Falls Creek
Central CascadesBest Jul–Sep
An unmaintained, ford-the-creek adventure up a wild waterfall drainage off Ingalls Creek, for those who like their trails rough.
About This Trail
Falls Creek is not a trail you stumble onto. There is no dedicated trailhead, no parking lot with a sign. To reach it, you hike 5.5 miles up the Ingalls Creek Trail and then ford Ingalls Creek itself, which runs fast and deep enough by mid-summer to make the crossing dangerous. This is an unmaintained route in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, and it shows.
The reward for the approach and the ford is a steep, wild drainage with waterfalls tucked into the Chiwawa River country south of Blewett Pass. The trail climbs 3,000 feet in 4 miles to a high point around 6,100 feet. Trip reports describe beautiful wildflowers on the upper slopes and solitude that is hard to find this close to Leavenworth. The Etienne Creek Trail offers an alternate access route, though it is also rarely maintained.
This is a route for experienced hikers comfortable with route-finding, creek fords, and unmaintained trail. The Ingalls Creek crossing is the crux. Early season snowmelt and late-season rain both make it worse. Bring trekking poles and be prepared to turn around if the water is too high.
Astronomy
Trail Conditions
“Started at Stafford Creek Trailhead, went north to the Old County Line Trail, following it up to Navaho.”
Last report: Jun 21, 2020
Scorecard
Permits / Passes
Safety & Considerations
Today's Hazard
- Strong sun — sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses recommended
Persistent Hazards
- Ingalls Creek ford required, dangerous at high water
- unmaintained trail with blowdowns and brush
- no dedicated trailhead or signage
- steep and loose footing on upper trail
Getting There
Park at the Ingalls Creek Trailhead at the end of Ingalls Creek Road. Northwest Forest Pass required. From Leavenworth, take Highway 2 east 4 miles to Highway 97S for 7 miles, then right onto Ingalls Creek Road to the end.
Hike 5.5 miles up the Ingalls Creek Trail to the Falls Creek drainage, then ford Ingalls Creek. There is no bridge. The trail up Falls Creek is unmaintained and steep. Alternatively, the Etienne Creek Trail provides access but is also rarely maintained. Route-finding skills are helpful.
Start early to ford Ingalls Creek when water levels are lowest (morning before snowmelt peaks in the afternoon). Late July through August offers the lowest and safest water levels for the crossing.
Recent Reports
Started at Stafford Creek Trailhead, went north to the Old County Line Trail, following it up to Navaho. Beautiful wildflowers (true for the entire trip), trail in great condition all the way to Navaho Peak.
Gump was kind enough to accompany me to work on this. I found and flagged the trail beyond Pass Lake down to Falls Creek a couple months ago, fixed up some.
This is for Falls Creek #645- Pass Lake near Silverton. It appears the WTA is cracking down on adding new trails to the database, they won't let me add Falls Creek #645 even though it's an old Forest Service trail.
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