Cle Elum River Road
Cascade backcountry gateway to forgotten lakes
This forest service road cuts 20 miles into the Wenatchee National Forest, crossing the Cle Elum River multiple times before dead-ending at Scatter Creek. You’ll pass Tommy Thompson Trail and several primitive camping spots along Fish Lake before the road deteriorates into rocky technical sections near Hyas Lake. The final miles require careful navigation around washouts and fallen timber.
Stock high-clearance vehicles can handle most of the route, but the last 5 miles demand skid plates and aggressive tread. Best tackled July through September when snow clears the higher elevations. No permits needed, but pack everything out. This route rewards with pristine alpine fishing, old-growth stands that survived the logging era, and solitude that’s increasingly rare in the crowded Cascades.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance |
| Surface | Gravel |
| Features | Camping, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 20 mi / 32.2 km |
| Duration | Half day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 4200 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Cle Elum, Washington |
| Land manager | Wenatchee National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
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