This trip report is a part of a scouting trip in preparation for a WTA work party on this trail in early May. I have never been to this trail before, but I looked forward to a day out on the trail near Darrington even if it was a typical drizzly day in early spring. I was the only one of the trail today. The rest room is open at the trailhead.
Based on the trip write up on the WTA website, I looked forward to finding a beaver out on Beaver Lake this morning. The trail follows an old railroad grade so it is relatively flat along the upper reaches of the Sauk river. The trail is wet in places since some of the drains are plugged. Hopefully, a WTA work party within the week will take care of many of these issues.
There is a small landslide blocking about 20 feed of trail about 1/2 mile from the trailhead that blocks the trail. It is an easy walk around down on the slope. Follow the social trail realignment. There is also a few trees that require over or under or easy go around. All are relatively straight-forward to get past.
The spring flowers are starting to bloom along the trail. There were columbine on both sides of the trail and swamp lilies in the low areas. Salmonberry are also starting to bloom. Be careful along the edge of the trail. Stinging nettles are also growing along the edges.
No beavers out today at the end of the trail (1.5 miles in at downed bridge since 2018). They must have been inside eating fresh alder and vine maple branches while I stood in the rain. I enjoyed my day out and then had enough time in the day for an adult beverage in Darrington.
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