Chumstick

This section of the route has a series of three tunnels. The route takes us through a mountain ridge away from the Wenatchee River Valley and via the Chumstick Valley along tracks known as the Chumstick Cutoff. Along the way we will cross over the Wenatchee River. The Chumstick Cutoff was built by the Great Northern Railway in 1928 to avoid the Wenatchee River, where it flows through the narrow and hazardous Tumwater Canyon. The former route through Tumwater Canyon is now followed by US Highway 2 west of Leavenworth.

Along this section of our route, look for large ponderosa pine trees.

Leavenworth's evolution from a Wenatchi Indian salmon fishery site to a bustling town saw significant changes in its landscape and economy, especially in the Chumstick Valley region. The arrival of settlers in the 1800s marked the beginning of extensive homesteading ventures in areas like Mission (now Cashmere) and Icicle Flats, where the Wenatchee and Icicle Rivers converge.

As of today, the community of Chumstick is surrounded by the Wenatchee National Forest and the Cascade Mountains. It is located along State Route 209, south of the town of Plain and north of Leavenworth. The Chumstick Road connects the community to other areas, and is the only direct way, unless taking forestry roads that can be unreliable in winter. The town is within the Beaver Valley.

Gustafson, C. (2023, November 21). Leavenworth WA History | Facts and Information Leavenworth Washington. Leavenworth Vacation Homes. https://leavenworthvacationhomes.com/leavenworth-wa-history/

Wiki, C. T. W. S. (n.d.). Chumstick. Washington State Wiki. https://washingtonstate.fandom.com/wiki/Chumstick