Wenatchee Road to Popular Horse Lake Reserve Closed Over Wildfire Concerns

Horselake Road in Wenatchee, which leads to the popular Horse Lake Reserve trails, is now closed because of extreme hot and dry conditions and a concern over wildfires.

Chelan County commissioners closed the road Tuesday at the request of the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust, and crews then closed the gate at the lower portion of Horselake Road.

It will be re-opened when commissioners and the county fire marshal decide conditions are safe.

Hikers and bikers can get to Horse Lake Reserve through the Sage Hills trailhead on Sage Hills Drive.

Fire Marshal Bob Plumb says the fire hazard level in Chelan County remains at “extreme” in both the Valley and Chelan Mountain zones.

“Closing Horselake Road is a proactive measure,” Plumb said. “The over-whelming majority of wildfires are human caused, and the Horse Lake Reserve is a popular local recreation area. We don’t want a wildfire in one of our community’s most treasured natural areas.”