I took my 2 kids here yesterday. Winter wrens and Swainson's thrushes serenaded us as we started our hike in the late morning. We appreciated the shiny new trailhead for Beaver Lake, as well as the spiffy, clean outhouse. The trail dips slightly then follows an old railroad grade along the Sauk River. It's shady and brushy at this time of year. The greenery is so lush sometimes we felt we were walking in a tunnel. Birds sang in the tall maples and evergreens (wish I were better at identifying their songs by ear), and butterflies flitted about the flowers. We saw a little snake, a snail, and several slugs. Unfortunately, the horseflies and mosquitoes were already out, too. Plants in bloom included youth-on-age, buttercup, bleeding heart, bunchberry, salmonberry (lots of ripe berries!) and American speedwell. It was humid and hot and a bit uncomfortable. Despite the heat, we made good time to the beaver pond. We were going to stop there for a snack, but there wasn't a good spot to sit, so we continued on a few more minutes to the end of the trail and the riverbank. That last section of trail travels through some old growth trees, and there is abundant moss hanging from branches. We heard frogs and saw woodpeckers in this section. No luck on the beaver, though. The trail ends where a large washout dumped the tread into the river. We enjoyed our lunch there, and so did another couple with their dog. They were the only other ones on the trail with us. We had no problems with the washout before the beaver pond; I found out after we got home that the rusty metal we could see sticking out of the bank were old railroad tracks. There was just a bit of mud, but we enjoyed the multiple stream crossings with their gurgling sounds. We did need to be careful of stinging nettles, as some were hanging over the trail. Otherwise, it was a pleasant place to spend part of our day. I've got photos over on my blog, http://wp.me/p2oxMr-10i.

We wanted to find a short after work walk/hike that wasn't too far away, and Beaver Lake was a perfect choice. We arrived around 5pm and the parking area was empty. As others have mentioned, there is a restroom at the trail head, and a gravel path leading down toward the river. The trail is in good condition, but there is a lot of standing water on the sides of the trail, so that coupled with the time of day, made for very buggy conditions. The trail was worth it though. It's short, has almost no elevation gain or loss (much needed after a long, exhausting work week), and involves river views, old growth forest, and wetlands. We saw lots of deer tracks on the trail in muddier sections, and saw two deer on our way back. Beautiful afternoon/early evening hike!

I had read about this hike a few weeks ago, and having never been there I decided today that it would be a great way to spend the afternoon. I reached the trail-head about noon, the only car in the parking lot. The trail head is brand new, with a nice gravel path leading to the start of the hike. There is ample parking space also. The trail follows the path of the Sauk River, offering many views of the river and surrounding mountains. Trail is level, with little or no climbing. Today weather was questionable, following a few days of roans. Due to that rain, the trail was a bit muddy, but posed no obstacles. I hiked to the site of the washout, and spent some time there, sat on a log, soaking in the views. It is a great spot to spend some time. There were a few "wildflowers" blooming, a few trillium, and lots of skunk cabbage! Beaver lake was nice too. I did not see any wild life, but did hear many birds, and spotted one eagle. I enjoyed this hike, and all that it has to offer. It would be a great one for families with children. I hiked about 4 miles today, was rained on and hailed on, but had a great time!

We headed up to Darrington to do a hike off the Mtn. Loop Highway that we had never hiked. We had hiked and backpacked other trails in the MLH area for many years, but had not done this one. The Forest Service has redone the trailhead parking lot with new gravel and restroom. They even graveled the first 100 yards of a new section of trail down to the old dirt trail. The trail goes up stream along the Sauk River on an old logging railroad grade built by the Sauk River Lumber Company back in the early 1920's. Where the trail starts by the river we could see old timber pilings from a railroad trestle. In a short distance there is a side trail over to the river by a USGS water gauging station and down to a sand bar. Further on the trail is on a hillside just above the river. This section of the trail is slowing sliding down to the water. We had a nice view of Mt. Pugh before getting back into the trees. Near the first beaver pond, a part of the trail has be rerouted from an old wooded bridge across a wet area to a clay hillside. We then crossed a long bridge over a beaver pond where you can see several ponds and dams. We stopped for lunch at the ponds with a view north to White Chuck Mtn. While eating a lone bumble bee came by checking out the flowers on a salmonberry bush. After lunch we hiked by a grove of old growth Red Cedar trees and to the end of the trail at the Sauk River with a nice view over to Sloan and Bedal Peaks. The trail used to continue over to the Mtn. Loop Highway, but the section by the river was washed out several years ago. Only met a few other hikers out on this nice day. Some wild flowers are starting to bloom. We saw a few Mourning Cloak and Northern Blue butterflies. This is a nice river hike with mountain views, plus the beaver ponds and old growth cedars. Hike is a little over 6 miles round trip. Check out the trail before all the trees leaf out for better views. There is even a nice view of White Chuck Mtn. from the parking lot. A little history about the area that this trail goes through. The Sauk River Lumber Company began logging both Northern Pacific Railway and Forest Service land in 1922. They had the White Chuck Camp (near the Beaver Lake trailhead parking lot) and later the Bedal Camp (up by the present day Bedal Campground on the MLH) to house and feed the loggers. On July 17, 1926 the SRLC signed a contract with the Forest Service to log 40 million board feet (a board foot is: 1 foot square by 1 inch thick) of standing timber. The lumber company had six Shay and one Williamette geared steam locomotives, and one rod locomotive. Fifty five to seventy loaded log cars per day where hauled into Darrington to go to different saw mills. They finished logging the area in 1953. Now you can hike on a railroad grade built over 90 years ago.

It was a beautiful sunny day to enjoy this hike. Only car at the trailhead at 9am. The trail stars off splendidly, along the way there are muddy spots so boots would be recommended. Saw a pair of ducks and saw the beaver dams but no beavers. had a great rest at the trail end at the river with an awesome view. on the way back, took a side trail that lead to a USGS water survey shed then walked along the river before returning. Would also recommend driving the rest of the mountain loop highway to granite falls though it does mean you're not able to stop at the awesome coffee/book store in darrington.