North Fork Sauk River — Friday, Jun. 7, 2024

Good news for those traveling to the trailhead via the mountain loop highway and FR 49.   The county has just finished grading the mountain loop highway for the spring opening (this week).   I came around via Darrington since the gates were still closed at Barlow Pass.   You are on gravel for 7 miles on the mountain loop.  My first caution is the road surface conditions.   While no potholes, the grading significantly crowned the road surface.  The center section is VERY soft and is already starting form ruts.  In addition to wet, clay like surface, and the result is a slippery surface.   My second warning is the 6.8 miles on FR 49.   It is in very poor shape.   Pot holes next to pot holes within potholes.   Take it slowly.  A SUV is recommended but not necessarily required.   

My day hike was limited to the first 5 miles of trail.   I did not make it up to the shelter.   Overall the tread is in very good shape.   The main obstacles are the down trees across the trail.   Thankfully, the WTA crew up here is weekend will remove most of the trees in this first section.   Until then, it is still under, over, or around.  The trail is still closed to stock.   There are two locations with 36” plus trees crossing the trail (near wilderness boundary).   

This was my first visit to this trail, and I was really in awe of the large diameter trees along the trail.   It is not uncommon to see 6’ plus diameter Douglas Fir and Red cedar.   I am glad these groves still exist in the wilderness areas.   The river has a lot of water from recent rains and melting snow.   I had a snack along one noisy section of white water.   

The mosquitoes are starting to buzz around but not too bad today.   Wild flowers are also beginning to appear especially in the sunny areas.   

I passed two climbers headed up to Glacier Peak.   They sped by while I leisurely  headed back to the car and a snack in Darrington.