Length
Elevation Gain
Highest Point
The Big Rock trail can be accessed by parking in the temporary lot off of Mt Vernon Big Lake Road and walking up the gravel service road at the top of the parking lot. The service road goes through the clearcut section of the park, along a ridge leading to Yudwasta. Less than a quarter mile up, there is a bench and a view of Mt Baker and Skagit Valley. At the bench, the trail becomes much steeper and narrower. It continues up Big Rock for a quarter mile of mostly stairs, with short sections of flat trail in between.
The trail leads to the top of Yudwasta and opens into a bald full of grass, camas, scotch broom and many glacially smoothed rocky outcroppings. This upper area has beautiful panoramic views as well as steep drops and slick surfaces.
History
This park opened in 2026 after much work by Skagit County, Skagit Land Trust, WTA and other partners!
The area was formerly Hoag Memorial; Skagit County managed the 13 acres where Big Rock was located after Dr. Richard Hoag donated it to the County shortly before he passed away, but it was not accessible to the public due to the surrounding area being private property.The County worked with the Skagit Land Trust to acquire the property to grow the park to nearly 80 acres. The eponymous "Big Rock" is now accessible to the public via a trail that starts along Mount Vernon Big Rock Road.
The "Big Rock" is also known as Yudwasta to the ancestors of the Coast Salish people, which is where the park gets its name.
Trailhead
