Contact Info
24 West Chewuch
Winthrop, WA 98862
- Phone:
- 509-996-4003
Basics
- Length:
- 2.6 miles
- Difficulty:
- Difficult
- Season:
- Mid-July to September
Description
There are two ways to arrive at the beginning of this trail either from Foggy Dew Section I (5 miles) or Martin Creek (8.9 miles). The trail starts off through subalpine trees with no views. After the first couple hundred yards is another trail junction, to the right fork is the Foggy Dew Section II trail and the left fork is for the Navarre Way Trail. At about 0.3 mile the trail begins a steep, rocky ascent with numerous switchbacks. The upper end of the switchbacks returns to subalpine trees and shortly opens up into the meadows of Merchants Basin. At about 1 mile is the junction to Sunrise Lake Trail (left fork), the trail continues though open meadows, but you’ll have to watch for rock cairns that mark the way. At 2.5 miles is the junction with the unmaintained Cooney Lake Trail (right fork). The remaining 0.1 mile traverses a rocky slope to the main Sawtooth Ridge.
Merchants Basin puts on an excellent flower display in July. The switchback section of the trail provides views of the surrounding ridges and the Foggy Dew drainage. An outstanding view of the Entiat Mountains across Lake Chelan and the Cascades can be had from the pass at the end of the trail on Sawtooth Ridge, elevation 7400 feet.
Use caution when near Foggy Dew Falls.
No motorized vehicles.
Stock ramp, hitchrail, and pit toilets.
