Little Wenatchee River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Little Wenatchee River |
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Location of the mouth of the Little Wenatchee River in Washington
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| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Chelan |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Cascade Range Dishpan Gap, Wenatchee National Forest 5,580 m (18,310 ft) 47°58′19″N 121°08′45″W / 47.97194°N 121.14583°W |
| River mouth | Lake Wenatchee South of Telma 1,873 m (6,145 ft) 47°49′38″N 120°49′07″W / 47.82722°N 120.81861°W |
The Little Wenatchee River is a beautiful river in Washington. It's one of two rivers that flow into the west end of Lake Wenatchee. The other, bigger river is called the White River. Many of the names for places around the Little Wenatchee River, including the river's own name, were given by a person named Albert H. Sylvester.
The Little Wenatchee River starts at a place called Dishpan Gap. This gap is a low point between the river's beginning and another river, the North Fork Skykomish River. The Little Wenatchee River first flows southeast. Then it turns south until it meets Cady Creek. From there, it continues to flow southeast all the way to Lake Wenatchee.
Along its path, the river creates the Little Wenatchee Falls. Here, the water drops about 60 feet (18 m) down a series of rocky steps. It's like a natural staircase for the water!
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Fun Things to Do Along the River
The Little Wenatchee River area is a great place for outdoor adventures. You can explore trails and even find cool camping spots.
Hiking and Trails
A trail called the Little Wenatchee Trail follows the river for about 7.2 miles (11.6 km). This trail is a good way to see the river up close. It starts at the end of Little Wenatchee River Road. The trail then connects to the famous Pacific Crest Trail.
Another spot, the Little Wenatchee Ford Trailhead, lets you reach other trails. These include the Cady Creek Trail, Cady Ridge Trail, and Poe Mountain Trail. They offer different paths for hiking and exploring the area.
Camping Spots
There are a couple of campgrounds along the river where you can stay.
Soda Springs Campground
About 9 miles (14 km) from Lake Wenatchee, you'll find Soda Springs Campground. It has 5 campsites where you can pitch a tent. There's also a special toilet called a vault toilet. The coolest thing here is a natural soda spring. It bubbles up cool mineral water from underground! People aren't sure if the water is safe to drink, so it's best not to try.
Lake Creek Campground
Further upstream, about 11 miles (18 km) from Lake Wenatchee, is Lake Creek Campground. This campground has 7 sites. They are spread out under trees that offer some shade. There are two pit toilets, but no other fancy facilities. A short loop trail starts from the campground. It follows the river and leads you to two pretty pools. These pools are perfect for fishing or swimming when the weather is warm.
