White Pine Creek

White Pine Creek is a low-elevation valley trail in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness east of Stevens Pass, following a drainage above the creek for 5 miles roundtrip with only 400 feet of elevation gain. The route connects to the Wildhorse Creek Trail and serves primarily as a through-hiking access corridor to destinations like Josephine Lake, Lake Grace, Frosty Pass, and the Chiwaukum peaks. The creek is audible but rarely visible through the dense forest, and several side creeks cross the trail.

The trail passes through old-growth forest with a wilderness character, but trip reports are mixed on its standalone appeal. The access road (FR 6950) is rough, narrow, and brush-lined, presenting the biggest obstacle to reaching the trailhead. A compact car may not make it through the last mile. Once on trail, overgrown sections and bugs in early summer make casual day hiking less enjoyable. The real value of White Pine Creek is as a starting point for deeper backcountry objectives. A self-issued wilderness permit (no fee) is required, available at the trailhead.