more stats
1.7 miles
Distance
825 ft
Climb
-1,209 ft
Descent
01:41:36
Avg time
-384 ft
Altitude change
3,401 ft
Altitude min
4,610 ft
Altitude max
3,784 ft
Altitude start
3,402 ft
Altitude end
-4.4%
Grade
-100%
Grade max
77.3%
Grade min
4,619 ft
Distance climb
4,137 ft
Distance down
01:41:36
Avg time

Kachess Beacon Details

  • Activities
    • Hike
    • Mountain Bike
    • E-Bike
    • Horse
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Kachess Ridge
    Easton, Washington
  • Difficulty Rating
    Black Diamond Rate
  • Local Popularity
    40 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 85 in E-Biking
    • 5 in Trail Running
    • 85 in Hiking
    • 5 in Horseback
  • Global Ranking
    #125223 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #47578 in E-Biking
    • #299147 in Trail Running
    • #80368 in Hiking
    • #7945 in Horseback
  • Hiking SAC Scale
    T1 Hiking
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    AM, XC
  • Direction
    Both Directions
    Popular Direction Shown
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
    Yes up to Class 1

Grand views down to Kachess Lake and as far south as Mount Rainier make the steep Hike-a-bike up to Kachess Ridge Beacon worth every step. Many years ago, this unnamed peak was the base for an air-traffic beacon, and today it is still a very picturesque scene. The dusty brown terrain on the ridge contrasts with surrounding blue lakes and green trees, and the old beacon stands tall and rusted at the highest point.

Begin climbing from the trailhead, heading left toward Kachess Ridge up a steep trail that wastes no time gaining elevation. As you climb, keep your eye out for occasional views south through the trees to Mount Baldy, Domerie Peak, and Easton Ridge. Soon the angle of the trail moderates, and you will be treated to a .75-mile stroll along Silver Creek and past several small, tumbling waterfalls.

Turn left away from the creek and make your way up another steep climb through devil’s club and small alder groves. Before long, you will pop out of the dense forest onto the bare ridge and take in the view of Mount Baldy and Mount Rainier to the south, Ambilis Moutain to the west, and Kachess Lake below. Despite the trailhead's easy access from the freeway, crowds are never an issue, and you will likely have the ridge to yourself.

Alternatively, if descending the primary Kachess Trail, use this to get a bit more elevation up and down. This is the trail to go on to get the views

Trail Supporters

  • USFS
    Land Manager
Local Trail Association
Traditionally Indigenous Territory

Recent Activity on Trail

Past Week
  • 0 rides
  •  
6 Months
  • 1 rides
  • 5 miles avg distance
All
  • 7 rides
  • Last: May 31, 2026
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Kachess Beacon Trail Reports

statusdatedescription
May 26, 2026 @ 3:03pm (America/Los_Angeles)
May 26, 2026
 Dry and loose on the open south facing slope. Lots of flowers. A few large downed trees. North of the beacon the trail is in good condition but...
Sep 13, 2023 @ 8:15am
Sep 13, 2023
 Many trees down on crossing trail. Most on trail going up in a counter clockwise direction. Best to leave this trail to the hikers.
Jul 15, 2023 @ 3:47pm
Jul 15, 2023
 The climb southbound is hike a bike and many big trees down. Descent southbound was fun, steep and very loose. Probably the same trees down as...
Aug 12, 2021 @ 2:36pm
Aug 12, 2021
 Lots of trees down on the up and supper loose on the down. Not recommended.
Jun 1, 2017 @ 12:27pm
Jun 1, 2017
 The top half is entirely covered with snow, to the point that you can't identify the trail. The lower half is pretty much entirely...
more »
Status:
on May 26, 2026
Variable
Avg: 3.65 (3 votes)
Your vote: 0

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Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
  • Snow Groomed
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Snow Cover Partial
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
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Slope Aspect
Direction the slope faces
Flat N NE E SE S SW W NW
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        Directions to kachess-beacon trailhead (47.290000, -121.170780)

        Photos

        9 more »
        80 |
        Jun 2, 2019 @ 1:47pm
        Jun 2, 2019
        84 |
        Jun 2, 2019 @ 1:47pm
        Jun 2, 2019
        98 |
        Jun 2, 2019 @ 1:46pm
        Jun 2, 2019
        75 |
        Jun 2, 2019 @ 1:46pm
        Jun 2, 2019

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        Technical Trail Features (TTF)

        Routes with this trail

        184
        Kachess Ridge
        ★ 4.5 • 13 miles • 2,136 ft • 7 • Point to Point •
        Ride the Kachess Ridge in its entirety by combining "No Name Ridge trail" with the full length of Kachess...

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        3 Reviews & Comments


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        Nearby Trails

        Kachess Ridge

        Frequently Asked Questions About Kachess Beacon

        ▼ Where is Kachess Beacon located?
        Kachess Beacon is located in Kachess Ridge, Easton, Washington, United States. It is part of the Kachess Ridge trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates 47.29, -121.17078.
        ▼ How hard is Kachess Beacon?
        Kachess Beacon is rated as Black Diamond difficulty. The average grade is 4.4%.
        ▼ What is the elevation gain for Kachess Beacon?
        Kachess Beacon has 825 ft of elevation gain. The trail has 1,209 ft of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 3,401 ft to 4,610 ft.
        ▼ Is Kachess Beacon a point to point trail?
        Kachess Beacon is not a point to point trail. The direction is Both Directions. The trail type is singletrack.

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