Guides/Overland routes/Washington
Overland route14 midifficulty: easy

Sullivan Lake and Pass Creek Pass (FR 22)

RegionWashingtonAgencyU.S. Forest ServiceLast verified—
Sullivan Lake and Pass Creek Pass (FR 22) — overland route near Metaline Falls, Washington, Washington
U.S. Forest Service - Pacific Northwest Region (public domain)
Trail vitals6 facts
Length
14mi
Technical difficulty
Easy
Direction
Out and back
Vehicle
Standard high-clearance vehicle. Graded gravel from Sullivan Lake to Pass Creek Pass. Good clearance helps but the surface is passenger-car friendly in dry conditions.
Best months
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Cell coverage
None.
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Forest Road 22 runs east 14 miles from Sullivan Lake to Pass Creek Pass at the Idaho border, climbing the Sullivan Creek drainage on the Colville National Forest's Newport-Sullivan Lake Ranger District. The road is the standard western approach to the Salmo-Priest Wilderness, the most remote wilderness area in eastern Washington and one of the only places in the lower 48 with verified grizzly bear sightings.

The road is gravel throughout, graded annually. Pass Creek Pass at road's end has limited parking for the trailhead into the Salmo-Priest. From the pass, primitive forest roads continue east into Idaho and reach Nordman through about 40 miles of dirt. The route is closed by snow from late November through early May most years; spring melt washes out the steepest stretches periodically. Sullivan Lake itself is the largest lake in the eastern Colville National Forest, with two USFS campgrounds and a swimming beach.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Grizzly bear country. The Salmo-Priest Wilderness is one of the only verified grizzly habitats in Washington. Carry bear spray.
  • Seasonal closure. Snow closes the upper road from late November through early May.
  • Limited parking at Pass Creek Pass.
  • No cell coverage. Bring offline maps.
  • Active timber operations. Yield to log trucks.
  • Spring washouts. The road grade can be soft after melt.
  • Wilderness boundary. No motorized travel beyond Pass Creek Pass.
  • Lightning. Possible at the pass in summer afternoons.

Location

14 mi · Overland route

Approx. location 48.840, -117.268

Trail facts

5 fields
AgencyU.S. Forest Service
Nearest townMetaline Falls, Washington
Websitewww.fs.usda.gov/r06/colville/recreation/salmo-priest-wilderness
ClosedDec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Approx. location48.840, -117.268

Getting there

Directions

From Metaline Falls. Drive north on SR-31 about 2 miles past the Pend Oreille River road bridge. Turn right (east) on Sullivan Lake Road (CR 9345) and follow signs to Sullivan Lake. Just before East Sullivan Campground, FR 22 branches east. Drive 14 miles on FR 22 to Pass Creek Pass.

From Newport. Take SR-20 north to Tiger, then SR-31 north past Ione and Metaline Falls. The route from Newport to Sullivan Lake is about 60 miles, all paved.

Photos

1 photo

Photos · 1

Field notes

Getting Oriented

The road branches off the Sullivan Lake Road (Pend Oreille County Road 9345) just before the lake's northern end, near East Sullivan Campground. The Newport-Sullivan Lake Ranger District office in Metaline Falls handles the area; there is no on-site ranger station at the lake. The road is signed FR 22 throughout.

Trail Overview

Fourteen miles, point-to-point. The first six miles are gentle, following Sullivan Creek through second-growth forest. The middle stretch climbs through tighter terrain, with several creek crossings. The final stretch climbs more steeply to Pass Creek Pass at about 5,000 feet, where the road narrows to a single lane through subalpine forest. The pass marks the Washington-Idaho state line and the boundary of the Colville and Idaho Panhandle National Forests. The trailhead at the pass accesses the Shedroof Divide Trail #512 (21.8 miles) into the Salmo-Priest Wilderness.

Points of Interest

  • Sullivan Lake. 1,300-acre lake with two USFS campgrounds (East and West Sullivan), beaches, and boat launches.
  • East and West Sullivan Campgrounds. USFS reservable developed campgrounds.
  • Mill Pond Campground. Smaller campground near the lake's south end with a historic dam interpretive site.
  • Crawford State Park. Nearby state park with the Gardner Cave limestone formation.
  • Pass Creek Pass. End of FR 22 at the Idaho border, with limited trailhead parking.
  • Shedroof Divide Trail #512. 21.8-mile ridge trail through the Salmo-Priest Wilderness.
  • Salmo-Priest Loop. Multi-day backpacking loop accessed from Pass Creek Pass.
  • Crowell Ridge. Ridge trail off the road system.

Where to Camp

The Sullivan Lake area has three USFS campgrounds: East Sullivan, West Sullivan, and Mill Pond, all reservable through Recreation.gov. Edgewater Campground sits a few miles south on the Pend Oreille River. Dispersed camping is permitted on Colville National Forest land off FR 22 with the 14-day stay limit. Metaline Falls and Ione have small commercial bases; the closest full services are in Newport.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • The road is gravel throughout. Aired-down tires help on the rougher sections.
  • A Northwest Forest Pass is required at trailheads.
  • Pass Creek Pass parking is limited to a handful of vehicles. Arrive early on summer weekends.
  • The Salmo-Priest Wilderness is grizzly bear country. Carry bear spray and know how to use it.
  • Cell coverage drops out and stays gone.
  • Snow closes the upper road from late November through early May.
  • The Idaho-side continuation roads are rougher; high clearance recommended for the full Idaho-Washington loop.
  • Active timber operations occur on side roads; yield to log trucks.
  • The Pacific Northwest Trail crosses the Shedroof Divide Trail; through-hikers stage from Pass Creek Pass.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Sullivan Lake and Pass Creek Pass (FR 22)?
Sullivan Lake and Pass Creek Pass (FR 22) is rated easy. The route runs 14 miles.
What kind of vehicle do you need for Sullivan Lake and Pass Creek Pass (FR 22)?
Standard high-clearance vehicle. Graded gravel from Sullivan Lake to Pass Creek Pass. Good clearance helps but the surface is passenger-car friendly in dry conditions.
When is the best time to visit Sullivan Lake and Pass Creek Pass (FR 22)?
The best months are Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct. Avoid Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr.
Is there cell service at Sullivan Lake and Pass Creek Pass (FR 22)?
None.