Getting Oriented
The western entrance leaves Republic, a small Ferry County town with full services. The eastern entrance leaves Kettle Falls on US-395 north of Davenport. Republic itself sits at the northern end of SR-21 and the western end of SR-20; the two highways form an X at the town. Three Rivers Ranger District (Kettle Falls and Republic offices) of the Colville National Forest covers the byway.
Trail Overview
Eighty-eight miles of paved highway, point-to-point. The first 17 miles east of Republic climb gradually through the Sanpoil drainage. The pass crossing itself is a 5-mile stretch with the Kettle Crest Trailhead and the Sno-Park at the high point. Past the pass, the byway drops past the Log Flume Heritage Site and the Camp Growden CCC interpretive area before reaching Kettle Falls and the Columbia River. White Mountain Fire scars are visible on much of the eastern descent, with new growth filling in steadily since 1988.
Points of Interest
- Republic. Western gateway town with the Stonerose Interpretive Center fossil-digging site.
- Sherman Pass. 5,575 feet, the highest maintained pass in Washington.
- Kettle Crest Trailhead. Multi-use trailhead for the Kettle Crest National Recreation Trail and the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail.
- Sherman Pass Sno-Park. Winter parking and trail access.
- Sherman Overlook Campground. USFS campground at the pass.
- Log Flume Heritage Site. Interpretive trail through remnants of an early-20th-century logging flume on the eastern descent.
- Camp Growden. Civilian Conservation Corps interpretive site, sometimes called Little America for its national draw of CCC workers.
- Sherman Creek Campground. USFS campground near the eastern end.
- Kettle Falls. Eastern gateway town on the Columbia River.
- White Mountain Fire interpretive area. Eastern descent, showing 1988 burn recovery.
Where to Camp
Sherman Overlook Campground at the pass is the closest developed USFS site. Sherman Creek and Canyon Creek Campgrounds sit on the eastern descent. Several Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area campgrounds line the Columbia River near Kettle Falls. Dispersed camping is permitted on Colville National Forest land off side roads with the standard 14-day stay limit. Republic and Kettle Falls have small commercial bases.
Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip
- The pass stays open year-round but chains may be required November through March.
- A Northwest Forest Pass is required at trailheads.
- The Kettle Crest Trail extends north and south from the pass; both ends connect to the Pacific Northwest Trail.
- Cell coverage drops out at higher elevations.
- Wildlife (deer, occasional moose, bear) is common.
- The Stonerose Interpretive Center in Republic operates a public fossil-digging site; bring a hammer.
- Wildfire activity sometimes affects the eastern descent in late summer.
- Lake Roosevelt at the eastern end offers swimming and fishing.
- Colville and Spokane are the closest full-service towns east of Kettle Falls.
