IRON BEAR & JESTER MOUNTAIN
The standout of this hike is really the incredible number of larches along it that turn bright gold in late October or early November every year. There are some nice views along the way, but try to time your hike for peak fall colors for the best experience!
Quick Facts:
Distance: 7 miles
Elevation Gain: 2500 feet
Location: Iron Creek Trailhead, Blewett Pass area, Wenatchee National Forest
Season: Late Spring-Late Fall
Dogs Allowed: Yes
Parking Pass: None
Check the weather: mountain-forecast, weather.gov
Check for recent trip reports: WTA, AllTrails
Notes: The larches in this area are western larches, not the alpine larches that you find on some of the extremely popular larch hikes like Lake Ingalls and Heather Maple Loop Pass. Western larches change their colors later than alpine larches, usually in late October or early November, so be sure to check recent trip reports to make sure they’ve changed colors before you set off on this hike.
Also note that this trail is open to dirt bikers, so keep an ear out for them and step off the trail if you hear one coming.
Getting there:
Click here for the TH location on Google Maps
The directions to the trailhead linked above are accurate. Note that there is a stream crossing about 1/10th of a mile before the trailhead. If you aren’t comfortable driving across this there are several pull outs you can mark in just before the stream.
Larches between Iron Bear and Jester, late October 2020
View from the summit of Iron Bear (cute dog not guaranteed), late October 2020
Hike description:
Start up the signed trail and climb steeply for about half a mile before the trail takes on a more mellow incline. Immediately you’ll be surrounded by beautiful golden larches but soon there won’t be many near the trail. However, as you hike along the trail look at nearly any distant ridge and you’ll see many more!
At 1.7 miles you’ll reach a signed intersection of the Iron Bear and Teanaway Ridge trails. Take a right onto the Teanaway Ridge trail and almost immediately look back to find a great view of Mount Rainier with hills dotted with golden larches in the foreground. These views only continue to grow as you climb 1000 feet in the next mile up to the summit of Iron Bear mountain.
Mount Stuart through some larches, late October 2020
Larches in the distance from the trail, late October 2020
The summit area is quite large and it’s easy to find a place to settle in, take in the views, and eat a snack. To the southwest you’ll see Mount Rainier and even Mount Adams on a particularly clear day, while to the west you can see the very top of Mount Stuart and several of the Enchantments peaks. Nearly as far as the eye can see you’ll find golden larches. Amazing!!
Before heading back down, it’s worth hiking along the Teanaway Ridge trail for a bit further because there is a large cluster of larches just a short way further. Hike downhill before coming to a ridge that’s open to your right and pure golden larches on the left. Even though Jester Mountain’s summit doesn’t really give any good views, you’re so close at this point that you might as well visit. Continue along the trail, taking a left at the signed intersection with the County Line trail, and after about 0.2 miles, when the vegetation has thinned out, leave the trail and head uphill a short way to reach the summit. Not much to see up here, but now you can say you’ve been there!