Skagit-Sauk Reach Trail, Howard Miller Steelhead Park - Wetland Wildlife Trail — Monday, Apr. 20, 2020

Soaringeagle an I just had to get out, so we decided to take a drive and possible a hike, in the North Cascades. We planned ahead, picnic lunch, hand sanitizer, and 'business bag' so we would not have to stop anywhere. We first drove up Hwy 20. It is closed and guarded west of Newhalem which we knew, we wanted some scenery as far as we could go. After our little drive, we stopped at the park. The restrooms, campground and picnic area are all closed, but we got permission from the ranger to hike the trails, they are open. The trail starts at the far end of the campground, there is a large overhead sign that says Trailhead. The path is a moved swath thru a large field with a great view of Sauk Mtn and some interpretive signs along the way. When you get to the signed fork go to the left for a nice bench and view of the Skagit River. Then take the right fork and go meet the Sauk/Skagit Reach trail. That starts after you cross a wetland on a nice plank bridge. Take a left on the old road turned trail. Follow about the river on this wide path, perfect for what we need now. There are several expansive views of the river with the North Cascades in the distance. There are a few blowdowns that are easy to get around. The trail does narrow down past the blowdowns, not good for that 6'. The trickiest part of the trail is about 2 miles in where there is an old washout that has to be climbed over. After that the trail is very narrow and sluffing away down the river bank. Once we met up with an old road coming down the hill, the trail is more in the woods and away from the river. The side of the trail was carpeted with our native bleeding hearts, just beautiful!  Here we saw a large pile of bear scat, they are out!! We had hiked about 3 miles in, so we ate our brownies and turned around.  We had a great day in the woods, we stayed safe and kept others safe by not stopping anywhere and saw only one runner on our way out. Just be aware if you drive up here there are NO potty stops ANYWHERE along here, it's all facilitrees practice LNT