Crater Creek Trailhead


Crater Creek Trailhead is popular for hikers, horseback riders, motorcycle and mountain bike trail users. These trail are not open to 4 wheelers as these trails are too narrow.  This forested trailhead gives access to Eagle Lakes Trail #431, Crater Creek Trail #416 and Martin Lakes Trail #429. Be sure to check and know which trails are open to multiple use as some trails are closed to motorcycles and some are also closed to mountain bikes and some are only open to hikers. 

At a Glance

Current Conditions: Current trail conditions information 
Area Amenities: Tent camping, Toilets, Parking
Fees: NW Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass required. $5/vehicle/day Northwest Forest Pass can be purchased from a self-pay station provided at the trailhead.
Open Season: June
Usage: Light
Best Season: August
Busiest Season: August
Restrictions: Certified weed free hay is required on National forest lands (processed grains are okay). 
Closest Towns: Carlton, Washington
Water: No
Restroom: Vault Toilet (1)
Passes: NW Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass required. $5/vehicle/day Northwest Forest Pass can be purchased from a self-pay station provided at the trailhead.
Operated By: Forest Service
Information Center: Methow Valley Ranger District

General Information

Directions:

From Twisp take State Route 20 south for 2 miles, to junction with State Route 153. Take State Route 153 south for 12 miles to Okanogan County Road 1029 (Gold Creek Loop) and follow a short distance to County Road 1034 (Gold Creek Road). Take County Road 1034, which becomes Forest Service Road 4340, about 6 miles to Forest Service Road 4340-300 (Crater Creek Road). Take Forest Service Road 4340-300 for 4.6 miles to the Crater Creek Trailhead.


General Notes:

Sawtooth Backcountry multiple use trail map/brochure showing which trails are open to hikers, horses, mountain bikes  and motorcycles. 

Trails open to motorcycles, mountain bikes, horses, hikers: Eagle Lakes Trail 431, Martin Creek Trail 429, Foggy Dew Trail 417 and 417A and on Chelan Ranger District: Trail to Cub Lake 1255, Summit Trail 1259, Uno Peak Trail 1260, and Safety Harbor Creek Trail 1261. Trails open to mountain bikes, horses, hikers: Crater Creek Trail 416, Upper Eagle Lake Trail 431A, Lower Eagle Lake Trail 431B, Martin Lakes Trail 429A, Cooney Lake Trail 434, Merchant Basin Trail 427A, Sunrise Lake Trail 417B from Merchants Basin 417A to Summer Blosson Trail 1258, Navarre Way Trail 424 from 417, 417A junction to Summer Blossom Trail 1258, and on Chelan Ranger District: 1255 Trail from Cub Lake to wilderness boundary, Trail from Boiling Lake to wilderness boundary at Chipmunk Pass, Trail 1259.32 to wilderness boundary at Hoodoo Pass and Angel Staircase Trail 1259.21.  Trails open to horses, hikers: wilderness trails. Trails open to hikers only:  on Chelan Ranger District, Summer Blossom Trail 1258.


Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Mountain Biking

Lake and Pond Fishing

Lake fishing at Crater Lake, Upper and Lower Eagle Lakes, Boiling Lake, Cub Lake, Martin Lakes, Cooney Lake and Sunrise Lake.

Day Hiking

Backpacking

Horse Riding

OHV Open Area Riding

2 wheeled motorcycles only as the trails are not wide enough for 4 wheelers.

Amenities

Tent camping: a small campsite area
Parking: Stock ramp & hitch-rails and stock water at parking area.
Toilets: vault toilets at trailhead only