Miners Ridge Trail #785
| Trail Uses |   |
Length | 9.9 miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season of Use | Summer / Fall | Beginning Elevation | 2900 feet |
| Visitor Use | Medium | Ending Elevation | 5500 feet |
| Map(s) | Green Trails: Glacier Peak #112 | Level of Difficulty | Most Difficult |
Access:
Follow the Suiattle River Trail #784 for 9.3 miles. Trailhead is on the left (north) and is signed.
Attractions & Considerations:
Be sure to fill canteens before leaving the Suiattle River Trail, as you cannot be sure of water farther up the trail. Proceeding uphill, this trail has numerous switchbacks, passing through forest with an occasional glimpse of the valley below.
At the junction at 3.2 miles, there is a nice camp spot on the side of the trail, called Sunnybrook Camp. The trail straight ahead, Miners Cabin Trail #795, leads to Suiattle Pass, traversing the hillside below Miners Ridge and ending at the Glacier Peak Mines after 2.0 miles. Miners Ridge Trail is the left (north) fork.
Switchbacking up into flowery meadows through a beautiful forest, you reach the ridge at 2.3 miles and another junction. To the left 0.3 mile is Miners Ridge Lookout at 6210 feet in elevation. This lookout was built in 1938 and was rebuilt again in 1952. The lookout is used today by a wilderness ranger stationed there during the summer months.
The main trail goes right (east) 0.7 mile traversing the hillside to 3.8-acre Image Lake at 6050 feet in elevation. Horses are permitted for day use only. The hitching area is just before Canyon Lake Trail #797 at the East Rim. Campsites open to stock are available 1.0 mile east of the lake at Lady Camp. Backpackers may camp in an area just southeast of the lake. Camping elsewhere in the basin is prohibited. NO CAMPFIRES ALLOWED.
Some people consider Miners Ridge to be one of the most beautiful places in the wilderness. From Image Lake toward Suiattle Pass, a hiker is surrounded by views of Glacier Peak, Plummer Mountain, North Star, and Fortress Mountain. Wildflower displays can be spectacular in mid-July and August.
At Glacier Peak Mines, 1.4 miles east of Image Lake, is the junction with the Miners Cabin Trail #795. The Miners Ridge Trail continues on, traversing the hillside for another 1.6 miles where it joins the Pacific Crest Trail #2000 at 0.7 mile west of Suiattle Pass. Even though a trail is shown on the Glacier Peak map between the mines and the PCT at Miners Creek, travelers should be aware that the trail is not maintained and there is no crossing at Miners Creek. Many blowdowns impair travel through this area. Travel is discouraged to allow the old trail scar to restore naturally.
A Northwest Forest Pass is required to park at the trailhead.