Higher Squire - Eightmile Creek Trail

Some lesser peaks make the best winter and spring objectives. With Higher Squire, you can find a generally safe, avalanche free, brush free route, excellent close-up views of Whitehorse and Three Fingers Mountains, and a summit with a hint of exposure. Along the way, the Eightmile Creek Trail passes right below Three O'clock Rock. This is a popular rock climbing area but it is also the only potential avalanche path to cross on this route. The upper portion of the trip can also be done as a loop, visiting Squire Creek Pass for additional photo opportunities of Three Fingers.

WillhiteWeb.com - Washington Hiking & Climbing

From Darrington, take the Mountain Loop Highway south roughly 4 miles to Clear Creek Road (the one on the right side of the road). Follow this forest road for around 8 miles. Just before the Eightmile Trailhead, there is a fork in the road, go right. The trailhead has a sign on the right and a pull-out area on the left. The access road does cross over a creek (a paved crossing) but if the water was running high, it could be an issue for small vehicles.

The Eightmile Trail starts out on a old road doing one large switchback. Then a trail branches off the road and it doesn't mess around, climbing steeply up the hillside to reach its destination. Within a mile it enters the Boulder River Wilderness and at one mile is Three O'clock Rock. The trail continues climbing after the rock, switchbacking up the other side soon reaching a creek crossing with a nice pool for cooling off. A short distance beyond, the trail will start to relax as it enters easier terrain below Squire Creek Pass. Somewhere in this area, leave the trail and climb upslope. The ridge will gradually narrow until it is nearly an arete at one point. The final 150 feet gets steep and the final 50 feet should be with an ice axe. (If bringing a dog, your best route would be to come up from the Squire Creek Pass area on the west ridge).