Heather - Maple Pass Loop
2 days ago
Vibrant crimson and scarlet undergrowth
14 this month · 121 reports
Thunder Creek
North Cascades
updated 1 month ago
The Thunder Creek Trail is generally in good condition with no snow reported as of late August. While the initial miles are clear and well-maintained, blowdowns become more frequent and significant after about three to five miles, particularly as the trail progresses towards the Shedroof Divide and beyond. Some sections, especially on less-traveled spurs, can be overgrown and difficult to navigate, with one report describing the Hughes Fork trail as "essentially impassable" due to extensive tree fall and brush as of August 21. The road access to the trailhead is suitable for all vehicles.
Generated from 30 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
What hikers ask about Thunder Creek
Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 1 month ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.
No trip reports on this trail in 1 month, so everything below is at least that old.
The main Thunder Creek Trail has several bridges, with a notable one about two miles in offering spectacular views as of July 1. Reports from July 4 mention a river crossing that was barely knee-deep and easily passable. Other smaller creek fords are shallow and do not require waterproof footwear according to a report from July 9.
Beyond McAllister Camp, the trail conditions can vary significantly. While some areas are reported as clear, other sections, particularly spurs like the Hughes Fork trail, are described as very overgrown and difficult to impassable as of August 21. The Thunder Mountain Lookout trail is also noted as being particularly overgrown and difficult to follow with frequent blowdowns as of July 18.
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Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Sources
Older1 month ago
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
We did a backpacking trip up Thunder Creek trail 6.5 miles to the McAllister Camp and then used it as a base camp for further adventures. We are seniors and chose the trail because of its relatively e...
Older1 month ago
Eastern Washington > Selkirk Range
Original plan was to take Thunder Creek to Jackson Creek to Hughes Fork and then Shedroof Divide to the Salmo-Priest loop and then Shedroof Divide back to Thunder Creek and Car for a nice 4 day 3 nigh...
Older1 month ago
Eastern Washington > Selkirk Range
Our small but intrepid group of four completed logout starting from where teams from the trail jamboree had left off earlier in season to the Shedroof Divide junction. We found some difficult and larg...
Older1 month ago
Eastern Washington > Selkirk Range
WTA logout trip, my first!Thunder Creek Trail was cleared of downed-tree obstructions up until its convergence with the Shedroof Divide and Jackson trails. I had a great time with Holly Weiler as the ...
Older1 month ago
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
Stayed overnight at McAllister Camp, a little further than expected. Clocked 7.3mi / 1300ft elev. gain on the way in using AllTrails, on the way out using Gaia clocked ~8mi / 445ft elev. gain, with a ...
Older1 month ago
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
An earlier trip report this summer noted many logs down between Fisher and Junction camps. Recent work has obviously been done, and there are no major obstacles on the trail.Near the Fisher Camp side,...
Older2 months ago
Eastern Washington > Selkirk Range
I walked the Thunder Creek trail up to Shedroof Divide, then continued south on the divide to Thunder Mountain. This was more or less my third attempt to reach the summit of Thunder Mountain, and thi...
Older2 months ago
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
Hiked to the NCNP border past McAllister Camp (No dogs allowed beyond). Trail in excellent shape, fairly smooth with only one stepover log. Couple of shallow creek fords, but nothing requiring waterpr...
Older2 months ago
Eastern Washington > Selkirk Range
Hiked this trail a few days ago. We were one of two vehicles in the parking lot. Trail is in overall good condition. A big thanks to the WTA crew for their recent trail work. The new reinforced hillsi...
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
On Sat July 4thwe (3 of us) ran from Colonial creek campground to Park Creek Pass and back. 12 hours car to car.No issues at all to Junction camp. No blowdowns and trial is well maintained. On the way...