Trail Updates: Saddle Rock East and Homewater Projects

Exciting changes are coming to our local trail system! The Chelan-Douglas Land Trust (CDLT) is working on two major trail improvement projects in the Wenatchee Foothills:

1. Saddle Rock East Trail Project – in partnership with the City of Wenatchee and an anonymous donor
2. Homewater Trail Project – in partnership with Chelan County PUD

CDLT will be contracting Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance to assist with the trail maintenance and construction efforts.

Saddle Rock East Trail Project

Starting in mid-September 2025 and continuing through March 2026, CDLT will be reconstructing the existing Saddle Rock East Trail and adding new trail segments. These improvements will create scenic loops and new viewpoint areas for hikers.

Portions of the Saddle Rock East Trail will be closed from late September through Spring 2026 to allow construction work. Closure dates and any extensions will be announced on our website, social media, and monthly eNews. 

Keep an eye out for the many volunteer opportunities for the Saddle Rock East Trail Project this fall (2025). 

Homewater Trail Project

The Homewater parcel in the Wenatchee Foothills is owned and managed by Chelan County PUD, with wildlife habitat as the top priority. Public recreation is only permitted on authorized trails outside of the annual mule deer closure (April–November).

Over the next two years, Chelan PUD and CDLT are partnering to restore habitat by decommissioning about 4 miles of unauthorized trails and conducting major maintenance on another 4 miles of trails to authorize them for future public use.

Trails being decommissioned (closed permanently in 2026):

• Jackhammer
• Upper Maiden Ridge
• Blue Sage Road
• Short Toss
• Several unnamed segments

Trails under reconstruction (closed until authorized in 2026):

• Coyote Canyon
• Lightning
• Heart Murmur
• Snake Bite

These trails will remain closed through 2025–2026 while habitat restoration and maintenance work is completed. Opening dates will be announced as Chelan County PUD authorizes them.

Looking Ahead

These efforts balance recreation and conservation, improving trail experiences while protecting important wildlife habitat in the Foothills. We’ll continue to share updates on closures, progress, and opening timelines.