Old Sauk River Trail
Jan 23, 2010
by
OutdoorDan
—
last modified
Jan 24, 2010 02:08 PM
- Type of Outing
- Day hike
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Old Sauk River Trail
- Region: North Cascades -- Mountain Loop Highway
- Agency: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest, Darrington Ranger District
- Trails: Old Sauk (#728)
- Avg Rating: 2.46
- Be Aware Of
- Blowdowns
Lunch spot on the Sauk by Dan Yates
With all the great mild weather we've been having it was too tempting to pass up a trip to the forest and a hike. With cooling temps and the threat of afternoon rain I decided to keep it low and easy so a river trail was perfect. Add in the body that hadn't done a real hike in nearly 2 months and a need to be back in the afternoon I chose the close to home Old Sauk River Trail. I knew there would be others at the trail and there were cars when we arrived. Saw some fishermen and a couple on the way in and a few people and a family on the way out so go early if you want solitude.
This trail is easy to access as its just inside the national forest just south of Darrington. It took me about an hour to reach the trail from Lake Stevens. Once on the trail my friend and I set off at a quick place. You quickly come to viewpoint of the river. You also enter a forest completely covered in thick green moss. We decided to go for about an hour before stopping and turning back. The trail itself is in pretty good condtion. It is a good place for kids and beginners. It followed the river bank alot and occasionally rolls up or down hill or away from the river. There were lots of places to see the Sauk River and get onto its banks. There we're a couple of spots that were sumping and small blow downs that could be walked over and under with ease. A footbridge a mile or so in has seen better days and had a woble when walked on. There was also a ditch that was full of water and required a crossing nearning the 2 mile mark. There were logs there but some are loose and all were wet, be careful. Again, these things were minor, kids could pass the ditch with a little help.
Around 2 miles in my friend and I pulled off to a rocky section of the river bank for lunch. We stayed for nearly half an hour and enjoyed the clear, fast moving river. The sound of the rushing water was so relaxing. The walk out was fast and took about an hour. It was nice to see a large section of the river that you can't see from the road. The winter work out was nice, I didn't start to feel it until about the 3 mile mark. Spring is just around the corner and I'm not too out of tune!
This trail is easy to access as its just inside the national forest just south of Darrington. It took me about an hour to reach the trail from Lake Stevens. Once on the trail my friend and I set off at a quick place. You quickly come to viewpoint of the river. You also enter a forest completely covered in thick green moss. We decided to go for about an hour before stopping and turning back. The trail itself is in pretty good condtion. It is a good place for kids and beginners. It followed the river bank alot and occasionally rolls up or down hill or away from the river. There were lots of places to see the Sauk River and get onto its banks. There we're a couple of spots that were sumping and small blow downs that could be walked over and under with ease. A footbridge a mile or so in has seen better days and had a woble when walked on. There was also a ditch that was full of water and required a crossing nearning the 2 mile mark. There were logs there but some are loose and all were wet, be careful. Again, these things were minor, kids could pass the ditch with a little help.
Around 2 miles in my friend and I pulled off to a rocky section of the river bank for lunch. We stayed for nearly half an hour and enjoyed the clear, fast moving river. The sound of the rushing water was so relaxing. The walk out was fast and took about an hour. It was nice to see a large section of the river that you can't see from the road. The winter work out was nice, I didn't start to feel it until about the 3 mile mark. Spring is just around the corner and I'm not too out of tune!
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A real mossy section of the Old Sauk Trail by Dan Yates
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