KUOW Hike of the Week July 8

The weekend forecast is calling for some low clouds at times for the West Cascades. Also many of the popular trials in the West Cascades snow covered to some extend. So for more sun and more snowfree hikes the East Cascades is a good bet. Thus the Jungle Creek Hike in the Teanaway region (close to Cle Elum) would be a good option.
Rock Mt Trail- East of Stevens Pass

Photo below is Penstemon

Photo below is hiker enjoying mountain views to the southwest

Driving Directions to Rock Mt Trail
From Seattle drive to Stevens Pass via US 2, continue east about 8.5 miles, pass highway maintenance sheds (left) and just past milepost 73 turn left onto a gravel road to trailhead parking, elevation 2,600 feet, no facilities. A NW Forest Pass is not required for this hike. Allow about 2 hours, 15 minutes drive time from Seattle.
Trail Stats
From US 2 to Rock Mountain it is about 4,200 feet gain and 11 miles roundtrip.

Jungle Creek Trail- Near Cle Elum
Photo below is Columbine

Photo below view of Mt Stuart

Driving directions to Jungle Creek Trail
From Seattle drive east on I-90 over Snoqualmie Pass to Exit 85, east of Cle Elum. Cross over the freeway overpass and turn north (right) onto State Route 970 (north). Continue about five miles and turn left onto Teanaway River Road and continue until the pavement ends (about 13 miles), at 29 Pines Campground. Turn left just beyond the campground on Road 9701 (Jungle Creek Road) and continue about 1.5 miles to the road where it is blocked by a washout. Walk to the trailhead (indicated by a post on the right hand side of the road) about a half-mile from the washout, no facilities.
Trail stats:
From the Jungle Creek washout to the Jungle Creek trailhead and up to the 4,500 foot trail junction with the Way Creek/Johnson Creek trail it is about 6 miles round trip with about 1,500 feet elevation gain.

Photos and driving directions and trails stats provided by Karen Sykes