Aplets, Cotlets & Monte Cristo: A Halloween Ghost Town Hike 🍬🎃👻

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 1. 8:00 AM — Meet at the South Bellevue Park & Ride 2. 10:00 AM — Arrive in Wenatchee 3. 10:00 – 11:00 AM — Brunch in Wenatchee 4. 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM — Aplets & Cotlets factory tour (free), Cashmere/Wenatchee 5. 2:00 PM — Start the Monte Cristo hike 6. 6:00 PM — Aim to be off-trail and heading back 7. 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.