Road: While the road can be rough, I believe any car can make it based on the variety of cars at the trailhead.
Trail to High Camp is essentially snow free. There's barely any snow worth mentioning, you're on it for maybe 20 steps, on level ground. Large cairns help with guidance on this trail but map/gps is also very helpful.
Water: first water source is about 2.5 miles in (stream), then the lakes and the streams around them.
Traffic: duo campers at Shy Lake; on my way out I encountered 3 horseback riders + dog, 3 total hikers and 3 dogs.
Bugs were bad but moving and spray helps.
Lots of wildflowers!
Type of Hike
Day hikeTrail Conditions
Minor obstacles posing few problemsRoad
Road rough but passableBugs
Bugs were an annoyanceSnow
Intermittent snow - not hard to cross
Comments
Nuckers on Killen Creek to High Camp
Great report and photos! Thank you. I'm taking my grandson out for an overnighter - one night. He's 10 in August and this mileage and elevation gain is well within his capabilities. I have a few questions if you don't mind. First, did you hike above High Camp towards the lake? The last mile or so to the lake appears to have significant snow still. Are there any water sources near High Camp? I have to carry most of the weight and I'd rather avoid having to pack in five liters of water from the last creek source. If there is snow near High Camp, let me know please as I can also melt snow to drink. Happy Trails!
Posted by:
Nuckers on Jul 19, 2025 06:24 AM
SarahEC on Killen Creek to High Camp
I did not go beyond High Camp. I can't think of any water sources beyond the lakes except for the tiny snow patches heading up that won't be around long, or the one on the slope in the picture.
Posted by:
SarahEC on Jul 19, 2025 10:34 AM
SarahEC on Killen Creek to High Camp
I did not go beyond High Camp. I can't think of any water sources beyond the lakes except for the tiny snow patches heading up that won't be around long, or the one on the slope in the picture.
Posted by:
SarahEC on Jul 19, 2025 10:34 AM
dean on Killen Creek to High Camp
High Camp itself has water, nice cold creeks. They will dry up late in the summer.
Posted by:
dean on Jul 19, 2025 10:43 AM
Nuckers on Killen Creek to High Camp
Thank you. Much appreciated. Happy trails!
Posted by:
Nuckers on Jul 20, 2025 07:27 AM