Middle Fork (Toats Coulee)

North Cascades > Pasayten

48.8765, -119.9007 Map & Directions

Length: 5.8 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 400 feet
Highest Point: 5,380 feet
Calculated Difficulty About Calculated Difficulty: Moderate

The Middle Fork Trail is a quiet, low-key ramble through the woods of northeastern Washington. Photo by Rolan Shomber. Full-size image

Dogs allowed on leash
Old growth

Parking Pass/Entry Fee

None

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Don’t want to drive the very rough last 6 miles to the Iron Gate Trailhead? This mostly forested alternate approach adds 3 miles and 1000 feet elevation gain to the trip into Horseshoe Basin. Continue reading

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3 trip reports for this trail

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Hiking Middle Fork (Toats Coulee)

The short Middle Fork Trail is a pleasant hike, mostly through forest reminiscent of the central Pasayten Wilderness prior to the many recent fires. It passes through mature forest and grassy aspen groves as it makes its short climb.

There are a couple of small locations that show the effects of nearby fires. One has many young pine trees, and the other is a small field of fireweed among the gray logs on the ground. Note that once into summer, this wide pack trail can be very dusty.

The trail ends at its junction with the Clutch Creek Trail. From here the right branch (easterly) is a short, steep climb to the Boundary Trail at its junction with the Deer Park Trail, 1 mile from the Iron Gate Trailhead.

Back at the end of the Middle Fork Trail, the left branch (western) drops down to cross the Middle Fork Toats Coulee Creek before starting a long, steep climb to its junction with the Windy Peak Trail.

Toilet Information

No toilet at trailhead

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Hike Description Written by
Rolan Shomber, WTA Correspondent

Middle Fork (Toats Coulee)

Map & Directions

Trailhead

Co-ordinates: 48.8765, -119.9007 Open in Google Maps