Hike of the Week: Thirteenmile Creek
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| Solitude and beauty greet a lone hiker in Thirteenmile Creek Canyon |
Thirteenmile Creek
Lucky for hikers and critters this roadless area remains wild
by Craig Romano
photo by Craig Romano
produced by Michael Fagin
May 19, 2006
Quick Facts
Location: Kettle River Mountains
Land Agency: Colville National Forest
Roundtrip: 8.0 miles
Elevation gain: 2,000 feet
Access: On SR 21 12 miles south of Republic at the Colville National Forest-Colville Indian Reservation border.
Notes: Rattlesnake country, be aware.
The Thirteenmile Trail ventures 16.5 miles through some of the loneliest and most spectacular country in Northeastern Washington. Traversing terrain encompassing rugged ridges, sprawling alpine meadows, and a steep-walled canyon, the Thirteenmile Trail takes adventurous hikers into a little-explored and little-known region of the Kettle River Mountains.
But it’s not necessary to hike this challenging trail in its entirety to experience the beauty and remoteness of this region. The first few miles of this trail travel through a narrow canyon flanked by towering granite walls and graced with stately groves of giant old-growth ponderosa pines.
In springtime a carpet of wildflowers brightens the canyon’s floor, while eagles and hawks ride thermals looking for bounty. Cougars make themselves at home in the canyon and chances are good of spotting a black bear and plenty of mule deer.
After about 2.5 miles the trail climbs, reaching a Forest Service road in 4.0 miles. It continues for 12 more miles skirting the summit of Thirteenmile Mountain and crossing the high saddle between Fire and Seventeenmile Mountains. The first four miles make for a good day hike. Water is plentiful in the spring, but the temperature can soar. Right now the canyon is awash in color. Larkspur, calypso orchid, arnica, balsamroot, and phlox are in full bloom. Enjoy the floral show.
Thirteenmile Creek Canyon is one of the spotlighted hikes in my upcoming book; Columbia Highlands: Exploring Washington’s last frontier (Mountaineers Books).
