Beautiful day!  There were a couple forks on the trail that could use better signage.  We were not sure if we had taken the correct path, and turned back after several miles.  In retrospect, we were on the right trail and could have just continued, but we didn't really care today as our goal was to get out to enjoy beauty and enjoy a walk---and that was accomplished.  Overall, we had a great day, sunshine, easy trail and great day out doors.

After a demanding, but amazing, hike to Mt Si on Saturday, my plan was an easy hike on Memorial Day to explore a new area.  With another great forecast, I decided on a forest/river trail and headed to Rockport and the Howard Miller Steelhead Park.  This is a very large campground that also has a decent day-use area complete with full bathrooms and a picnic area.  I was the first car in the day-use parking lot when I arrived a little after 9:00.

Walked through the campground roads to the clearly marked sign to the Trailhead.  There is an interpretive loop of trails that offer some river views along with a lot of wildflowers.  This was a good opportunity to test the camera.  After a little under a mile, I reached the main trail - a pretty typical PNW forest trail.

Overall the trail was in good shape but at around 2 miles the trail narrows and is very overgrown.  There is also erosion of the river bank that is cutting into the trail.  I would think that one or two slides here would render the trail impassable. But, for now, it is fine.  Just have to watch your footing pushing through the early morning spider webs!  Before I knew it, I was at the cut trail to the left to get to the river and lunch spot.  This was at barely 2.5 miles so I continued down the main forest trail to the end to add a couple more miles.  This section was nothing notable...a wide, multi-use trail that ended at a road.  Made my back to the side trail for lunch and enjoyed a peaceful lunch by the river with amazing views of the mountains in the distance.  I had the entire river beach area to myself and this seemed like a very quiet area.

On my return, I saw the only 2 other hikers that I saw all day.  I did not see any Eagles at this time of year but almost stepped on 3 small snakes!  Overall, this was  the peaceful and easy trail that I was seeking and any day that you get to hike is a good day.  Certainly not a spectacular trail, and a little on the short side - it's really not worth going much beyond the turn to river.  Very nice have full toilet facilities and a picnic area to enjoy post-hike before heading home.

This was a beautiful day for a hike along the Skagit River. Refer to the trip report by Muledeer on April 6, 2021, for instructions so you don't go awry. The trail is doable, but hikers need to know that it's currently pretty overgrown and due to erosion along the river, the trail is positioned only inches away from the cliff edge for quite a distance, so at times we needed to watch our feet carefully while holding branches away from our faces. There are also a few trees down along the trail, but easily navigable. We had a dog with us that didn't have any problems, but I would not advise bringing small children because of the possibility of them slipping off the trail and ending up in the river below. Wonderful flat hike, though, and a great sunny picnic on the beach.

What a great day in the North Cascades! We started our day at Howard Miller Steelhead Park and a hike along the Skagit river. The trail takes off from the campground  where there's a little archway that says Trailhead above. It first goes thru the wildlife meadows, there is a batbox and some birdhouses here and some nice interpretive signs, plus a river overlook with a bench. Continue on and cross a bridge over a swamp, head up and hit an old road. Turn left and soon cross another small bridge over a small creek. The trail continues on the old road and begins to angle toward the river. It soon becomes a trail along the high riverbank. There are nice views of the North Cascades to the east and of the river to the west and south. There are some blowdowns, easily crossed over. The washout comes at around 2 miles or so. It is easy to get over after you do a little climbing over roots and using a few branches and ferns to pull yourself over, not a problem for most hikers. Once past the slide, the trail begins to angle away from the river. When you reach a fork, take the left trail, this will lead you down and to the beach for a glorious lunch spot right on the river, complete with mtn views and sitting log.  This is an easy flat trail that can be done by all hikers, and yet we had it to ourselves today. There were people out fishing tho, in boats and on the far bank.  About 6 miles RT to the river spot and back. The road continues to the right after the turnoff, but just goes away from the river and into the woods. Been there, done that, but not today. The park has a day use area (where we started from) with a restroom, a few picnic tables and a nice bench. There is also a boat launch and campground with a play area for little kids. 

This was my second time hiking this trail (see my previous report from December 5, 2020).  Wanted to give a few updates.  The first section of the trail that follows an old road through the woods, away from the river, was muddier than before but manageable with waterproof boots.  The section at about 1.5 miles has survived winter storms but is still narrow and a bit overgrown and treacherous.  The trail is hanging on, but be careful when walking this section. 

This is a great hike for a sunny fall or winter day.  The southern exposure means you'll get plenty of sunshine during the hike, with expansive views of the Skagit - Sauk reach, the snow-covered hills, and mountains beyond.  I hiked to the small beach (maybe 2 - 2.5 miles in, wasn't recording mileage today), where I ate lunch and let my dog jump in the river.  This is a very peaceful trail along one of the PNW's most beautiful rivers. 

During the course of my two-hour hike, I saw two other groups.  Pretty much had the place to myself. 

TIP: This trail, combined with the Evergreen Loop at nearby Rockport State Park makes for a great day of hiking:  a riverside trail with mountain views plus a loop through a verdant old growth forest.