Hilgard Pass / Ten Mile Pass Loop

This 28-mile loop starts at the Company Creek trailhead in Stehekin Valley, climbs over Hilgard Pass, crosses the high country toward Ten Mile Pass, then descends Devore Creek and returns by Stehekin River Trail and a short road connection. Most of the route crosses Glacier Peak Wilderness on National Forest land; the valley ends are in Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. It is a rugged, remote backpacking trip with narrow, lightly maintained tread. Allow roughly 20 hours of hiking over two or three days. A free, self-issued wilderness permit is required.

From the 1,200-foot trailhead the route climbs steeply through open forest for about 2 miles, then traverses a steep sidehill with rocky bluffs and slide paths through thicker timber. At about mile 5, ford Company Creek; the crossing can be hazardous during peak runoff. Above it, the route follows the creek into its basin before steep switchbacks climb to Hilgard Pass. Water is plentiful along Company Creek, but there are no campsite facilities and stream water needs treatment. Snow at Hilgard Pass can make the crossing dangerous.

The traverse from Hilgard toward Ten Mile crosses remote, fire-damaged country. The tread south of Ten Mile Pass is obscure and difficult to follow after the 2015 Wolverine Fire, so carry a reliable offline map and expect slow route-finding. This is the section that makes the loop a poor fit for anyone new to backcountry navigation.

Ten Mile Pass lies in open larch forest. From the pass the trail drops through timber into Ten Mile Basin, then through Fourth of July Basin and steep, brushy hillside toward the Stehekin River. The terrain changes from open high-country views to a long descent through forest and dry slopes. Devore has dispersed campsites without facilities, with water available to treat.

At the Devore Creek junction, follow Stehekin River Trail back toward the valley. A short walk on the valley roads links the two trailheads and closes the circuit; the route does not retrace the pass crossing. The two valley trailheads are about half a mile apart. Leashed pets are allowed in the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, and pets are allowed on most surrounding National Forest land.

Stehekin has no road connection to Chelan; reach it by passenger boat or floatplane. From the landing, travel about 4.5 miles up Stehekin Valley Road to Harlequin Campground, then about 1 mile along Company Creek Road to the trailhead. Trailhead parking details were not found.