Gold Creek Basin

getting there

Summer

Take Exit 54 off of I-90, turn left (north), and then turn right onto Forest Road 4832 that parallels the north side of I-90. Drive 1.0 mile, turn left on Gold Creek Road  (Road 142), and turn left in 0.3 mile into the Gold Creek Pond parking lot (2,600 ft).

Winter

Take Exit 54 off of I-90 (2 miles east of Snoqualmie Pass), turn left, and cross under the interstate. A few hundred feet north of the interchange, turn right onto a narrow paved road and drive east paralleling I-90 one mile. Cars generally line both sides of this road, because the shoulder is the primary parking area for the long Gold Creek Sno-Park. Park at the end of the plowed road, near the small bridge over the stream connecting Mardee and Keechelus Lakes.

On the Trail

Gold Creek Pond Loop

1-mile loop, 100 feet of elevation gain, 2,700 ft  high point

Hike the loop around Golf Creek Pond in either direction on a combination of road, boardwalk, and trail. A short spur trail from the loop leads to the pond.  A picnic area is near the end of the loop when hiked counterclockwise.

Gold Creek

10.2 miles round trip, 500 feet of elevation gain, 3,100 ft high point

Hike the Gold Creek Trail (No. 1314). The first 0.3 mile is on a gated driveway, the second 0.3 mile follows an abandoned road that dwindles to a rough trail. At 1.5 miles, enter the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and at 3 miles, cross Gold Creek and continue up the west side of the valley. Crossing Silver Creek at mile 3.5 and pass several dispersed campsites along the way. After crossing Alaska Creek at 4.5 miles, continue another half mile to a grassy meadow and a fork in the trail.

Alaska Lake

11.3 miles round trip, 1,600 feet of elevation gain, 4,213 ft high point

Hike the Gold Creek Trail 5.1 miles to is junction with the Alaska Lake Trail (H. 1314.1). Take the left fork and climb steeply for one mile through vine maple, slide alder, and finally a rock slide to Alaska Lake (4,200 ft). Take care in the spring and early summer when streams are running high or snow covers the route.

Joe Lake

13.3 miles round trip,  2,000 feet of elevation gain, 4,624 ft high point

Hike the Gold Creek Trail 5.1 miles to its junction with the Alaska Lake Trail. Continue straight, hiking along the creek for 2 miles ascending through avalanche debris and forest toward Alaska Mountain. From the southeast ridge of Alaska Mountain, a steep boot path on rocks and roots climbs to Joe Lake (4,624 ft).

ski & snowshoe route

Leave the Gold Creek Sno-Park and head over to and then up the Gold Creek Valley.  You can make this a short trip of roughly 4 miles round trip looping around Gold Creek Pond if you wish or 10+ miles round trip if you head farther up the valley. The climb is gentle with less than 500 feet of elevation gain for any trip.

notes

• Snowshoe leaders, please limit elevation gain in order to keep this an Easy difficulty trip.

Information for Leaders

• Suitable Activities: Backpacking, Cross-country Skiing, Day Hiking, Snowshoeing
• Snowshoeing Category: Beginner
• Seasons: Year-round
• Weather: View weather forecast
• View avalanche forecast.

• Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
• Length: 10.0 mi
• Elevation Gain: 500 ft
• High Point: 3,100 ft

• Land Manager: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forests
• Parking Permit Required: SnoPark Pass
• Recommended Party Size: 12
• Maximum Party Size: 60
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 60