Stiletto Peak Trail

Stiletto Peak Trail is a 10.4-mile out-and-back from Bridge Creek Trailhead to the former Stiletto Lookout site, climbing through a forested creek valley and high meadows to a broad North Cascades ridge. The route gains about 3,650 feet; allow 9 to 11 hours with breaks and time to find the faint upper tread. It suits strong hikers comfortable with steep climbing, creek crossings, and route-finding. Turn around at the lookout: the 7,660-foot Stiletto Peak summit is beyond the hike and requires a climber's scramble, so it is not part of this distance.

Cross SR 20 from Bridge Creek Trailhead and follow the wide, forested Pacific Crest Trail about 0.9 mile to the marked Stiletto Spur turn. The narrower spur dips slightly, gets brushier, and crosses State Creek. At about 1.1 miles, stay on the right branch past Copper Pass; Copper Creek follows around 1.4 miles. In spring or after rain, these crossings can be more demanding; later in summer a rock hop may be possible. The spur passes avalanche chutes, ferns, and flowers before reaching the Stiletto Peak Trail junction around 2.1 miles. Its low, south-facing sign is below the trail on the downhill side, so it can be hard to spot until you're at the junction.

The Stiletto Peak Trail climbs steeply on switchbacks through forest, with brushy stream crossings. At about 2.8 miles, the trees open to a view down Bridge Creek Valley; around 3.7 miles, the view broadens toward McGregor Mountain and the north end of Lake Chelan. Around 4.3 miles the grade eases into flower meadows, but the faint trail can disappear under grass; follow the cairns and keep checking the line. Early-summer flowers brighten the meadows, and mosquitoes can be bothersome in midsummer.

At 5.2 miles, the route reaches the old lookout site at 7,223 feet. The lookout was built in 1931 and removed in 1953; its fire-finder post and rock windbreak remain. From the ridge, Stiletto Peak stands to the east and Glacier Peak to the southwest, with views across the surrounding Cascades and a 2,000-foot drop toward Copper Creek. The fire-finder post makes a useful foreground against Stiletto Peak. The route continues to a saddle 0.3 mile farther; climbing the summit from there is a separate scramble. Stiletto Lake and Twisp Pass are off-route cross-country options, not part of this hike.

Bridge Creek Trailhead along SR 20 has at least 20 parking spaces, an information sign, a picnic table, and a vault toilet. Cross the highway to join the southbound Pacific Crest Trail. Dogs may be leashed on the PCT, but they are not allowed beyond it inside the national park, so they cannot complete this route. Backcountry permits are required for overnight trips in the park; this route is described as a day hike.