The Angels Staircase--time-6-8 hours , rating- dificult , requires a shuttle.

This trail is located in the Methow Valley,about 30 miles south of Winthrop.

This trail is open to Hikers ,Mountain Bikes ,Horses and Motorcycles ,so be KOOL

-take Hwy. 20 south from Winthrop to Carlton.

-5 miles south of Carlton,turn right on Gold Creek Road

-follow Gold Creek Road until road 4340 goes to the right

-continue on road 4340 until Foggy Dew Campground(a great camp area,fees charged for parking) Leave a vehicle at the camp for a shuttle.

-follow Gold Creek Road until road 300 leaves on the left,follow road 300 to Crater Creek Trailhead.

-ride trail #431 past Crater Creek junction ,trail #416. Stay on trail #431 past junction of Martin Lake Trail #429

-ride past Lower eagle lake on the left and up towards Horsehead Pass.

-this is about 21/2 hours to Horsehead Pass.Great views of the Valley behind and Boiling Lake over the pass.

-descend from Horsehead Pass to Boiling Lake.At the junction by the lake take the right fork.

-follow this trail down past a Rangers cabin to a 4 way junction.Take the extreme left,which should cross a creek.This should be Trail #1259

-trail signage on this side of the pass is not the best (so pay attention)

-follow trail #1259 for about an hour through beautiful meadow systems until the trail comes out on an open ridge with a valley dropping away . On the right is a long open ridge(if only there was snow and I had my board)

-from this vantage point,it looks like the trail will continue and climb a pass directly ahead of you,WRONG. That pass ahead is Deadmans Pass and trail # 417 takes off to the left before.

-follow the trail down about 2000 yards or so and watch for a trail marked only with rock cairns going to the left.

-This is the start of the Angels Staircase

THE TRAIL DETORIATES TO A PUSH FROM HERE TO THE TOP,BUT EVERY STEP IS WORTH IT !!!

-Arrive at the top,around 8000 feet.Incredible views of Glacier Peak, Mount Baker etc,etc.

-follow the trail around a large basin (Merchants Basin) to a junction.Take the left which climbs into another pass.

-over the pass is another alpine lake,Cooney Lake

NOW THE FUN BEGINS.OVER 5000 VERTICAL OF DOWN

-follow down, switchbacking off the pass to Cooney Lake and to another junction.Take the right

-continue until another junction and take the left

-the trail eventually comes out on a road at a trail head.Follow the road down to Foggy Dew Campground and a cold one!!

the Staircase Boiling Lake

Summer Blossom TrailHorsehead Pass

Horsehead Pass Foggy Dew Camp