What: A low-elevation hike above a scenic river in the North Cascades.
Where: Drive east on Highway 20 for 21 miles past Newhalem. The parking lot at the trailhead is just off the highway near milepost 141. Be prepared for delays due to road repairs at a slide area,
Distance: 10 miles round trip
Rating: Moderate
Beginning elevation: 1,904 feet
High point: 2,960 feet.
Maps: USGS Crater Mountain and Azurite Peak; Green Trails 49 Mount Logan
Permits: Forest Service pass for parking
Contact: Methow Valley Wilderness Information Center, Okanogan National Forest, 509-996-4000
Notes: Trail 754 is officially known as Chancellor Trail, after an abandoned mining town in the area. Begin on a well-traveled path along Granite Creek, then cross the bridge and double back, looking for a right turn with a sign pointing to Chancellor. (If you reach another bridge, you missed the turn and are on another trail.) The trail climbs over a ridge then levels off along a steep hillside above Canyon Creek, which is seldom seen, but often heard. After about two miles, past Pete Miller Creek (one of six that are crossed along the way) the trail rises above 2,400 feet to afford good views of the mountains. Along the high point of the trail would be a good spot to enjoy the scenery and turn around to make a round trip of about six miles, if you wanted to shorten the hike. The trail will go down again to Boulder Creek, which has a footbridge, and back up to a junction with Trail 729, about five miles from the trailhead. Beyond here, The Forest Service reports that the trail is closed down to Mill Creek.
From U.S. Forest Service reports and “Rain Shadow Hikes” by Michael Fagin and Skip Card (Mountaineers Books)
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