Snow Lake
1 week ago
Early fall color appearing on shrubs
16 this month · 213 reports
Kachess Ridge / Kachess Beacon
Snoqualmie Region
updated 1 month ago
The Kachess Ridge Trail was reported as being in good condition on August 7, with no bugs and no snow. The road to the trailhead was suitable for all vehicles on that date, and parking was not an issue as only one car was present. However, the trail is within an area impacted by the Three Queens Fire, and a closure order was in effect for many trails on the Cle Elum Ranger District and within the Alpine Wilderness, though the specific status of the Kachess Ridge Trail itself regarding this closure was not detailed in the provided reports. Smoke from the fire was present in the air, particularly noticeable when ascending towards Hard Cheese, prompting the use of a mask by one reporter on August 7. Water levels in Silver Creek and its tributaries were noted as being low on August 7.
Generated from 23 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
What hikers ask about Kachess Ridge / Kachess Beacon
Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 1 month ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.
No trip reports on this trail in 1 month, so everything below is at least that old.
The provided reports mention a closure order for many trails in the Alpine Wilderness due to the Three Queens Fire as of August 11. However, the specific status of the Kachess Ridge Trail within this closure is not detailed in the reports, nor is there information on whether the fire has been contained or the closures lifted.
One report from August 7 noted the presence of smoke from the Three Queens Fire, particularly when ascending towards Hard Cheese, and observed large plumes of smoke rising from a flare-up. The reporter wore an N95 mask due to the smoke on that date.
The trail was described as being in good condition on August 7, with no bugs and no snow reported. However, one report from August 11 states that many trails on the Cle Elum Ranger District are difficult or impossible to navigate due to fire impacts, though it does not specifically name the Kachess Ridge Trail as such.
As of August 7, Silver Creek and some of its tributaries were reported to have running water, but they were all quite low. There is no more recent information available on water conditions.
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Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Sources
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
Due to Three Queens Fire, many trails on the Cle Elum Ranger district and within the Alpine Wilderness are closed.Closure Order 06-17-03-2026-32Thank you for understanding, stay safe!
Older1 month ago
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
Long hike up the Kachess Ridge Trail up to a couple of miles short of Thorp Lookout to Hard Knox and Not Knox Peaks to get a better look at the Three Queens Fire. I got started at 11:05 am at the Kach...
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
Started up Rd 4308-132 and French Cabin Creek Trail to the junction with the Kachess Ridge Trail, which we followed south to the saddle between French Tongue and French Chin.Road Conditions.There was ...
Older3 months ago
Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway
Glen99 and I got up to the summit of French Cabin Mountain-West Peak this morning via the Kachess Beacon/Kachess Ridge and Silver Creek Tie trails. We thought by heading east we would miss the incleme...
Older4 months ago
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
This was the second hike of the season with the Ellensburg Trails Club (check out our group page here!), and it was beautiful. Ended up being an all-day 13.5 miles, with 4000 ft. of elevation gain and...
Older4 months ago
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
Beautiful day for the Kachess Beacon loop ( did clockwise ).Compared toWandering Washington's May 7th TR, snow is pretty much all gone except two tiny patches. Half dozen cars on a sunny Thursday. Sa...
Older4 months ago
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
Great day to be out for some winter hiking! Rain, snow, hail, sun, it was all there.Route: Starting at the Kachess Ridge Trailhead off I-90, I hiked a counterclockwise loop, first up Easton Ridge Trai...
Older4 months ago
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
I arrived at the trailhead at 6:30. I was the first car in the lot. The road has been improved a bit since I was here last year, that giant pothole is gone, but there are still quite a few large rocks...
Older4 months ago
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
For the "main'' trail to the Kachess Ridge beacon site, there is still considerable snow for perhaps a mile along the Silver Creek section and up the side trail to the beacon. It's not too deep but st...
Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass
Trailhead parking was full when I started hiking at noon, but I only saw 3 hikers on the Beacon trail, as most of the other hikers must have gone up Baldy or Easton Ridge. The trail up to the cutoff f...