Fish Creek

Fish Creek connects the shore of Lake Chelan with the Chelan Summit Trail to the east.

The trail starts from the Lakeshore Trail about 0.25 mile uplake from the bridge over Fish Creek. If you are coming from Moore Point, the Moore Point Trail will intersect the Lakeshore Trail at the bridge. If coming from the Fish Creek dock, you will arrive at the Lakeshore Trail about 0.25 mile uplake from the Fish Creek Trail junction.

The trail is exposed to the sun for about 4 miles once you leave the unburned forest about 1 mile from the junction. The trail climbs steadily traversing bare hillsides that are largely gravel and sand that erode constantly onto the trail. 

After about 2 miles, arrive at the Round Lake junction. This is the only water between the Fish Creek Bridge and Dilly Dally Camp at 4.5 miles. 

The trail switchbacks briefly up a steep grade before resuming the straight traverse above the creek. 

Dilly Dally Camp at 4.5 miles is the only camp along the trail. Primitive (dig catholes), but nice, small tent pads close to Fish Creek for water. The 2024 Pioneer Fire burned all the shade trees, so most campsites are exposed.

The trail continues climbing another 0.75 mile to the East Fork Fish Creek trail.

Another mile brings you into the unburned forest and to a nice easy trail that crosses Fish Creek a couple of times before the final push up to the Summit Trail.

Note: The trail is usually snow covered in the forested above the East Fork junction area up to the Summit Trail into late June. The trail will be hot May to August as there is little to no shade and full sun exposure from morning to early evening.