| Little Wenatchee River | |
| Name Etymology: | Sahaptin word meaning "river issuing from a canyon"[1] |
| Pushpin Map: | Washington#USA |
| Pushpin Map Size: | 260 |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location of the mouth of the Little Wenatchee River in Washington |
| Subdivision Type1: | Country |
| Subdivision Name1: | United States |
| Subdivision Type2: | State |
| Subdivision Name2: | Washington |
| Subdivision Type4: | County |
| Subdivision Name4: | Chelan |
| Source1: | Cascade Range |
| Source1 Location: | Dishpan Gap, Wenatchee National Forest |
| Source1 Coordinates: | 47.9719°N -121.1458°W |
| Source1 Elevation: | 5580m (18,310feet)[2] |
| Mouth: | Lake Wenatchee[3] |
| Mouth Location: | South of Telma |
| Mouth Coordinates: | 47.8272°N -120.8186°W[4] |
| Mouth Elevation: | 1873m (6,145feet) |
The Little Wenatchee River is the southern and smaller of the two rivers that flow into the west end of Lake Wenatchee. The northern and larger one is the White River. A large number of place names in the Little Wenatchee River basin, including the river's name itself, were given by Albert H. Sylvester.
The Little Wenatchee River begins at Dishpan Gap, a pass between the headwaters of the Little Wenatchee River and North Fork Skykomish River. The river flows southeast for a bit before turning south until its confluence with Cady Creek. From there it continues to flow southeast all the way to Lake Wenatchee.
At Little Wenatchee Falls, the river drops about 60feet in a series of cascades.[5]
For part of its 7.2miles length, the Little Wenatchee Trail follows the river. The trail runs from a trailhead at the end Little Wenatchee River Road to the Pacific Crest Trail.[6] The Little Wenatchee Ford Trailhead also provides access to Cady Creek Trail, Cady Ridge Trail, and Poe Mountain Trail.[7]
Soda Springs Campground, 9miles from Lake Wenatchee, has 5 campsites and a vault toilet. There is a natural soda spring here that bubbles cool mineral water up from underground. It is not entirely clear if the water is safe for consumption.[8] Lake Creek Campground is along the Little Wenatchee 11miles upstream of Lake Wenatchee. The campground consists of 7 sites spread under an open but shady section of forest a short walk from the river. There are 2 pit toilets but no other amenities. A short loop trail leaves from the campground and follows the river for a ways leading you past two beautiful pools for fishing or swimming in hot weather.[9]