Information about this hike provided in partnership with
Mountaineers Books.
Copyright © Craig Romano/The Mountaineers Books Whistling Pig Meadow
Featured In:
Day Hiking: Central Cascades,
by Craig Romano.
A portion of all book sales from the links above benefits WTA and helps protect and maintain our trails. Whistling Pig Meadow, like much of the surrounding upper Mad River country, should be part of the adjacent Glacier Peak Wilderness. This unroaded high country of unbroken forest, sprawling meadows, pristine waterways, and rolling ridges is indeed de facto wilderness. But from mid-July to mid-October, motorcycles (with the blessing of the Forest Service) are allowed to disrupt the tranquility of this beautiful backcountry. Come in early summer or during the week to escape the machines. And if you do encounter one, remember that the motorists currently have a legal right to be there after July 15. By far these recreationists are nice people, so be respectful. Following the same route used for much of the way to Blue Creek Meadow, head north on the Mad River Trail. At 4.6 miles, after the second ford of the Mad River (potentially difficult in high water), reach a junction (elev. 5250 ft): left to Blue Creek, right to Whistling Pig. Following the Tyee Ridge Trail, head east for 0.6 mile to another junction (elev. 5500 ft). The trail straight continues to Cougar Meadow and can be used to create a long loop to Cougar Mountain. Turn left onto the Hunters Trail, passing a marshy meadow. After a short climb through thick forest, emerge at the edge of Whistling Pig Meadow (elev. 5650 ft). The trail continues straight up the flower-studded lawn, crossing a creek to a clump of old trees hiding an old cabin. A weathered picnic table invites you to sit and linger. Sunny, grassy fields invite you to lay and lounge. Soak in the surrounding subtle beauty. Creeklets traverse the emerald field, feeding and draining small pools. Cougar Mountain's peak peeks above.
Driving Directions:
From Everett head east on US 2 for 85 miles to Coles Corner. (From Leaven-worth travel west on US 2 for 15 miles.) Turn left (north) onto State Route 207 (signed for Lake Wenatchee), and proceed 4.2 miles to a Y intersection after crossing the Wenatchee River. Bear right onto the Chiwawa Loop Road and continue for 5 miles, turning left onto Forest Road 61, signed "Lower Chiwawa River Road" (the turnoff is just past a river crossing and the Thousand Trails Lodge). Proceed for 1.6 miles to a T junction at Deep Creek Campground. Turn right onto FR 6101, and after 0.6 mile bear right at an unsigned junction. Continue on FR 6101 for 2.5 miles, coming to a junction at Deer Camp Campground. Make a sharp left, continuing on FR 6101 for 2.5 extremely steep and rough miles (four-wheel drive recommended) to Maverick Saddle and a junction. Park here, or continue left on a rough spur 0.3 mile to the trailhead (elev. 4350 ft). Note: It's also possible to reach this trailhead by following directions for Miners Ridge and continuing north on FR 52 for 3.4 equally rough miles to Maverick Saddle. Recent Trip Reports
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trip reports for this hike.
Upper Mad River, Whistling Pig Meadow, Blue Creek, Middle Tommy, Cougar Ridge, Jimmy Creek
— Jul 01, 2009
— James Jensen
Overnight
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
Issues:
Blowdowns | Mudholes | Snow on trail | Bugs
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I've never been to the Mad River area before. This one turned out to be more of an adventure...
I've never been to the Mad River area before. This one turned out to be more of an adventure than I'd anticipated. The 16 mile loop did not seem much on paper, but throw in missing trail signs, river crossings and hundreds of downed trees and it got to be a nice workout. Started out by missing the Jimmy Creek trail junction (unsigned) about 1.3 miles in so had to backtrack about a half mile to make sure I was on the right trail. There were two bridgeless crossings of the Mad River between 4-5 miles in. Both would have been easy if I had brought my crocs. Crossing first the one sockless in boots (20 minutes wringing out boots) and the second on a precariously-positioned log were adventures. Blue Creek Meadow is a pretty place. From Blue Creek camp on the downed trees took over the trail. When I met the 2 FS trailworkers earlier (the only two humans I was to see in two days) I chuckled to myself when they mentioned that they had reports of lots of trees across the trail. As I was not a motorcycle, I thought, that would not be a problem for me. But this was downed trees on a BIG SCALE for much of the rest of the loop. I had never realized the cumulative effect of climbing over, around, and/or through hundreds of obstacles ranging from a single branch to whole trees spread lengthwise down the trail. I made it into Whistling Pig Meadow by early evening and set up camp next to the old hunter's shelter. Awoke during the night and went out for a brief peek at the splendid stars but it was too cold to stay out long. Rose to the buzz of mosquitoes awakening (have I mentioned the mosquitoes...they were fairly bad in most areas). I almost lost the trail in spots in boggy/snow-spotted lower Whistling Pig Meadows. I thought Cougar Meadows was the most beautiful of the many meadows on the loop. It would be a great future campsite. Also enjoyed the open hillside on the east face of Cougar Mtn. Nice views and nicer breezes to keep the mosquitoes at bay. Missed the upper junction with Jimmy Creek trail (unsigned and not real noticeable) also but figured out my mistake more quickly this time. Dropping down Jimmy Creek trail was trying. The upper section was badly eroded, the downed trees were menacing, and the occasional boggy/snowy section required careful attention to keep track of the trail.
Well, I have complained a lot, but it was still a nice outing. The scenery was not spectacular but pleasant. The flowers were not bursting from the meadows as one guide book stated, but they were out mostly in creek beds, boggy meadows, and the open slopes beneath Cougar Mtn. Shooting stars and marsh marigolds were the lead actors. One certainly got a good sense of solitude. Not only did I see no other hikers, but I saw few signs of other hikers having been on the trail. I've seen worse mosquitoes (Larch Lakes, for one). The few weeks between snowmelt and the arrival of the motorcycles (in a couple of weeks I am told) makes this an okay spot to check out as some of the more scenic high country melts out. I will advise any hikers, however, to make sure that they have a good map (NGs Topo! is a great program) and are paying close attention to where they are at all times as the maze of trails in the area can be confusing....particularly when the junctions are unsigned. And the last 2.6 miles of road leading to the trailhead. My, oh my! That has to be one of the worst stretches of road I've ever driven. The only two ways to do that would be driving or in the back seat under a blanket with your eyes closed |
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