade for most of its length, with
occasional steep stretches. For the first 2.5 miles,
it heads up the valley floor through old-growth
forest, sometimes crossing small creeks.
Mountain bikes are prohibited beyond the
wilderness boundary at the 2.5 mile point. The trail
intersects Tired Creek 1317 at 1.25 miles and then
Road Tie #1323.1. The latter trail zigzags uphill for
0.5 mile to FS Road 4616 and forms part of a loop
route for mountain bikes, (which are prohibited
beyond the nearby wilderness boundary and in 2
miles comes to Pete Lake and the junction with
Waptus Pass 1329. The trail goes around the north
shore of the lake and heads uphill through bluffs
and forest for 1.3 miles to a junction with Lemah
Meadow 1323.2 which takes off to the right (north)
and uphill for about 1 mile to Lemah Meadows and
a junction with the Pacific Crest Trail 2000.6. The
main trail heads south, crossing Lemah Creek ford,
and winds uphill through forest and small hills for
0.75 mile to its junction with Pacific Crest Trail.
Length: 6.4 Miles
Gain: 300’
High: 3200’
Low: 2900’
Recommended Seasons: Summer and Fall
Open to: Hikers, Horseback, Mountain Bike (MTB for
first two miles ONLY).
Access: Take I-90 Exit #80, go through Roslyn on
Highway 903 to Lake Cle Elum, along Lake Cle
Elum to FS Road 46, then westerly on 46. Take the
right turn to Cooper Lake and then follow FS Road
4600-113 to the Pete Lake trailhead above Cooper
Lake.
Setting: River valley, creek, mountain lake,
meadows, old-growth forest.
Parking and Facilities: This trailhead has parking
for numerous vehicles, loading ramp for stock, and
toilets. Camping sites are available nearby on
Cooper Lake at OWHI walk-in campground or
Cayuse Horse Camp a Salmon La Sac. There is
no water at the trailhead.
Trail: It is 4 miles to Pete Lake itself, and the trail
has a gentle grade for most of its length, with
occasional steep stretches. For the first 2.5 miles,
it heads up the valley floor through old-growth
forest, sometimes crossing small creeks.
Mountain bikes are prohibited beyond the
wilderness boundary at the 2.5 mile point. The trail
intersects Tired Creek 1317 at 1.25 miles and then
Road Tie #1323.1. The latter trail zigzags uphill for
0.5 mile to FS Road 4616 and forms part of a loop
route for mountain bikes, (which are prohibited
beyond the nearby wilderness boundary and in 2
miles comes to Pete Lake and the junction with
Waptus Pass 1329. The trail goes around the north
shore of the lake and heads uphill through bluffs
and forest for 1.3 miles to a junction with Lemah
Meadow 1323.2 which takes off to the right (north)
and uphill for about 1 mile to Lemah Meadows and
a junction with the Pacific Crest Trail 2000.6. The
main trail heads south, crossing Lemah Creek ford,
and winds uphill through forest and small hills for
0.75 mile to its junction with Pacific Crest Trail.
Davis Peak Trail #1324
Length: 5.9 Miles
Gain: 3950’
High: 6500’
Low: 2550’
Recommended Seasons: Summer and Fall
Open to: Hikers, Horseback
Access: Take I-90 Exit 80, and travel north through
Roslyn, onto Highway 903 north to Lake Cle Elum,
north along the lake to end of county road at
Salmon la Sac, then north on Forest Road 4330 for
two miles to the trailhead on the left.
Setting: Large old-growth trees, open hillsides,
ridgetops, mountaintop, cliffs, river, subalpine zone,
meadows, brushy area.
Parking and Facilities: This trailhead also serves
Paris Creek Trail #1391.1. There is parking for 10+
vehicles and a stock ramp. No toilets. Another lot
for 1324 exists about 0.25 mile down the short spur
road toward the river.
Trail: Davis Peak Trail descends to a bridge
crossing the Cle Elum River and then begins a
steady ascent with one small descent near the top
of Davis Peak. The trail has over 90 switchbacks.
At Davis Peak the trail changes to a hiker-only
primitive trail that leads to a overlook of Terence
Lake. This hiker portion of the trail was used by te
lookout person to check for fires in the Waptus
drainage. The trail is in good condition, but it a very
steady uphill pull.
Length: 5.9 Miles
Gain: 3950’
High: 6500’
Low: 2550’
Recommended Seasons: Summer and Fall
Open to: Hikers, Horseback
Access: Take I-90 Exit 80, and travel north through
Roslyn, onto Highway 903 north to Lake Cle Elum,
north along the lake to end of county road at
Salmon la Sac, then north on Forest Road 4330 for
two miles to the trailhead on the left.
Setting: Large old-growth trees, open hillsides,
ridgetops, mountaintop, cliffs, river, subalpine zone,
meadows, brushy area.
Parking and Facilities: This trailhead also serves
Paris Creek Trail #1391.1. There is parking for 10+
vehicles and a stock ramp. No toilets. Another lot
for 1324 exists about 0.25 mile down the short spur
road toward the river.
Trail: Davis Peak Trail descends to a bridge
crossing the Cle Elum River and then begins a
steady ascent with one small descent near the top
of Davis Peak. The trail has over 90 switchbacks.
At Davis Peak the trail changes to a hiker-only
primitive trail that leads to a overlook of Terence
Lake. This hiker portion of the trail was used by te
lookout person to check for fires in the Waptus
drainage. The trail is in good condition, but it a very
steady uphill pull.
Waptus Pass Trail #1329
Length: 6 Miles
Gain: 1320’
High: 4320’
Low: 3000’
Recommended Seasons: Summer and Fall
Open to: Hikers, Horseback
Access: This trail has no trailhead. It can be
accessed from these four trails: Pete Lake 1309,
Waptus River 1310, Polallie Ridge 1309, Waptus
Burn 1329.2.
Setting: River, creek, meadows, old-growth forest.
Trail: The easiest access to this trail is from its
junction with Pete Lake Trail 1323. From this point,
the trail runs through a flat area covered with old-
growth forest before heading uphill towards the
pass. After 0.75 mile of switchbacks, the trail hits
gentler terrain and runs uphill along the
mountainside through smaller trees. It crosses
Escondido Creek just before its junction with the
Escondido Lake Trail #1320 at approximately the 2
mile point. From there, the trail continues up
through more scattered trees and meadows for 0.5
mile to the junction with the Waptus Burn Trail
#1329.3. The trail flattens out and enters large,
grassy meadows and trees before starting the
descent towards Waptus Lake. At about the 3.5
mile point, the trail begins a series of switchbacks
down the steep mountainside for almost a mile. At
the bottom the trail winds through old-growth forest
to its junction with the Quick Creek Camp Trail
#1329.2. This trail is a short (0.25 mile) access
trail to several campsites along the Waptus
lakeshore. The main trail continues along the
south bank of Waptus River to a junction with the
Waptus Horse Ford Trail 1329.1. This is another
access trail that uses the old ford across the
Waptus River and goes about 0.5 mile to a junction
with Waptus River Trail 1310 near Waptus Lake.
The main trail goes another 0.1 mile to its end at
the junction with Waptus River Trail 1310. Water is
available at two creeks near the Escondido junction
and at creeks near the summit.
Length: 6 Miles
Gain: 1320’
High: 4320’
Low: 3000’
Recommended Seasons: Summer and Fall
Open to: Hikers, Horseback
Access: This trail has no trailhead. It can be
accessed from these four trails: Pete Lake 1309,
Waptus River 1310, Polallie Ridge 1309, Waptus
Burn 1329.2.
Setting: River, creek, meadows, old-growth forest.
Trail: The easiest access to this trail is from its
junction with Pete Lake Trail 1323. From this point,
the trail runs through a flat area covered with old-
growth forest before heading uphill towards the
pass. After 0.75 mile of switchbacks, the trail hits
gentler terrain and runs uphill along the
mountainside through smaller trees. It crosses
Escondido Creek just before its junction with the
Escondido Lake Trail #1320 at approximately the 2
mile point. From there, the trail continues up
through more scattered trees and meadows for 0.5
mile to the junction with the Waptus Burn Trail
#1329.3. The trail flattens out and enters large,
grassy meadows and trees before starting the
descent towards Waptus Lake. At about the 3.5
mile point, the trail begins a series of switchbacks
down the steep mountainside for almost a mile. At
the bottom the trail winds through old-growth forest
to its junction with the Quick Creek Camp Trail
#1329.2. This trail is a short (0.25 mile) access
trail to several campsites along the Waptus
lakeshore. The main trail continues along the
south bank of Waptus River to a junction with the
Waptus Horse Ford Trail 1329.1. This is another
access trail that uses the old ford across the
Waptus River and goes about 0.5 mile to a junction
with Waptus River Trail 1310 near Waptus Lake.
The main trail goes another 0.1 mile to its end at
the junction with Waptus River Trail 1310. Water is
available at two creeks near the Escondido junction
and at creeks near the summit.
North Scatter Creek Trail #1328.1
Length: 2.9 Miles
Gain: 3100’
High: 6400’
Low: 3300’
Recommended Seasons: Summer and Fall
Open to: Hikers
Access: Take I-90 Exit 80, and travel north through
Roslyn, onto Highway 903 north to Lake Cle Elum,
north along the lake to end of county road at
Salmon la Sac, then north on Forest Road 4330 for
9 miles to the trailhead.
Setting: Valley bottom, stream, ridgetop, large old-
growth trees, open hillsides, meadows, subalpine
zone.
Parking and Facilities: parking is on the edge of the
road, in Scatter Creek camp or in a small parking
area located on a short spur road to the right, a
short distance beyond the Scatter Creek 1328
trailhead. There is adequate parking for 10+
vehicles and a toilet nearby.
Trail: This steep trail had been abandoned for many
years and was put back on the trail system in 1988
and logged out in 1992. It is difficult to find in some
places, and is recommended only for hikers
seeking a little more challenge in orienteering and
solitude. The trail begins at Road 4330, following a
high stream bank on the north side of Scatter
Creek. After passing through a partially logged
area, it is easy to find due to old blazes and a
narrow tread. It climbs steeply with numerous short
switchbacks, turning away from the creek and
climbing into a small high basin 0.5 mile before
ending at the divide with Chelan County and
Meadow Creek. There is a small stream in this
basin. In open areas such as meadows, the trail is
hard to find because the tread is faint. The trail was
partially blazed in 1989 and 1992.
Length: 2.9 Miles
Gain: 3100’
High: 6400’
Low: 3300’
Recommended Seasons: Summer and Fall
Open to: Hikers
Access: Take I-90 Exit 80, and travel north through
Roslyn, onto Highway 903 north to Lake Cle Elum,
north along the lake to end of county road at
Salmon la Sac, then north on Forest Road 4330 for
9 miles to the trailhead.
Setting: Valley bottom, stream, ridgetop, large old-
growth trees, open hillsides, meadows, subalpine
zone.
Parking and Facilities: parking is on the edge of the
road, in Scatter Creek camp or in a small parking
area located on a short spur road to the right, a
short distance beyond the Scatter Creek 1328
trailhead. There is adequate parking for 10+
vehicles and a toilet nearby.
Trail: This steep trail had been abandoned for many
years and was put back on the trail system in 1988
and logged out in 1992. It is difficult to find in some
places, and is recommended only for hikers
seeking a little more challenge in orienteering and
solitude. The trail begins at Road 4330, following a
high stream bank on the north side of Scatter
Creek. After passing through a partially logged
area, it is easy to find due to old blazes and a
narrow tread. It climbs steeply with numerous short
switchbacks, turning away from the creek and
climbing into a small high basin 0.5 mile before
ending at the divide with Chelan County and
Meadow Creek. There is a small stream in this
basin. In open areas such as meadows, the trail is
hard to find because the tread is faint. The trail was
partially blazed in 1989 and 1992.
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