Old Wagon Trail to Bridge Creek

Cedar grove along the Old Wagon Trail (Pacific Crest Trail)

NPS/Bryanna Plog

Quick Facts

Location:

High Bridge

Designation:

Trail

Amenities

2 listed

Toilet - Vault/Composting, Trailhead

The Old Wagon Trail, part of the Pacific Crest Trail, connects the lower and upper Stehekin Valley. It makes a pleasant outing through varied forest for day hikers or riders, and provides trail access to the upper Stehekin Valley for backpackers, riders, and hundreds of Pacific Crest Trail thru-hikers.

The trail rolls up and down through a wide variety of forest types, including old growth western red cedars and impact from the Shady Fire of 2005. Good patches of huckleberries in mid-to-late summer.

From High Bridge, start the PCT north and continue past Howard Lake until the junction with the Old Wagon Trail, which leads right (north) to Bridge Creek. Return by the same trail or continue on the Old Wagon Trail until it ends at the Stehekin Valley Road. Turn left (south) and walk the lightly-used road two miles past Tumwater and High Bridge camps to return to High Bridge.

Since the historic floods of 2003, which removed the Stehekin Valley Road in large sections between Car Wash Falls, this trail is the only maintained route to Bridge Creek from Stehekin. The trail generally follows the route of a haul road that was constructed in the 1890s. Remnants of mining activity remain in the Bridge Creek area.

Bridge Creek Camp is also a good base for longer trips into the wilderness, including Goode Ridge Trail, Park Creek Pass, Rainy Pass, and the Cascade Pass area.

 

• Difficulty: Moderate.
• Distance and elevation: 5.3 miles (8.5 km) one way, 700 foot (210 m) elevation gain.
• Access: Trailhead is near High Bridge, 11 miles from Stehekin Landing. From High Bridge, take the Pacific Crest Trail north to Howard Lake and continue until the junction with the Old Wagon Trail. Turn right (north) to continue to Bridge Creek.
• Leashed dogs allowed along the Pacific Crest Trail but not in other areas of the national park.
• Backcountry camping is allowed at Bridge Creek; backcountry permit required. Vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables available at Bridge Creek.