Trip Report: Squire Creek Pass via Eight Mile Creek

With a forecast of sunny and 74 degrees (!!) in Darrington, I decided today would be a great day to head for Squire Creek Pass. I’ve always been oddly fascinated by Whitehorse Mountain, and was excited to see it from a new angle at the pass. Ideally I wanted to set up a shuttle and do Squire Creek Pass as a point-to-point starting from Eight Mile Creek and connecting through to Squire Creek Trail. But today it was just me and the pups, so we had to “settle for” an out-and-back on Eight Mile Creek.

0310150943c — Three O’Clock Rock – popular climbing crag right off the trail.

Although the idea was to do this as a trail run, I probably ran for a total of 10 minutes. The trail is a little too rocky and rooty to do anything other than hike. As you near the pass, the route goes over big slabs of rock that are currently covered in ice, making microspikes a necessity.

0310151026 — As you approach the pass, parts of the trail and multiple stream crossings were frozen solid. Traction strongly recommended.

Despite the ice, it was sunny, warm and calm at the pass. The views of Three Fingers and Whitehorse are amazing. Can’t wait to go back!

0310151052 — Pano view from Squire Creek Pass. Whitehorse on the right, Three Fingers on the left.

0310151100a — Maggie taking in the views.

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