Slate Creek Trail (or Slate Lake, depending on the source) is a great reminder of how challenging and satisfying a butt-kicker hike can be. I will admit it kicked mine! There is no warm-up to this trail. Be ready for real climbing from the start. The first three miles are unrelenting, but as you gain elevation you start to get nice views of the Twisp River Valley. The most important thing to remember during this part of the trail is that every time you think you’re close to the top of the Abernathy Ridge, you’re not.
Until finally--mercifully--you are. The view of the valley is impressive. You can see up to the North Cascades glacier peaks at the top of the valley and all along the Sawtooth Mountains on the south side. Unfortunately, also on the south side, you get a front seat view of the sizable reach of last year’s Crescent Mountain fire. In fact, I believe the Slate Creek/Lake Trail is the only one along the Twisp River that wasn’t at least touched by the fire, with some of the trails being heavily impacted. (Good thing WTA had a week-long trail crew out there in June to start to the trail restoration!)
This trail doesn’t appear to have been heavily used (probably because it’s a butt-kicker), but I think that’s likely to change given the fire damage to other trails. The trail is relatively easy to follow, although there are places (especially between 1.5-2 miles) where vegetation growth and limited use mean you need to pay attention to stay on the path. There are also some downed trees over the trail, but none that provide any real challenge.
Once you get to the crest of the ridge at about 3 miles, the way becomes much less arduous and very lovely. On the advice of the previous trip reporter, I decided to head to the top of the ridge rather than go to the lake, which meant more climbing (roughly 800 feet) and a scramble to a rocky summit at about 7,400 feet. From there the view was even better, adding in the peaks of the Methow Valley and Pasayten Wilderness.
From the crest of the ridge to the summit was about 1.5 miles. If you followed the trail to the lake, I’m guessing it is about 2 miles with minimal evaluation. The lake is small but sits on a lovely shelf beneath Abernathy Ridge. If you do decide to go to the summit, avoid a bit of elevation by heading straight along the hump of the ridge at the point when the trail turns right and heads downhill through a dense section of trees. (See picture.)
Although you wouldn’t think it on the way up, the way down is MORE painful, at least to someone like me with cranky knees. But even with the panting and pain, it was a very enjoyable hike and I would recommend it to folks who are looking for a fun challenge with mountain and valley views.
WTA’s hiking guide reports the trail details to the crest of the ridge. If you're going to the ridge summit, it is about 9 miles round trip with 4,700 feet of elevation. To the lake, I estimate it's about 10 miles round trip and roughly 3800 feet.
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