McGregor Mountain Trail

The especially rugged climb to the summit of McGregor Mountain is worth every second for the expansive views.

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McGregor Mountain Trail Details

The especially rugged climb to the summit of McGregor Mountain is worth every second for the expansive views from the second highest established camp in the park. The trail begins in a sunny conifer forest that occasionally opens to fine views over rocky ledge. As the trail gains elevation, the trees thin out and are replaced by low brush and lichen-covered boulders that are a good indication of what's to come. The trail begins to climb harder, settling into a relentlessly long series of steep switchbacks to Heron Camp, at 7,000 feet. This is often the stopping point for many hikers, and the expansive views of the Stehekin Valley and seemingly endless peaks of the Glacier Peak Wilderness are amazing enough to make up for the difficult climb. If you’re planning on camping at Heron Camp, don't miss the spectacular sunsets from this point. For more adventurous hikers, the trail does continue beyond the camp, gaining an extra 1,100 feet of elevation to the McGregor summit and yielding some of the best panoramas of the North Cascades. The approach to the summit, however, is brutal, and should be undertaken with extreme care. While technical climbing knowledge is not required, the trail becomes a poorly marked, nearly vertical scramble up the loose talus slopes of the summit. Climb slowly. To reach the trailhead take the shuttle from Stehekin to High Bridge, and connect on the Old Wagon Trail heading north toward Howard Lake.

Difficulty

High

Distance

15.4 miles

Estimated time

14 hours

Region

N/A