There's nothing common about Commonwealth Basin. This deep canyon nestled in the shadows of Red Mountain and Kendall Peak offers a great opportunity to explore the wild heart of the Cascades with minimal driving and easy hiking. The trail starts just off the most heavily used highway in the Cascades, yet you'll soon find yourself caught deep in the wilderness experience as you stride into the fragrant forests, scrambling over the tumbling creeks of crystal-clear snowmelt waters and climbing through the rocky meadows in this mountain valley.

Start up the PCT as it climbs into the trees above the parking lot and makes a long, lazy sweep east before rounding a hairpin turn to return west across the lower end of an avalanche slope. The jumble of trees piled around the trail illustrate how powerful a little snow can be when it starts to slide downhill. The trail stays in the trees for 2.5 miles before reaching a fork. The PCT continues to climb, while your path angles off left, slicing up into the valley of Commonwealth Creek.

The trail continues up the creek for the next mile, climbing moderately to the headwall of the basin. Here, the going gets tough as the trail runs upward through a long series of tight, steep switchbacks. At nearly 4 miles the route levels a bit as the forest finally gives way to heather meadows.

At 4.5 miles you'll pass above Red Pond (elev. 4860 ft)--a short spur trail drops down to it. Huckleberries can be found in season around the pond basin, and a variety of wildflowers color the meadows above and below the pond.

The final 0.5 mile of trail gains 500 feet as it rises up to the saddle of Red Pass on the ridge between Red Mountain and Lundin Peak. Grand views can be enjoyed from here.

WTA Note: Dogs are required to be on leash at all times on this trail.