Sherman Peak Loop

This six mile loop offers a nice day hike option in the highlands of Eastern Washington, utilizing part of the scenic Kettle Crest Trail, and exploring the Sherman Pass area.

From the trailhead, head downhill and then back up to the road. Cross the road, and look for where the trail resumes about 100 feet towards the pass. Due to its proximity to the road, traffic on the road can be heard for much of this hike, but the riot of flowers and views (and larches in the fall) can make up for that.

There are more than 400 plants in this area, including the ever-present lupine and paintbrush, but also the rarer rattlesnake plantain and parrot's beak. These contrast nicely with the silvered trunks of trees burned in the 1988 White Mountain Fire. Here, you'll want to keep an eye out if hiking in wind -- snags can fall easily and with little warning.

From the junction of the road and the trail, it's a steady but short and not-too-steep uphill climb. Another junction, less than a mile away, shows you sthe sign for the official Sherman Peak Loop. It's a loop, so feel free to turn either left or right.

The loop makes for relatively flat, easy hiking -- it does not take you to the top of Sherman Peak, but rather around it. Hike in and out of the 1988 fire zones where those silvered lodgepole pine are about 15 feet tall, skirted around their bottoms with colorful flowers. On clear days, photo-worthy views into Canada and the forests of Eastern Washington are laid out before you.

The next trail junction is the Kettle Crest trail. Turn onto this trail and complete the loop to head back towards Sherman Pass. Before heading back to the trailhead, look for the sign describing the effects of the 1988 fire.