Bald Eagle (Curry Gap) Trail #650

Bald Eagle (Curry Gap) Trail #650

Highlights: Mountain views, Forest, Meadows, creek

Distance: 9.5 miles one-way

Beginning Elevation : 3300 feet

Ending Elevation: 5600 feet

Difficulty level: Most Difficult

Map(s): Green Trails #143 Monte Cristo, 144 Benchmark Mountain

Visitor Use: Low

SUMMARY:

This trail gives access to the Glacier Peak Wilderness area and the Pacific Crest Trail at Dishpan Gap. The trail leaves the scenic Pride Basin area, traverses an old clear-out unit and enters the forest where old, broken puncheon bridges on the trail make poor footing for horses and pack stock. It eventually opens into a wide, meadowed corridor called Curry Gap.

The trail then goes southward through the gap and eventually reaches a junction. The right fork is the Quartz Creek Trail #1050 which joins the North Fork Skykomish Road #63 on the Skykomish District. The left fork continues further along the ridge with little change in elevation. The trail (almost passing over Bald Eagle, Long John and June mountains) continues on to reach the Pacific Crest Trail at Dishpan Gap after 9.5 miles.

TRAILHEAD ACCESS:From the Darrington Ranger Station, take the Mountain Loop Highway along the west side of the Sauk River. Drive 16.3 miles to the Sloan Creek Road #49 and turn left. Continue for 8.5 miles to the junction with the Cadet Creek Road #4920 on the right. Follow this road 0.5 mile to the trailhead.

The trailhead is now located just prior to Sloan Creek. A hiker/horse bridge has replaced the road bridge and thereby lengthened the trail by 2.5 miles.

Northwest Forest Pass required to park: Yes

TRAILGUIDE

Best Seasons: Summer/Fall

AREA

Darrington, Sloan Creek

RANGER STATION (NEAREST)

1405 Emmens St. Darrington, WA 98241 Open Monday - Friday 8 am - 4:30 pm(360) 436-1155

Verlot PublicService Center Open Thursday - Monday8 am - 4:30 pm (360) 691-7791

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Notice: Hiking in the backcountry can be dangerous. Information on this website comes from a variety of sources. You have to be responsible for using good common sense and researching trails carefully. Things change constantly in the outdoors.

Use caution while hiking so you can enjoy it safely. Don't get in over your head. A call to the ranger station and avalanche hotline(winter) are highly recommended. Bring the ten essentials and make sure someone knows where you are going and expect to be back.