This is a nice low elevation park with lots of looping opportunities. We usually go here when we visit the Skagit Valley for birding or tulips. You can tell that the local Mt Vernon hiking community has put a lot of work into making this park nice. I'm sure they are very proud.
You can access the trails either from the south (Darvil Tr) or from the northeast (East Trailhead). We did the latter this time. Very nice 2nd growth forest throughout. Most of the trails are open to Mountain Bikes but we didn't encounter any.
Comments
There are actually 4 access points to the trails. Darvill and South Connector off Hickox Rd on the south side, and 3)Nature Trail/Sidekick on the East side and 4) Rooty/Up Only on the North side of the park. Ultimately it is fun to access from each of these points, mixing and matching trails from all these points to make differing loops.
While Little Mountain is relatively low by hiking standards, as you mention, the elevation gain from the base of Darvill to the top is over 850 feet...a decent workout!
And finally: Yes! To the Mount Vernon Parks Dept for all the effort they are putting in to maintaining and improving these trails. Not only that just last week we noticed they are in the process of constructing some new trails. You go guys (and girls)!
Posted by:
Trailbagger on Jan 03, 2020 08:57 PM