Colville National Forest · Washington

Windy Peak

11 mi of trail, end to end · native material surface · trail No. 342 · trail class 3 · typical grade 12-20% · tread 18-24 inches wide · hiking, horse, bike

Begins at the forest's mile 0, 48.8556, -119.9467 - no trailhead mapped Drive to where the trail begins

Windy Peak #342 the Forest Service's write-up

Northwest Forest pass or $5 per vehicle per day. Day use fees waved with Senior Pass, Access Pass, and Military Federal Pass holders.<!--EndFragment-->

This difficult trail travels uphill for approximately 2.5 miles with a 3,000 foot elevation gain from the Windy Peak Trailhead/Long Swamp to the Pasayten Wilderness boundary. From here the trail continues through areas of burned lodgepole pine to “Two Bear Camp” which is where water is available. The trail travels through the burned timber and open hillsides on its climb to Windy Peak where it continues on past the summit to the Boundary Trail #533 at Horseshoe Basin. The total trail length is 11.5 miles. Windy Peak has amazing panoramic views of the North Cascades and the surrounding area. On a clear day Mt. Baker is visible. Windy Lake is a side trip off trail to the north of Windy Peak. The trail is usually snowed in until July. Access to this area generally opens by June.

Restrictions <!--StartFragment--><a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/okawen/specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5405234">Wilderness use restrictions apply.</a>&nbsp;Certified weed-free hay or certified weed-free hay pellets are required on National Forest lands (processed grains are okay). Motorized or mechanical equipment, including chainsaw, bike, motorcycle, hang glider or cart use prohibited in all wilderness areas. Food and wildlife attractants must be properly stored at all times.<!--EndFragment-->

This hike on fs.usda.gov

Windy Peak Trailhead/Long Swamp the Forest Service's write-up

<!--StartFragment--> Northwest Forest pass or $5 per vehicle per day. Day use fees waved with Senior Pass, Access Pass, and Military Federal Pass holders.<!--EndFragment-->

This Trailhead is part of the old Long Swamp Campground Area. Bearproof garbage can, information sign board, and self-registration board are available. Northwest Forest Pass is required. The trail is usually snowed in until July. Access to this area generally opens by June.

Provides access to: Windy Peak Trail #342 within Pasayten Wilderness .

Restrictions <!--StartFragment--><a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/okawen/specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5405234">Wilderness use restrictions apply.</a>&nbsp;Certified weed-free hay or certified weed-free hay pellets are required on National Forest lands (processed grains are okay). Motorized or mechanical equipment, including chainsaw, bike, motorcycle, hang glider or cart use prohibited in all wilderness areas. Food and wildlife attractants must be properly stored at all times.<!--EndFragment-->

This trailhead on fs.usda.gov

Every trail in Colville National Forest

All 194 trails in Colville National ForestFind a trailForest on fs.usda.gov

About this trail's facts

The lines are the US Forest Service's National Forest System trails layer (public domain), read 2026-10-16 and simplified for the map; the length is the line's, end to end, and the class, surface, grade and tread width are the forest's own entries where it publishes them - a forest that publishes the centreline alone has none. The trailheads and the points along the way are the Service's recreation points, and the write-ups its own recarea text, unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the forest's own site before you go.