Boiling Lake Area

getting there

Drive SR-20 to 2 miles east of Twisp and turn south on SR-153. Drive 3.5 miles, turn right onto Gold Creek Loop Road, drive 1.6 miles, and then turn right onto Gold Creek Road. Drive 5.0 miles to where the road becomes Forest Road 4340 (North Fork Gold Creek Road). Drive 1.6 miles avoiding side roads often signed "North Fork Gold Creek." Turn left onto Forest Road 4340-300 and continue 4.4 miles to the Crater Creek Trailhead (4,725 ft).

approach & ascent

Beefhide Butte (8,030 ft) & Seance Peak (8,067 ft)

These two peaks are on the ridge between Hoodoo Pass and Star Peak. The views are excellent, if not quite as extensive as the views from the higher nearby peaks. Hike the Eagle Lakes Trail over Horsehead Pass to Boiling Lake on the first day. On the second day hike down to the Summit Trail, and  follow it over a 7,000-foot pass to a stream crossing. Leave the trail there,  ascend to the Southwest Ridge of Beefhide Butte, and follow the ridge to the summit. Descend the same ridge to a path that leads into the adjacent basin and heads toward Seance Peak. The southwest slope of Seance Peak is blocky talus for the last ~500 feet. Return to Boiling Lake via the Southwest Ridge of Beefhide Butte. It is tempting to avoid climbing over that ridge by following the drainage down to the Summit Trail, but the lower 400 feet is an unpleasant bushwhack. An alternative descent from Seance might be east down to the trail that leads to Hoodoo Pass.

notes

• This area can get very buggy in the heat of the summer, so July and August are probably not the best times to go.

• Suitable Activities: Scrambling
• Seasons: May, June, July, August, September, October
• Weather: View weather forecast

• Difficulty: Strenuous 5, Technical 3
• Length: 35.0 None
• Elevation Gain: 8,500 ft
• High Point: 8,067 ft

• Land Manager: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forests
  Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness, Chelan Ranger District (OWNF)
• Parking Permit Required: Northwest Forest Pass
• Recommended Party Size: 6
• Maximum Party Size: 12
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12