Looking down into Bear Creek of the Greys River Drainage from McDougal Pass

Length: 4.5 Miles Ending Elevation: 9,360 Feet USGS Maps: Man Peak; Rock Lake Peak Usage: Heavy Beginning Elevation: 7,020 Feet Elevation Gain: 2,340 Feet Difficulty: More Difficult

North Willow Creek Trail is one of the more accessible trails into the rugged and scenic Salt River Range from Star Valley WY.

The trailhead is at the first turnout you get to after entering the dirt road that heads into the mountains from Turnerville, there is a sign identifying North Willow Creek at the mouth of the canyon.

The trail starts at 7200 feet and follows a pretty canyon 4.5 miles to 9,360 Foot McDougal Pass a rapid gain of Elevation Gain: 2,340 Feet where Bear Creek trail begins for a drop into the Greys River Valley.

The first couple of miles there are several creek crossings but as you climb the trail veers away from the creek. There are parts of the trail that is really rocky and parts that are steep stretches of clay that could easily turn to a dangerous slime, on horseback, in a rainstorm. ATVer’s use the lower section but there was no evidence of them in the higher elevations. About halfway you get into the sub alpine terrain which provides better views of the surrounding peaks and the canyon below.

A peak in the North Willow Creek Drainage

When you think that you have reached McDougal Pass, you haven’t, the first saddle drops you into the head of Strawberry Creek where Strawberry Creek Trail merges with North Willow Creek Trail for the final couple of hundred yards to McDougal Pass. It is about a half mile from the Strawberry/N. Willow divide to the Pass.

From the top of McDougal Pass, you look down Bear Creek into the Greys River Drainage. At the pass Cabin peak Trail takes off to the left and goes to Cabin Peak lookout and beyond down the Cabin Creek trail to Meadows Campground on the Greys River.

From bottom to top there were plenty of open areas to view the mountains

Thunderstorms are common in the afternoon for most of the summer. For that reason, it's advisable to get an early start and try to cross the open divide by noon; the top of a mountain is nowhere to be in a thunderstorm.

This is about halfway up North Willow Creek Trail where the views start opening up.

The Salt River Range is home to elk, moose, deer, bighorn sheep, black bear wolves, mountain lion as well as many other species and grizzlies are a possibility. On this hike it is common to see moose and deer and if you get lucky you could see elk, or black bear. Some of the wildflowers you may see are fireweed; larkspur, indian paintbrush, purple fleabane, columbine, and lupine proliferate turning every meadow of the region a sea of color.

Expect summertime temperatures to range from highs in the 70s-80s during the day to lows of around 30 at night. Afternoon thunderstorms are the norm most summer evenings so plan your hiking and climbing so that you won't be on an exposed slope when the lightning is competing for space with the waterfalls of the canyon walls. It can snow any day of the year and has; so visitors should come prepared for a wide variety of weather and temperature conditions. Remember Murphy’s Law and pack accordingly.

Getting there

From Afton, Travel north on Hwy. 89 to County Road #126 (Strawberry Creek), about 2 1/2 miles south of Thayne. Go east from Hwy. 89 to Bedford, then south on County Road #123 (Bedfored-Turnerville) to Turnerville. Go east on County Road, #177 (Willow Creek Canyon) to the Forest boundary. Continue on Willow Creek Road #10080 to the road end. The trail leads east across the draw. Passenger cars and trailers are not recommended on the last 3 miles of Willow Creek Road #10080 (beyond the old road closure gate.)