West Fork Agnes Creek
Central CascadesBest Jul–Sep
A vanished trail turned bushwhack to the base of Agnes Mountain, deep in the Glacier Peak Wilderness.
About This Trail
The West Fork Agnes Creek trail has largely returned to the wild. What was once a maintained path heading west from Fivemile Camp on the Pacific Crest Trail is now a rough bushwhack along the creek's west fork, with no trail tread to follow and no destination other than the base of 8,115-foot Agnes Mountain. This is expedition-style travel for those with solid navigation skills and tolerance for brush, blowdowns, and route uncertainty.
Getting to the starting point is itself a significant undertaking. Hikers must take the Lady of the Lake ferry from Chelan to Stehekin, arrange shuttle or bike transport 14 miles to High Bridge, then hike 5.5 miles south on the PCT to Fivemile Camp. Only from there does the West Fork route branch west. The total commitment -- ferry schedule, road transport, PCT approach, and then the bushwhack -- limits this to a small handful of motivated parties each year.
The terrain is remote Glacier Peak Wilderness, with the West Fork draining steep, forested slopes below Agnes Mountain. Trip reports come from climbers using this as an approach for peaks in the area rather than hikers targeting the trail itself. Dogs are not permitted.
Astronomy
Trail Conditions
“This put us at the Railroad Creek Trailhead around 1:30.”
Last report: Aug 18, 2017
Scorecard
Essentially zero traffic. A handful of climbers and explorers attempt this route each year at most.
Safety & Considerations
Persistent Hazards
- No maintained trail -- full bushwhack required
- Ferry and shuttle logistics complicate timing and escape
- Remote wilderness with no quick exit
- Creek crossings with no bridges
Getting There
Take Lady of the Lake ferry from Chelan to Stehekin. Arrange shuttle or bike to High Bridge (14 miles). Hike south on the PCT for 5.5 miles to Fivemile Camp. The West Fork route branches west from camp. Plan logistics around the ferry schedule.
Plan around the Lady of the Lake ferry schedule from Chelan. Allow a full day just for the approach to Fivemile Camp.
Recent Reports
We rode the Lady of the Lake from Field's Point to Lucerne, where we boarded the school bus and were transported up to Holden Village. After eating a quick lunch in the lodge, we walked about .
Hi, I'm erict on cascadeclimbers and have trip reports there. I'm not a hiker but a climber, so my hikes are all to or from climbs.
We took the Lady of the Lake Express boat from Chelan to Stehekin and caught the bus shuttle up to High Pass Bridge, where we started our backpack on the Agnes Creek / PCT trail going south. Using the transportation connections, we started our hike at around 12:30 PM.
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