Upper Suiattle River Trail #798

Upper Suiattle River Trail #798 is a long, rugged hiking route in the Glacier Peak Wilderness area of Mt. Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest, reached from the Pacific Crest Trail. On the ground, it’s mapped as a non-maintained foot route with poor visibility, and the first stretch is often messy with blowdowns and overgrowth.

Most trips approach #798 by walking the Suiattle River Trail #784 to its junction with the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), then heading south on the PCT about 1 mile to the start of Upper Suiattle River Trail #798. From there, you follow #798 toward the Gamma Ridge Trail junction.

The route character changes as you go: Upper Suiattle River Trail #798 is generally the approach to Gamma Ridge, with a key Gamma Creek crossing on the way to the junction. The #798 segment is commonly described as narrowing and less-traveled than the earlier approach sections, with occasional major blowdown obstacles that can force short detours or careful negotiation.

As you near the Gamma Ridge Trail junction, the route is still described as unmaintained and often hard to follow for much of its length. After the junction, the terrain takes on more pronounced ridge climbing—switchbacks that steepen as you gain the ridge crest—and the access line becomes a dedicated push toward Gamma Peak country.

For water and camping planning, don’t rely on frequent amenities on #798 itself: camping and water may be limited away from the main approach, and conditions can make it easy to get behind on carrying enough. Seasonally, late summer is often when the Gamma Ridge/upper country route is most appealing for food (huckleberries) and wildlife sightings (mountain goats).

Because the trail is in Glacier Peak Wilderness backcountry, plan around self-sufficiency and pass/entry requirements for trailhead access. A Northwest Forest Pass or Interagency Pass is referenced for getting into the area where trips begin on the Suiattle River Road side.

More information: Map, Suiattle River Trail, Upper Suiattle River (#798), Gamma Ridge, Gamma Hot Springs