Rock Creek

Name: Rock Creek
Rating: 2.0

North Cascades > Pasayten

48.9030, -120.6372 Map & Directions

Length: 7.1 miles, one-way
Elevation Gain: 1,500 feet
Highest Point: 5,900 feet
Calculated Difficulty About Calculated Difficulty: Moderate/Hard

Mountain views
Wildflowers/Meadows
Wildlife

Saved to My Backpack

Enjoy views of peaks and wildflowers along this connector trail between the PCT and the Pasayten Airstrip. This trail features abundant wildlife and a comfortable grade. Continue reading

Rating

2.00 out of 5

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11 trip reports for this trail

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Hiking Rock Creek

Connect between the Pasayten Airstrip and the PCT on the Rock Creek Trail. This pleasant hike features stunning views of surrounding peaks, such as Soda Peak and Smoky Mountain. The trail ascends the Rocky Creek drainage, alternating between avalanche meadows and timber. By the time you reach the PCT and Woody Pass, the landscape is subalpine. Wildlife is abundant on this trail, with even the occasional bear sighting, so come prepared with proper bear safety equipment and knowledge.

Begin your traverse by turning left from the Robinson Creek trail. (The stats above do not include the hike along the Robinson Creek trail to the junction with Rock Creek, which is about 21 miles and 5,500 feet in elevation gain.)

The trail climbs steadily without switchbacks until you reach Coney Creek, where it gets a bit steeper. Enjoy views of spruce, fir, and pine trees year-round and plenty of wildflowers blooming in the summer. Traveling east-to-west, Soda Peak and Smoky Mountain are on your right, and you may be able to see Holman Peak to the left. Whether you stop to camp along the trail or hike all the way through, the Rock Creek Trail will connect you not only to the PCT, but also to the Boundary Trail.

This trail is part of WTA's Lost Trails Campaign. Learn more about how we're saving lost trails across the state.

WTA worked here in 2013 and 2011!

Hike Description Written by
McKenzie Carlson, WTA Correspondent

Rock Creek

Map & Directions

Trailhead

Co-ordinates: 48.9030, -120.6372 Open in Google Maps

Before You Go

Trail access limited: This trail is currently impassible to stock and difficult to follow for hikers due to excessive tree downfall from the 2022 NW Pasayten Wilderness Complex Fires.

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WTA Pro Tip: Save a copy of our directions before you leave! App-based driving directions aren't always accurate and data connections may be unreliable as you drive to the trailhead.

Getting There

Begin your hike at the Robinson Creek Trailhead. From Winthrop, drive 15 miles west on Highway 20, turn right onto Lost River Road, drive 7.5 miles on pavement and continue another 1.5 miles on graveled FR 5400 to Robinson Creek Trailhead on the right side of road. The trailhead can be found at these coordinates: 48.66273, -120.54267

The pin on the map points to the junction between Robinson Creek trail and Rock Creek trail.