Echo Ridge
Manson,
Washington
Overview
Echo Ridge is a multi-use and multi-season trail system perched above Lake Chelan with 35 miles of trails. In the summer months, it’s a popular destination for beginner and intermediate mountain biking trails (popular in these parts of Washington being a handful of cars on the weekend….) and also serves as a great spot to hike the numerous trails, many of which are moderate loops. You will be treated to views of Lake Chelan, the Chelan mountains and the Okanogan Highlands. In the heat of the summer, Echo Ridge can offer a pleasant morning hike, with decent shade, cooler morning temps at the higher elevation, relative to Lake Chelan, and mountain breezes.
This particular hike combines the Tootsy Roll and Lolly Poop loop trails for an easy amble, and can be hiked in either direction. While these trails are open to mountain biking, it’s rare to see bikers on the trail as they are short and very easy loops. It makes the perfect hike for families with young kids, as you can stick to one of loops, or do all three - Whoop-Di-Do loop connects to Tootsy Roll and Lolly Pop.
Directions
Parking
Trip Reports
Wanted to get the family out for a quick hike, so we headed to our go to spot, Echo Ridge. There is a pretty good trail system, and we found a loop the previous summer that is easy for my son, and doesn’t get much, if any, mountain bike traffic. There was only one other car at the Lower Trailhead when we arrived. Even in the heart of the summer, I have never seen more than a handful of cars in any lot.
We headed over to the Tootsy Roll trail and began the hike. The cool and wet spring meant everything was much greener than I have seen the past couple of years, and there were a number of flowers in blossom. The mountains in the distance still had snow on them.
The trail itself has no real elevation gain and makes for a very easy stroll, and my son had fun running along the trail and throwing pine cones. When the sun occasionally peaked through the clouds it felt warm, but otherwise was a cool day, considering it was the end of May.
We came to the junction with Lolly Pop and kept on hiking along Tootsy Roll. We eventually came to a spot with views of Lake Chelan.
We eventually reached the junction again, and ventured onto Lolly Pop to head back to the car, enjoying the views and flowers along the way.
A great quick and easy hike for the family, with nice views of the mountains/hills around Echo Ridge. It was fun to see everything so green, and as always, there were very few people up here (at least compared to what I am used to from hiking around Seattle...)
