Jack Creek
Central CascadesBest Jul–Oct
A rugged valley route through fire-scarred forest into the heart of the Stuart Range, linking Icicle Creek to Ingalls Creek.
About This Trail
Jack Creek is a workhorse trail. It runs 12 miles from the Jack Trout trailhead near the end of Icicle Creek Road south through the valley, gaining over 5,000 feet as it pushes toward Stuart Pass and the Ingalls Creek drainage. This is Stuart Range backcountry, the kind of terrain that rewards strong legs and solid navigation.
The first stretch follows Jack Creek through valley floor forest with multiple creek crossings that can run high and impassable in spring. Junctions with Trout Creek (1.2 miles), Jack Ridge, and Meadow Creek trails open up loop possibilities. Past the Meadow Creek junction, the route gets muddier and brushier before climbing to meet the Ingalls Creek Trail and eventually Van Epps Creek. Sections of this trail burned in past fires, so expect blowdowns, especially in spring and early summer before volunteer crews clear them.
Trip reports tell the story: this trail demands respect. The creek crossings, the blowdowns, the brushy middle section, and the relentless elevation gain add up. But it connects you to some of the most dramatic alpine terrain in the Central Cascades. Backpackers use it to build multi-day loops through Lake Ingalls, Esmeralda Basin, and the broader Stuart Range. Dogs welcome on leash.
Mountain Weather
Astronomy
Trail Conditions
“We did this as a 3-day, 2-night back from the Jack Trout Trailhead.”
Last report: Jul 11, 2025
Scorecard
Permits / Passes
Safety & Considerations
Today's Hazards
- Strong sun — sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses recommended
- Trees Down
Persistent Hazards
- multiple creek crossings that run high or impassable in spring
- frequent blowdowns from fire-damaged forest
- brushy and muddy trail sections past Meadow Creek junction
- route-finding challenges in burned areas
Getting There
Park at the Jack Trout trailhead near the end of Icicle Creek Road (Forest Road 7600, then left on FR 615). Northwest Forest Pass required.
From Leavenworth, take Highway 2 west 0.8 miles, turn left on Icicle Road (FR 7600), drive about 16 miles, then turn left on Forest Road 615 to the Jack Trout trailhead. The trail follows Jack Creek south with junctions at Trout Creek (1.2 miles), Jack Ridge, and Meadow Creek before continuing to the Ingalls Creek Trail junction and Van Epps Creek.
Start early. The length, elevation gain, and trail obstacles mean slow going. Most parties use this as part of a multi-day loop rather than an out-and-back day hike. If doing the loop through Van Epps and Esmeralda Basin, plan for at least 2 nights.
Recent Reports
We did this as a 3-day, 2-night back from the Jack Trout Trailhead. This was a beautiful trip, but I’d recommend against doing this as a loop it for most people, because of the stretch between Bootjack and the Snowall-Cradle Lake trail.
Quick summary: 20 mile roundtrip - trailhead -> ingalls, Jack Creek, Van Epps, Esmeralda Basin -> trailhead. Trail impossible on backside, GPS only.
Over July 4 weekend, we attempted a 2 night backpack loop from the Esmerelda TH > Lake Ann (night 1) > Van Epps Trail > Jack Creek Trail > Lake Ingalls (night 2, at campsites below lake) > exit back to TH. In total, about 17-20 miles.
Similar Hikes
