87 Rainbow Creek

A backpack from the Stehekin Valley to McAlester Pass, 10.3 miles one way.

Best season: Early July to mid-October.

Difficulty: Moderately strenuous.

Elevation gain: 4,870 feet.

Elevation loss: 100 feet.

Maximum elevation: 6,000 feet at McAlester Pass.

Topo maps: Stehekin, McAlester Mountain; Stehekin.

Jurisdiction: Lake Chelan National Recreation Area (National Park Service).

Finding the trailhead: Take the shuttle bus or walk to the Rainbow Loop upper trailhead, at mile 5 on the Stehekin Valley Road.

The Hike

This trail follows the Rainbow Creek valley through a rather arid forestland flanked by rugged foothills, reaching its terminus in the alpine meadows of McAlester Pass. The trek begins by following the initial leg of the Rainbow Loop, which climbs briefly through timber then levels off to run southward across the base of Rainbow Mountain. After 2.4 miles, the path crosses a grassy slope to reach the junction where the Rainbow Creek Trail climbs away to the right.

A long but moderate climb leads up the grassy slopes of Rainbow Mountain. Views of the Stehekin Valley culminate at the 3.1-mile mark atop a viewpoint that offers sweeping views down Lake Chelan. Beyond this overlook, the trail turns north for good, entering the rocky lower reaches of the Rainbow Creek valley. The path climbs initially, then traverses across sparsely wooded slopes high above the creek. As the trail progresses northward, the valley floor rises to meet it, and there is a suspension bridge and a brushy camp at Rainbow Ford.

On the far bank, the path climbs vigorously through the brush, making it one of the hottest climbs in the North Cascades when the weather is sunny. There are fine views down the valley, featuring the peaks beyond the head of Lake Chelan: Castle Rock is farthest left, while Tupshin Peak can barely be seen at the far right. After a brief but grueling climb, the trail enters a pure stand of lodgepole pine and levels off. Here, the trail to Rainbow Lake drops away to the left, and Bench Creek camp occupies the hillside above the junction. Just beyond the camp, there is a shallow ford or a tricky rock-hop across Bench Creek.

Lake Chelan from the Rainbow Creek Trail

A vigorous ascent then leads upward through the pines. An open avalanche path marks the top of this grade, with final views of the mountains to the south. Ascending moderately now, the path passes the mouth of the Bowan Creek valley, and the sharp southern spur of Bowan Mountain is framed by the gap. Lodgepole pines give way to a subalpine forest of fir and mountain hemlock, and the ridges that bound the valley are now girded with stout ribs and domes of granite. The trail reaches Bowan Camp some distance above its namesake stream, where there is a solitary tent site beside the trail in a grove of mature firs.

Continuing upstream, the trail passes several long and slender waterfalls on the west wall of the valley as it climbs along the edge of the forest. After a shallow ford of Rainbow Creek, the valley bends eastward and the trail crosses the lower edge of a vast talus slope. It then enters a stunted forest of mountain hemlock, where snow patches linger late into the summer and violets bloom in the deep shade.

After a while, the trail climbs onto south-facing slopes to begin the grade to McAlester Pass. Here, the warmer climate permits the hemlocks to grow to impressive proportions. The trail switchbacks steadily upward through the trees, which ultimately dwindle and are replaced by heather meadows and domes of bedrock. McAlester Mountain rears its regal summit directly across the valley, and far to the south are the jagged peaks along the crest of the Cascades. After passing through a notch guarded by subalpine larches, the trail wanders out into the broad wet meadows of McAlester Pass. Watch for marmots on the slopes to the east as the path makes its way to a signpost in the midst of the pass. The trail ends here, intersecting the South Pass and McAlester Lake Trails just south of High Camp.

Miles and Directions

0.0 Rainbow Loop North Trailhead.

2.4 Junction with Rainbow Creek Trail. Turn left for initial climb.

3.1 Overlook of Lake Chelan.

4.6 Rainbow Ford Camp. Footbridge leads to east bank of Rainbow Creek.

5.5 Junction with Rainbow Lake Trail. Stay right.

5.6 Bench Creek Camp. Trail crosses Bench Creek.

7.2 Bowan Camp.

8.2 Trail fords Rainbow Creek.

10.3 McAlester Pass. South Pass Trail climbs eastward and McAlester Lake Trails drops away to the north.