ROSLYN -- Anyone pining for some green trees, a few glaciers and views to take your breath away (no, it's not just the altitude) might consider taking a hike to the top of Thorp Mountain in upper Kittitas County, about three hours northwest of the Tri-Cities and about 15 miles off Interstate 90.
Trailheads leading up to the mountain are a short distance outside of Roslyn and Cle Elum, two towns on the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains with extensive histories and museums, shops, cafes and more -- something for everybody, said Judy Tokarsyck, executive director of the Cle Elum Roslyn Chamber of Commerce.
Surrounding lakes and mountains offer plentiful opportunities for camping, boating, biking, hiking and other outdoor activities.
"We live in a beautiful area," Tokarsyck said. "Our attraction is recreational opportunities."
And if it's a hike of a few hours you're looking for, the Knox Creek Trail provides a range of trail surfaces and grades and visual rewards for those who make it to the top.
The 21/2 -mile trail starts at 4,200 feet above sea level and winds its way through brush, evergreens, an occasional snow patch, depending on the season, and finally alpine meadows before emerging at more than 5,800 feet -- where munching on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich makes one feel like queen -- or king -- of the world.
There are two "Ts" in the trail. Make a right at the first, one, about a mile in, and a left at the second.
"It's a good idea to turn around a see what (the trail) looks like because it's easy to walk right past on the way back," said Doug Johnson, a Roslyn resident and avid outdoor enthusiast who hiked the trail at the end of July.
Steep dirt and rock trails get your heart rate up. But just as you think your legs might give out, the trail relents and offers a flat stretch. That's a good time to grab a sip of water and a handful of trail mix while admiring the mountain vistas, alpine lakes and seasonal flora.
In the summer, that's purple columbine, violet lupine, bright orange Indian paintbrush, lavender phlox and more.
"It's joyful," said Susan Johnson, Doug's wife. "It's just getting up to the purity of that mountain area."
The Johnsons, both 60, enjoy the Thorp Mountain hike for its vibrant summer flowers.
"I like steep meadows that have a real alpine feel to them," Doug said.
Their daughter, Laura, 24, also likes the quick altitude gain.
"I like that you get to a really high elevation really fast," she said.
Plus, a fire lookout on top might just be housing an attendant who will share information about surrounding views, wildlife and other interesting tidbits.
The hike takes about three hours including time for a packed lunch, depending on your pace, and is accessible until snow season in mid- to late-fall.
Located in the Wenatchee National Forest, hikers who summit the ridge get panoramic views of Lemah Peaks, Chimney Rock, Summit Chief Mountain, Bears Breast Mountain, Mount Hinman, Mount Daniel and Mount Stuart, as well as majestic Mount Rainier to the southwest.
Tilt your eyes downward and you'll see Kachess Lake, where boaters and water skiers make tiny white marks on the water's dark surface.
Jeff Van Eaton, 35, of Pasco, and his brother Keith, 37, of Seattle, also hiked to the top of the mountain recently, on a geocaching mission. Geocaching is a treasure hunt game played worldwide using GPS devices.
"There's lots of trails and access," Jeff said. "I'm just now finding out more trails and places to go."
The pair have been going to the area for about 14 years and they want to continue to use the Kachess Lake area as "jumping off point," Jeff said.
Once off the mountain and back into town, Roslyn, population about 1,000, and its slightly bigger neighbor Cle Elum, with a population of fewer than 2,000, offer a variety of restaurants, shops and other attractions.
The upper county's coal mining history is on display at the Roslyn Museum downtown, or learn the story of Cle Elum's first successful banker and his family at the Carpenter Museum and art gallery.
When tummies start grumbling, try a fresh oatmeal raisin cookie or fruit bar at the Cle Elum Bakery, where "the brick ovens never cool."
Or have a sit-down meal at the Roslyn Cafe, where owner Theresa Alexander said the restaurant's crispy parmesan fries always are a hit.
And don't forget The Brick, a tavern that's been open since the late 1800s and claims to be the oldest operating saloon in the state.
Spittoons still can be found at the bar and are used annually for boat races in the spring.
Visitors appreciate the small-town, authentic feel of the area, Tokarsyck said.
"The unique setting along with the small towns that have their own ... different things to offer" draw tourists, she said. "People want that feel."
Roslyn's also is known for its appearance as Cicely, Alaska, in the TV show Northern Exposure that aired in the early 1990s.
A group of fans gathers each summer for Moosefest to relive the filming sites and commemorate the show, according to its website.
The Sunday Market in downtown Roslyn is another draw for visitors and runs until the end of September.
And just in case these places and activities leave you wanting more, Roslyn also has The Kitchen Sink -- a specialty store selling kitchen gadgets, cookware, salts and spices, Washington wine and a host of related accessories.
The store gets lots of visitors from the nearby Suncadia resort, said owner Kevi Sutter.
But lots of campers often trek in too, particularly if they've forgotten a paring knife or other wilderness essential, she said.
For the Johnsons, hiking to the top of Thorp Mountain is a perfect way to spend time with friends and family while enjoying the beauty and character of their home.
"It's one of the best easy-to-reach view points in the Central Cascades," Doug said.
* Ingrid Stegemoeller: 582-1537; istegemoeller@tricityherald.com.
