Park Creek Trail to Park Creek Pass

Park Creek Trail is an 8-mile point-to-point backcountry segment from Park Creek Camp, at the Upper Stehekin Valley old-road junction, to Park Creek Pass. The eight miles cover only this trail segment. From camp to the pass, expect about 3,800 feet of climbing; in the reverse direction, the route drops by the same amount. Allow roughly seven hours for this leg, before adding the access walks. This is a remote through-route, not an eight-mile walk from a parking lot.

There is no drive-up access at either endpoint. From Stehekin Landing, the route starts with a shuttle to High Bridge, then a mostly flat 7.5-mile walk on the Old Wagon and Upper Stehekin Valley trails to Park Creek Camp. That connector is not included in the eight miles. The upper valley route follows the old road; floods in 1995, 2003 and 2006 washed out its upper stretch. At the north end, Park Creek Pass joins the Thunder Creek trail system; the 19.6-mile SR 20 approach is a separate hike. Plan the through-route and transport before setting out.

From Park Creek Camp the trail climbs through forest, including big-leaf and vine maples. It crosses Park Creek on an improved log crossing just before the small Two Mile Camp, then contours up forested slopes toward creek-side Five Mile Camp. Two Mile was rearranged by the 2003 floods and now has only one small site. Beyond Five Mile, the trees give way to willowy meadows and a hanging valley as the route climbs toward the pass.

The trail reaches a steep notch at about 6,100 feet, between Mount Logan and Mount Buckner, with views into both valleys. The last climb goes through heather and wildflower meadows; on the way down, look back toward Buckner and its hanging glaciers. The pass often holds snow into late June or July, and an ice axe may be needed for early-season travel. Stay off the fragile pass meadows: camping is not allowed at the pass.

Five Mile and Two Mile are designated backcountry camps along the route, but overnight stays require a limited backcountry permit. Pets are prohibited south of McAllister Camp, including this entire trail segment. The park rates the route moderate to strenuous; the elevation, snow and long access legs make it a serious backcountry commitment even though the mapped trail section is eight miles one way.