Eagle Lakes: Angel Staircase Tr431

3D view of Eagle Lakes: Angel Staircase Trail #431

Overall: 9

Aerobic: 10

Technical: 6

Steepness: 8

Flow: 7

Singletrack: 100%

South of Twisp Washington, the CW Eagle Lakes loop starts on Crater Creek Tr416 to Eagle Lakes Tr431 to Martin Creek Tr429, then uses Angel Staircase Tr1259.32 and Summit Tr1259.3 to loop over to Eagle Lakes Tr431 for the return.

Type

Loop

Length

Avg: 19mi

Ascent

Mt Goat

Elevation Change

TH:4750'
Avg Ascent:6800'

Ascent Incline

13%

Duration

Avg: 3hr

Weather
Forecast

NOAA

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USFS

Trail
Review

The ride includes several challenging 1mi, 22% climbs.

Crater Creek Tr416, Eagle Lakes Tr431, Martin Creek Tr429 and Foggy Dew Tr417 extend from the base of the this trail system like spokes on a wheel, connected at the top by Summit Tr1259.3 and Angel Staircase Tr1259.32.

Crater Creek Tr416 is a 7mi OAB to Crater Lake, with a 13%, 2400' ascent.

The other great Eagle Lakes area ride is Foggy Dew Tr417 to Cooney Lake.

Due to high elevation, these trails may only be rideable in August.

North of the Eagle Lakes area, hikers can access East Fork Buttermilk Tr420 and Libby Creek Trail 415 in the Sawtooth Wilderness area, from FR43. Black Pine Lake CG is well positioned as a basecamp for exploring Sawtooth Wilderness terrain.

To the west, the Prince Creek campground is accessible by ferry, and offers a great CCW loop hiking trail with Summit Trail 1259, Fish Creek Trail 1248, Indianhead Basin Trail 1250 and Horton Butte Trail 1250.1, returning on Lakeshore Trail 1247.

Mosquitoes are ferocious in this area until August. Feel free to try the natural repellents, and avoid drinking carbonated drinks prior to riding, but Deet 100 may be the only protection from 'the swarm'.

Directions: NW Forest Pass required right at the TH. Eagle Lakes TH: SR153S 14.6mi from Twisp turn right onto Gold Creek Loop Road, then turn right onto Gold Creek Road, which becomes FR4340. Follow the signs for Crater Creek and Eagle Lakes trails. Go 5.5mi then bear left at the Y and follow FR4340-300 2.9mi to the TH. View Larger Map. No Map?.

Eagle Lakes Trail #431 to Angel Staircase Topo Map

Loop Directions

heavenly

Eagle Lakes Area Topo Map

  • TH: Climb Crater Creek Tr416 to Eagle Lakes Tr431.
  • 0.7mi: Climb Eagle Lakes Tr431 to Martin Creek Tr429.
  • 2.5mi: Climb Martin Creek Tr429 to Cooney Lake.
  • 7.2mi: From Cooney Lake climb Tr434 to the ridgeline then descend on Angel Staircase Tr1259.32. Climbing from the lake involves loose, steep, rocky conditions, with an unmarked intersection at the top of the ridge. Go right and maintain elevation. Do not go left into the valley.
  • 9.3mi: Go right on Summit Tr1259.3, then go to Boiling Lake junction.
  • 11.4mi: Go right and climb Prince Creek Tr1255.1 past Boiling Lake and over Horsehead Pass.
  • 12mi: Go on Eagle Lakes Tr431 past Eagle Lakes, back to the TH.

 

 

Trail Index

This Ride

Angel Staircase Trail 1259.32, Crater Creek Trail 416, Eagle Lakes Trail 431, Martin Creek Trail 429, Prince Creek Trail 1255.1, Summit Trail 1259.3

Wilderness

Bernice Lake Trail 1259.14, East Fork Buttermilk Trail 420, East Fork Prince Creek Trail 1257, Fish Creek Trail 1248, Hoodoo Pass Trail 1259.31, Hoodoo Spur Trail 1255.12, Horton Butte Trail 1250.1, Indianhead Basin Trail 1250, Lakeshore Trail 1247, Libby Creek Trail 415, North Fork Prince Creek Trail 1254, Prince Creek Trail 1255, Summit Trail 1259, Sunrise Lake Trail 417B, Surprise Lake Trail 1249, West Fork Buttermilk Trail 411

Trail Rankings

Ranking consistently applied to all of the listed trails.

  • Overall Rating: Ride quality and challenge
  • Aerobic: Ascent challenge
  • Technical Difficulty: Terrain challenge
  • Steepness: Average incline
  • Flow: Uninterrupted riding
  • Elevation Change: Total elevation gain
  • Ride Difficulty: Terrain challenge