Enjoyed a beautiful hike here today!
Road: The trail is fairly easy to find. From Highway 92, the main road into Granite Falls, go through town & turn right, the opposite direction of Mountain Loop Highway. Then turn left at the T ontoMendel Lake Road and follow it a short distance of about a mile. Look for the brown sign indicating Lime Kiln Trail and turn left onto Waite Mill Road. Please go slow here as you’re driving through a neighborhood. You’ll come to gravel & stay to the left. There are some larger pot holes here to avoid as you approach the left turn into the trailhead parking area and another large one to avoid on the slope up. The parking area is quite large & can accommodate approximately 40 vehicles. However, there is no privy so be sure to stop in town at one of the many shops & restaurants before hitting this trail. Also be sure to lock your vehicle & remove all valuables as this area has previously been notorious for break ins.
Trail: You’ll start just past the trail sign & follow the trail on an easy grade up through a lovely, mossy forest. This trail can be quite muddy & wet in spots, so I highly recommend waterproof boots! Once you exit the forested part, you’ll walk up a gravelly road grade where abundant salmon berries can be enjoyed in season. Today, however, I enjoyed an interesting array of the fleeting enigma “Hair Ice” on the entire extent of this trail! It was amazing! The trail then descends & enters again into a forested section before popping back onto a road. You’ll come to a wood bridge then walk a bit to an intersection, follow the well signed trail to the left as it again descends along a creek, then follows along a wide railroad bed trail with the South Fork of the rushing Stillaguamish River keeping you company on your way to the historic Lime Kiln. There are some narrow areas on this trail and a few eroding sections, so be sure footed as you hike. Also a few wooden bridges to cross that can be icy & slippery. About 3 miles in, you’ll come to the kiln on a grade to your right. Here I enjoyed the history of the area & viewed the metal & brick artifacts left from long ago mining. Be sure not to disturb them & leave things as they are for others to enjoy. Many hikers turn around here, but the trail continues, albeit through some really muddy sections, for another 1/2 mile or so to a beautiful riverside spot that’s perfect for a snack before heading back. I should note that this trail is rumored to be haunted. And although I tend to lean on the skeptical side, I must admit that I get an eerie feeling every time I hike it in the section just after the kiln.
Happy Hiking!!
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