This is our go-to hike when we want to spend time in Darrington and get outdoors, AND not have to drive down a potholey road. We parked at the main lot where the ADA loop begins, and took the ADA loop left towards the river. Once we reached the river, we continued left and headed towards the west end of the trail. The kept us close to the river for most of our hike until we decided to turn around at 1.5 miles.
We saw two eagles, one in the forest and one over the river. The river is frozen at the edges but not solid. Every leaf and frond was lined in durable, intricate frost. The low sun cast glowing light through the mossy branches. We saw several other hikers, but it was not busy.
There was one small tree down in the middle of that mile we walked on the river trail.
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