Twisp Pass Trail #432


This forested, 4.8 mile trail starts on the left fork at the Gilbert Trailhead. It travels northwest and enters Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness at Twisp Pass. The trail is easy and forested for the first 1.5 miles. Two stream crossings at 1.9 miles then for the next mile the trail is on top of rock through subalpine forest and small meadows to pass. Limited camping at the pass. Trail continues into North Cascades National Park. A backcountry permit is required from North Cascades National Park to camp on the National Park. A pemit can be obtained at the National Park Service office in Marblemount or week-days at Methow Valley Ranger District office in Winthrop. 

At a Glance

Current Conditions: Current conditions information
Area Amenities: Interpretive Site,Picnic tables,Toilets,Parking
Fees: A current recreation pass is required. (A $5/vehicle/day Northwest Forest Pass can be purchased from a self-pay station provided at Gilbert trailhead).
Permit Info: North Cascade National Park backcountry permit is required to camp west of Twisp Pass, in the North Cascades National Park.
Open Season: June
Best Season: July-August
Busiest Season: July - August
Restrictions: Wilderness regulations apply. Certified weed-free hay is required on national forest lands (processed grain is okay).
Closest Towns: Twisp, WA
Water: No drinking water
Restroom: At trailhead only
Passes: A current recreation pass is required. (A $5/vehicle/day Northwest Forest Pass can be purchased from a self-pay station provided at Gilbert trailhead).
Operated By: Forest Service
Information Center: Methow Valley Ranger District 509 996-4003

General Information

Directions:

 From Twisp, Washington, drive west on Twisp River Road(Okanogan County Road 9114). In about 10 miles the county road becomes Forest Service Road 44. Continue straight on Forest Service Road 44, travel 4 miles and continue straight past Mystery Campground road junction (where Forest Service Road 44 becomes Forest Service Road 4440). Continue straight on Forest Service Road 4440 for an additional 6 miles to the Gilbert Trailhead on the right (after crossing North Creek), at 24 miles northwest of Twisp.


Accessibility:

Access roads become groomed snowmobile routes, closed to motorized wheeled vehicles December through March. 


Activities

Lake and Pond Fishing

Recreation areas with activity Lake and Pond Fishing:

Lake fishing at Dagger Lake. Washington State fishing license is required and all state game laws apply.

General Info:

Accessibility

Access roads become groomed snowmobile routes, closed to motorized wheeled vehicles December through March. 


Day Hiking

Recreation areas with activity Day Hiking: See additional information under Backpacking.

Backpacking

Recreation areas with activity Backpacking:

  Good views, but limited camping at the pass. Firewood is scarce, recommend no campfires or overnight stock us

Horse Riding

Recreation areas with activity Horse Riding:

  Good views, but limited camping at the pass. Firewood is scarce, recommend no campfires or overnight stock us

Viewing Scenery

Recreation areas with activity Viewing Scenery:

Good views from Twisp pass. This is a classic fall color hike in late September - early October when the alpine larch are gold and with red colored huckleberry bushes.

Amenities

Interpretive Site: interpretive information
Picnic tables: day use picnic tables
Parking: with stock ramp and hitch rail
Toilets: vault toilets at trailhead only