Recreation Region: Wenatchee River Ranger District

Eightmile Trailhead

This popular trailhead enters the Alpine Lakes Wilderness via the Eightmile Lake Trail #1552 which follows the Eightmile Creek drainage until Eightmile Lake.

At Little Eightmile Lake, the trail branches right to the Eightmile-Trout Creek Trail #1554. This trail is a little rougher (vegetation and downed trees) but provides access to Lake Caroline or even up to Cashmere Mountain at 8,500'.

This trailhead accesses a permitted area. To camp at Eightmile Lake, Caroline, or in this general vicinity, visitors must obtain an overnight permit.

Dogs are not allowed in the Enchantment Permit Area.

Active Alerts

Icicle Road Camping Restriction on the Wenatchee River Ranger District

Reservations

If headed into the Enchantment Permit area for overnight use, make your request at recreation.gov

General Information

Overnight Use: Paid permits are required for camping from May 15 – October 31 and must be obtained in advance.
Day Use: To enter for the day, visitors need to fill out a free permit at the trailhead.
Wilderness regulations apply within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.
Alpine Lakes Wilderness Regulations Booklet (pdf file)

Restrictions:

No motorized vehicles, no bicycles, no aircrafts
No drones
No campfires
No dogs: dogs are prohibited between trailhead on FR 7601 and Windy Pass. This includes the Eightmile Lake and Caroline Lake area and within the Enchantment Permit Area
No groups larger than 8 total

Day Use:
$5 per vehicle per day
$30 per annual

Payment options: Recreation Pass or Scan & Pay*

*Suggestion: Download the recreation.gov app before your trip to have the ability to Scan & Pay on-site, even without service.

Recreation passes honored: Digital Day Pass, Northwest Forest Pass, and Interagency Recreation Passes.

Dogs whose sole purpose is to provide therapy, comfort, emotional support or crime deterrent do NOT qualify under the regulation and are NOT ALLOWED.

Contact Name: Wenatchee River Ranger District

Contact Phone: (509) 548-2550

Getting There

Latitude / Longitude

Latitude: 47.53601

Longitude: -120.81401

Elevation

3,300 feet

Directions

From Leavenworth, turn onto Icicle Road (becomes Forest Road 7600) and drive for about 8 miles. You'll pass Eightmile Campground and keep driving straight on Icicle Road for about another mile. Near the Bridge Creek Campground, turn left onto Forest Road 7601 and follow it for about 3 miles to the trailhead.

Note: this same road keeps going for another mile to reach the popular Colchuck/Stuart Lake Trailhead.

Travel Considerations

Rough Road: The road is steep and becomes washboarded as the season progresses, so high clearance vehicles are recommended. Please engage 4x4, if possible.

Winter Road Closure: The 7601 road that accesses Eightmile and Stuart Lake Trailhead is closed to vehicles every winter to protect the roadbed from damage and prevent hazardous travel.

Parking

This is a heavily trafficked trailhead and be aware that parking is limited. DO NOT park where signs say it's not allowed, or visitor will be fined. This forest order prohibits parking in marked areas.