A little gem on the Mountain Loop Highway, especially if you’re looking for something on the shorter side. You’ll hike through beautiful old growth in Glacier Peak Wilderness, get some elevation in via gentle switchbacks, and then top out at the old lookout spot with fantastic views of the valley, Sloan Peak, Monte Christo, and more beyond. Since no one seems to do this hike, the solitude and peace can’t be beat.
The price to pay? An annoying 6 miles on FR 49, which is consistently potholed and also has some rocky bits. I felt bad for the 1-2 Prius drivers parked at the main North Fork Sauk River trailhead, you’d have to go very slowly and have a lot of patience. It’s clearly not impossible, just a hassle made slightly easier with higher clearance. Wish this road would get some love from the Forest Service or similar.
The trail itself is in pretty good condition - seems like someone has been through recently to tackle some brushy spots. There are several (5?) large trees that need to be crossed over and under, if you have limited mobility they could be an issue.
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