Seattle: Esmeralda Basin Trail to Fortune Creek Pass
Climb to a pass high in the Wenatchee Mountains with colorful wildflower meadows, campsites, and eye-candy panoramas on this 5.4-mile out-and-back.
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Trail Facts
- Distance: 4.4
Waypoints
ESM001
Location: 47.4367218017578, -120.937164306641
Head NNW on old prospector’s road
ESM002
Location: 47.4404296875, -120.9384765625
Keep straight on Esmeralda Basin Trail
ESM003
Location: 47.4428443908691, -120.942001342773
Cross creek (first of several); rock gardens and lots of streamside greenery; trail climbs again
ESM004
Location: 47.4471092224121, -120.946899414062
In summer, this sloping meadow fills with wildflowers, including shooting stars and pink elephant’s head
ESM005
Location: 47.4502563476562, -120.951156616211
Pass through an old avalanche slope with many downed trees
ESM006
Location: 47.4529457092285, -120.961692810059
Keep R onto thinner trail; huge camp areas on L
ESM007
Location: 47.4542770385742, -120.959861755371
Stunning SE views into the Esmeralda Basin
ESM008
Location: 47.4565849304199, -120.966087341309
Stay L @ junction with County Line Trail #1226.2
ESM009
Location: 47.456916809082, -120.970138549805
Fortune Creek Pass (5,960 ft.); for better views, follow climber’s path SW for .1 mile
ESM010
Location: 47.4559020996094, -120.97142791748
Enjoy a quiet lunch with grand views of Mt. Daniels, Hawkins Mtn., Ingalls Peak, and the Esmeralda Peaks