Sullivan Creek and South Mill Pond

For about 100 years, a dam impounded Sullivan Creek, creating Mill Pond. You might still see the pond on topo maps, but the dam was removed in 2017, and habitat restoration followed. The Sullivan Creek Trail winds through the forested hillsides around the former pond.

From the trailhead at the Mill Pond Historic Site, Sullivan Creek Trail 565 leads into a shady mature forest of cedar, fir, and pine, heading east toward Mill Pond Campground. You’ll pass over a footbridge with a small waterfall, and in about a half mile you’ll reach the north end of the campground.

Walk the campground road till you arrive at the day use area (another access point for this trail), then cross the footbridge over Sullivan Creek. The trail ascends a bit, curves to the west, then reaches a junction with a wider trail. If you turned left, you’d end up at Sullivan Lake, so keep right to continue your loop.

About half a mile from the junction, you’ll see a fork to the right with a sign for South Mill Pond Trail #550. This out-and-back spur (about a third of a mile each way) takes you down to the valley floor. It’s worth the trip for the meadows of wildflowers by the creek, and to see how the valley is recovering following removal of the dam.

The main trail continues around the valley, ending up at the former site of the Mill Pond Dam. If you have time, hike the Mill Pond Flume Trail and learn about the history of this site. When you’re finished,  just walk up the trail to the picnic area where you began.