Fisher Creek Trail

Dogs No Dogs

Features Commonly Backpacked · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers

Fisher Creek Trail is a great trail through the gorgeous terrain of the North Cascades. All major creek crossings are bridged. It follows the cascading Fisher Creek upstream from where Fisher Creek empties into Thunder Creek, through fir forests and then wildflower-blanketed, sub-alpine meadows to alpine Easy Pass. The mountains rise steeply on both sides of the Fisher Creek Valley. To the north is a ridge that goes the length of the Fisher Creek Valley, starting with Red Mountain and then a cluster of peaks further up the valley. To the south, one first passes Mt. Logan and then Mt. Arriva.

Trail Start to Logan Creek (~0-1.9 miles in)
The Fisher Creek Trail start is well marked by a sign at about the ten mile mark along Thunder Creek Trail. Fisher Creek is to the left of the trail, and close to the trail at first. The trail then begins to climb through the fir forest, veering away from the creek. After a few switchbacks, the trail returns to Fisher Creek. About 1.7 miles from the trail start, the trail emerges from the forest briefly to cross a sandy, bare, steep hillside with Fisher Creek far below – this is part of the Rock Cabin Avalanche. The trail then re-enters the forest and comes to Logan Creek after about a quarter mile. When there are breaks in the trees on this section of trail, one can see Red Mountain, with its reddish rock cap, to the left across Fisher Creek Valley.

Logan Creek to Fisher Creek Crossing (1.9-4.6 miles in)
A sturdy log bridge crosses Logan Creek in the fir forest. After another 1.7 miles, there is another log bridge over an unnamed creek, and then the log bridge across Fisher Creek. This trail section meanders through dense fir forest.

Fisher Creek Crossing to Subalpine Meadows (~4.6-7.9 miles in)
The trail continues in the fir forest along Fisher Creek, which is now to the right of the trail, sometimes close to the creek and sometimes further away from it. The trail crosses a few small streams in this section. As the trail climbs, peaks come into view above the trees.

Sub-Alpine Meadows (~7.9-8.8 miles in)
The trail emerges from the fir forest in subalpine meadows surrounded by ridges and peaks. The wildflowers are amazing in these meadows, especially in late July.

Switchbacks to Easy Pass (~8.8-10.3 miles in)
After crossing the meadows, the trail climbs switchbacks to Easy Pass. The switchbacks go up a wildflower-covered hillside with views of Upper Fisher Basin ahead and Mt. Logan behind. Eventually, peaks east of Easy Pass come into view as one reaches the crest of the pass.