The Penstock Trail
A short chronicle of Monika and Scott’s hike along the Penstock Trail while visiting Leavenworth, WA.
Now on the National Historical Register, was a huge water pipe used to deliver water to a powerhouse located where the parking lot is now. The electricity powered electrical engines which pulled trains through the old Cascade Tunnel at Stevens Pass. Prior to this the coal-fired engines caused problems with asphyxiation. The tunnel was electrified, with the project completed on July 10, 1909, eliminating the problem. The unusual system used was three-phase AC, 6600 volts at 25 Hz, from a 5 MW hydroelectric plant on the Wenatchee River just west of Leavenworth. The tunnel section only was electrified; 4.0 route-miles or 6.0 track-miles and 1.7 percent grade through the tunnel. The tunnel was not used after 1929 due to construction of a lower and longer tunnel over the same route.
From Leavenworth, start your
odometer after you pass the gas station on the corner of Icicle Road and
Highway 2 West. Drive 1.7 miles West on Highway 2. Turn left at a non-descript
parking area next to the river (if you pass by an old bridge over the river on
your left you've gone too far).
Follow a path along the Wenatchee River on the opposite side of Highway 2. See the glorious Wenatchee as it tumbles down Tumwater Canyon. There are a number of terrific hidden river beaches along the way for swimming or relaxing to the sounds of the river. From the parking area, the trail begins just beyond the outhouse and continues over an old half pipe shaped bridge. After you walk over the bridge, follow the main trail to the right.
Follow a path along the Wenatchee River on the opposite side of Highway 2. See the glorious Wenatchee as it tumbles down Tumwater Canyon. There are a number of terrific hidden river beaches along the way for swimming or relaxing to the sounds of the river. From the parking area, the trail begins just beyond the outhouse and continues over an old half pipe shaped bridge. After you walk over the bridge, follow the main trail to the right.
Picture of Monika at the water pipe bridge over the Wenatchee River in Tumwater Canyon at the beginning of the trail.
On the bridge and along the trail.
At the end of the trail you will pass a small water seep coming from the hill above where green ferns are growing from the hillside. Keep walking over the rocks and you will find the entrance to the dynamited tunnel for the water pipe.
Standing Just inside the water pipe tunnel entrance. Wasn’t going any further without a light source. Maybe next time. Taking a picture of Monika just outside tunnel entrance.
Monika and a little boy (fellow hiker whose parents were
inside the tunnel) just outside the tunnel entrance. We were taking pictures of each other at the
same time.
Remnants of the water pipe.
We were told by another hiker that the pipe was actually made of wood. The remnants in the picture are the metal
bands that held the wood pipe, much like a whiskey barrel.
In the last picture you can see a guy on his way out of the
tunnel. We were told that you can
traverse through the tunnel to the other side, but you will definitely need to
bring a light source with you.
Supposedly there is a nice beach along the river on the other end.
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