Sherman Pass Scenic Byway
The byway is 40 miles long and travels from Republic, WA to Kettle Falls, WA.
It passes through:
- Washington's highest maintained pass, Sherman Pass.
- Is surrounded by stunning scenery, and not many travelers.
- Less well known than other byways, Sherman Pass offers travelers a chance to escape the pressures of civilization for a while.
- Takes visitors through the heavily forested Colville National Forest and climbs steeply to cross Sherman Pass, Washington’s highest maintained pass at 5,575 feet above sea level.
The views along the byway are of pristine wilderness, cascading creeks and waterfalls, emerald stands of ponderosa pine, western larch, and Douglas fir.
Suggested Stops Along Sherman Pass
The byway tells the story of a diverse history. This same route was once used by Native Americans as they made their way to the Columbia River to fish. The trail later became a wagon route and was named after Civil War General William Tecumsah Sherman, who crossed the area in the 1860s over what is now the scenic byway. Today the byway is popular with byway travelers and bicycle riders.
Stop #1 - Kettle Falls Infomation Center
This starting point for for traveling the Byway provides regional information in the form of maps, brochures, and guides. Within the center information can be gathered from the Colville National Forest Rangers, National Park Rangers, local art and crafts and much more. The building itself is linked to the Byway experience through its design loosely based around a
replica of one the Great Northern depots of the region.
Stop #2 - Kettle Falls Historical and Interpretive Center
Open weekends in May and Wednesday through Sunday, from June 1st through Labor
Day. The Center tells the story of 9,000 years of human history in this region, beginning
with Native Americans drawn to the plentiful fishing grounds, followed by fur traders, missionaries, and white
settlers migrating from the East. The center features photos, artifacts, exhibits and even the huge stone Native
Americans use to sharpen their fishing tools.
Other points of interest may include stops nearby at Locust Grove (original site for the town of Kettle Falls), the original town of Marcus (seasonaly covered by the waters of Lake Roosevelt), St. Paul’s Mission (one of the oldest remaining churches in Washington State), and an ancient sharpening stone used by the Native Americans in times past located nearby.
Stop # 3 - East Gateway
The East Gateway is positioned to set the stage for the traveler as they are about to traverse the Kettle Range.
Interpretive signs installed in 2008 speak to the challenges faced by minors, trappers, loggers, and
homesteaders during the 1800s.
Stop #4 - Sherman Creek Fish Hatchery
What is now the Sherman Creek Fish Hatchery, was once the White Pine Sash Company mill constructed near the mouth of Sherman Creek in 1920. The lumber industry was fundamental in the social and economic growth of the inland northwest during the 20th century. Workers and their families came from many lands and cultural backgrounds to labor in lumber camps. They came to work in mills and built towns and cities which grew around them. The mill foundation may be seen in spring The mill received logs from the flumes constructed further up Sherman Creek, milled the lumber, and then transported it to Spokane. The mill also operated to provide lumber during the construction of Grand Coulee Dam.
Stop # 5 - Log Flume Heritage Site
In the early 1920s, a log flume was constructed in the lower portion of Sherman Creek to float logs down to mills located next to the Columbia River. A narrow gauge railroad was also built about mid-way up Sherman Creek in 1926-1927. The Log Flume Interpretative site provides the visitor with information and insight into the significance of water and rail to the logging industry before trucks. Remnants of the original log flume and the railroad grade serve to illustrate these different log transport systems. The intent is to present the culture of forestry in its formative years and the processes that were employed to harvest timber.
Stop #6 - Growden Heritage Site
The Civilian Conservation Corps built Camp Growden in 1934 in response to a national Works Progress
Administration depression-era New Deal program. At this site visitors will find interpretive signs depicting the
young men’s experience in working on conservation projects within the National Forest. visitors will see the
remnants of a native stone fountain constructed by the residents. Interpretation includes a re-creation of the
“Little America” entrance arch and sign. The intent of this site is to illustrate what life was like for the boys who lived there, and
explain what it was that they accomplished and gained working in the National Forest. Visitors learn about the
work of the Civilian Conservation Corp that changed the face of the Colville National Forest during the 1930’s
with 224 miles of seasonal roads, 251 miles of telephone lines and 13 lookout towers and guard house built.
Stop # 7 - Sherman Overlook
This interpretive site provides an opportunity to reflect on how human activity within a watershed has a direct effect on the quality of habitat and ultimately our lives. It provides a vista with broad views overlooking the Sherman Creek watershed.
Stop #8 - Sherman Pass Summit
This stop not only provides a place to orient the traveler at the summit of the Kettle Range, but it provides a location for them to appreciate the the value of the trail running north and south from that stop. Regardless of the era, crossing the divide presented a challenge. Today, bicyclists surmount the slope in the summer, and snow plows work diligently to clear the pass for motorists in winter. Native Americans journeyed across the divide from winter homes on the San Poil and Okanagon rivers to fertile fishing grounds on the Columbia River. Families traveled on foot and later by horse, following many well known routes over the mountain. They used an intimate knowledge of the land and its resources to follow the seasonal availability of fish, game and plants. In the 19th century, fur trappers used many of the trails to cross the divide. Military expeditions and an ever increasing number of settlers soon followed. Sherman Pass Scenic Byway follows many of the routes used by the people of this region for generations.
The Kettle Crest is a National Recreation Trail that has a past based on providing access to lookouts positioned along the crest, one of which still stands a short hike from that location. Constructed in 1914 of hand-hewn logs, the tower was decommissioned in the 1940’s in favor of aircraft surveillance. The existing cabin on Columbia Mountain is one of the oldest fire lookouts still standing in the Pacific Northwest. At one time, a 15’ covered platform protruded above the cabin, serving as the lookout tower. The Colville National Forest is in the process of restoration and preservation of this structure with the help of volunteers. The Kettle Crest Site is accessible year round … however the trail to the Columbia Mountain Lookout may be inaccessible during winters
Stop #9 - White Mountain Interpretive Site
This stop is another opportunity to showcase the human effort it has taken to not only cross Sherman Pass, but
for people to extract a living from the slopes of the Kettle Range and the broader area. This particular stop provides the opportunity to share with the public how the Forest Service developed methods of
fighting and suppressing fire, and built a network of lookout towers as a first line of defense.
On August 24, 1988 lightning strikes started six fires on the Colville National Forest at White Mountain. Ultimately, burning over 21,000 acres and results are visually evident from this site.
The interpretive structures again reflect the tie to the regions fire fighting past.
The short accessible trail to the overlook structure provides an opportunity to view the watershed facing west from a vantage point near the crest of the mountain range. The structure is twin to the Sherman Overlook structure reminiscent of the cabs of old lookouts in the area and travelers can appreciation vistas reaching to the Cascades of northern Washington and mountains of British Columbia, Canada.
Stop #10 - West Gateway
The West Gateway location provides travelers with a chance to orient themselves to the city of Republic and Sherman Pass. The West Gateway is positioned to set the stage for the traveler as they are about to traverse the Kettle Range. Interpretive signs installed in 2008 speak to the challenges faced by adventurous prospectors in 1896 when they struck gold. Several mining companies quickly established camps and thousands of prospectors rushed to the area looking to make their fortunes.
Stop #11 - Republic, WA
Take the time to explore Republic, a city with an early 1900s look and a heritage based in the mining and logging industries. Originally named Eureka Gulch. The history of the city and surrounding area can be explored and enjoyed at the Republic Historical Center. The center features a collection of historical photos and exhibits that depict the area history and also the Kaufman Cabin - the oldest surviving structure in Republic. Murals at various places around town and historic buildings with historical signs make a walking tour of the city a history lesson in itself.