Quartz Creek

Cool and lush, the Quartz Creek corridor is blessed with old-growth, waterfalls, and maybe even solitude, since a trip in and out of this area is typically a two-day endeavor. The trail carries hikers into the southeast corner of the Dark Divide Roadless Area, one of Washington's truly special places. A spectacular area for backpacking and day hiking, adventures can occasionally be blocked or brought up short by huge downed trees that make trails impassable, but the diverse landscape of deep forested valleys and open ridges with beautiful meadows and breathtaking views will leave you hungry for more.

The Quartz Creek trail departs the Lewis River trailhead and for heads upstream of the Lewis River. 1.6 miles from the road, it arrives at Straight Creek, which requires a ford and may be dangerous in the spring when water is high. From the ford, hikers will climb and wend their way around hillsides on the north side of Quartz Creek to an intersection with Quartz Creek Butte.

This mile and a half long side trail ends at Forest Road 9075 and connects to the Summit Prairie Trail. It's a fine detour, but not your route. Continue through the intersection with Quartz Creek Butte and proceed very steeply uphill for a half mile. The trail flattens out a bit after this and again wends its way around the hills and descends to the Snagtooth Trail junction. At this point you are 6.3 miles from the trailhead. 

Continue another 1.25 miles (crossing Quartz Creek two more times along the way) and arrive at a junction with French Creek trail. Pass through this junction, and continue a final 1.25 miles to a final connection with the Boundary Trail.