OffBeat Pathfinder Basecamp

Arrived in Leavenworth expecting “tourist trap” vibes, but man, this town is more legit Bavarian than half of actual Bavaria. You want bratwurst? They got seventeen kinds. Accordion music in the streets, dudes in lederhosen (not just tourists, I swear), and the whole place smells like pretzels and pine trees.


First night here, I somehow entered a yodeling contest after three hefeweizens—did not win, but did get free schnitzel. Stayed in a motel with cuckoo clocks on the wall and a sign that said “Absolutely no polka after 10pm.” Not kidding.


Best hike? Icicle Gorge Trail. Worst hangover? Also Icicle Gorge Trail. Anyone ever finish a hike here *without* a beer at the end? Asking for a friend (my liver).

Pretzel the size of a hubcap at Munchen Haus. Still hungry after.


Also, beer cheese? Dangerous.

Bavarian Village or not, I came for the hiking. Hit Colchuck Lake, nearly froze my toes off, but those alpine views—wow. Lost my hat, found three chipmunks, got sunburned and then it snowed. Only in Washington.


Pro tip: If you hike the Enchantments, bring more water than you think you need and two extra pairs of socks. Anyone else fall for the “easy trail” sign and regret it halfway up?


Also: the reuben at Andreas Keller is legit. Hiking with a hangover = rookie mistake, but worth it for the apple strudel after.

Stein and wine walk. They hand you a map, a cup, and after five stops it turns into a treasure hunt for your car keys.


Saw a guy in lederhosen riding a unicycle and I still don’t know if it was real or just the schnapps.

Got caught in a rainstorm in the middle of Front Street. Bought a raincoat, a weird wooden chicken, and a Christmas ornament in May.


This town is like a Hallmark movie but with better beer.

Tubed the Wenatchee River, got sunburned, lost a sandal, almost lost my mind.


Local told me to check out a secret photo spot above town. Never found it. Ended up with a bratwurst and a postcard of a goat in sunglasses. Zero regrets.

You want mountain food? I found the best breakfast in Leavenworth at Louie's Cafe—biscuits and gravy, big enough to paddle down the Wenatchee. Did the Icicle Ridge Trail with a local who only hikes in lederhosen, not making this up.


PS: Where's the best place for live music?


PPS: If you spot my left sandal, tell it I miss it.

Did anyone else end up eating bratwurst and ice cream together, or am I just broken from this town?


Real talk: Is there a single place in Leavenworth that doesn’t sell beer, or is that a trick question?