Lost Trail: Milk Creek

The iconic Milk Creek trail was one of the primary trails to enter Glacier Peak Wilderness—providing important opportunities and access to the Pacific Crest Trail and Glacier Peak.

In 2003, an epic flood event destroyed the steel bridge that once spanned the substantial Suiattle River and provided access to the Milk Creek Trail. The bridge loss has eliminated access to Milk Creek trail and put a halt to any trail maintenance. The Milk Creek trail was left inaccessible for all but the hardiest hikers who don’t mind crossing a fast-flowing river and bushwhacking through miles of brush and fallen trees. Significant advocacy and volunteer trail maintenance investments are needed to replace the Milk Creek bridge and address the backlog of trail maintenance along the trail.

Unique features

Accessible, family-friendly hike, providing access to the Pacific Crest Trail and remote wilderness.
Known for its towering old growth forest and an easy-to-reach flower meadow with views of Glacier Peak.
Provides critical access for Washington Trails Association and partner organizations to conduct trail work on remote regions of the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.

Stories from the field

From Washington State to Washington D.C.: We’re Working for Hikers Like You

Feb 11, 2020

This year, we teamed up with trail groups from all over the country to Hike the Hill in Washington, D.C. and advocate for trails and public lands. Here are the important federal issues and bills we support and talked to our Washington lawmakers about.

Making More Time in Nature Possible

Science shows three days in nature can boost your brain. WTA is helping to make those experiences possible | By Rachel Wendling

Regaining Access to the Pacific Crest Trail

Fourteen years ago, access to the Suiattle River Valley was washed away by record floods. Access to over 100 miles of trail was lost, and the Pacific Crest Trail was left fractured. In 2014, progress was made to reopen access to seven popular trails, but a critical access point to the PCT was left hanging in uncertainty | by Rachel Wendling

Talking Trails on Glacier Peak Wilderness: Meet the Woman in Charge

Sep 12, 2018

The Glacier Peak Wilderness—a priority area in our Lost Trails Found campaign—is beautiful, remote and captivating. We talk about this incredible area, and the work needed to save trails threatened by budget cuts with Bridget Wisniewski of the Darrington Ranger District.