Today I did the 16 mile loop I discovered from Canyon Creek TH to East Creek TH on Highway 20.
Left my bike at East Creek, drove down to Canyon Creek, started up the Chancellor. 1.5 hours to cover the 4.5 miles to start of Boulder Creek Trail on R at sign "East Creek 6". Half an hour up the switchbacks to water, another 20 minutes to last sback and North American Mine.
Trail then climbs gradually traversing up the valley. Plenty of side streams, did some clipping and throwing off of branches. Reached "missing link" area, followed flags I left a couple days ago to flat meadow, then climbing to Boulder Creek Pass.
What had been highest water on both sides of pass last week had dried up, still plenty around but get some before the top. See my Report from a couple days ago for more detailed hydration information.
When almost to the bottom I saw the back end of a 3 year old blonde-red bear, he heard me coming. I didn't yell because he was running away already, but when he stopped and looked back I started yelling and waving my arms. He moved a bit farther but would not leave. Not aggressive, just not scared. So I ended up leaving the trail to avoid, bear didn't follow.
Coasted my bike down the 3 miles of highway back to the truck. Total trip about 8 and a half hours including ride, 19 miles, 4500' gain. I attribute my increased speed to not carrying the rake, you go faster, and 12% more efficiently (Reuter's), when you let your arms swing freely. Trail not perfect but will get better with a few feet (and hands!) on.
No other hikers. Only 1 previous Report of the loop, from 2004, by John Keller. This is a good one that I know you haven't done, no cars at either the East Creek (MP 144) or Canyon Creek (141) trailheads. Despite what the board at East Creek says, there is a good crossing of Granite Creek about 250 yards upstream from broken one, good trail to it.
Trip Report
Canyon Creek, Boulder Creek & East Creek — Tuesday, Jul. 6, 2021
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
Comments
WolverineWay on Canyon Creek, Boulder Creek, East Creek
Nice link up! I have done Canyon Creek TH to Crater Mountain and East Creek from Meebe Pass, but I did not know you could link them together. I will have to try that, as I love unique loops. Thanks for the tip!
Posted by:
WolverineWay on Jul 09, 2021 03:24 PM
Monique on Canyon Creek, Boulder Creek, East Creek
I convinced a friend to do this loop with me yesterday (7/11/21). We did the loop in reverse and then added additional miles just for fun. Added some pink flagging for doing the loop in the direction we did it. I slept at the trailhead last night after our 20 mile, 5790 gain and when I woke this morning at around 5:45 there was a bike locked to the signpost. Was that you CP?
Posted by:
Monique on Jul 12, 2021 03:59 PM
C P on Canyon Creek, Boulder Creek, East Creek
That's awesome! Isn't it great? I only did it the once with bike all the way through but I saw that bike locked up when I was there to do Mebee Lookout. Hope you get a chance to do the Mebee/PCT overnight loop I just found and Reported on. Hike on!
Posted by:
C P on Jul 22, 2021 12:03 AM
austineats on Canyon Creek, Boulder Creek, East Creek
CP, I've been planning on linking this all together, the stars just hadn't aligned yet. Good to hear that Canyon Creek isn't as washed out as the FS makes it sound. BTW thanks for all the work on the trail from Mebee Pass to the PCT!
Posted by:
Austineats on Sep 02, 2021 08:35 PM
Canyon Creek trail washout
FYI. The Canyon Creek trail is closed to stock animals after 3.5 miles from the trailhead because the washout (or land slide) is too dangerous for horses to pass. I had no problem hiking the 4.8 miles to the Boulder Creek trail junction. It is my understanding that farther east the Canyon Creek trail has an impassible washout, but I never went that far to verify.
Posted by:
Eldon Jacobson on Sep 10, 2021 05:35 PM
Eldon Jacobson on Canyon Creek, Boulder Creek, East Creek
I did this (almost) loop on July 16, 2021, with one of my adult daughters, her dog, my friend Bob who is my age, but has the heart of a 26 year old (he really does because of a heart transplant a few years ago). We drove two cars, parked one at Canyon Creek, and started at East Creek. The trail to Boulder pass I had hiked already, but from then on the Boulder Creek trail was new to us. Thanks to the folks that flagged it, especially thru the meadow areas. Also thanks for the wacked slide alder in those areas. While my Green Trails maps say the hike is 14.8 miles, Bob's GPS said 17.1 miles. The last thirty minutes along the Chancellor trail was in the dark using headlamps.
Posted by:
Eldon Jacobson on Sep 10, 2021 05:28 PM
C P on Canyon Creek, Boulder Creek, East Creek
You're welcome and you're welcome, Eldon! You are the reason I found and fixed this up, we had talked about it while working on South Cascade River trail. I was going to wait to do it with you, but I got started and just couldn't stop myself until I located it all. You were right, it's awesome! Already in pretty good shape from the few work trips through I did, but give it another couple years and we'll have it in fantastic shape!
Posted by:
C P on Dec 18, 2021 05:27 PM
CB12 on Canyon Creek, Boulder Creek, East Creek
Shame. One of the last untrampled places in the North Cascades. RIP. I'm sure I'll get flamed for this post by those who think crowds somehow "saves" a place, but I'll never understand how someone can wander into a quiet place and take it upon themselves to advertise it to the masses. Did it ever cross your mind that perhaps people do know about that route, but have chosen not to share it? Human ego and ignorance at its peak. The North Cascades are riddled with developed trails, and filled with humans almost every month of the year. Why can't we leave some corners of it for the other users of the mountains? You know, the natives that are trying to survive in it 24/7, those that use it for more than pretty pictures and attention online. For example, that cinnamon bear you ran into and interrupted that was trying to feed in the few week window that it can between winters. Hikers love the notion that they are somehow a harmless, beneficial part of the wilderness - they are not. Animals view you as a disturbance, no matter the color of your jacket or your diet. Most have dogs these days, which makes it even worse. Your trail clearing, flagging (littering), and sharing online are an active part of the de-wilding of the mountains that has been happening for decades and has now reached an absolute fever pitch in the northwest. This beautiful little wild corner of the Cascades was somehow persisting, against all odds, until you took it upon yourself to change that. Why, I'm guessing, is because you think you are doing someone a favor, or even worse, perhaps it is just your ego and desire for attention. Say what you will, think as you'd like, I know better than to expect any comments online can ever change anyone's opinion. I just couldn't let this one go quietly.
Posted by:
CB12 on Apr 12, 2022 02:17 PM
I usually regret commenting but...
This is called gatekeeping. While I would also like to think that some trails belong to me and I do not like when others are on them I also realize that these trails are for everyone. Some reading material on this matter:
https://www.wjsustainability.org/2021/04/stop-gatekeeping-the-outdoors-how-to-make-the-outdoors-more-inclusive-and-welcoming/
https://www.backpacker.com/stories/essays/the-internet-age-struggle-how-can-we-protect-the-outdoors-without-gatekeeping/
and our very own WTA:
https://www.wta.org/news/signpost/throw-wide-the-gates
Posted by:
Monique on Apr 12, 2022 05:24 PM
Loop trails
This (almost) loop hike is marked on Green Trails maps. There are many "lost" trails that are not shown on Green Trails maps. To find these lost trails takes additional research using old maps. For example, on the Suiattle River Road, the abandoned lower portion of the Green Mountain Trail goes from the Suiattle River Road uphill to the current trailhead.
Posted by:
Eldon Jacobson on Apr 12, 2022 06:59 PM
Loop trails
This (almost) loop hike is marked on Green Trails maps. There are many "lost" trails that are not shown on Green Trails maps. To find these lost trails takes additional research using old maps. For example, on the Suiattle River Road, the abandoned lower portion of the Green Mountain Trail goes from the Suiattle River Road uphill to the current trailhead.
Posted by:
Eldon Jacobson on Apr 12, 2022 06:59 PM
isolationist syndrome
This begs the question, CB12, why you are on the WTA.org website at all? Is it not about sharing information on trails and seeking ways to improve them for the benefit of all. I strongly disagree with your assessment that sharing or improving unpopular trails will make them excessively popular. My philosophy is 1) the Cascades are so rugged, steep, and thick (aka: temperate rainforest on a mountain range) that we have much fewer trails than are technically possible due to lack of collective effort on creating and maintaining those. We got spoiled when the U.S. government funded and managed this work, but those days are apparently behind us (unless the CCC gets revived somehow). The rate at which massive trees fall down and tall, tight brush grows combined with the rate of growth in people hiking means we need to step up and restore lost trails so those folks can spread out. You can keep your secrets, but you don't need to come on this site and lecture us who feel differently. Go shame someone else.
Posted by:
WolverineWay on Apr 13, 2022 11:24 AM