![]() This is an entirely different life zone, home to martin, owls and their prey, including flying squirrels, voles, and deer mice. Creekside Cosho Camp is in the deep forest, 6 miles (9.6 km) beyond the pass. Leaving the meadows, the trail descends gently, entering the mature silver fir forest of the Fisher Creek Valley. The Fisher name comes from the Fisher brothers who ran a trap line here in the early 1900s.įisher Camp is at the edge of the meadows, two miles (3 km) beyond the pass. Just prior to protection under the National Park Act in 1968, one of the last grizzly bears in the North Cascades was shot here. Black bear are often seen grazing in the meadows, eating huckleberries. Lush meadows bloom in pinks, reds, purples, whites, and yellows. The trail into Fisher Basin is steep and scenic. The larch, a deciduous conifer which turns gold before losing its needles in the fall, is found only in the northern fringes of the United States and the eastern ridges of the North Cascades. Scattered clumps of trees include subalpine larch, subalpine fir, mountain hemlock, and farther up the ridge, whitebark pine. An ice axe is advised through early summer.Įasy Pass is spectacular, separating Granite Creek Valley and the drier mountains to the east from the glacier-mantled peaks ringing the Fisher Creek drainage to the west. The trail can be lost in lingering snow fields. Look and listen for pika and hoary marmots. The trail now climbs steeply, crossing Easy Pass Creek three times, traversing steep rock slopes and avalanche meadows. Look for spring-time glacier lilies emerging from the snow. After two miles (3 km) of western hemlock and Pacific silver fir forests, the trail emerges into avalanche paths on the flanks of Ragged Ridge. Three hundred yards (270 m) from the trailhead, cross Granite Creek on a footlog and head up into the forest. A US Forest Service Northwest Forest Pass is required to park here. The trailhead is located on the south side of the highway. Midway along the Fisher Creek Trail, find Cosho Camp in the forest, and Junction Camp is located at the intersection with the Thunder Creek Trail.įollow State Route 20 to mile 151. Fisher Camp is located in the basin below the pass. There is no camping allowed at Easy Pass or in the meadows. An ice axe is necessary to safely traverse the steep snow.Ī backcountry permit is required for all overnight stays. The north side of this trail usually has steep snow well into July.Please take care to avoid trampling the vegetation by hiking and resting only on durable surfaces such as the trail, snow or rocks. This area has very fragile vegetation.Pets are not allowed at Easy Pass or anywhere else in the national park.See the detailed trail description for more information on this area. Backpackers will enjoy camping in Fisher Basin and along the wild and shady Fisher Creek. In the spring and early summer, wildflowers abound, and in the autumn, golden larches make this area even more special. The short, steep trail to the pass is anything but "easy." The views, however, are your reward: panoramic vistas of Fisher Basin and Mounts Logan, Fisher, and Arriva. Extensive meadows are crowned by glacial peaks. ![]() Many believe the Easy Pass and Fisher Basin area to be one of the most superb places in the North Cascades. To junction with Thunder Creek Trail: 14.8 miles (24 km)
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