Sam Hill

The Icicle River Valley is a spectacular outdoor playground that supports a wide variety of native species and wildlife. A perfect example of the Icicle Valley’s balance of recreation and biodiversity is Sam Hill—a 40-acre property renowned for spectacular climbing, wildflowers, and native species.

Sam Hill boasts more than 12 well known crags, but access was threatened when development became a real possibility. Local climbers and Land Trust members Mark Shipman and Freeman Keller led the drive to protect the property from impending development. Thanks to a coalition between the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust, Trust for Public Land, and the Washington Climbers Coalition, Sam Hill was purchased and permanently protected in 2005. And thanks to Land Trust stewardship, the balance between recreation and healthy habitat will always be maintained.