Old Sauk River Trail

A great hike for all ages at any time of the year, the Old Sauk River Trail meanders through deep lush forest and mossy vegetation, winding in and out from the riverbank around side streams, pools and ponds.

Listed in Best Hikes with Kids: Western Washington and the Cascades by Joan Burton, the lowland, level trail is 6 miles round trip but you can turnaround at any time. The trail begins in forest of Douglas fir, western hemlock, western red cedar, red alder, vine maple and big leaf maple. In spring and early summer, delight in wildflowers - trillium, wood violet, twinflower and starflower - that carpet the forest floor. Children also can look for berries such as red huckleberries, salmonberries and thimbleberries in late summer into early fall.

The trail weaves between forest and river, with the rushing sound of the Sauk River as a constant companion. A major tributary to the Skagit, the federally protected Sauk River is one of Washington's most scenic rivers, supporting diverse wildlife and providing critical habitat for wintering bald eagles and Puget Sound salmon. During summer and fall months, you might spy salmon or steelhead making their way upriver to spawn. In springtime, explore puddles and pools along the way for gelatinous masses of frog eggs.

Directions: To get there, drive Highway 530 to Darrington. Follow signs to the Mountain Loop Highway, which becomes road #20. Continue just about 4 miles to the trailhead on the left, signed "Old Sauk Trailhead." A Northwest Forest Pass is required.

Trail notes: Green Trails: Silverton #110. For more info, contact the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Darrington Ranger District at (360) 436-1155.

Old Sauk Trail photo courtesy of Kim Brown.