Trout Creek

Trout Creek Trail follows its namesake stream through dense west-side forest near Index on the Index-Galena Road. The forest service road to the trailhead is closed to vehicles, adding approximately 1 mile of road walking each way to the hike. The trail itself is short and low-elevation, gaining only 500 feet over 1.5 miles of actual trail through second-growth forest with some older trees.

A spur trail leads to the historic Sunset Mine site, a remnant of the Monte Cristo mining era. The creek provides a pleasant backdrop but the destination is modest. The low elevation (1,400 feet high point) and dense forest make this a year-round option and a reasonable rainy-day hike near Stevens Pass.

Parking is limited to a couple of pullouts where the forest road meets the Index-Galena Road. Northwest Forest Pass required. The trail sees very little traffic and is more of a local exploration than a destination hike.