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Old Sauk
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day and the month of March with hikes that emphasize green. Old Sauk fits that bill perfectly. The mossy forest carpet and the milky green Sauk River offer a great easy day hike for hikers big and small.
Hike of the Week:
March 17, 2008
- The Old Sauk River trail boasts many shades of green - from vibrant moss like this on the forest floor to the milky green of the Sauk River as it carries its glacial run-off to the Skagit River. Photo by Kim Brown.
Location: near Darrington on the Mountain Loop Hwy
Distance: 6 miles r.t.
Elevation: no gain
Maps: Green Trails 111 Sloan Peak
Why Go?
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day and the month of March with hikes that emphasize green. Old Sauk fits that bill perfectly.
This hike is a lovely stroll along one of the Skagit River's surging tributaries. The roar of the river is your constant companion as you weave between forest and stream bank on this level trail.
It is a hike particularly well-suited for families. The trail is mostly level, and there is lots to look at, talk about and ponder along the way. This time of year, new plants are poking out of the ground and the whole forest is strikingly green.
- The Old Sauk hike is great choice for families with its level trail and fine views of forest and the river. Photo by Kim Brown.
The Sauk River is always gorgeous, and there is a chance that you might see people fishing in its milky green waters. This area was hit hard by floods in 2003, and you can still see its effects on the environment - log jams, bank erosion and the trail you stand on, rerouted in places by volunteers from WTA.
The trail is currently in pretty good condition. There are a few blowdowns being reported, but nothing too hairy to get over or under. Enjoy the filtered sunlight of this hike on a sunny day, or save it for a rainy day. It's always a worthwhile place to be.
Guidebook: Best Hikes with Kids in Western Washington, by Joan Burton (Mountaineers Books). And check out WTA's Hiking Guide for more info, as well as our Trip Reports for current conditions. Mt.Baker-Snoqualmie N.F. Darrington Ranger District (360) 436-1155.
Approach via the upper section of the Mountain Loop Highway. Drive through Arlington and Darrington on Hwy 530. In Darrington, turn right at the stop sign on Clear Creek Road, which will become the Mountain Loop Highway (F.R. 20). A little over three miles from the stop sign is the parking lot for the trailhead on the left side of the road. Northwest Forest Pass required.
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