Forty for Forty: The Sam Hill Property

Article in partnership with The Wenatchee World 

Forty for Forty: The Sam Hill Property 

by Andy Dappen

In 2004 when a 40-acre property allowing access to ten popular climbing crags in the Icicle River Valley were threatened by the possibility of development, the climbers on the board of the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust (CDLT) asked, “What in the Sam Hill are we going to do about this?”

The short answer, though the process itself was anything but short, was to acquire the Sam Hill property in 2005. This prevented the type of sprawl outdoor recreationalists know all too well when a place they have long enjoyed suddenly sprouts homes and ‘No Trespassing’ signs. Climbers were not the only beneficiaries of this transaction. With its connectivity to undeveloped National Forest lands, the property was also important to wildlife, birdlife, and plant life.

Although the CDLT deserves credit for preserving and initially managing this acreage, the Sam Hill property is a good example of the organization’s desire to find the best ‘take out’  for each property it preserves – that is, the organization best able to own and manage a particular property into perpetuity. Because Sam Hill is bordered on three sides by national forests, it made sense for the Forest Service to incorporate the property into its holdings for ongoing management. Accomplishing this proved a long process, and only in 2020 was the property included in the portfolio of recreational lands the Forest Service manages throughout the Icicle River Valley.

Why in the Sam Hill did this take so long? Mineral rights. Until all the private mineral rights connected to the property were secured and passed along, the Forest Service could not include Sam Hill into its holdings. Eventually those mineral rights were donated to the Land Trust so that the Land Trust could, in turn, donate the property to the Forest Service.

For the people involved in the nitty gritty details of preserving special properties, Sam Hill exemplifies how slowly these processes sometimes roll along. But Sam Hill also exemplifies the reality of our ever-sprawling world: Without local organizations like the Land Trust and local supporters of such organizations, special places, access to recreation, abundance of wildlife, and diversity of plant life will continually diminish.

 

Details: Visiting Sam Hill

Why in Sam Hill? In spring, go for the wildflowers. In summer, short hikes and scrambles on the property offer shaded outings, scenic viewpoints, and access to the Icicle River. And if you’re a rock climber, the property offers access to the Sam Hill Crag, Trundle Dome, Surf City, Ski Tracks Crack, Backslider Wall, Rolling Stones, and more. Trundle Dome offers afternoon shade for after-work climbing fun, and some of the newly bolted crags along the Boneyard Trail have short sport climbs that are shaded all day long (a rarity in the Icicle Canyon). Finally, after a bit of sweaty walking or climbing, the short trail from the parking pullout down to the Icicle River (steep and slippery) provides an appreciated place to cool off.

Where in Sam Hill? Access the area by driving up Icicle Road about a half mile beyond the Icicle Creek Center for the Arts. Park at milepost 3.4 in a pull out on the left side (river side) of the road.  Park in the upstream half of the pullout (the lower half of the pullout is signed ‘No Parking.’)

How in Sam Hill?  From the upper end of the pullout, follow the road up-valley for 30 yards, cross the road, and find Fridge Boulder, an obvious boulder of interest to climbers. To the right of the boulder, find the sign/plaque describing some of the history and CDLT’s involvement in protecting the area.  From the sign, a small trail heads gently uphill and angles right (roughly paralleling the road).

• Follow this trail 150 yards to a signed intersection with a trail leading to Trundle Dome splitting off on the left. Stay right.
• In another 150 yards, reach another intersection with a signed trail leading to a scenic ‘lookout’ on the right. It’s worth the quarter-mile walk (one way) to the lookout. This is also a nice place to have lunch so visit it at some point, either now or on the return.
• Back at the intersection noted above, take the left fork and walk another 200 yards to the next intersection with signage noting a trail to ‘The Boneyard’ splitting off on the right.  In 150 yards, the Boneyard Trail leads to the Rolling Stones area with shaded sport climbs (bolted routes) on the right. Another 50 yards along the trail leads to a second crag on the right with several more shaded sport climbs. Another 100 yards farther still provides access to a third crag on the left with a variety of mixed climbs (partly traditional protection, partly bolted). A bit beyond the third crag, the trail hits private property.
• Back at the last intersection, the left trail starts climbing toward the Sam Hill Crag. The pitch is gentle at first, quickly steepens, and soon may require some use of the hands for scrambling. As the scrambling begins, the trail quality diminishes and you’ll need to employ some tracking skills to discern and follow the tread leading steeply upward to the crag. The upper part of this trail is not recommended for anyone who is not sure-footed or whose balance is shaky. Those who carry forth will reach, after a quarter mile, a large flat rock (excellent for a scenic rest) located at the base of the crag. Note: There is poison oak along the upper portion of the trail that can be avoided, but must be noticed first.
• Return by retracing the ascent.

Who in Sam Hill? Yes to hikers, climbers, bird watchers, and flower identifiers. No to overnight campers, fire makers, litterers, plant gatherers, and off-trail walkers. The trails are not suited to mountain biking or equestrian use.

More on Sam Hill: For rock climbing information about the area, see Viktor Kramar’s guidebook Leavenworth Rock, or go online to see Mountain Project’s webpage about Sam Hill (https://www.mountainproject.com/area/106255416/lower-icicle-canyon).

Upcoming Events: Join the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust and NCW Libraries on Thursday, September 4, 2025, from 4:00–5:00 p.m. at Kenzie’s Landing Trailhead for a creative afternoon outdoors. We’ll gather at the trailhead shelter to make recycled book page flowers. This free, family-friendly event is open to all ages.
 

Andy Dappen is a former board member of the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust and a climber who advocated to protect access to the Sam Hill crags. Join him in supporting the Land Trust’s work by joining the organization (https://www.cdlandtrust.org/support-us/donate).
Forty for Forty. Recognizing the 40th Anniversary of the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust with 40 stories about places the CDLT has protected and kept open for public access.