Pass Creek Trail #1053

Highlights: Mountain views, forest, river

Distance: 3.5 miles one-way

Beginning Elevation : 3400 feet

Ending Elevation: 4200 feet

Difficulty level: More Difficult

Map(s): Green Trails #144

Visitor Use: Low

SUMMARY:Enter into the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness Area on what is the shortest and easiest access to the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (PCT) on the north side of the Skykomish Ranger District.

Start off on the North Fork Skykomish Trail # 1051, and after 1.5 miles, you will reach the junction with the Pass Creek Trail #1053.

About 2.0 miles in you will make a simple stream ford, and a short distance after that, you will meet a more challenging stream crossing, but you should find a large collection of logs a few hundred feet upstream from the trail to help you get across. Fording (wading) across the North Fork of the Skykomish and Pass Creek may be difficult during early season snowmelt runoff.

Just beyond here, you'll find a long boardwalk leading into a large meadow. After the boardwalk, you'll come to the last potentially difficult fords leading up through the forest to the junction with the PCT. From the junction with the PCT, Cady Pass lies 0.5 miles north, and Saddle Gap is 1.6 miles to the south.

TRAILHEAD ACCESS:Drive State Route 2, turn north at the Index turn-off onto the North Fork Skykomish River Road #63. Continue for 22.0 miles to the road's end at the North Fork Skykomish River #1051 trailhead. Follow Trail #1051 for 1.5 miles to its junction with Pass Creek Trail #1053.

NOTE: At approximately mile 15.7 Road #63 turns sharply north. If you continue traveling east you will be on the #65 road.

Vehicles with horse trailers should park approximately 1 mile back from the #1051 trailhead at the Quartz Creek #1050 or West Cady Ridge #1054 trailhead. Beyond this point road #63 is rocky and rutted and unsuitable for low-clearance vehicles.

Northwest Forest Pass required to park: Yes

TRAILGUIDE

Best Seasons: Summer/Fall

AREA

US2 Skykomish River Stevens Pass

RANGER STATION (NEAREST)

Skykomish Ranger Station

TRAIL REVIEW submit your review

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.