Kettle Crest North

The Kettle Crest North is one of Washington's classic long-distance routes, and it earns that reputation through sheer sustained ridgeline walking. The trail starts at Sherman Pass and heads north along the spine of the Kettle Range, topping out on Copper Butte at 7,135 feet. Between those points, you cross twelve named summits and barely drop below the treeline. Views roll out in every direction across a landscape most people in the state have never visited.

Water is the limiting factor up here. The ridge runs dry for long stretches, particularly north of Jungle Hill. Plan your camps around known sources. The piped spring near the Sheepherder camp and water on the Sherman Pass Trail are reliable, but carry capacity for dry miles in between. The Forest Service typically logs the trail out in mid-June, so timing a trip just after that work is done gives you the cleanest corridor.

This is legitimate backcountry. Most parties take two to four nights. You can arrange a car shuttle or do out-and-back sections. Bugs peak in late June and July. Smoke season in August and September can limit those panoramic views. The sweet spot is usually late June through mid-July, when wildflowers are up and the trail crew has cleared the way.