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Little Jack Mountain

North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
48.7055, -120.9608 Map & Directions
Length
13.6 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
3,935 feet
Highest Point
5,896 feet
Calculated Difficulty About Calculated Difficulty
Hard
View of Jack Mountain from Little Jack Mountain. Photo by thetreemusketeers. Full-size image
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This summit off of Highway 20 offers gorgeous views of the craggy North Cascades and a great workout. Continue reading

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Hiking Little Jack Mountain

This summit off of Highway 20 offers gorgeous views of the craggy North Cascades and a great workout.

From the East Bank Trailhead head down the trail to a crossing of Ruby Creek. Popular in the gold rush, it is still possible to see a few signs of gold mining activities today. Interpretive plaques are near the bridge, and some sites are still visible.

Cross Ruby Creek on a bridge, and come to a junction with the Canyon Creek Trail. Here, stay left to stay on the East Bank Trail. 2.8 miles from the trailhead there is another junction. A short spur trail heads west here to Ross Lake and campsites, while the steep Little Jack Mountain Trail heads northeast. 

Hop on the trail up Little Jack Mountain and start switchbacking steadily. It's a long, 4-mile, unrelenting ascent, but as you climb, views improve and you're rewarded at the top with a really stunning panorama. 

Little Jack Mountain

Map & Directions

Trailhead
Co-ordinates: 48.7055, -120.9608 Open in Google Maps

Before You Go

A $26 backcountry permit is required to camp overnight in the North Cascades National Park Service Complex (incl. Ross Lake National Rec Area and Lake Chelan National Rec Area). Permits must be picked up in person at the Wilderness Information Center in Marblemount. See the National Park Service website for more information.

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WTA Pro Tip: Save a copy of our directions before you leave! App-based driving directions aren't always accurate and data connections may be unreliable as you drive to the trailhead.

Getting There

From the south, drive on Highway 20 (North Cascades Highway) to milepost 138. The trailhead is accessible also via Ross Lake Resort's water-taxi, which will drop you off at various point along the trail.

More Hike Details

Trailhead

North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20

North Cascades National Park

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Little Jack Mountain

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