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North Cascades National Park McAlester Lake Trail
SR 20 to McAlester Pass: 8.8 miles (14 km)
740 ft loss (226 m), 2100 ft gain (640 m)
Hiker and stock
Moderate
McAlester Pass via South Pass Trail: 8.7 miles (14 km)
3000 ft (914 m) gain
Hiker and stock
Moderate
McAlester Pass via Rainbow Creek Trail: 9.7 miles (15.6 km)
4800 ft (1463 m) gain
Hiker and stock
Moderately strenuous
The McAlester Lake and Pass area offer scenic views of subalpine forests, meadows and lakes, with a variety of opportunities for backpacking and riding or stock packing. Many trails combine to create loops or interesting side trips, the open forests and meadows provide good opportunities for off-trail exploration, and many of the high lakes in the area offer good fishing. Mountain hemlock, subalpine fir, and subalpine larch are among the trees you will encounter in this spectacular Cascade crest area. You can approach this area from the north (State Route 20), the east (Twisp River Road) or the south (Stehekin). See the detailed trail description for more information.
A backcountry permit is required for all overnight stays. Permits are limited. There are numerous hiker and stock camps in the area-stock must stay at designated stock camps at Fireweed, McAlester Lake, or Hidden Meadows. Food storage is essential, and many (but not all) camps provide wires for food hangs-bring a long line.
Drive State Route 20 to mile 159, just over one mile (1.9 km) east of Rainy Pass. The parking lot is located on the north side of the highway. To access the trail, cross the highway and look for a short connector trail that takes you to the main trail, the Pacific Crest Trail. A Northwest Forest Pass or federal recreation access pass is required to park, and is available at any ranger station.
From the town of Twisp, follow the Twisp River Road to either the South Creek Campground or the Twisp River Horse Camp. Follow the South Pass Trail to McAlester Pass. A Northwest Forest Pass or federal recreation access pass is required to park, and is available at any ranger station.
From the town of Stehekin, take the Stehekin Valley Road 2.5 miles (4 km) to the lower Rainbow Loop trailhead.
Pick up the Bridge Creek Trail (part of the Pacific Crest Trail) on the south side of the parking area. The trail heads gently downhill through a mix of forest and avalanche paths, crossing small creeks at times. Wildflowers are lovely in early summer. The trail enters North Cascades National Park after 1.4 miles (2.3 km). It is another 1.7 miles (2.7 km) to the junction of the Twisp Pass Trail. Turn left (east) and continue past the Fireweed stock and hiker camps for .4 mile (.6 km) to the junction with the McAlester Creek Trail. Turn right and head south 4.1 miles (6.6 km) to McAlester Lake. Shortly after the junction, the trail crosses the East Fork McAlester Creek. There is no bridge over this creek, which can be difficult or impossible to cross in early summer during the peak of snowmelt (June, early July). The trail continues through mostly forest with occasional meadows, gaining elevation at a steady rate as it enters the Lake Chelan Recreation Area, and gaining elevation more quickly via a series of switchbacks before reaching the lake. From the lake, it is 1.0 mile (1.6 km) to the broad meadows of McAlester Pass. Total hiking distance is 7.6 miles (12.2 km) to McAlester Lake and 8.5 miles (13.7 km) to McAlester Pass.
After 1 mile in the Okanogan National Forest you enter the Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness. It is another 6.3 miles (10.1 km) to South Pass and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, this trail's high point with views to east and west. Drop down through mostly open meadows to reach McAlester Pass in another 1.4 miles (2.3 km). Total hiking distance is 8.7 miles to McAlester Pass and 9.6 miles (15.4 km) to McAlester Lake.
Follow the lower Rainbow Loop Trail 1.8 miles (2.9 km) to Rainbow Creek Trail near Rainbow Bridge Camp. Then it is 7.9 miles (12.7 km) with a steep elevation gain to McAlester Pass. Along the way there are three more camps: Rainbow Ford (4.2 miles or 6.8 km), Bench Creek (5.2 miles or 8.4 km), and Bowan Camp (6.2 miles or 10 km).
Tranquil and shallow McAlester Lake sits in a small basin with a mix of meadows and forest surrounding it. A hiker and stock camp are located at the north end, with separate cooking and sleeping areas. Campfires are allowed within the fire grates. These camps are popular, and good fishing can be had in the lake. Please be sure to camp in the designated sites, as the lakeshore is fragile and restoration efforts are underway to repair damage to this area.
High Camp is located at the north end of McAlester Pass, a broad swath of meadows with some boggy areas in early season. High Camp is tucked in the trees at edge of the meadows, and offers a splendid opportunity for solitude in a subalpine setting. Fires are not allowed in this meadow environment. A cooking area is separate from the sleeping tent pad. Be sure to pitch your tent and cook within the designated site, to help protect revegetated areas near the camp to recover. After the water dries up in the meadows, the closest stream is about 0.5 miles (0.8 km) toward the lake or Hidden Meadows.
At over 6,300' (1920 m) in elevation, Hidden Meadows Stock Camp is nestled in a spectacular subalpine meadow. Fires are allowed in the established fire pit, but firewood must be gathered from at least a half mile away to avoid depleting the area of downed wood. Grazing of stock is allowed in the dry areas of the meadow (away from the small streams and boggy areas). A grazing permit must be obtained at the same time as the wilderness permit. Parties traveling off-trail are limited to a combination of six riders and stock.
Maine ocean islands provide the only nesting sites for Atlantic puffins in the United States. Eastern Egg Rock in the midcoast region, Seal Island and Matinicus Rock at the mouth of Penobscot Bay, and Machias Seal Island and Petit Manan Island off the downeast coast provide habitat for more than 4,000 puffins each summer.