Summit Trail Wilderness #1259
This trail is open to mountain bikes for the first 11 miles from South Navarre Campground to Chipmunk Pass. The main attraction is the access the Summit Trail provides for fishing at Cub Lake, Boiling Lake, and Surprise Lakes. (No bikes allowed within Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness.) This trail enters and travels within Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness following Sawtooth Ridge. It may be accessed by multiple trails. Many campsites are available beginning at the 2 ½ mile point (Safety Harbor Creek Trail Junction), 4 mile at Miners Basin, 7 mile at the bottom of the East Fork Prince Creek switchbacks (in spruce tree grove 100’ east of the trail), and 8 mile which is 400’ west of the trail in a spruce grove. All of camping areas have fire rings but no other facilities.
Just beyond 10 mile and the junction with Prince Creek Wilderness Trail #1255 is a camp with a table, fire ring, hitch rack, and plenty of room for tents, The North Fork Prince Creek Shelter is at mile point 15.5. Chipmunk Pass is located at 11 miles and is as far on the Summit Trail that bikers are allowed. This is where the trail enters Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness.
No facilities are provided at Muleshoe but it is a very popular place to camp (it is an old sheepherders camp). Camps are located at 18 ½ mile, 19 mile, and Twin Springs Camp at 20 ½ mile. Ten Tree Camp is at 23 miles, Camp Comfort at 26 mile, and the boundary of the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area at 27 miles.
The trail is in generally good condition with many side trips to small lakes and mountain peaks. A few locations in the Fish Creek drainage are marked with cairns where the tread is not very visible. The hike takes at least 4 to 5 days and can be 15 to 20 if the more areas are visited. Water is generally no problem but it should be treated. Sheep are grazed through this area on odd numbered years. You can continue all the way to Stehekin via the Purple Creek or Boulder Creek Trails.
At a Glance
Current Conditions: | Click here |
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Permit Info: |
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Best Season: | summer, fall |
Restrictions: | Motorized and mechanized use prohibited. Wilderness regulations apply within Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness. |
Operated By: | Forest Service |
Information Center: | Chelan Ranger District. |
General Information
Directions:From Chelan, drive north on Highway 97 to Pateros. Turn left onto Highway #153 for 17 miles. Take the Gold Creek Road #4340 / County Road 1034 for one mile. Turn left onto South Fork Gold Creek Road #4330. Take Spur road 600 and continue until the junction of Grade Creek Road #8200 and Cooper Mt. road #8020. Turn right on Grade Creek Road and continue for 11 miles to South Navarre Campground.
OR
From Chelan, drive 6.5 miles on the Chelan-Manson state highway 150 towards Manson. Turn Right onto Wapato Lake Road and drive 2.3 miles to Upper Joe Creek Road for 4.2 miles where the road becomes the Grade Creek Road #8200. Continue 27 miles on Grade Creek Road to South Navarre Campground.
General Notes:
Maps: Green Trails- Prince Creek