Little Wenatchee River

The Little Wenatchee River is the southern and smaller of the two rivers that flow into the west end of Lake Wenatchee. The northern and larger one is the White River. A large number of place names in the Little Wenatchee River basin, including the river's name itself, were given by Albert H. Sylvester.

Little Wenatchee River
Location of the mouth of the Little Wenatchee River in Washington Little Wenatchee River (the United States)
Etymology	Sahaptin word meaning "river issuing from a canyon"[1]
Location
Country	United States
State	Washington
County	Chelan
Physical characteristics
Source	Cascade Range
• location	Dishpan Gap, Wenatchee National Forest
• coordinates	47°58′19″N 121°08′45″W[2]
• elevation	5,580 m (18,310 ft)[3]
Mouth	Lake Wenatchee[2]
• location	South of Telma
• coordinates	47°49′38″N 120°49′07″W[4]
• elevation	1,873 m (6,145 ft)[2]

The Little Wenatchee River begins at Dishpan Gap, a pass between the headwaters of the Little Wenatchee River and North Fork Skykomish River. The river flows southeast for a bit before turning south until its confluence with Cady Creek. From there it continues to flow southeast all the way to Lake Wenatchee.

At Little Wenatchee Falls, the river drops about 60 feet (18 m) in a series of cascades.[5]

Recreation

For part of its 7.2-mile (11.6 km) length, the Little Wentatchee Trail follows the river. The trail runs from a trailhead at the end Little Wenatchee River Road to the Pacific Crest Trail.[6] The Little Wenatchee Ford Trailhead also provides access to Cady Creek Trail, Cady Ridge Trail, and Poe Mountain Trail.[7]

Soda Springs Campground, 9 miles (14 km) from Lake Wenatchee, has 5 campsites and a vault toilet. There is a natural soda spring here that bubbles cool mineral water up from underground. It is not entirely clear if the water is safe for consumption.[8] Lake Creek Campground is along the Little Wenatchee 11 miles (18 km) upstream of Lake Wenatchee. The campground consists of 7 sites spread under an open but shady section of forest a short walk from the river. There are 2 pit toilets but no other amenities. A short loop trail leaves from the campground and follows the river for a ways leading you past two beautiful pools for fishing or swimming in hot weather.[9]

See also

• List of Washington rivers
• List of tributaries of the Columbia River

References

1. Bright, William (2004). Native American Placenames of the United States. Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press. p. 561. ISBN 0-8061-3576-X.
2. "Little Wenatchee River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. September 10, 1979. Retrieved February 6, 2013.
3. Source elevation derived from Google Earth search using GNIS source coordinates.
4. "Fanno Creek". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. November 28, 1980. Retrieved July 20, 2010.
5. "Little Wenatchee Falls". Northwest Waterfall Survey. Retrieved February 6, 2013.
6. "Little Wenatchee Trail #1525". United States Forest Service. Retrieved February 6, 2013.
7. "Little Wenatchee Ford Trailhead". United States Forest Service. Retrieved February 6, 2013.
8. "Soda Springs Campground". United States Forest Service. Retrieved February 6, 2013.
9. "Lake Creek Campground – Little Wenatchee River". United States Forest Service. Retrieved February 6, 2013.