East Bank Trail

East Bank Trail runs one way for 31 miles from the East Bank Trailhead on SR 20 at milepost 138 to Hozomeen Campground. It follows forested slopes above Ross Lake, then turns east into Lightning Creek before reaching the lake’s northern end. Allow about 22 hours of hiking over two or three days. Overnight backcountry permits are required, and you’ll need to arrange how you get to and from the two ends before starting. Ross Lake Resort’s water taxi can drop hikers at several points along the East Bank for shorter trips.

A short descent reaches a bridge over Ruby Creek; take the left at the Canyon Creek junction just beyond it. This creek was the center of an 1880s placer-gold rush, and old claims and interpretive plaques remain near the bridge. At 2.8 miles, a westbound spur reaches Ross Lake camps and Little Jack Mountain Trail branches northeast. Stay on the main northbound path, which climbs gradually through the forested notch of Hidden Hand Pass. Miners’ stories say Jack Rowley followed a pointing hand through here in 1879 to find gold; Jack Mountain is named for him.

After Hidden Hand Pass, the path descends through forest for several miles before reaching Ross Lake. It then follows the shore past camps and swimming and fishing access. A high bridge over Devil’s Creek Canyon is a good place to pause for the lake view. At about mile 16, the trail turns east, climbs steep switchbacks with the last broad views back over Ross Lake, then drops into the secluded Lightning Creek valley. The maintained log trapper’s cabin is not open to visitors. Across the log bridge, Three Fools Creek heads into the Pasayten Wilderness; the name comes from three prospectors who followed a bad gold tip.

Farther north, the route passes Willow Lake, a long, shallow basin with marshy plants and a spur to a camp at its west end. A separate short side trail reaches deep, clear Hozomeen Lake about three miles before the campground. The granite spires of Hozomeen Peak reflect in the water. Entry and camping at the lake are closed each spring from April 1 through May 31 to protect nesting loons; keep that seasonal restriction in mind when planning a side trip. The last three miles descend gradually to Hozomeen Campground. Gray wolves have been observed in the Hozomeen area.

A backcountry permit is required for every overnight stay, and camps are limited. Pets are allowed here on a leash no longer than six feet. The current condition of the Nightmare Creek bridge is uncertain, so plan for a possible ford and check the crossing before relying on it. May Creek is a difficult crossing for stock.