Hikeoftheweek.com

Quick Facts

Location: Mountain Loop Highway

Land Agency: National Forest Service

Roundtrip: 11.0 miles

Elevation Gain: 3.400 feet

Green Trails Map: Sloan Peak, WA- No. 111

Contact: Darrington Ranger District: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest (360) 436-1155; www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs

Notes: Northwest Forest Pass required.

Access: From Granite Falls follow the Mountain Loop Highway east for 27 miles to trailhead.

Now sharing a start with the popular Mount Dickerman Trail, don’t let the crowded parking lot put you off. Most of those cars belong to hikers heading for Dickerman’s steep slopes. Perry Creek is a much quieter hike—and now with its relocated trailhead adding 3.0 miles to the roundtrip distance, it’s even more lightly traveled. But you’ll be rewarded with more than just a peaceful journey on this hike. You’ll get to traverse lovely ancient forests, pass a crashing cascade and take in splendid views from gorgeous alpine meadows.

Much of the way traverses the Perry Creek Research Natural Area (RNA); a 2,066-acre protected tract. Established by the Forest Service after years of advocacy from noted botanist Art Kruckeburg and the Washington Native Plant Society, the RNA contains many rare plants including; male fern, leathery grape fern, and maidenhair spleenwort.

After gently sweeping across Mount Dickerman’s lower slopes, you’ll come to the original trail and soon break out of forest to cross an open avalanche slope. On rocky terrain but a gentle grade, work your way up the valley undulating between forested groves and brushy avalanche slopes. Look across the valley below to the long ridge of Stillaguamish Peak. Look out over the valley behind to Big Four’s imposing north face. And look straight up Mount Dickerman’s frightening cliffs.

Soon after hopping across a feet-soaking creek enter magnificent primeval forest and come upon Perry Creek. Pause to admire it cascading down a deep, narrow cleft. Then cross the creek which can be tricky during periods of heavy rains and snow melts. The trail takes a steeper turn heading up slopes cloaked in ancient cedars and firs.

After some really steep going the enveloping forest begins yielding to heather meadows. At about 5.0 miles, you’ll come to an unmarked junction. The trail left, abandoned but well-used travels 1.5 miles through magnificent meadows to Stilliguamish Peak. It’s a worthy destination for experienced hikers. You want to continue right steeply climbing another 300 feet to a 5,250-foot flowered and grassy bench punctuated with delightful tarns and graced with splendid views out to Big Four, Glacier Peak, Mount Pugh, and Forgotten Mountain. And speaking of Forgotten, that 6,005-foot peak can be reached by continuing on a sketchy at times way trail to the base of the summit block. From there it’s a rocky scramble best suited for experienced off-trail travelers and mountain goats.

For information on lodging and other attractions near Perry Creek visit www.snohomish.org.