Kelley Creek—Wild Sky gem and quiet portal to Johnson Ridge
Quick Facts:
Location: Wild Sky Wilderness, Skykomish Valley
Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Roundtrip: 8.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,900 feet
Green Trails Map: Green Trails Stevens Pass No 176, Benchmark Mtn No. 144
Recommended Guidebook: Day Hiking Central Cascades 2nd edition
Contact: Skykomish Ranger District: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest
Notes: Northwest Forest Pass or Interagency Pass required; Wilderness Rules Apply
Access: From Everett head east on US 2 to the small town of Skykomish. Then continue for another 6.3 miles, turning left onto the Old Cascade Highway at milepost 55. Proceed for 2.3 miles, turning left onto Forest Road 6710. Continue for 1.4 miles to the Martin Creek Trailhead.
Good to Know: dog-friendly, historic, Wild Sky Wilderness, exceptional old-growth
If it’s the trail less traveled you seek, Kelley Creek is your answer. Follow this long abandoned—recently resuscitated trail along a crashing creek through spectacular primeval forest. Starting from the Martin Creek Trailhead head west and descend. Stay left at a junction where a spur trail leads right to where an old railroad trestle once spanned crashing Martin Creek. Continue descending passing old trestle supports that look like miniature Mayan temples.
Cross Martin Creek on a good bridge and start climbing coming to another junction. Here a spur heads left climbing to the site of the historic Horseshoe Tunnel. The Kelley Creek Trail continues north above the noisy creek passing between where the historic Great Northern Railroad passed through the Horseshoe Tunnel and crossed Martin Creek on a trestle.
Soon afterward enter the Wild Sky Wilderness and begin traversing steep slopes. The trail steadily gains elevation passing through gorgeous groves of majestic old-growth trees. Giant cedars are sure to stop you in your tracks for moments of awe. The trail rounds a bluff high above Kelley Creek and passes a showy waterfall.
The way then bends right, crosses Kelley Creek on a log and comes to a junction. The way right is the old and rough approach. Head left and continue climbing. Cross a creek in a deep gully and traverse a massive blowdown that once impeded travel. Continue gaining elevation as Kelley Creek’s crashing fades into the distance. Through thinning forest, catch glimpses of 6190-foot Mount Fernow across the valley.
After one final steep push around some ledges, reach the ridge crest where at 4.4 miles the trail ends in a flat of heather. Being careful not to crush delicate vegetation, roam the area for good views north across the Rapid River valley out to the emerald-draped Cascade crest Experienced off-trail travelers can continue left, following remnants of the old Johnson Ridge Trail; or head right off-trail steeply up a ridge reaching the 5724-foot summit of Captain Point and sweeping views.
For detailed information on this hike and many more along US 2, pick up a copy of my best selling Day Hiking Central Cascades 2nd edition (Mountaineers Books)
So, it’s been a long time since I was there.
Way back in time you could access Kelley Ck. Trail from a short spur off Martin Creek Rd.
If you kept a lookout for it you could see the old trail underfoot, snags, and brush. Bushwacking up the narrow valley brought you to the junction with the Johnson ridge trail. Here you could go left to get to trail for Scorpion. Or go a little to the right and follow a trail that went sort of NNE to the Cascade Crest trail. About a half mile, or a little more, the trail petered out in heavy canopy forest with a floor of needles and decomposing branch debris. I was never able to hook the trail to the crest. I also looked for it on what would be the North end where it joined the crest.
So there is some exploring to be done by folks in better shape than this old guy.
Yes, you can still hike to Scorpion from Kelley Creek-and it’s an easy scramble to Captains Point, too!