Timeline
14:19
Eat or drink something local on Icicle Creek Rd before heading out. The area is remote, so plan your fueling carefully.
14:49
Begin the hike along Icicle Creek Rd. The full trail is 18 miles with a steep 2000-foot climb at Aasgard Pass, so most visitors make an 8-mile loop. Ensure you have your overnight permits reserved in advance if you plan to stay.
15:49
Stop at a vantage point in the granite basin. The sun sets toward the WSW, casting golden light over the alpine lakes amidst the peaks of the Stuart Range.
16:34
Stay for the evening ambiance. Overnight stays are highly recommended to fully experience the basin, but remember that permits are highly competitive.
Local tip
The trail has a gruesome elevation gain of 2000 feet in less than a mile at Aasgard Pass. Start early and check the route if you are unfamiliar with the terrain.
Check before you go
- Overnight permits must be reserved in advance and are highly competitive.
- The full trail is 18 miles and 4500 feet; most make an 8-mile loop.
- Check the route for current conditions on Icicle Creek Rd.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Leavenworth (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).