Rock Creek Trail #1509

Rock Creek Trail is 11.7 miles long, gains 4000 feet of elevation, and is primarily used by hikers and stock users. The trail begins at the Rock Creek Trailhead, and climbs steadily along the densely-forested valley, sometimes cutting across the sides of the canyon, and sometimes following alongside Rock Creek. At 2.5 miles from the trailhead, Rock Creek Tie Trail #1538 branches off to the east, while Rock Creek Trail continues northeast.  After about 3.5 miles, the trail crosses Rock Creek at a major ford, and there are several clear campsites on both sides of the river here. The trail becomes more difficult to follow past this point, climbing north across increasingly brushy meadow and then cutting into the forest, where the trail is easier to follow. Rock Creek Trail leaves the forest again, weaving up the meadow and crossing blowdowns and that may make the trail even trickier to follow. The faint trail continues to crisscross Rock Creek over the meadow, until it reaches the base of a steep, rocky slope. The eroded trail switchbacks up, then follow the contour of the rocky bowl south across the scree and talus, climbing toward the saddle below Carne Mountain. The trail becomes more obvious again near the top of the saddle, and the trail ends at a junction with Carne Mountain Trail #1508 heading south, and Leroy High Route Trail # 1512 heading north. The trail is not recommended for stock travel after about 9 miles from the trailhead, as it becomes very brushy and eroded for the last almost 3 miles. A good horse camp is located 7 miles from the trailhead.

This trail enters Glacier Peak Wilderness at 4.5 miles. 

At a Glance