HIKING / BACKPACK / HORSEBACK

Distance: 30 miles round trip to Pacific Crest Trail at Dishpan Gap. Hiking Time: up to 3 days

High Point. 600 feet at June Mountain Elevation Gain: 3500 feet

Maps: USGS Sloan Peak, Blanca Lake, Bench Mark Mtn
Greentrails - Sloan Creek #111, Monte Cristo #143 Benchmark Mtn #144

The trail system in this area provides many opportunities for trips ranging from a weekend to a week. There are two access routes for the Bald Eagle Trail. Each direction is of comparable length and meet at Curry gap with the route selected depends on whether one takes the Mountain Loop Highway or Highway 2 and the North Fork Skykomish. The trail from the north starts at Sloan Creek, follows an old logging road for 2.5 miles and enters the old forest where old, broken puncheon bridges makes for poor footing for horses and pack stock. In 1.8 miles, the trail reaches Curry Gap.

The route from the south begins at Quartz Creek Trailhead on the North Fork Skykomish River and proceeds north 4.0 miles to Curry Gap on Quartz Creek Trail #1050.

The trail (#650) then proceeds southeast to Bald Eagle Mountain and follows the ridge past Long John Mtn. and June Mtn. A side trail goes past Little Blue and Blue Lake, but each route ends up taking you to Dishpan Gap on the Pacific Crest Trail where one finds some of the most beautiful country between Stevens Pass and Glacier Peak.

Directions: North Trailhead - Go east from Verlot for 27 miles to Sloan Creek Road #49. Turn right and follow for 8.5 miles to Cadet Creek Road #4920. Follow for 2.0 miles to bridge at trailhead Bald Eagle Trail #650. '

South Trailhead - Go east from Index on the Index-Galena Road (#63). At end of pavement, take a left and follow road #63 to Quartz Creek Trailhead where horse facilities are located.