North Fork Sauk River — Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009

North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway

It turned out to be a great day for a hike. I opted for an easier hike this time out as my friend that went with me is still recovering from being hit by a car a few months ago. I had visited this trailhead a couple times and climbed up to the Red Mountain Lookout (a great view on a clear day) that leaves from the N. Fork Sauk Trail a few yards in. I really wanted to see what lay further up the main trail and knew it would be an easier stroll for my friend. We approached from the Barlow Pass side and the main road was in decent condition. Once on FSR #49 that leads to the trailhead we found it to be full of potholes and puddles. It is passable to cars, just watch your speed as I did find some big holes on the road. At the parking lot we found just two other vehicles there and as it turned out one of the people/ groups went up Red Mountain. As we set out on our hike it was gloomy with a light mist that stuck with us for most of the trip in. The trail is still clear and well defined after the first couple rounds of rain we've had. However, the trail has become slick and muddy very quickly in alot of places. Rocks and roots posed slipping and tripping hazards so be careful. With the hazards though came beauty that could only be found deep in the forest. Old growth trees were everywhere and fall colors were out in full force. Moss blanketed just about everything. We saw all different kinds of mushrooms and fungus the whole way up the trail. There were also a nice couple spots to stop and admire the river that was flowing fast with th recent rains. At 3 1/2 miles in we came to a campground and a new footbridge across a nearby creek. We decided to call it good and stopped for lunch. Soon after we saw an older man coming back from the shelter another 1 1/2 mile up the trail. We exchanged "Hellos" and soon he was gone. Not long after the sun came out and we headed back after our break. On the way back we got occasional sunbreaks which was really neat in the damp forest.