Company Creek Trail

Q: How long does this actually take?

Fit hikers: 2.5–3 hours round trip. Average hikers: 4–5 hours. The grade is relentless; don't rush. Descent takes time—your knees demand careful footing on steep switchbacks.

Q: Do I need special gear or training?

Trekking poles are not optional—they save your knees on descent. Gaiters or thick pants defend against nettles. Decent cardio fitness required. Bring 3L water, hat, sunscreen, and a map. This isn't a beginner trail.

Q: What's the nettle situation?

Real. Large patches especially after mile 1.5 and in early summer (June–early July). Mid-summer and late season, nettles clear on sunny exposures but persist in shaded areas. Long pants and gaiters are your defense.

Q: Can I take kids on this?

Only if they're conditioned for steep, technical terrain. Not suitable for children under 10 unless exceptional climbers. Older kids with experience can manage but plan 5+ hours and watch footing constantly. Nettles and overgrown sections add hazard.

Distance

1.8 mi

Elevation Gain

1,500 ft

Est. Time

2.5-3 hours for fit hikers; 4-5 hours for most people (includes breaks, nettle navigation, photo stops).

Route Type

Out-and-back

Dogs Allowed

Best Season

Late May–late September (park operational season). Mid-July through September optimal; early season means overgrown sections and thick nettles.

Overview

About This Trail

This is a relentless steep climb: 1,500 feet of elevation gain crammed into 1.8 miles means switchback grinding and burning lungs. The route charges through open forest before vistas tear open to reveal Bonanza Peak (9,511 ft—Washington's tallest non-volcanic mountain) and the Stehekin Valley sprawling below. Nettles and overgrown sections demand respect, especially early season. Fit hikers finish in 2-3 hours; expect 4+ if you're not conditioned for steep terrain.

Highlights

Difficulty Level

Lung buster. Moderate-to-strenuous per NPS, but 1,500 feet in 1.8 miles puts this in the brutal range.

Trail Highlights

Head-on views of Bonanza Peak (Washington's tallest non-volcanic mountain at 9,511 feet) and the sprawling Stehekin Valley. Views explode at mile 1.5–1.8 as you break the tree line and the wilderness opens. Clear-day views extend to Sable Ridge and the glaciated Bonanza Peak—worth every hard-earned foot of elevation.

Insider Tips

• The first mile is deceptively brutal—steep right out of the gate. Pace yourself; you'll need energy for mile 1–1.5. • Best views don't open until mile 1.5+. Don't stop early thinking you've summited; the payoff waits at the wilderness boundary. • Early season (June, early July): push through the overgrown sections—they clear with foot traffic. • Nettles clear by mid-summer on sunny exposures but linger in shaded creek crossings. • Descent is harder than ascent on this grade—your quads and knees will feel every switchback. Save energy.

Best Season to Hike

Late May–late September (park operational season). Mid-July through September optimal; early season means overgrown sections and thick nettles.

Hiking Tips

Carry 3L water minimum—this grade will drain you fast.
Trekking poles mandatory for descent—your knees will thank you.
Full sun hits the ridge section hard—hat and sunscreen non-negotiable.
Gaiters or thick pants prevent nettle burns (they're not just annoying; they can slow you down).
Start early to secure shade on descent.
Make noise on trail—bears in area, maintain 100-yard distance.
Descent takes longer than ascent on steep terrain; budget extra time.

Family Info

1,500 feet of gain in 1.8 miles demands serious fitness. Not suitable for young children unless they're conditioned for steep scrambles. Nettles and trail overgrowth add hazard. Older kids (12+) with hiking experience and good pace might manage, but plan 5+ hours and watch footing closely.

What Hikers Say

This is a legitimate lung-buster that rewards with unobstructed views of Bonanza Peak and Stehekin Valley. Hikers report the grade is relentless and nettles are real, especially early season. Worth the effort if you're fit and start early; brutal if you're underestimating the 1,500-foot punch.

Details

Trail Specifications

Distance: 1.8 miles

Elevation Gain: 1,500 ft

Duration: 2.5-3 hours for fit hikers; 4-5 hours for most people (includes breaks, nettle navigation, photo stops).

Difficulty: Lung buster. Moderate-to-strenuous per NPS, but 1,500 feet in 1.8 miles puts this in the brutal range.

Route Type: Out-and-back

Surface: Dirt and rocky forest trail with roots, rocks, and loose footing. Sections overgrown early season. Open ridge patches of scree.

Getting There

Trailhead: Company Creek Road, 0.8 miles down from Stehekin Valley Road. From Stehekin Landing: drive 4.5 miles north on Stehekin Valley Road, turn left across Harlequin Bridge, veer right at fork. Trailhead on left after PUD powerplant.

Requirements

Permit Required

No permit required for day hiking the 1.8-mile section within Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. Backcountry camping beyond the trail (in Glacier Peak Wilderness, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest) requires permit from Forest Service.

Fees: No entrance fee for North Cascades National Park.

Shuttle Available

No shuttle required for trailhead. Standard vehicle access to Company Creek Road. Note: Access to Stehekin may require ferry from Lake Chelan—check service schedules.

Trail Rules

Dogs: Leashed dogs allowed.

Trail Markers: Well-worn up to mile 1.8 but sections can be overgrown, especially early season. Wilderness entry at 1.8 miles marks trail condition change. Bring map—overgrown vegetation can obscure footbed early in season.

Map/GPS recommended

Trail Features

Conditions & Safety

Water: Company Creek near trailhead; no reliable on-trail water sources documented. Carry all water or filter at creek before ascent. Early season may have snowmelt trickles but don't depend on it.

Shade: Mixed exposure. First 0.5 miles in shaded forest; then increasingly exposed as elevation opens ridge. Upper section takes full sun—heat management is critical.

Hazards:

Steep terrain (1,500 ft/1.8 mi) creates significant fall risk on descent, especially loose sections. Large patches of nettles after trail enters Glacier Peak Wilderness—can cause painful stings and slow you down. Trail overgrown early summer with vegetation obscuring footing. Bears in area (maintain 100-yard distance). Ridge views imply exposure; vertigo risk. Sections can be slippery when wet.

Accessibility & Family

Accessibility:

Rooty, rocky, steep. This is technical forest terrain with roots, loose rocks, and a relentless grade. Not accessible for those with knee/hip issues or limited cardio fitness.

Family Notes:

Nearby Facilities

Stehekin Landing: 4.5 miles south via Stehekin Valley Road. Supplies, lodging, and ferry access to Lake Chelan. Limited services outside park operational season (late May–late September). No facilities at trailhead.

What Hikers Say

FAQs

Is this trail safe to hike solo?

Yes, if you're fit and prepared. Make noise for bears (100-yard distance rule). Bring map, water, and communicate your plan. No cell service expected—don't rely on it for rescue. Start early so you're off before dark.

How long does this actually take?

Do I need special gear or training?

What's the nettle situation?

Can I take kids on this?

🏞️ National Park Service 📝 YourNPGuide Editorial

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