Eagle Creek to Peak

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Fishing · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers

This trail is a consistent, moderately steep climb from beginning to the end, with a scramble up talus to achieve the summit. The first half follows an old logging road. The rest is a narrow trail that is at times hard to follow. Most of the trail is under a canopy of pine, fir and quaking aspen. Often it is within sight of the creek.

The trail starts at the gate at the western end of the Buckeye Campground. The first 150 yards follow the Buckeye Pass Trail. There is a second gate shortly beyond the first. Both gates are easily opened. The area between is private property, with a sign saying that access is controllable by the owner. This is not an issue as long as you follow the road straight across. At the signed junction, turn left to follow an old road up the hill. The road swings around the end of the moraine between Buckeye and Eagle Creeks and reaches Eagle Creek at about 0.7 miles. For the next mile, it follows the creek fairly closely. Most of this section is a beautiful forest of quaking aspen with plenty of flowers - especially mule ear and lupine.

At about 2.3 miles, the road comes to a washed-out bridge across Eagle Creek. Do not cross the creek. The road continues over Sawmill Ridge and from there a trail goes back down to Robinson Creek. For the Eagle Creek Trail, turn right and climb a few yards up the hill to where you can see a gate for a broken-down stock pen. On the other side of the gate the trail becomes more obvious. The next section is open with a narrow-trail cutting between sagebrush and manzanita bushes. If you lose the trail, you should be able to pick it up again by continuing 20-100 yards above the right side of the creek.

The trail continues to climb, alternating between brush and trees. It crosses 2-3 small streams that often have good water. At 6 miles and just below 10,000 feet, there is an excellent tree-sheltered campsite with a large fire ring. About 100 yards above this, the trail crosses the creek. From there on, the area is beautiful open meadows and scattered trees with great views of Eagle Peak and the surrounding ridges.

You could go any way you want, but I recommend climbing the small hill (10,566 feet) for an outstanding view of Twin Lakes, the Matterhorn and Sawtooth Ridge. From there, you can scramble up surrounding Eagle or Victoria peaks. Compared to other off-trail Sierra peak climbs, this route is relatively safe, with no technical difficulties. There are no rock climbs or drop-offs and no piles of large talus to make running difficult. - Description by Lee Watts for Eagle Creek Trail #66