Huckleberry Creek Trail

Huckleberry Creek Trail (Trail No. 1182) is an out-and-back hike that links Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest to the northeast corner of Mount Rainier National Park. It follows Huckleberry Creek, crossing creeks multiple times and eventually climbing out of the creek valley toward Sourdough Ridge.

Most parties start from the Forest Service side on FS Road 7340 and hike up into old-growth timber; at about 0.9 mile you reach the Mount Rainier National Park boundary. That boundary makes a practical turnaround point if you’re trying to keep the hike outside park rules.

Continuing past the boundary adds a longer push up-valley: the trail proceeds another ~7.5 miles along Huckleberry Creek into a mountain basin, then climbs toward the end at Sourdough Ridge. From there, it’s a short connection to Sunrise Visitor Center as an alternate access point to the same route.

Expect a mix of terrain as elevation builds—second-growth timber near the start, then old-growth forest by about 0.1 mile after crossing Lost Creek on a footlog. As the route rises, you encounter remnants of a moraine, meadows, boulder fields, and sub-alpine landscapes before the climb out to the ridge.

A historic stop sits near the upper portion: the Huckleberry Creek Patrol Cabin is located on the trail near the park’s northern boundary and was erected circa 1934. If you’re planning your itinerary, treat it as an on-route landmark rather than a separate destination.

The park boundary is the key management line for use restrictions: inside Mount Rainier National Park, horses, mountain bikes, and motorized use are prohibited. If you start on the forest side, dogs must turn around at the 0.9-mile boundary point.

Camping is limited by permit requirements: camping at Forest Lake requires a Wilderness Permit issued by the National Park Service. Forest Lake is also a common lunch/turnaround option further down the route.

Timing and access logistics matter because the trailheads rely on FS Road 73. The road gate is seasonally closed between Dec 15 and May 15, and vehicle access for FS Road 73 is generally rough enough that high-clearance/4WD is typically preferred for getting to the lower trailhead.

More information: Visitor information, Visitor information, Huckleberry Creek - Visit Rainier