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Quick Facts

Location: Mountain Loop Highway

Land Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

Roundtrip: 6.0 miles

Elevation Gain: 150 feet

Green Trails Map: Green Trails, Silverton, WA- no. 110

Contact: Darrington Ranger District: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest (360) 436-1155; www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/

Access: From Darrington follow Mountain Loop Highway south for 3.5 miles to trailhead.

A major tributary to the federally-protected Wild and Scenic Skagit River, the Sauk also provides critical habitat for Puget Sound salmon. And like the Skagit, this mighty river also provides winter habitat for hundreds of bald eagles who come down from Alaska each winter to feast on spawning salmon. With an elevation below 1,000 feet, the Old Sauk River Trail rarely sees snow and during this El Nino year it is a guaranteed to be a snow free winter hike.

The trail begins in a thick stand of mature forest. Selectively logged during the 1930s, many old-growth Douglas-fir trees still stand. After about .75 mile, you’ll finally reach the river. Behold its beauty and ever changing mood. In the wet months the river’s volume and current increase; often leading it to jump its banks. Determined volunteers however, make sure to restore any tread that the river may have claimed!

Continue alongside the churning river through attractive woods. Walk this way in springtime and be treated to brilliant displays of wildflowers. Thousands of trillium, dwarf dogwood, wood violet, twin flower, and star flower carpet the forest floor. The trail briefly leaves the river to follow a quiet channel. Look here for beaver sign. At 2.75 miles the trail leaves the Sauk and its raucous bellowing behind. Briefly following Murphy Creek through a tunnel of moss-draped maples and under a canopy of towering cottonwoods the trail reaches its southern terminus on the Mountain Loop Highway. Now turn around enjoy this trail downriver.

For information on lodging and other attractions near the Old Sauk Trail, visitwww.snohomish.org