Bedal Basin

North Cascades

Follow a trail up an old mining trail before reaching a boulder-filled basin with views of Sloan Peak above. The first half of the hike is fairly easy, while the second is a steep climb through a creek bed. Navigational skills are required for this hike.

The Bedal Creek Trail begins within a stand of old-growth trees. About a half mile in, enter the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness. Look for trillium, asters, huckleberries, salmonberries, and bleeding hearts along the trail. Given that this trail sees very little maintenance, expect thick overgrowth, which may obscure the trail in places. Shortly after entering the Wilderness, look for an avalanche chute at 0.7 miles. A small creek here flows across the trail from Bedal Peak

About a mile in, reach make contact with Bedal Creek. Here, re-enter the forest and begin hiking parallel to the creek. The way peters out about 1.7 miles from the trailhead. Continue up the rocky creek bed. Continue onward through a thin forest where you will find Bedal Basin.

This basin is rugged, but very unique as boulders and wildflowers are strewn about the basin meadow. Looking upward from here is a gigantic rock wall. On a nice day one can see Mount Forgotten in the distance.

Bedal Basin

Map & Directions

Getting There

Take exit 208 off I-5 and drive four miles east on the Mountain Loop Highway (SR 530) to Arlington. Continue on 530 for 28 miles more to Darrington. At a three way stop turn right (south) onto Mountain Loop Highway, and continue 17.2 miles turning left on FR 4096 which is about a mile past Bedal campground. Continue on FR 4096 for two miles to the trailhead.

From Verlot, travel east on the Mountain Loop Highway for 26 miles to Forest Service road 4096, turn right and ascend this steep road for two miles.