Backpack - Easy Pass & Park Creek Pass Loop

Rated and 9 (out of 10) for scenery by Douglas Lorain in Backpacking Washington (Wilderness Press), this trip crosses Park Creek and Easy Passes.  Harvey Manning in 101 Hikes in the North Cascades describes Park Creek Pass:  This pass and its surroundings rank among the scenic climaxes of the North Cascades National Park.”  Craig Romano in Day Hiking North Cascades rates Easy Pass of 5 out of 5 stars and says: “Savor spectacular views of glistening glaciers gracing massive Mount Logan.”  This very strenuous 43 mile 5-day (4 night) trip has more than 10,400’ total of ascent and 11,100’ total of descent and the longest day of about 10 miles.  

The tentative plan:

Day 1:  After dropping a car at Easy Pass Trailhead, drive 8 miles along Route 20 to Bridge Creek Trailhead and then hike to North Fork Camp.  Approximately 9 miles, 580’ ascent, 2,300’ descent.

Day 2:  Follow the Pacific Crest Trail south, including a short gravel road section, and begin the ascent to Park Creek Pass and our second night's camp, Buckner Camp.  Approximately 10 miles 2,500’ ascent, 1,100’ descent.  After setting up camp, we will optionally explore off-trail along Park Creek, adding about 2 miles, round trip.   

Day 3:  Continue north though ever improving views and meadows over Park Creek Pass (described by Lorain as “a joyful climb through these lovely alpine gardens”) and descend to Skagit Queen Camp.  Approximately 8 miles, 2,214’ ascent, 3,097’ descent.  A possible side trip to a viewpoint west of the trail will add about 1 mile.

Day 4:  Hike to Cosco Camp, with possible short sidetrip to Rock Cabin.  Approximately 8 miles, 2,190’ ascent, 1,560’ descent.

Day 5: Hike Fisher Creek Trail over Easy Pass to our car at Easy Pass Trailhead, retrieve our second car at Bridge Creek Trailhead before driving home (with perhaps a calorie replenishment ice cream stop at Cascadian Home Farm in Rockport).  Approximately 9 miles, 2,800’ ascent and 2,950’ descent.

Total (excluding sidetrips) approximately 43 miles, 10,400’ ascent and 11,100 descent.

The proposed route in Caltopo. 

A WTA.org trail conditions report from July 2024 says the travel between Skagit Queen Camp and Park Creek Pass was very difficult due to extensive blowdown.  However, an email from a North Cascades Ranger on May 1, 2025 says “Trail crew made a lot of progress on the hundreds of down trees past Skagit Queen last summer, and the trail was much more passeable.”  

EV access:  Depending on the electric car, the trailhead will be accessible by an EV.   

Leader Permission:  Leader permission is required, which you can obtain by sending an email to the leader.  When you request leader permission, please accompany your request with the answers to the questions available at this link.  You can download these questions, type in your responses below each question, save and email to me;  or copy and paste into an email and put your responses there.

I expect low overnight temperatures will be in the 30s. You should check the current weather report shortly before departure: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=48.4985&lon=-120.9623 Rain should be expected, and you should bring a raincoat, rain pants or rain kilt, and pack cover and clothes that will keep you warm when wet (no cotton!). The trip is subject to change or cancellation if the predicted weather is unusually poor or there is substantial smoke.  

Maps:  Green Trails Diablo Dam #48, Mount Logan # 49, McGregor Mountain #81, Stehekin #82.  

Guide books:  Backpacking Washington (Lorain) (Wilderness Press) Trip 8; Day Hiking North Cascades Trip 93 (Romano)(Mountaineers Press); 101 Hikes in the North Cascades (Spring and Manning) (Mountaineers Press) Trips 24 and 80.

Conditioning:  This trip requires excellent conditioning.  We will average about 2 mph on the trail, including breaks.  You should be able to climb Mt. Si with a full backpack in 3 hours or less, and be able to repeat the climb on the next day.  

Cost:  I already paid $46 for the permit.   Assuming a 4 person group, the cost will be $11 per person.  

Car shuttle required:  The end trailhead of this trip is 8 miles from our starting trailhead, along paved Highway 20, so we will need 2 cars.  I plan to drive and can carry 4 people with backpacks, but we will need a second car to leave at the starting trailhead.  

Gear notes:

1. Bear canisters or Ursacks are required. 

2. You should bring some method of water purification.

3. Bugs are certainly possible; bring bug repellant.

4. Some of the campsites are small, so small tents are strongly encouraged.

Tentatively:

10 AM, September 15, 2025

North Cascades National Park Wilderness Information Center

7280 Ranger Station Rd, Marblemount, WA 98267