Abandoned Trails: US 2

Trails in this region were old routes to mines, or abandoned due to logging. The Napeequa was probably abandoned due to a strenuous approach.

Silver Creek

This trail was the original route into the Monte Cristo area, from 1889. Actually, the route origonally headed to Pearsall Pass. It was moved to the lower Poodle Dog Pass within a few years. Once the railroad was built to Monte Cristo, this trail got less use. However, the route is still quite easy to follow. The route passes several mine adits. Some of these mines are still "active", so don't trespass!

Getting there: Turn north at Index until you get to the old townsite of Galena. Follow this road until you can't drive any more.

Trail report: Hike up the road, past a huge rockslide area and back on the old roadbed past the old Mineral City townsite and up to Poodledog Pass. Much of the route is on an old road, but true trail starts at the end of the logged-out area at about 2800'. The trail is in mostly good shape, and is generally not hard to follow. There is one pretty confusing section. You will pass one big waterfall en route.

References: USGS Skykomish Quadrangle (30'), 1905. USGS Monte Cristo Quadrangle, photorevised 1982 (7.5'). "Footsore" books by H. Manning. H. Majors' "Monte Cristo Area". "Discovering Washington's Historic Mines", Oso Press.

Surveyor: S.Fox, 1999

Troublesome Creek

Apparently, this is an old mine access trail.

Getting there: Drive up the N Fork Skykomish to Troublesome Creek campground.

Trail report: In the campground, near the creek is a nature trail. Take this trail on the west side of the creek until it crosses a bridge. The abandoned trail continues on the west side. It's in remarkable shape but finally fizzles out after a few miles. Keep poking around and you'll find remnants of trail... eventually we gave up hope. The best scenery is on the nature trail, but the whole way is a nice river walk, never steep and usually within view of the creek.

Other references: word of mouth, no written reference found yet.

Surveyor: S.Fox, 2000

Evergreen Mt

Getting there: Drive up the Beckler River road, turn east on the Rapid River road for about 1.5 miles.

Trail report: The intersection of the old road marked on the USGS map is difficult to find. Walk above the gravel pit to find the road. Follow this road/trail as shown on the map to the summit. The road is not badly overgrown and is pleasant travel. The surveyor has only done this trip in winter, and can't report on tread conditions up higher. There is a lookout on the summit. Evergreen Mt has been logged a substantial amount.

References: 101 Hikes (1960's), Louise Marshall. USGS 7.5' Evergreen Mt map, 1982.

Surveyor: S.Fox, 2000

Kelley Creek/Scorpion Mt

Getting there: Drive up road 6720 to 3000-3200'. Bushwack towards Kelley Creek and look for the trail.

Trail Report: Tread is obscure in a few places to the Captain Point/Scorpion ridge. Look for blazes. On the ridge towards Scorpion Mt the tread is easily lost, but the ridge is obvious to follow. Look for sawed logs and blazes. There are reports of a north crest cutoff trail splitting towards the PCT. Captain Point has been logged a substantial amount. The best scenery is between Captain Point and Scorpion Mt.

References: USGS 7.5' Captain Point and Scenic maps, 1982. 100 hikes. Surveyors: Lopper, 2001. SFox, 2001

North Crest Cutoff

The trail heads east from the road (coming up Martin Creek) at the saddle east of Captains Point. Head east from the saddle up the ridge through the logging slash eventually finding the trail. It is mostly on the ridge with good views to the Rapid river area. The trail divides after dropping off Valhalla mtn to a pass on the East with even an old metal trail sign. North is to Lake Janus and south to the Crest trail. The trail was in fairly good shape.

References: 100 Hikes

Surveyor: Dale Kalamasz, c. 1990

Surprise Gap (CCT)

Getting there: Hike the Surprise Creek trail and PCT past Glacier Lake to the rock gardens at 5120'. The 1970's Pacific Crest Trail takes a route via Pieper Pass to Deception Lakes. Continue straight on the old Cascade Crest Trail, looking for tread up the talus slopes to Surprise Gap.

Trail Report: (not surveyed between 5120' and Surprise Gap) The trail in generally good shape from Surprise Gap to Deception Lakes. Another trail splits off near the gap, heading up to the former lookout site on Surprise Mt. Near Deception Lakes are signs to a horse camp. If travelling northbound from Deception Lakes, take signs to Surprise Mt and the horse camp.

References: USGS 7.5' Scenic map, 1982.

Surveyor: S.Fox, 2001

Napeequa Valley

A spectacular and rarely travelled valley, with a difficult approach for the experienced and fit mountain traveller only.

Getting there: There are two approaches. Both require river crossings that can be quite difficult in early season.

The first is via the White River and Boulder Pass trails. This route is in good shape all the way to the Napeequa River, except for some easy brushy trail close to the bottom. Then you get to cross the mighty and feared Napeequa River.

The second is via Little Giant Pass. First you get to cross the mighty and feared Chiwawa River. Then a long hike to the pass. The trail continues down to the Napeequa Valley, but is long abandoned and in poor shape. Lots of brush and slid tread.

Trail Report: The Napeequa side of the Little Giant Pass trail is easy to lose in either up or down direction. The trail up the Napeequa Valley is through some grass fields and a few boggy sections. The trail on these rarely travelled areas is also easy to lose. The trail crosses the Napeequa near its fork, heading northbound. This area is tricky and difficult to follow. Probably this portion was never a built trail. However, with lots of investigation you can find a route through the brush all the way to the upper north fork valley. It continues to High Pass. The trail from High Pass to Buck Creek Pass is also abandoned, but in great shape. There is one area at High Pass with permanent steep, hard snow. Ice axe recommended.

References: Routes and Rocks. USGS 7.5' Clark Mt map, 1988. Greentrails map.

Surveyor: S.Fox, 2001

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