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Thirteenmile via Bear Pot Trailhead

Eastern Washington > Okanogan Highlands/Kettle River Range
48.4813, -118.7281 Map & Directions
Length
9.2 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
1,800 feet
Highest Point
4,885 feet
Calculated Difficulty About Calculated Difficulty
Moderate/Hard
The view from Thirteenmile trail. Photo by MikeOnAHike. Full-size image
  • Wildflowers/Meadows
  • Mountain views
  • Wildlife
  • Ridges/passes
  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Fall foliage

Parking Pass/Entry Fee

None
Saved to My Backpack

Access some of Washington's loneliest country from this trailhead. But as the name suggests, be on the lookout for wildlife -- it's lonely country but that doesn't mean it's empty. Continue reading

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Hiking Thirteenmile via Bear Pot Trailhead

This nearly-17 mile trail winds through rock cliffs in the Sanpoil River canyon, and offers multiple hike options. Wander for a few miles, or do a full thru-hike. You can access this area from three different trailheads, so you can revisit it again and again from different approaches.

Hikers who like wildflowers and wildlife will want to start from the Bear Pot trailhead, though. The unusual name of "Bear Pot" is said to come from the boggy lake along this section of trail, where bears sit to cool off in hot weather. And the all that moisture also makes for fantastic wildflowers in the right season.

Beginning from the Bear Pot trailhead, hike about three-quarters of a mile to a junction with the Thirteenmile Trail, passing an old trappers cabin along the way. 

At the junction with Thirteenmile, turn right and hike into a forested section of trail. You'll climb slowly then drop back down into a small gorge to cross a creek before traversing again through open forest interspersed with meadows. Much of the trail is located atop an old stock driveway, and you can still see some of the old signs posted.

For day hikers, a good turn around for a day hike is a road that the trail crosses about 4 miles in, where an old road crosses the trail. But if you're overnighting, you can continue on — there are plenty of places to camp on the hills and ridgelines all along this trail. 

The trail exits at Hall Mountain Road west of Sherman Pass and would be a great car-to-car thru-hike.

WTA Pro Tip: Water is available sporadically along this trail. If you go later in the summer, bring your own.

Hike Description Written by
Multiple authors contributed to this report, WTA Community

Thirteenmile via Bear Pot Trailhead

Map & Directions

Trailhead
Co-ordinates: 48.4813, -118.7281 Open in Google Maps

Before You Go

See weather forecast

Parking Pass/Entry Fee

None

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 Republic, head east on Hwy 20 for 8 miles to Hall Creek (Forest Road 99) Turn right onto Hall Creek and follow this gravel road 5.2 miles to a fork. Stay to the right (Nine Mile Road) and after 2.7 miles, arrive at another fork. Here, veer left onto Forest Road 2054 and continue for just half a mile, then veer left onto FR 2055. Continue for 3.3 miles to the Bear Pot trailhead at road’s end. There are no trailhead amenities. 

More Hike Details

Trailhead

Eastern Washington > Okanogan Highlands/Kettle River Range

Bear Pot (#19), Thirteenmile (#23)

Colville National Forest, Republic Ranger District

Guidebooks & Maps

Day Hiking: Eastern Washington (Romano - Mountaineers Books)

USGS Bear Mountain

USGS Edds Mountain

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Thirteenmile via Bear Pot Trailhead

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