Icicle Creek

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Icicle Creek
Icicle Creek Rapids.jpg
Rapids on Icicle Creek
USA Washington relief location map.jpg
Red pog.svg
Location of the mouth of Icicle Creek in Washington
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Red pog.svg
Icicle Creek (the United States)
Native namena-sik-elt (Columbia-Wenatchi), meaning narrow canyon.
Location
Country United States
State Washington
County Chelan
Physical characteristics
Source Cascade Range
  coordinates 47°43′7″N121°3′3″W / 47.71861°N 121.05083°W / 47.71861; -121.05083 [1]
  elevation4,681 ft (1,427 m) [2]
Mouth Wenatchee River
  coordinates
47°34′48″N120°39′57″W / 47.58000°N 120.66583°W / 47.58000; -120.66583 Coordinates: 47°34′48″N120°39′57″W / 47.58000°N 120.66583°W / 47.58000; -120.66583 [1]
Length31.8 mi (51.2 km) [3]
Basin size212.7 sq mi (551 km2) [4]
Discharge 
  location river mile 5.8 [5]
  average614 cu ft/s (17.4 m3/s) [5]
  minimum44 cu ft/s (1.2 m3/s)
  maximum19,800 cu ft/s (560 m3/s)

Icicle Creek is a non navigable stream in the U.S. state of Washington. It originates at Josephine Lake near the crest of the Cascade Range and flows generally east to join the Wenatchee River near Leavenworth. Icicle Creek's drainage basin is mountainous and mostly undeveloped land within the Wenatchee National Forest and the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. The final 6 miles (10 km) of the creek are moderately developed with scattered homes and pasture, a golf course, children's camp, a small housing development called Icicle Island Club, and the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery. Some water is diverted from the creek for municipal use by the City of Leavenworth at Icicle Creek river mile 5.6. [3] Near Leavenworth, the wheelchair-accessible Icicle Creek Nature Trail, a National Recreation Trail designated in 2005, runs 1.0 mile (1.6 km) along a historic creek channel. [6]

Contents

Icicle Creek's name comes from the Indian word na-sik-elt, meaning narrow canyon. According to Albert H. Sylvester, topographer and Forest Service surveyor for many years, "Place the letter n at the beginning of icicle and the letter t at its end, and you practically have the Indian word." [7] Original patents was Northern pacific railroad patent number #32 Joseph Scott patent number #907 George Briskey patent number #516

Course

Icicle Creek begins as the outlet of Josephine Lake, less than a mile from the crest of the Cascade Range and the headwaters of Tunnel Creek, a tributary of the west-flowing Skykomish River. Stevens Pass is a few miles north of the lake. The Pacific Crest Trail passes along the lake's western side. Josephine Lake's altitude is 4,681 feet (1,427 m). [2] Icicle Creek flows south from the lake through a deep and narrow valley. After a few miles it turns southeast and its valley takes on a classic glacier-carved U-shape. Icicle Creek begins to turn more directly south near river mile 22, just after Spanish Camp Creek joins from the northeast. Spanish Camp Creek and its headwater tributaries drain the high alpine western side of Icicle Ridge from Grindstone Mountain to Cape Horn and Ladies Pass.

Shortly below the Spanish Camp Creek confluence Icicle Creek is joined by French Creek from the west. French Creek is one of the main tributaries of Icicle Creek. It flows for miles through a deep U-shaped valley. Its many tributaries drain a number peaks and ridges along the crest of the Wenatchee Mountains, including Granite Mountain, The Cradle, and Highchair Mountain. Near the end of French Creek's valley is Paddy-Go-Easy Pass, which leads to the Cle Elum River valley. Below the French Creek confluence Icicle Creek leaves the Alpine Lake Wilderness and is soon after joined from the south by Black Pine Creek, which enters Icicle Creek river mile 20. Black Pine Campground is located near the confluence. Boggy Creek joins from the north near the Rock Island Campground. About a mile below that Icicle Creek is joined from the south by Jack Creek, another major tributary. Like French Creek, Jack Creek flows through a long, deep U-shaped valley, draining a portion of the crest of the Wenatchee Mountains. Jack Creek originates in several headwater streams draining a high alpine region near Stuart Pass, Ingalls Peak, and Mount Stuart.

Icicle Creek passes between the north ridge of Cashmere Mountain (left) and Icicle Ridge (right) in this view east from Fourth of July Creek Icicle Creek 5773.JPG
Icicle Creek passes between the north ridge of Cashmere Mountain (left) and Icicle Ridge (right) in this view east from Fourth of July Creek

Below Jack Creek Icicle Creek is joined from the north by Chatter Creek. Chatter Creek Campground is located on the north side of Icicle Creek near the mouth of Chatter Creek. Several tributaries join below Chatter Creek, such as Hoxsey, Bob, Doctor, Ida, Big Slide, Jay, Johnny, and Victoria creeks. Eponymous campgrounds are located at the Ida and Johnny Creek confluences. A number of small streams join below Victoria Creek, such as Fourth of July Creek. Bridge Creek joins from the north at Bridge Creek Campground.

At river mile 8 Icicle Creek is joined by Eightmile Creek, a larger tributary. Eightmile Creek and its tributaries Mountaineer Creek and Pioneer Creek drain a large area to the southwest, reaching to the crest of the Wenatchee Mountains. There are a number of lakes in the Eightmile Creek basin, including Eightmile Lake, Lake Caroline, Colchuck Lake, Lake Stuart, Jack Lake, and Horseshoe Lake. Major mountains drained include Mount Stuart, Sherpa Peak, Argonaut Peak, Colchuck Peak, and Dragontail Peak. These peaks are among the highest in the Wenatchee Mountains. Mount Stuart is the second-highest non-volcanic peak in Washington. These high mountains are known as the Stuart Range. The range contains a number of glaciers, notably Colchuck Glacier, Sherpa Glacier, and Stuart Glacier. Eightmile Campground is located on Icicle Creek just below the mouth of Eightmile Creek.

Below Eightmile Creek Icicle Creek is joined from the south by Rat Creek, which flows from Coney Lake on the northern slopes of Cannon Mountain, Enchantment Peaks, Prusik Peak, and Shield Lake on the northern skirt of The Temple. There are numerous mountain lakes in this region. Just above river mile 5 Icicle Creek is joined from the south by Snow Creek, a notable tributary. Snow Creek flows from the heart of The Enchantments region of high alpine lakes between Enchantment Peaks and the Stuart Range.

Below Snow Creek Icicle Creek exits the Wenatchee National Forest and enters a semi-developed area near Leavenworth. Its valley broadens and the creek meanders widely. It passes the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery and a number of scattered houses before emptying into the Wenatchee River about a mile south of Leavenworth. [2]

Natural history

According to monitoring data collected in 1993, Washington State Department of Ecology determined that the water quality of Icicle Creek was good and "met or exceeded expectations and is of lowest concern." [8]

Tributaries

The creek near its mouth, looking upstream Icicle Creek, WA Cascades.JPG
The creek near its mouth, looking upstream

From down to upstream, hierarchically listed, not exhaustive:

See also

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Enchantments</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dragontail Peak</span> Mountain in Washington (state), United States

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jabberwocky Tower</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colchuck Peak</span> Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Colchuck Peak is an 8,705-foot (2,653-metre) mountain summit located in the Stuart Range, in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in Chelan County of Washington state. The nearest higher peak is Dragontail Peak, 0.49 mi (0.79 km) to the east, and Argonaut Peak lies 0.9 mi (1.4 km) to the southwest. The Colchuck Glacier which lies on the northeast slopes of the peak melts into Colchuck Lake. The mountain and glacier take their name from the lake, which in Chinook jargon means "cold water". Precipitation runoff from the peak drains north into Mountaineer Creek, a tributary of Icicle Creek, or south into Ingalls Creek, all of which winds up in the Wenatchee River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eightmile Mountain</span> Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Eightmile Mountain is a 7,996-foot (2,437-metre) mountain summit located in Chelan County of Washington state. Eightmile Mountain is situated within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, on land managed by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. It is part of the Wenatchee Mountains which are a subset of the Cascade Range. Its nearest higher neighbor is Cashmere Mountain, 3 mi (4.8 km) to the northeast, and Mount Stuart rises 4 mi (6.4 km) to the south. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into Trout Creek and Eightmile Creek, both tributaries of Icicle Creek, which in turn is a tributary of the Wenatchee River. This mountain is known for its spring skiing and excellent view of the Stuart Range.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grindstone Mountain (Washington)</span> Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Grindstone Mountain is a 7,533-foot (2,296-metre) mountain summit located in the Icicle Creek Valley in Chelan County of Washington state. Grindstone Mountain is situated 12 mi (19 km) west of Leavenworth, within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, on land managed by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. Grindstone Mountain is the seventh-highest peak in the Chiwaukum Mountains, a subset of the Cascade Range. Its nearest higher neighbor is Ladies Peak, 2.2 mi (3.5 km) to the north-northwest, and Cape Horn is set 1.4 mi (2.3 km) to the north. Precipitation runoff from Grindstone drains into Icicle Creek, which is a tributary of the Wenatchee River. Although modest in elevation, relief is significant since Grindstone rises 4,700 feet above Icicle Creek Valley in less than two miles. Grindstone Mountain was named by Albert Hale Sylvester in association with Grindstone Creek, which flows from Sylvester Lake on this mountain's southwest slope. Sylvester found a small grindstone which had fallen from a pack horse fording the creek.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Granite Mountain (Wenatchee Mountains)</span> Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Granite Mountain is a 7,144-foot (2,177-metre) double summit mountain located 11.5 mi (18.5 km) south of Stevens Pass on the common border of Kittitas County and Chelan County in Washington state. It's part of the Wenatchee Mountains, which are a subset of the Cascade Range, and is situated 19 mi (31 km) west of Leavenworth in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, on land managed by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. Granite Mountain is the highest point on the Hyas Lake-French Creek divide with precipitation runoff from the mountain draining west into Cle Elum River, or east into French Creek, a tributary of Icicle Creek. Its subsidiary 7,080-ft South Peak is positioned half a mile to the south-southeast, the nearest higher neighbor is The Cradle, 3 mi (4.8 km) to the southeast, and Mac Peak is set 3.6 mi (5.8 km) to the north-northwest. The Pacific Crest Trail skirts below the western base this peak.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trico Mountain</span> Mountain in Washington, United States of America

Trico Mountain is a 6,640+ ft mountain summit located 10 mi (16 km) south of Stevens Pass on the common border of King County, Kittitas County and Chelan County in Washington state. "Trico" is a portmanteau of triple county. This peak is part of the Wenatchee Mountains, which are a subset of the Cascade Range, and is situated 20 mi (32 km) west of Leavenworth in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Trico is a triple divide peak with precipitation runoff from the mountain draining south into Cle Elum River, northwest into Deception Creek, and northeast into Leland Creek, which is a tributary of Icicle Creek. The scenic Tuck and Robin Lakes are set on the south slopes, between Trico and Granite Mountain, which is 1.6 mi (2.6 km) to the southeast. The Pacific Crest Trail skirts below the western aspect this peak as it crosses Deception Pass.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harding Mountain</span> Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Harding Mountain is a 7,173 ft (2,190 m) mountain summit located in Chelan County of Washington state. It is the seventh-highest point in the North Wenatchee Mountains. Harding Mountain is situated within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, 5.35 mi (8.61 km) northwest of Mount Stuart, and 4.1 mi (6.6 km) west of Eightmile Mountain, on land managed by Wenatchee National Forest. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains into tributaries of Icicle Creek, which in turn is a tributary of the Wenatchee River. This mountain was named after President Warren G. Harding by Albert Hale Sylvester.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cape Horn (Washington)</span> Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Cape Horn is a 7,316-foot (2,230-metre) mountain summit located in Chelan County of Washington state. Cape Horn is situated 12 mi (19 km) west-northwest of Leavenworth, within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, on land managed by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. Cape Horn is part of the Chiwaukum Mountains, a subset of the Cascade Range. Its nearest higher neighbor is Ladies Peak, 0.9 mi (1.4 km) to the northwest, and Grindstone Mountain is set 1.4 mi (2.3 km) to the south. Precipitation runoff from Cape Horn drains west to Icicle Creek, whereas the east slopes drain into Chiwaukum Creek, and both are tributaries of the Wenatchee River. Although modest in elevation, relief is significant since this peak rises over 4,300 feet above Icicle Creek Valley in approximately two miles. This mountain was named by Albert Hale Sylvester in 1909 for its sharp profile.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ladies Peak</span> Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Ladies Peak is a 7,708-foot (2,349-metre) mountain summit located in Chelan County of Washington state. Ladies Peak is situated 13 mi (21 km) west-northwest of Leavenworth, within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, on land managed by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. Ladies Peak is part of the Chiwaukum Mountains, a subset of the Cascade Range. Its nearest higher neighbor is Snowgrass Mountain, 1.27 mi (2.04 km) to the north, and Cape Horn is set 0.9 mi (1.4 km) to the southeast. Precipitation runoff from Ladies Peak drains west to Icicle Creek, whereas the east slopes drain into Chiwaukum Creek, and both are tributaries of the Wenatchee River. Although modest in elevation, relief is significant since this peak rises over 4,700 feet above Icicle Creek Valley in approximately two miles. This unofficially named peak is named in association with the nearby officially named Ladies Pass, which like many geographical features in this region was named by Albert Hale Sylvester.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Big Lou</span> Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Big Lou is a 7,780+ ft mountain summit located in Chelan County of Washington state. It is situated 8.5 mi (13.7 km) west-northwest of Leavenworth, on the boundary of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, and on land managed by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. Big Lou is the highest point on Icicle Ridge, and is the third-highest peak in the Chiwaukum Mountains, a subset of the Cascade Range. Its nearest higher neighbor is Snowgrass Mountain, 5 mi (8.0 km) to the northwest, and slightly lower Big Jim Mountain is set 1.75 mi (2.82 km) to the north-northeast. Precipitation runoff from Big Lou drains into Icicle Creek and other tributaries of the Wenatchee River. Although modest in elevation, relief is significant since Big Lou rises 5,200 feet above Icicle Creek Valley in approximately two miles. Big Lou is named for mountaineer Lou Whittaker, the twin brother of Jim Whittaker, the first American to summit Mount Everest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Snow Lakes</span> System of freshwater lakes in Chelan County, Washington

Snow Lakes are a system of freshwater reservoir lakes made by Upper Snow Lake and Lower Snow Lake, approximately a mile long. They are located on the eastern slope of The Enchantments, in Chelan County, Washington. The Snow Lakes are one of the most heavily used destination in the Forest Service wildernesses in Oregon and Washington. Self-issued Alpine Lakes Wilderness permits are required for transit within the Snow Lakes area.

Lake Augusta is a freshwater lake located on the southwest skirt of Big Jim Mountain, East of Icicle Ridge, in Chelan County, Washington. Because of its close proximity to Icicle Ridge Trail, the lake is a popular area for hiking, swimming, and fishing cutthroat trout. Smaller Lake Ida is a short distance on the opposite side of Icicle Ridge and Big Jim Mountain Lakes or on the northeast slope of the mountain. Lake Augusta is located approximately 15 miles west of the city of Leavenworth. Self-issued Alpine Lake Wilderness permit required for transit within the Lake Augusta area.

Lake Ida is a freshwater lake located along Icicle Ridge, approximately 10 miles west of the city of Leavenworth in Chelan County, Washington. Because of its close proximity to Icicle Ridge Trail, the lake is a popular area for hiking, swimming, and fishing cutthroat trout. Lake Augusta is a short distance on the opposite side of Icicle Ridge. Lake Ida sits on a highly glaciated alpine cirque, surrounded by a coniferous forest primarily larch pines and outflows into Ida Creek, a tributary of Icicle Creek. At least one unrated waterfall is found downstream as Ida Creek runs the south slope of Icicle Ridge. Self-issued Alpine Lake Wilderness permit required for transit within the Lake Ida and Augusta area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lake Edna</span> Body of water

Lake Edna is a freshwater lake located along Icicle Ridge, approximately 10 miles west of the city of Leavenworth in Chelan County, Washington. Because of its close proximity to Icicle Ridge Trail, the lake is a popular area for hiking, swimming, and fishing. Lake Alice is a short distance in a prominent cirque on the opposite side of Icicle Ridge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Icicle Ridge</span>

Icicle Ridge is a mountain ridge located in the eastern border of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, in the Washington state, United States. Several trails lead to Icicle Ridge which borders several prominent mountains, peaks, and lakes. Icicle Ridge is located at the western edge of the city of Leavenworth on land managed by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest.

References

  1. 1 2 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Icicle Creek
  2. 1 2 3 USGS topographic maps accessed via the "GNIS in Google Map" feature of the USGS Geographic Names Information System website.
  3. 1 2 "Icicle Creek Water Quality Survey Results". Washington State Department of Ecology. Archived from the original on 19 October 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2009.
  4. "Wenatchee River Watershed Initial Assessment". Washington State Department of Ecology. Archived from the original on 11 June 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2009.
  5. 1 2 "Water Resources Data-Washington Water Year 2005; Entiat, Wenatchee, and Sand Hollow River Basins and the Columbia River from Wells Dam to Rock Island Dam" (PDF). United States Geological Survey . Retrieved 10 August 2009.
  6. "Icicle Creek Nature Trail". American Trails. 2012-01-06. Retrieved 2014-08-14.
  7. Brokenshire, Doug (1993). Washington State Place Names: From Alki to Yelm. Caxton Press. p. 113. ISBN   978-0-87004-356-7.
  8. "River & Stream Water Quality Monitoring - Station 45B070, Icicle Creek near Leavenworth". Washington State Department of Ecology. Archived from the original on 12 June 2011. Retrieved 10 August 2009.