Henskin Lake–Pickhandle Gap Loop, 6 sights

7 mi · ▲ 2,146 ft · 3 hr 24 min

Henskin Lake–Pickhandle Gap Loop, 6 sights is a 7-mile loop near Snoquera, WA. The route passes Henskin Lake, Bear Gap and Pickhandle Gap. It climbs 2,146 ft, with sections as steep as 34% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 82/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: genuinely wild.

Elevation

0 mi4,344 – 6,359 ft · steepest grade: 34%7.2 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: South Trail 46.94009, -121.47224
Nearest town Snoquera, WA

Directions

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Henskin Lake–Pickhandle Gap Loop, 6 sights

7 mi · ▲ 2,146 ft · 3 hr 24 min

Elevation 4,345–6,357 ft

Loop

Trailhead: South Trail · 46.94009, -121.47224

Weather Sep 21: sunrise 6:51 AM · sunset 7:09 PM

Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on South Trail, heading NE.
  2. 50 ftSharp right onto Blue Bell Loop, heading S.
  3. 0.3 miBear left onto Bullion Basin Trail, heading E.
  4. 400 ftSharp right onto Silver Creek Trail, heading S.
  5. 1.2 miSharp right onto Henskin Lake Trail, heading W.
  6. 0.5 miPass Henskin Lake.
  7. 100 ftSharp left, heading NW.
  8. 200 ftTurn left onto Crystal Mountain Trail, heading SW.
  9. 0.7 miPass Bear Gap.
  10. 50 ftTurn left onto Silver Creek Trail, heading E.
  11. 50 ftContinue straight onto Pacific Crest Trail, heading E.
  12. 1 miPass Pickhandle Gap.
  13. 1 miContinue straight onto Bullion Basin Trail, heading NW.
  14. 1.5 miBear left onto Chutes and Ladders, heading NW.
  15. 0.2 miTurn left onto Bullion Basin Trail, heading W.
  16. 0.1 miContinue straight onto Gold Hill Road East, heading S.
  17. 450 ftTurn right onto Blue Bell Loop, heading S.
  18. 0.3 miSharp left onto South Trail, heading N.
  19. 50 ftThe loop closes back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail surface

86% dirt14% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:51 AMSunset 7:09 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 2.7 mi in (~120 min). Leave by 4:50 PM for the 7:09 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:35 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

More from South Trail Trailhead