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
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Length
- 5.2 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,900 feet
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Highest Point
- 4,700 feet
Mountain Loop Highway is closed from Deer Creek (milepost 24) to Bedal Creek (milepost 36) for the winter.
Hiking Bedal Basin
Bedal Basin