This is one of those little "hidden gems" kind of walks, which gets you a good workout as a fringe benefit. My thanks and admiration to the individuals who maintain this trail, which is (currently) pretty easy to follow and in reasonably good shape.
There is no parking lot, you must find a place on the shoulder east of the Rocky Creek bridge (there are places to park safely). The trailhead is easy to find, just walk West to the Rocky Creek bridge on HWY 20, the trailhead is obvious starting behind the guard rail on the east side of the creek.
The trail simply goes up the East side of Rocky creek through a pretty, old growth forest. At about 2 miles and 2,000' elevation there is a modest view point down the Skagit, and at 3 miles and 3,000' elevation there is an even better view point (this is where I went and I suspect most pedestrian day hikers go). But, for the Vikings in the crowd, you can continue on up and ultimately tie-in to the Cow Heaven trail (a near x-country adventure that sounds divine, but is beyond my aging fuselage).
Some old burned cedar snags speak as to how old this forest really is, illuminating why the lower elevation forest (mostly Douglas Firs) are only in the 4' diameter generation.
I was the only human visitor on the day I visited. This is part of the attraction of this place - solitude.
The lower forest sports a handsome old growth forest and ample exercise. The middle trail (~2miles up) relaxes a bit, meandering along a forested ridge alternating flats and climbs. As you approach the 3,000' viewpoint (at ~3 miles), you climb through a mossy-floored forest that reminds you of the Ewoks in the Star Wars movie (trees are much smaller here). The trail gets a little bit sketchy at 3 miles, as it winds through a mossy floored forest where the trail use only leaves a light mark on the mossy trail bed.
Keep your eyes open, there are a lot of forest scenes to entertain you: mushrooms, moss, impressive bearded lichen a mile up, Calypso Orchids, a ridge melt pond (dried up by the time I arrived), the cedar tree growing on the top of a spring outlet, etc.
The 2nd viewpoint (where I stopped) is on a mossy bluff smothered in Kinnikinnick, blooming and alive with bumble bees when I was there. The view down the Skagit is your reward for lifting yourself about 2,500' from HWY 20 far below. This is a nice, obscure way to experience the North Cascades.
To refine a previous report of "about 10 logs that need to be cleared in the mid section of the trail" - on my descent, I counted the blow downs that could stand to be cut out of the way, and the number is actually "52". Most of the logs were 2' or less in diameter, although a few blowdowns were 3' or larger. Fortunately, most of the blowdowns are easily walked around or climbed over.
If you visit, you might want to take a clipper with you to help maintain this quiet little Skagit trail along Rocky Creek. On a rainy day, you will wish you had gaiters.
The only water you will find is the water in your pack.
Comments