Aplets, Cotlets & Monte Cristo: A Halloween Ghost Town Hike 🍬🎃👻
Details
There's something about crossing the mountains that resets you — the fir-dark tunnels of I-90 give way to golden hills, orchard rows, and the sweet, sun-warmed air of Central Washington. We're spending the day chasing that shift: starting with a taste of the valley's most famous candy, then closing it out with boots on the trail beneath the peaks of the Mountain Loop Highway.
By mid-morning we'll be wandering the fragrant halls of the Liberty Orchards Aplets & Cotlets factory, watching the candy-making process up close and sampling the fruit-and-nut confections that have been made here since 1918. Then it's back over the pass toward the Monte Cristo ghost town — an old-growth forest walk along the Sauk River to the crumbling remains of a turn-of-the-century mining town, framed by some of the most dramatic peaks in the Cascades.
📍 Itinerary
- 8:00 AM — Meet at the South Bellevue Park & Ride
- 10:00 AM — Arrive in Wenatchee
- 10:00 – 11:00 AM — Brunch in Wenatchee
- 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM — Aplets & Cotlets factory tour (free), Cashmere/Wenatchee
- 2:00 PM — Start the Monte Cristo hike
- 6:00 PM — Aim to be off-trail and heading back
- 7:00 PM — Back in Seattle
Difficulty 8.8 miles RT with ~636 feet of elevation gain. | Distance: 8.8 mi RT | Duration: ~3–4 hrs | | Elevation Gain: 636 feet | | Pace: Moderate |
The trail follows an old railroad grade along the Sauk River through old-growth forest out to the Monte Cristo townsite — mostly gentle grade, with a couple of stream crossings depending on conditions.
Carpool Please arrange carpools in the comments section. Gas costs are negotiated within each car group ahead of the drive.
Things to Pack
- Sturdy hiking shoes or boots
- Water (at least 1.5–2L)
- Layers — it'll be cooler up in the mountains than in Wenatchee
- Snacks for the trail (brunch will be our main meal before the hike)
- Rain shell just in case
- Cash or card for the Aplets & Cotlets gift shop, if you want to bring treats home
Meetup Spot South Bellevue Park & Ride — 8:00 AM sharp, so we can make good time to Wenatchee.
Parking A Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful pass is required at the Monte Cristo/Barlow Pass trailhead. Bring one if you have it, or we can split a day pass at the trailhead. Note: on Google Maps, search for the Gothic Basin Trailhead — that's the same trailhead we'll be starting from.
Optional Dinner Totally optional, but if your car group is up for it, we can grab dinner after crossing back over the pass — please discuss with your driver.
Communication We will communicate through WhatsApp.