Following a meandering path along a valley floor and then steeply up to a broad pass, the Fisher Creek Trail is part of a 14 mile traverse of breathtaking high mountain scenery through the eastern side of the North Cascades National Park.
Many hikers access Fisher Creek via Easy Pass, the trailhead for which is right off of Highway 20. Don't be fooled by the name -- this trail is definitely not easy. Coming from Highway 20, you'll traverse through forest and across clear glacial creeks for the first mile before beginning to climb up to the pass, filled with loose scree. This terrain requires regular visits from trail crews including WTA to keep it navigable.
Approaching Fisher Creek from the other side, hikers are faced with a far longer approach to the stellar views from the Pass. A meandering trail that begins at the Thunder Creek basin, near Colonial Creek campground. From here, the trail wends through the rugged backcountry of the North Cascades National Park.
The trail crisscrosses Fisher Creek, and you'll pass several camps; your third crossing is just a mile before Cosho Camp, the first campsite tucked into the forest with nearby views of Ragged Ridge and Mount Logan.
Four miles from Cosho Camp, Fisher Camp, where the trail's gentle grade through the valley ends, and the real climb begins. From Fisher, you'll climb 1,150 feet to Easy Pass. Emerge from the forest and for the last half mile, switchback up to Easy Pass, resplendent with wildflowers in late spring and early summer, and more views up valley and down.
Fisher Creek
-
Length
- 14.0 miles, roundtrip
-
Elevation Gain
- 4,000 feet
-
Highest Point
- 6,560 feet
Hiking Fisher Creek
Fisher Creek