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Blue Creek

Jun 20, 2010

by Kim Brown — last modified Jun 21, 2010 10:57 PM
Type of Outing
Day hike
Read More in our Hiking Guide
Hike: Blue Creek
Region: Snoqualmie Pass
Trails: Blue Creek (#1364.2)
Avg Rating: 1.75
View from Red Too
What a gem of a trail! There is a lot of variety on this trail; meadows, forest, slope, flat, rocky slopes, huge, old growth spruce and a few gigantic Doug Fir - and Red Top Lookout at the end!

From Hwy 970 (Swauk Pass), turn left onto a FS road just past Mineral Springs resort. Travel a few miles and turn left at the Y. In a mile or so, cross Blue Creek, then begin looking to your right for the trailhead. The trailhead sign is parallel the road, so though it’s not hard to see, you do to look for it.

Don’t be scared off by this trail being a dotted line trail on Green Trails maps - the trail is now very well maintained. It is moderately steep in places, but no wild ups and downs. Very nice, very pretty. Lots of ponderosas, white pine, larches, spruce trees and tons of birds! Lots of nootka rose lining the trail, and getting ready to burst open, and more silver crown than I’ve ever seen anywhere – what a sight it will be when it all blooms!

Near the summit of Red Top, the Blue Creek trail crosses the Teanaway Ridge trail. Cross the Teanaway Ridge trail, and up the slope to the lookout.

This trail is a beautiful alternative to driving up to Red Top. We very much enjoyed this hike.

Scene near the spring, below summit
A hiker hugs a giant tree on the Blue Creek trail
A hiker on Blue Creek trail below summit of Red Top
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Blue Creek

Posted by bcmac at Jun 23, 2010 02:29 PM
Hi Kim,
Can you tell me the approximate length and gain on this hike? Also, how about the roads once you leave 97?
Thanks for any info and thanks for posting this report.
Bonnie

Blue Creek

Posted by Kim Brown at Jun 23, 2010 04:30 PM
Hi, Bonnie - the trail is approximately 2 miles long - maybe a little more, and I'd give a rough estimate of a little over 1,000 of gain (very rough estimate). But to be honest, I didn't pay very close attention - we had all day, and we had our cameras - I just hopped onto the trail and started walking. It is longer than the Green Trails map shows, though. (GT: Mt. Stuart and Liberty)

But the trail is so well maintained at this point that it's a delight to walk on. No big steep sections at all; more like a steady grade when you're going uphill. No rocky sections, no rooty sections, no mooky mud-pits, no blowdown (the trail crew was just there last week). Cle Elum Ranger District ought to pat themselves on the back about this trail. The final thrust up to the lookout is blasted into a rocky slope - but the trail isn't full of rolling rocks, so it's not a hassle.

The trail goes by a spring, so there may be some mosquitoes; we weren't bothered by any on Sunday, but it's only a matter of time.... There's another fun thing to enjoy on this trail I didn't put into the trip report - you'll have to discover that on your own!!!

The road is in excellent condition - once you take the left veer at the Y, it's a little rougher, but nothing even the smallest car can't handle.

Blue Creek

Posted by Kim Brown at Jun 23, 2010 10:23 PM
Edit: Jonathan had his GPS tracking the trail; it's 1.8 miles one way to the lookout, and 1633' gain; but it sure didn't seem that steep to us, and we're fat & out of shape! It's just nice & steady.

Blue Creek

Posted by bcmac at Jun 28, 2010 07:16 AM
Hey Kim,
Don't know if you are still checking these comments but I did this hike with a friend on Saturday. We loved it! Tons of flowers and only a few people on the trail--good combo. The lookout had fabulous views and we enjoyed the couple who were volunteering. I don't know the other 'fun thing' you mentioned--was it the possibility of digging for agates, etc? That is pretty neat but we didn't get over to the area. Our biggest finds were a barred owl about half way back down the trail and the Mountain Lady's Slipper orchids close by the trailhead (read in a nwhikers recent trip report). I'm pleased : )
Happy Hiking, Bonnie